Burlington, VT vs. Portland, ME (live, marketplace, health)

[Double Pepperoni]

I lived in Portsmouth, NH for five years and visited both cities several times. I cannot address dog friendliness or the singles scene, but can comment on cost of living, weather, hiking and environmental consciousness.

Compared to NYC, I'm sure the cost of living in both areas is low. But the real question is what you can afford based on your line of work and expected salary. Both are medium sized-cities that are very desirable to a lot of people and thus housing is pretty expensive. My wife and I made a serious push to relocate to VT a few years ago and, much to our heart's dismay, elected not to go (we both got job offers) because the salaries were so low compared to the cost of living. I determined that you either need to move to VT with money (for a down payment) or you need to be in a line of work that will allow you to make an above average salary so you can have some disposable income and be able to save. Portland is a bit larger and Maine does not restrict development like VT, so I'd guess there's more 'affordable' housing in Portland than Burlington but I'm really not sure. I don't think the cost of goods and/or services varies greatly between the two cities.

Burlington is a bit further north and much further inland (ie temperature is not moderated by the ocean), so I'm sure the falls, winters and springs are colder and generally.

Not sure what your interpretation of hiking is (urban greenways v. mountains), but I'm going to assume you like hiking in mountains. The mountains of VT are smaller than some of the larger mountains in ME, but they are spread out across the entire state and you can drive to some great hiking locations within as little as 45 minutes or so from Burlington (Camel's Hump, Mt Abraham, Mt Mansfield/Smuggler's Notch). You will have to drive a little further to get to mountainous terrain near Portland, but there is some great hiking within 2 hours or so (Grafton Notch area) and you can be in the White Mountains of NH in 2.5 hours or so. Overall, Maine is much larger but has less state/federally owned land (less parks) than Vermont (A LOT of Maine is owned by timber companies). There is access in ME on some privately owned land to some great spots, you just have to find out where they are. The bottom line is, there is great hiking in both states, but you'll have to drive a little further from Portland than Burlington to find mountains.

In my opinion, both cities are pretty progressive and are likely very environmentally conscious, but I think you either need to live somewhere and read the local news regularly for a while or check the municipalities website to assess how environmentally conscious a city really is. If you compare the two states, I think they both strive to conserve the environment but Vermont is much more effective.

If my salary was going to be more than adequate, I would definitely choose Burlington. I like how I feel when I'm there and proximity to mountains is at the top of my priority list. From Burlington, you can reach almost every hiking spot in VT in 2 hours, be in the White Mountains in NH in 2.5 hours and take a ferry across Lake Champlain and be in the High Peak of the ADKs in 1.5 hours. mmmmmmmmmm

Best of luck!!!!

[MRVphotog]

I am familiar with both cities and they are both awesome places. Burlington is a college town with UVM, Champlain College and St Michaels while Portland has USM, MCA and NEU(St Joseph is in Standish, not Portland and I never heard of Westbrook College) but has a smaller presence.

Portland is bigger, lots of sprawl but the ocean makes it a special place. The wife and I love going to Portland's Old Port.

While Burlington is more liberal Portland is liberal as well compared to the rest of Maine. As mentioned you should visit both places to see how they fit for you. Costwise I feel that they are pretty similar.

[Zymer]

Originally Posted by meerayteex

...just look around in job sites and wait for an opportunity.

You could wait forever. Sometimes the best opportunities are the ones you *make*.

[oceanfit185]

Didn’t Spellings best places just ranked Portland in the top ten for places for women to live???

Any way,

I am a bit bias but I think Portland takes it hands down. Don’t get me wrong, Burlington is a great little city. And both have a lot to offer. But I prefer Portland.

First of all the winters in Burlington are harsher. Burlington gets lake effect snow and it is in the mountains. So the snow fall is much heavier. Portland is on the coast. So it doesn’t get as much snow, and the winter temps are higher.

Also, Portland has a lot more going on. It is a much bigger city, about twice as large. But coming from NYC both will seam small. But when you get down to it Portland has more night life and a better arts scene. Burlington feels like a blown up college town to me.

I have been out to Church Street and I would have to say the old port is bigger with better bars and restaurants. But neither have much of a trendy club scene or ubber high priced restaurants, just small bars and casual dinning.

I also think Portland is much more diverse. Maine is the whitest state in the country, but Vermont is number two. I would say if you compared the cities Portland would blow Burlington out of the water again. For example, the school my mother teaches at has over 50 languages spoken. Also, you can get a good Indian, Vietnamese, Thai, or sushi in Portland. But all I found in Burlington was Chinese buffet. And I think Hannaford sells sushi… Neither have much good Mexican. And both have food good Italian. But coming from NYC the pizza in both will disgust you.

To me, Burlington is starting to feel a bit plastic. For example, Church Street was built around a Bourders Book Store. Mean while, down town Portland has a ban on chains. Also Church Street was planned, the old port evolved organically over time. It’s something I think you would notice after living there a while.

As for hiking, both are good. Maine has lots of great mountains and parks. But Burlington is much closer. And outdoor sports just feel like a part of the cutler there. Portland has the coast, but it is hard to enjoy. It is very pretty to look at, but too cold. It’s not like the Jersey shore. It’s just too cold to enjoy most of the year. Also, Burlington is closer to a major city. It’s only an hour to Montreal, a great city. But Portland is 2 hours away from Boston.

I know first hand Portland is very dog friendly... almost too friendly, watch out for land mines! Portland has dog parks and tons of shops put out water bowls in the summer and stuff like that. As for renting, I own a 70 lb American Bulldog and rent. I haven’t had any trouble. And I know the State has a law against municipalities implementing BSL. Owning a bully, that is a load off my shoulders.

I can’t say much for Burlington first hand.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

One advantage to living in Vermont and hiking as a single lady is that you can carry your .357 Magnum or 9 MM without asking anybody's permission. They have human rights in Vermont. Unless Portland has changed a lot since Chief Joey Chitwood left, it is difficult to obtain a concealed carry permit. However, if you live in a small town outside Portland you can get a permit and carry anywhere, including Portland. Any town can issue a permit that is valid anywhere in Maine. ;-)

In Maine you need a permit to carry concealed. You do not need a permit to carry openly. Yes, you can walk down Main Street with a .45 on your hip. You don't see it much, but it is common during hunting season.

[MRVphotog]

Originally Posted by oceanfit185

For example, Church Street was built around a Bourders Book Store. Mean while, down town Portland has a ban on chains. Also Church Street was planned, the old port evolved organically over time. It’s something I think you would notice after living there a while.

Church St Marketplace was built way before Borders Bookstore went in. BB is a fairly recent addition. Since the Old Port has Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, hotel chains and other franchise businesses I doubt the City of Portland has a ban on chains.

We used to love doing the First Night celebration in Portland but unfortunately the group that ran it, Maine Arts, went under and with it First Night. Fortunately, Burlington has a huge First Night celebration which the wife and I are looking forward to doing again this year.

Personally, I can't say which is better, I think both places are totally galactic.

[Burlingtonboy]

Originally Posted by oceanfit185

Didn’t Spellings best places just ranked Portland in the top ten for places for women to live???

Any way,

I am a bit bias but I think Portland takes it hands down. Don’t get me wrong, Burlington is a great little city. And both have a lot to offer. But I prefer Portland.

First of all the winters in Burlington are harsher. Burlington gets lake effect snow and it is in the mountains. So the snow fall is much heavier. Portland is on the coast. So it doesn’t get as much snow, and the winter temps are higher.

Also, Portland has a lot more going on. It is a much bigger city, about twice as large. But coming from NYC both will seam small. But when you get down to it Portland has more night life and a better arts scene. Burlington feels like a blown up college town to me.

I have been out to Church Street and I would have to say the old port is bigger with better bars and restaurants. But neither have much of a trendy club scene or ubber high priced restaurants, just small bars and casual dinning.

I also think Portland is much more diverse. Maine is the whitest state in the country, but Vermont is number two. I would say if you compared the cities Portland would blow Burlington out of the water again. For example, the school my mother teaches at has over 50 languages spoken. Also, you can get a good Indian, Vietnamese, Thai, or sushi in Portland. But all I found in Burlington was Chinese buffet. And I think Hannaford sells sushi… Neither have much good Mexican. And both have food good Italian. But coming from NYC the pizza in both will disgust you.

To me, Burlington is starting to feel a bit plastic. For example, Church Street was built around a Bourders Book Store. Mean while, down town Portland has a ban on chains. Also Church Street was planned, the old port evolved organically over time. It’s something I think you would notice after living there a while.

As for hiking, both are good. Maine has lots of great mountains and parks. But Burlington is much closer. And outdoor sports just feel like a part of the cutler there. Portland has the coast, but it is hard to enjoy. It is very pretty to look at, but too cold. It’s not like the Jersey shore. It’s just too cold to enjoy most of the year. Also, Burlington is closer to a major city. It’s only an hour to Montreal, a great city. But Portland is 2 hours away from Boston.

I know first hand Portland is very dog friendly... almost too friendly, watch out for land mines! Portland has dog parks and tons of shops put out water bowls in the summer and stuff like that. As for renting, I own a 70 lb American Bulldog and rent. I haven’t had any trouble. And I know the State has a law against municipalities implementing BSL. Owning a bully, that is a load off my shoulders.

I can’t say much for Burlington first hand.

Ok Burlington was voted healthiest city in 2008, also burlington may have one of the best feeling downtowns in the north east. With the combination of commercial businesses, and local shops, located on a huge lake next to the mountains, with mountains surrounding you. Burlington is in a valley, not in the mountains, so you see the mountains all around you, but are not in the mountains. When you speak to people one clear thing happens those who have never been to burlington are the ones who say bad things about it, once you go there your perspective completely changes.

[Burlingtonboy]

Originally Posted by Unhappycamper

The Great State of Maine verses the Socialist Republic of Vermont...You Decide!

Haha socialist republic? Do you even know? Just because Bernie sanders is a socialist does not make vermont so, we have liberals, but not too many socialists, they are less than the republicans

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by Burlingtonboy

Ok Burlington was voted healthiest city in 2008, also burlington may have one of the best feeling downtowns in the north east. With the combination of commercial businesses, and local shops, located on a huge lake next to the mountains, with mountains surrounding you. Burlington is in a valley, not in the mountains, so you see the mountains all around you, but are not in the mountains. When you speak to people one clear thing happens those who have never been to burlington are the ones who say bad things about it, once you go there your perspective completely changes.

Dude, these posts were from over a year ago. I believe the OP has made a decision by now.

Don't get upset, obviously people in Maine are going to be more partial to Portland than they would Burlington (just like you're clearly partial to Burlington).

[chiak]

Even though the original post may be old- it is still relevant to those of us who find it in a search. We appreciate EVERYONE's opinions. It is good to hear an individual's personal experience and take it as that- just one particular person's experience.

Thank you to all who share! You are much appreciated!