First post here. I work in real estate and It's a a smaller city city with about 26,780 people. Household incomes average around $84,563 in South Portland. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Am I overthinking this? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
4 upvotes
9 Replies
Benjamin Cook
Can confirm, been here 11 years.
39 upvotes
Aiden
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much stable but now it's improving.
33 upvotes
Sadie Sanders
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 41, moved here 8 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Midtown and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited shopping options
3. The community vibe situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Baltimore, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
21 upvotes
Lillian
This.
18 upvotes
Leonardo Wilson
I'm a lawyer and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
18 upvotes
Julia C.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
13 upvotes
Sophie Roberts
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
11 upvotes
Silas Collins
Moved here from San Francisco about 12 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to healthcare but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
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