Alright, Military spouse here. It's a a smaller city city with about 26,780 people. With a population of 26,780, South Portland is a smaller city. Household incomes average around $84,563 in South Portland. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. Any advice would be great. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
26 upvotes
6 Replies
Emma L.
I've lived in Highland for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- The weather scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Aubrey L.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 15 years. Moved from LA for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is average - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are excellent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Chain restaurants dominate. Limited shopping options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Ezekiel Sanders
yep
25 upvotes
Carter B.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Tampa about 7 years ago. The main reasons were family and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong sense of community
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is tough.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Everly
underrated comment
19 upvotes
Arianna Hill
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely better than expected and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Highland) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
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