Advice on Portland (apartments, rent, crime)

[GlenNevis]

Hi Everyone! I'm guessing that this has been answered about 20 times already, but I'm tired of looking through all of the threads.

I'm considering moving to Portland and I have a few questions and concerns that I'm hoping someone can help me with. Some info about me: I'm guy in my late 20's and a working professional. I'd like to be close to the coffee shops, bars, restaurants (all downtown I'm assuming), or at least close enough that I could take a taxi somewhere. I can afford probably $700 /month on a single or 2 br, preferably townhouse, with easy parking. I will be working downtown.

My first concern has to do with crime. Is there any area that I should be steering clear of? I've lived in large cities, so I'm used to some rougher areas - all the same, I'd prefer a safer area if possible.

Is there a young working professional's neighborhood? If I live near USM will there be tons of students out partying all night and making noise?

Also, how is the city at plowing snow during the winter? Are there sections of the city that are better maintained?

Thanks for all of your help!

[jwind]

Live in the East End or the West end for a more urban feel, walking distance to town and younger type crown. Deering area is also very nice, more quiet and generally a little less urban feeling. Not as close to town. though still walkable in a pinch. Everything is really quite close in Portland. Not a big city, but fairly dense. Finding a place for yourself for 700 bucks might be tough. 700 plus util maybe. 2brs regularly go for 1k plus util, or at least mine do.

Portland isn't really a college town at all. Most college kids actually live on Parkside and not so much by the the USM campus. I live less then a mile from it and I live in a very nice area.

the plowing sucks everywhere. Get off street parking

[GlenNevis]

Good to know about the plowing. Thanks for the response!

[Terri334]

This was helpful as I am moving to Portland Maine also If a job comes available. Can anyone tell me about the economy? Thanks!

[Cyril]

Lots of unmanged crime all over that makes the quality of living low.
You must be a group think type person. All RUKE BOOK LIBERALS always shaking their fingers at everyone lese. Stifling for broad minded and worldly types.

[jwind]

Originally Posted by Cyril

Lots of unmanged crime all over that makes the quality of living low.
You must be a group think type person. All RUKE BOOK LIBERALS always shaking their fingers at everyone lese. Stifling for broad minded and worldly types.

Your post is hard to read. I'd say one of the best parts of living in Portland (ME in general) is the quality of life. Yes, the city is very liberal. Stifling for the broad minded? Quite the contrary...

[Maineah]

Portland has a good sized homeless/indigent population. This fact is ignored by many though there are certain sections (Preble street and upper Congress street among others) that have become pretty unnerving places to walk through. For the size of Portland the presence of street people is pronounced. It's not quite as bad as San Francisco but per capita it's getting close.

[coreyandnicole]

I don't find the homeless population to be anything like Seattle, Portland, OR or Northern California which all have atrocious, year round homeless populations. I live near USM in Woodford's Corner which is a pretty mellow, family oriented part of town. There are a number of houses converted into apartments where you may be able to score a good deal on rent with off street parking.