Neighborhoods and Housing
Here in Portland we live in historic brick buildings with working fireplaces, ornate Victorians with sunny bay windows, and spacious city lofts overlooking the harbor; we live in little houses with gardens and large apartment buildings with all the amenities. We live on quiet tree-lined streets, above the bustling brick sidewalks of the downtown district, and atop the Hill overlooking the Casco Bay.
In Portland the in-town and neighborhood living experience that would be prohibitive in a place like New York or Boston is affordable. Our neighborhoods have coffee shops and corner stores, bakeries, bars, and schools. We know our neighbors.
Our creative endeavors require space and quiet; here we can afford that space. But when we seek inspiration and stimulation, we step out outside and find it. Sara Corbett, a freelance writer for New York Times Magazine, among other publications, says, “Writing is by nature kind of a lonely thing and…Portland is this great environment to do it in because not only is it peaceful, but…the size of the city lends itself to this incredible friendliness…When you just need someone to smile at you, there’s actually someone in this town who smiles at you, and as an artist that kind of can sustain you when you’re feeling lonely.”
In Portland we don’t use the word “commute”. No matter where we live in the city, work is just a short walk, bike ride, or drive away. That leaves us more time for living, working, and creating.
Neighborhoods
Our city is a city of neighborhoods, each one with its own distinct flavor and charm. You can get a sense for how the city fits together with this neighborhood map.
Neighborhood Scout has an interactive map that lets you compare the neighborhoods of Portland based on several factors: real estate and demographic information, quality of public schools, property appreciation and crime rate.
West End has an air of quiet and grandeur. It’s home to large nineteenth and early twentieth-century brick and stone homes with tidy yards and colorful gardens. The tree-lined streets with single and multi-family homes that feel much like the quiet residential streets of Cambridge. It’s bordered on one side by the Western Promenade, a grassy expanse overlooking the White Mountains that swoops down to the peaceful Western Cemetery. From the West End, Portland’s downtown district is just a short walk away. To learn more, contact the West End Neighborhood Organization or the Western Promenade Neighborhood Association, and read the West End News blog and website.
Munjoy Hill is on the eastern edge of the Portland peninsula overlooking Casco Bay and about a half mile from the heart of the downtown. It’s the city’s hip, up-and-coming neighborhood—the Brooklyn of Portland—complete with a coffee shop, a corner store with organic local produce, and several little restaurants. A fire in the mid-nineteenth century destroyed much of this neighborhood, so Munjoy Hill’s two and three-story houses are newer and closer together. Decks and balconies on Munjoy Hill look out onto the Eastern Promenade, a scenic waterfront park with a small beach and bike path, a favorite of active Portlanders and dog owners alike. For a window into this hilltop neighborhood, peruse Munjoy Hill News, follow Munjoy Hill on Twitter, or contact the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization. Support Munjoy Hill’s scenic overlook of Casco Bay by joining Friends of the Eastern Promenade.
Back Cove is the neighborhood adjacent to the Back Cove, a tidal basin on the northern side of Portland circled by a popular running trail and Baxter Boulevard. Quiet residential streets branch out from the Boulevard like spokes. In this neighborhood, three-story Victorians intermingle with little houses with tidy fenced in yards. Back Cove is away from the bustle of the downtown, but like most places in Portland, just five to seven minutes away from where you need to be. To learn more, contact the Back Cove Neighborhood Association.
Downtown is the heart of Portland, running from High Street to Franklin Street, and from Cumberland Avenue down to Portland’s working waterfront. Downtown residents enjoy views of Portland’s picturesque brick cityscape, and Portland’s coffee shops, art museum, galleries, and book stores are conveniently located right outside their doorsteps. To learn more about Portland’s downtown neighborhoods and beyond, explore the Portland Downtown District’s guide to areas of interest.
Deering Center is situated between Brighton Avenue, Woodford Street, Forest Avenue, and Walton Street. To learn more about the neighborhood, contact the Deering Center Neighborhood Organization.
North Deering is a large residential neighborhood on the northeastern edge of Portland, bordered on the west by train tracks, and on the east by the town of Falmouth. To learn more about the neighborhood, contact the North Deering Neighborhood Association.
East Bayside is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Maine, and is bounded on the west by Franklin Street, the east by Washington Avenue, the north by Marginal Way, and the south by Congress Street. To learn more, contact the East Bayside Neighborhood Organization or check out their Facebook page.
Bayside is a centrally-located neighborhood with easy access to the heart of the city. It it bordered by Marginal Way to the north, Franklin Arterial to the east, Congress Street to the south, and Forest Avenue to the west, and home to the hippest bowling alley in town, Bayside Bowl. To learn more about the neighborhood, contact the Bayside Neighborhood Association.
Libbytown is a convenient neighborhood for commuters. It’s on the southern edge of Portland, bordered by the Fore River and South Portland, and is close to the train station and the interstate. To learn more about the neighborhood, contact the Libbytown Neighborhood Association.
Nason’s Corner includes the areas on both sides of outer Brighton Avenue starting at Wayside Road out to Westbrook. The area is sandwiched by the two largest green spaces in the city, Evergreen Cemetery and the Fore River Sanctuary, and also contains Capisic Brook and the Capisic Pond trail. To learn more, contact the Nason’s Corner Neighborhood Association.
Parkside is – as it sounds – the area adjacent to Deering Oaks Park, a grassy expanse in the center of the city with tall oak trees and fountains, the site of the weekly Portland Farmers Market between the months of May and November. To learn more about the neighborhood, contact the Parkside Neighborhood Association.
Riverton is a large neighborhood in the northwest corner of Portland, bordered by the town of Westbrook. To learn more, contact the Riverton Neighborhood Organization.
St. John’s Valley is on the eastern edge of the Portland peninsula, close to downtown and the Western Promenade. To learn more about the neighborhood, contact the St. John’s Valley Neighborhood Association.
Stroudwater encompasses the area to west of the railroad tracks, abutting South Portland to the south and Westbrook to the west. To learn more about the neighborhood, contact the Stroudwater Neighborhood Association.
Peaks Island is one of the over 200 islands in Casco Bay, and just a 20-minute ferry ride from downtown Portland. The island is home to many artists, writers, and educators, among others. There is a public elementary school on the island, and Peaks Island students attend King Middle School and Portland High School. The island is home to around 1000 year-round residents, and the population blossoms to 4000-5000 in the summertime. To learn more, check out the Peaks Island website.
Woodfords-Oakdale is a neighborhood just northwest of the downtown area, centrally-located, but with quiet, tree-lined residential streets and easy access to several schools. To learn more about the neighborhood, contact the Woodfords-Oakdale Neighborhood Organization.
Real Estate
Maine Listings enables you browse residential and commercial property listings throughout the state by country, town, and property type.
Trulia has house, apartment, and condo listings for both buyers and renters, searchable by price, square-footage, and number of beds and baths.
Realtor.com lets you search property listings for rent and sale by zip code, price range, and number of beds and baths.
NewEnglandMoves.com is the real estate search engine of the residential brokerage firm Coldwell Banker, with many single and multi-family homes and condo listings in Portland.
Craigslist is a popular site among renters in Portland, letting you search for apartments, rooms in shared apartments, or sublets.
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