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Coastal Apartment Living in Portland, Maine
Imagine mild summers and crisp autumns in a small, vibrant town featuring historic architecture and new art galleries, with the ocean in view and mountain hikes less than an hour’s drive away.
If this sounds like your idea of paradise, it’s time to look at Portland — no, not Portland, Oregon (though it’s lovely,) but a smaller Portland, on the opposite coast: Portland, Maine. With a metro-area population of almost a quarter-million (nearly a quarter of the total state population) and a busy seaport, Portland is no isolated village; it combines charming natural features with great city amenities and access to major Northeastern urban centers.
Coastal, but close-by
Portland is situated on the southeastern coast of Maine. Though a small city itself, Portland lies close to several major northeastern U.S. cities and at least one famous vacation destination: Kennebunkport, ME, is just 30 miles from Portland International Jetport. You can plan on driving about two hours to reach Boston, Massachusetts by car. Augusta, Maine’s state capital, is located about an hour away. And you can get around conveniently by air, as well: from Portland Airport, travelers can take advantage of daily nonstop flights to Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., among other cities.
Portland is also home to two universities, the University of Southern Maine and the University of New England at Portland.
Things to do in Portland
Portland’s arts district offers First Friday Art Walks every month and a children’s theatre, as well as the highly-regarded Portland Museum of Art. The Portland Public Market House houses a variety of unique local restaurants, and a visit to the Old Port offers many eateries with water views, best enjoyed during the warmer season. (Check out FoodinPortland.com for reviews of Portland restaurants.)
Wintry weather
What about the weather — namely, the winters? Being close to the ocean helps mitigate the Maine winters here, but Portland is still occasionally subject to “nor’easters” that can drop 10 inches, or more, of snow in a day. This is a wet city: it averages about 40 inches of rain and 70 inches of snow every year, and highs in January rarely get above freezing. On the other hand, its summers are pleasant, rather than scorching. And with a good pair of boots and a warm coat, you’ll be treated to beautiful views in autumn.
The combination of its small-town feel, cosmopolitan amenities, and coastal locale make Portland, Maine, an appealing place either to find an apartment or spend a vacation.
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Readers Poll
How much will you budget for your apartment move?
- More than $500 (32%, 19 Votes)
- $301 to $500 (30%, 18 Votes)
- $100 to $300 (27%, 16 Votes)
- Under $100 (11%, 7 Votes)
Total Voters: 60
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