Burlington, VT vs. Portland, ME (Westbrook: condo, high crime, tech jobs)

[girlandpup]

Hi! This may be too crazy to get responses, but I am hopeful that there are some people out there who can help me! I am looking to move from NYC for lots of reasons. I have been living here for many years now, and want a change in lifestyle. I am a 40-year-old female who is single (divorced few years ago) with a dog. Some fo my desires include being closer and more accessible to hiking (my love!), cheaper living, and the importance of a very dog-friendly area. I know that too "rural" or even suburbia at its best may not be right for me at this time of my life, both b/c I am alone and don't want THAT huge a culture shock right off (yes, I am prepared for the big change in lifestyle if I move to either Burlington or Portland - I want that actually).

I am desperate for any thoughts, opinions, suggestions, advice to help me choose between these two places (Burlington, VT and Portland, ME). If anyone can provide their opinions on the two places for cost of living/overall expense to live there, weather in all seasons (just how cold/hot, rain/snow, whatever), being single there (not into "bar or club scene" at all though), dog-friendliness, accessibility to great hiking, envioronmentally conscious, ETC.

I am extremely grateful and appreciative of any responses. Thank You!

[moughie]

Both cities are great!!
Guess you just need to decide if you want
to be near the ocean vs a lake.
I have never been in Burlington
in the winter ( summers are great!) but I know Portland year round and would move there in a heart beat again!!
Burlington has UVM campus ( undergrad and grad I believe) while Portland has Maine College of Arts, USM, St. Joeseph Uni, Westbrook College, SMTC.
Consider yourself lucky to choose between 2 great citiies and states

[futurecruiser]

Hello,
I lived outside of Burlington in a rural town, but visited Burlington often.
That was 15 years ago though. But it was a wonderful town. We then
moved to southern NH (high tech jobs), and now we are moving to the Portland area.
We are mainly moving to be closer to the ocean, we have a sailboat, and the Maine coast is wonderful for cruising.
Portland is a little bigger than Burlington, but it reminds us a lot of Burlington.
One's on the ocean, one's on a large lake. I think the cost of living would be a little cheaper in VT but probably not enough to base a decision on. Portland will be milder than Burlington in the winters.

I cannot comment on being single there. We found both towns to be dog-friendly, Portland a little more so I guess.
Both have good hiking and pretty scenery. Vermont's a little more "quaint" I guess overall than southern Maine.
Both states are pretty "green" as far as the environment goes.
It's a tough choice. I guess I would go to whichever one you found the best job ;-) For us, Maine is better because of the ocean, though Lake Champlain is quite large.

[Mark S.]

We visited both places back in April.

You ought to pay a visit before pulling up stakes. The things we didn't like may be right up your alley, and vice versa. But if I had to pick between the two, I would honestly go to Portland, ME.

Burlington, VT is much more expensive (although it will probably be cheap compared to NYC). Also, there has been a big increase in crime in recent years. I talked to lots and lots of locals up there who told me the same thing. Burlington is now what locals consider a high crime area. Again, it's probably nothing compared to NYC, but for Vermont, it has lifelong residents concerned. In fact, we met a few people who had jumped the lake and moved over to Plattsburgh, NY to get away from it. If you take a visit up in that area, you ought to check out Plattsburgh as well.

[flycessna]

I'd say it's like comparing apples and oranges. I prefer Portland being near the ocean 4 major airports for travelling. Bigger city. Though Burlington is nice too portland has more to offer.

[WhoFanMe]

Hi girlandpup,

I think you'd be happy in Portland. I know the moderator frowns on web sites, but if you Google "portland dog park maine" you'll find a site that shows you all about the "Dog Friendly" spots for visitors as well as residents. One concern might be if you decide to buy a condo, some are not dog/pet friendly - obviously you'd want to research that thoroughly.

There is hiking right in the city through the Portland Trails system, which you can also Google. Good luck and welcome to the forum!

[kodieson]

I am a life long Mainer and have also worked/lived many summers in Burlington. Bulington could alomst be considered a smaller version of Portland. Your are obviously further from Boston but you do have Montreal and Quebec close by. Burlington has a bit of a transient crowd that turns some people off (not me). Both are great cities

[Unhappycamper]

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

[girlandpup]

Originally Posted by Unhappycamper

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

Socialist Republic? Really? I didn't find that, so would appreciate it if you could explain more. All of this is very helpful info. for me towards making a decision. Thanks!

[meerayteex]

Interesting... I am also interested in both Burlington, VT and Portland, ME. I met someone who has spent a lot of time visiting Portland and it sounds like there is lots of culture there, many things to do. I've never lived someplace that cold, but I could do it if it has a nice vibe and interesting people. I keep wondering where is the best place, it's such a hard thing to decide. So for now, I'm letting it go and just staying in Denver for a while longer. I wish I had more money to take time off and visit Chicago, Portland, etc. But that's okay, I'm learning to just settle in where I'm at and make the best of it. And just look around in job sites and wait for an opportunity.