Moving my family to ME (Portland, South Portland: house, neighborhoods, school districts)

[rossco17]

My wife and I currently live in the greater Washington, D.C. area (Maryland) and deal with the high stress, traffic, angry people, and brutal summer humidity every day. we have a 21 month old boy. For the past year and a half we have been talking and dreaming of moving the greater Portland, ME area in hopes of living simpler, slower, and more relaxed. I would continue working my Systems Analyst position telecommuting 100%, and my wife would stop working for the government and be a stay at home mom for our son and future kids. SO, we've visited 4 times so far and looked at homes during 2 of those trips and i think we're getting close, but have not found The One yet. Questions:

1) I hear that the public schools in Falmouth, Yarmouth, and Cape Elizabeth are considered the best. How does Portland and Scarborough public schools compare? i'm having a hard time finding this info on the web.

2) I'd like to live somewhat close in to the city, but still have somewhat of a yard. Also, a tight community neighborhood is important too. any suggestions?

We were in Portland this past weekend and visited Higgins beach and a house nearby, and once again, found Portland to be such a wonderful place to be. I really hope we can make this move soon. thanks to anyone that has any info to share.

[skytrekker]

Welcome to New England- and Maine.

I can fully understand you desire to live the Washington area (Its my hometown)
I live in eastern CT- and glad I do not live there- the traffic, aggressive competitive people, high costs etc can leave one staggered- add to that the heat in the summer-

The towns you mentioned regarding public schools - I cannot give objective information about. I suggest you find the town on the web, and then find out the public schools link- and try and contact the town (s) you are interested in.

The towns to the west of Portland, Westbrook and Gorham should also be considered. Also consider eastern Connecticut- the so called 'Quiet Corner' and Mystic country is southeastern coastal Connecticut.

[Moxie]

We are moving to the same areas and are going through the same process looking at schools for our 4 kids. Here are some to look at:
greatschools.net/
schoolmatters.com/
maine.gov/education/supportingschools/index.html
maine.gov/education/supportingschools/rsus051807unit.html
neighboroo.com/

[exscrantonian]

Good luck... We have found South Portland in the middle of the road in terms of costs, school and community. We live in the Willard Beach area. Cape Elizabeth schools are well regarded and more affluent like parts of Montgomery County. When we were looking we looked at North Yarmouth, Cumberland, Freeport and Scarborough.. Now working for Portland schools --Portland schools are quite good too. I like the area of North Deering in Portland. School districts are being merged so I imagine big changes on the horizon.

Moxie gave you some good websites. I think there are lots of good areas to consider. We had the philosophy of "less house" in a more stable environment unlike what we did as married without kids in Mount Rainer Maryland. We got a bungalow there in '92 way before gentrification. Good luck

Another plug for close in suburbs or Portland is cutting down on gas use and commuting time. It takes me 15 minutes to drive to work and folks complain about the Casco bay draw bridge..makes me chuckle..

[rossco17]

We are looking a couple homes in Scarborough (pleasant hill) and one near Prouts Neck, also a house in Falmouth near the Plummer Motz school. We'll probably be moving down in terms of house, but that's a sacrifice we are definitely ready to make considering the upgrade in quality of life. thanks to all.

[K&KsMom]

I would also suggest Kennebunk/Kennebunkport area. The schools are best in the state and it has some great neighborhoods. It is a very afluent area.
Good luck