Portland

 

Home to over 68,000 people, Portland is the largest city in Maine. It's a vibrant place to live, containing a unique blend of historic homes, along with a modern city vibe that's like no other. Portland is noted for its unique lifestyle that blends a metropolitan feel of commercial and financial districts with excellent access to green space and the water itself.

 

The Old Port District is a local favorite, with historic cobblestone streets and brick buildings, the Old Port for its nightlife and architecture, and is noted as being where the marine industry got its start. Much of this has been modernized into an active waterfront area with restaurants, bars, and boutiques.

 

The activity and buzz in Portland make it unique. This is a historic city with numerous luxury homes, including downtown lofts and condos overlooking the city. Each neighborhood within Portland is quite unique and has a distinct charm. Here, you’ll find walkable streets, good access to locally owned businesses, or affluent estates with ample land to themselves. Just as diverse are the homes here, from Colonial and New England Cape Cods to custom-built estates.

• A vibrant, thriving energy where anything is possible
• Outdoors your way – mountains, forested areas, the ocean, and more
• Exquisite restaurants, upscale breweries, and the high life

The people of Portland benefit from a wide range of amenities, but the stunning outdoors is the main attraction. It's common for people to spend their weekends fishing on the waterfront, hiking one of the area's mountains, or taking in the artisan shops that span the numerous neighborhoods here. Residents are busy and on the go day in and day out. Unlike other nearby cities, those living in Portland have packed schedules.

 

At the same time, the area is noted for its culture, cuisine, and social opportunities. It's an upscale city that may be much smaller than big cities in other states but still offers the modern charm many are after.

Portland is known for its seafood, with good reason. There are some outstanding upscale restaurants to enjoy here, including Scales, with the freshest of seafood options (it can be hard to get a table most nights of the week). Fore Street offers fantastically locally sourced and hand-crafted American cuisine. The Green Elephant is a vegetarian bistro noted for its Asian-inspired cuisine. For the best in craft breweries, check out Rising Tide Brewing Company. It's a family-owned brewery with some of the most interesting blends.

A number of outdoor experiences are easy to have here, including a visit to Casco Bay Islands. It's a fantastic area for biking, hiking, and kayaking and also serves as a getaway for many residents during the summer months.

 

The Portland Seadogs, a minor league team, call the city home for those who love professional sports. There's also the Maine Celtics that are an NBA developmental team. While visiting that area, a stop in the Financial, Art, and Old Port Districts is in order. There are numerous shops, fun seaport hotels dot the skyline, and local art galleries welcome you.

Portland Public Schools serves the residents of the city and much of the Greater Portland area, including schools such as: