Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
If you had to choose between these two, which would you rather live in and why?
Some criteria:
- Cost of living
- Things to do
- Weather
- Economy
- Pet friendly (rentals)
- Culture
Given my moniker, I'm a little biased, but anyway...
It might depend on which major city you prefer to be closer to. Burlington ( where I lived for 25 years( is only 1.5 hrs from Montreal ( need passport now), while Portland is 2 hrs from Boston. Burlington is a bit more of a college hub than Portland ( Univ of VT, plus St. Michael's College and Champlain College), while Portland has the University of Southern Maine. Burlington has a medical school, and a major medical center, while Portland has a busy wharf w/shipbuilding facilities, and a major medical center as well. Burlington is a little colder and snowier, but Portland definitely has snow and cold temps, too. Both are somewhat pricey considering that they're in northern New England, and this might shock visitors a bit. Both are fairly hilly, too, ( not completely, as there are many level areas, too), sometimes making winter driving interesting. Portland is more classic New England, while i think that Burlington combines New England with upstate NY.
I have never visited Burlington, but just got back from visiting Portland. I would pick Portland. Above poster is correct, Portland is hilly and the closer to the piers the lower the land is. The piers are very nice for spring/summer/fall trips and there is a lot of shopping in that district. The locals were very nice, and Portland has Maine's tallest building - a 16 floor apartment building and a church ☺. It was quaint but not being so small town feeling that it felt nonexistant.
Portland for sure. Much larger metro so more local job opportunities and amenities, located on the ocean, and closer to other cities of interest for me.
Both great places but I will give this to Burlington, VT.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.