Portland: Love it or Hate it & why?

[MRVphotog]

Originally Posted by moughie

MRVphotog,
Thanks for the amazing photo of a fantastic city!! Where did you exactly perch yourself in S. Portland- near SMTC?

StephenW-
race, ethnicity, religion, sexual preference, amount of freckles, etc not an issue in Portland -thank goodness!!!! Coastal cities are always more tolerant. Portland truly is an incredible small city!

Sorry, I missed this.....SMTC, which is now Southern Maine Comm College looks out on the ocean so I too my shot from S. Portland next to the Coast Guard station.

On sledding there are several popular spots around Portland. The park between Ocean Ave and Baxter Blvd is very popular for sledding

[umograd83]

K-Lov:

The city councilors DO NOT live outside the city limits. They wouldn't be able to run for office. Only Portland residents can be on the Portland City Council (I'm a former employee of the City).

As to the parking ban on both sides of the street in the winter, have you noticed how narrow the streets are when there are snowbanks? If you have part of the road taken up by a snowbank on both sides, then have cars on both side, there would not be room for emergency vehicles such as ambulances and firetrucks.

If you don't like the trash bags, why don't you look into the other garbage collectors. I live in the Memphis, TN area after having moved from Scarborough. If you live in the county and not in the city of Memphis, you had to pay somebody to pick up your trash. Count how much you spend on City trash bags, then compare it with a garbage collector. Also, you could use regular trash bags, then put them inside the City trash bags.

Portland is a wonderful place - it's that if you live there and don't have any experience living anywhere else, it's easy to see its flaws. I hate, hate, hate it here in TN and can't wait until my husband can transfer back to Maine. There's no place like home!

[island mermaid]

Originally Posted by umograd83

K-Lov:

Portland is a wonderful place - it's that if you live there and don't have any experience living anywhere else, it's easy to see its flaws. I hate, hate, hate it here in TN and can't wait until my husband can transfer back to Maine. There's no place like home!

Agreed, it is a wonderful place! Funny how we sometimes don't realize what we have until after we've left. I however have always known it was a wonderful place. Once you've left and have something to compare it to, it really makes you appreciate it more.

[schizuki]

Originally Posted by starzfalldown

Also a bit on the earthy side... some hippies dreadlocks granola folks especially in the summer. So I assume its a tolerant place.

Yes, those folks tend to be very tolerant...

...of people who think just like them.

Put a "GWB" sticker on your bumper and test the tolerance level.

[L-88]

I lived and worked in Portland from June 1967 until April 1998 when my wife and I moved to California.

I watched Portland go from a tired little seaside community to a vibrant city with just about anything anyone could want...great restaurants, nightlife, pro sports, good schools, fine health care facilities, museums, terrific art shows and festivals, and opportunities for skiing, fishing, beaching, hiking, boating, and just about anything in between.

It's been ten years since I left, but I do keep in touch. If it wasn't for the Maine winters, I would still live in that area....the seafood is as good as it gets, but I do like year round warmth, sunshine, and no bugs.

I miss Anjon's and that great Italian food...best red sauce in the country.

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by umograd83

K-Lov:

The city councilors DO NOT live outside the city limits. They wouldn't be able to run for office. Only Portland residents can be on the Portland City Council (I'm a former employee of the City).

I am trying to dig out the info on this. There are four district councillors and four at-large councillors. From what I read, only one of them is actually a Portland resident.

Originally Posted by umograd83

As to the parking ban on both sides of the street in the winter, have you noticed how narrow the streets are when there are snowbanks? If you have part of the road taken up by a snowbank on both sides, then have cars on both side, there would not be room for emergency vehicles such as ambulances and firetrucks.

The parking 'ban' is year-round and only takes place for a few hours once a week on alternating sides of the street. It is a relatively new idea that is still experimental and only in a few neighborhoods/areas.

Originally Posted by umograd83

If you don't like the trash bags, why don't you look into the other garbage collectors. I live in the Memphis, TN area after having moved from Scarborough. If you live in the county and not in the city of Memphis, you had to pay somebody to pick up your trash. Count how much you spend on City trash bags, then compare it with a garbage collector. Also, you could use regular trash bags, then put them inside the City trash bags.

I live in an apartment, so it would be pointless for me to look into alternatives. Yes, I do put white bags into the city bags. The thing about the city bags is that they are cheaply made and rip open fairly easily. Also, you can only buy them within the city of Portland. Not really a big deal, but sometimes it is easy to forget that you can't buy them in Westbrook, Gorham, Falmouth, or South Portland. I think that Cumberland County bags would be more appropriate.

Originally Posted by umograd83

Portland is a wonderful place - it's that if you live there and don't have any experience living anywhere else, it's easy to see its flaws.

Not sure if this is just a general comment or if it is directed at me, but I am not from Portland, or Maine for that matter.

[Jimrob1]

Originally Posted by Unhappycamper

I love the fact Portland has the second most resturants per capita in America. They are everywhere and most are delicious.

And they seemed rather expensive, just like the ones out here in the bigger Portland, named after the smaller Portland. All in All though I found the restaurants in the east coast Portland were better and more selection than the ones here in Oregon. Portland, Maine is a nice small city, it has drawn people from all over for several years now.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by schizuki

Yes, those folks tend to be very tolerant...

...of people who think just like them.

Put a "GWB" sticker on your bumper and test the tolerance level.

LOL WELL said, indeed.

"We believe in tollerance, unless it's something we don't tollerate." Oh the joy... LOL

To add to the thread:

If I didn't have a small service business here in CT I would be living in Portland. It's like a second home to my wife and I. I love love love it there. After 30+ years I've come to accept the fact that I'm New Englander and no other place in the USA has or will satisfy what I love here. My only wish is that it would be a little more conservative and I don't mean the stereotype but more like "don't hand out birth control to 13 year olds without parental permission" type thing.

Perhaps someday I will be able to sell this business and move North. For now the 3 hour ride will have to do.