Biddeford Maine (Portland, Saco: rent, houses, teaching jobs)

[odinloki1]

Hi everyone

I am looking around at medical schools that I would like to aattend and the University of New England caught my eye. I have neverr beeen able tot travel to Maine though and would like to heear some perspective on Biddeford. Is it expensive to live in? How is the economy?

I am from MI and have lived in AZ with my fiance for about 2 years now and we both miss seasons (for those of you that hate raking leaves and shovelling snow, maybe we can arrange a tradee . She is a teacher and would be looking for teaching jobs too.

I'd love to hear some opinions about that area of the state and if you think a young married couple starting out could do ok theree economically.

Thanks for any replies.

[Petertherock]

From my own prospective. Biddeford sucks. I don't even like breathing the air over Biddeford as I drive by on the turnpike. Almost anywhere would be better than Biddeford.

[odinloki1]

Why though?

[Parrotpaul]

Originally Posted by odinloki1

Why though?

The college is fine. Biddeford is an older city where textiles were once the major industry. That no longer exists, and there isn't much in Biddeford in the way of opportunity for the locals. It is primarily a working class city with a terrific high school football team...at least it once was.

The college itself is several miles away from in-town Biddeford, and, as a student, you wouldn't have much to do with the city itself. Housing in the area is probably reasonable, and the closer to the coast you get, the higher the standard of living.

[elston]

My son has lived in Saco which is right next door to Biddeford, he and his significant other love it there and when I go up to visit them I agree. My parents were in a nursing home in Biddeford for about 5 years, so I was a frequent visitor as was my brother who would come up from Nashville each summer for a couple of weeks to visit and rent a place to stay. I haven't "lived" in Biddeford, but I have done a great deal more than "drive through".

Biddeford is an older mill town. It is situated south of Portland, but within very easy commute distance. The mill economy failed some years ago and the typical red brick mills that lined the Saco River stood empty and forlorn for years and jobs were scarece and property in town declined. Like all mill towns it had and has a surplus of tenement buildings in town and even single family homes in the center of town have very small yards. Saco sits next to Biddeford, connected by a bridge, (mini version of Minniapolis and St Paul--they really merge. Saco is a little more upscale than Biddeford, and has some lovely old Victorian Homes and lots of new developments--the type that families like to go drive by at Xmas to see the way people light up their houses.

Because of the mill economy, the area had lots of French-Canadian immigrants come down to work in the mills and the French Canadian Culture is still apparent and after all the years of discrimination, proudly celebrated in the Franco-American festival with Kermit "The Frog" as the grand marshal.

The economy of Biddeford/Saco is on the uptick; and there is a good energy and lots of community pride. My son's significant other, who is Maine born and raised, highly recommends Saco to me when I finally get to move up there. Of the towns she has lived in (mid coastal), she likes it the best!

As you may have discerned there is a divide in Maine between northern Maine and southern Maine; I don't hear it so much from those in Southern Maine, but many up north love to insult and disparage the south as it is culturally different.

I would encourage you to consider Saco/Biddeford and I think it would be a great place for a young couple "from away". It is not an exciting place--but for entertainment and cultural events etc. Portland is just 20 mins or so up the road.

Good Luck.

[genmomto5]

When we were looking we saw a few houses in Saco and the town looked nice. We never looked in Biddeford because the public school quality was better in Saco. That's probably not a consideration for you two yet but if you are looking to find a community to call home for a long time paying attention to local schools even now may be important.

[EmmaJ]

One of the comments on here state that the education in Saco is better. That is an opinion by the way I look at it. A new Middle School was just built and is going into it's third year running. The teachers are quite committed and help the students with everything, both school and personal, on a regular basis. I believe that in order to compare two school systems you should experience them. I'm not saying that Saco is better or worse, I really love my school though.

Also, Biddeford is an alright place to live. It depends on the location. For example, Bacon St. is not a suitable environment if you are planning on having a family. Other places you will find are better.