Where in the Portland, Maine area to buy a home?? (Gorham: renting, condo)

[WhoFanMe]

Originally Posted by Acadianlion

Back around the dawn of time, my wife (of the time) and I lived in Waterville. We had a growing insurance business, and lived in a really nice apartment complex in Winslow, right across the river and about five minutes from the office.

Gradually, the business grew, and OUTgrew Waterville, with more and more of our clients more than fifty miles away. We had a substantial clientel along the coast as well as in Aroostook County and the southwestern most corners of Maine, including the greater Portland area.

We were a Yuppie Couple without children, and we decided that we really wanted to live in the greater Portland area. Much of our business was NOT related to the Waterville office, so we moved it and us to Portland. We leased a gorgeous condo and opened a neat office in Falmouth. It changed EVERYTHING in our lives, and we loved it. Of course, my miles got to be more than before....servicing Aroostook from Portland is a LOT different than doing that from Waterville...but it all seemed worth it.

But we went to the symphony and to the theater, and occasionally to Boston, and less often, downeast which is really where I belong. Eventually it just got old. By the time it got old OLD, we had built a beautiful house on lovely land in Cumberland....the house was a custom design by an architect client of mine...and was a joy.

But suddenly, I had a LAWN, and a septic system and a well, and when Cumberland decided to do the 'yuppie' thing and build a huge new library that would have an immediate impact on the tax rate of TEN CENTS, I started to get really itchy. When the library was done and I found that the TEN CENTS added to the mil rate did not include BOOKS, I decided that the time to leave was nigh.

Not long after, we found a buyer for the insurance agency, merged it, and eventually, I headed back downeast with Courtney Marie, my Maine Coon Cat, and minus one wife, who headed somewhere else with the other Coon.

Now, I can go to Portland (or Boston, or New York, whatever) to see the bright city lights whenever I need to. Mostly, I don't NEED to do that at all.

But if I wanted to live in an urban environment so that I could partake of all the adventures and accessories of urban life, I would pick a modern city that would include all of them. Here in the Northeast, the number one choice is still Boston, and if I was to be driven to be near that sort of thing, I would probably live on Cape Ann so that I could take the train into the city.

Portland was a fun experience. It has a certain kind of overgrown adolescent charm, but the REAL city is about 90 miles southwest.

This is an interesting story, thanks for sharing it. You've made it clear why Portland is not right for you. For those of us who live here or are comtemplating moving here, they might not share the same perspective.

[moughie]

Originally Posted by Acadianlion

Back around the dawn of time,


But suddenly, I had a LAWN, and a septic system and a well, and when Cumberland decided to do the 'yuppie' thing and build a huge new library that would have an immediate impact on the tax rate of TEN CENTS, I started to get really itchy. When the library was done and I found that the TEN CENTS added to the mil rate did not include BOOKS, I decided that the time to leave was nigh.

Portland was a fun experience. It has a certain kind of overgrown adolescent charm, but the REAL city is about 90 miles southwest.

You sure have had many interesting experiences in your life, acadianlion. So wonderful of you to share them with us!

I do so like your description of Portland has having "a certain kind of overgrown adolescent charm"!!! I guess it is a charm I will always be fond of!

I know you do not like smileys, but here you go:

[Petertherock]

Originally Posted by Acadianlion

Yes. The question is, "WHY are you moving to Maine?"

Moving to the greater Portland area is in reality, moving to North Boston. You are moving into the most urban area of the state, and therefore are not living in Maine. Having lived there and elsewhere, if I were making the transition from LA to the east coast, I would probably live in Massachusetts rather than in Maine, and certainly, with nearly a million dollars to spend on a house, I could do it. Portland is a nice, urban area, but it is NOT Boston.

If you are looking for bright city lights, why make the compromise to live in a very small, relatively poor state, when the sophistication of Boston is readily available, with real estate prices that have recently taken a tumble?

Now, if you are interested in living in MAINE, then you might do well to pick an area that is serviced by an airport that can get you to the urban centers of the east coast and the rest of the world quickly. Portland, of course, but Bangor, Augusta, Camden/Rockport and the Mt. Desert Island area are obvious choices because of their all weather commuter airline service.

You do realize that Rockport is one of the most economically depressed areas of the state don't you? That's coming from a former Rockport police officer who I know. He said it has gotten better but there was a police officer job advertised for Rockport that I was thinking of applying to and he told me to stay away from there unless I like to fight. He now lives and works in Falmouth and told me if I joined the dept here in Falmouth there is nothing in this town that would get me hurt other than traffic stops since the 3 major drug pipelines run right through town (I-95, I-295, and US 1) But that can be said with just about any town. Falmouth is a great town and with your budget you would do well here.

[Maine2009]

HI WhoFanMe,

Thank you for the information.

We would be looking for a home in an upscale area that is within 15 or so miles of Portland. We would prefer a newer home. Perhaps 25 years old or newer would be ideal. Brand new homes we haven't thought about much, but could always be a possibility. Living on a golf course or near a country club is a plus. Size of home... 3,000-4,500sqft, lot size .75-3 acres, water access is not important, prefer 3 car garage, 4-5 bed, 3-4 bath.

Originally Posted by WhoFanMe

Welcome to the forum Maine 2009. Those are both fine communities, as is Yarmouth, Cumberland, Scarborough and parts of Windham and Freeport and Portland itself, depending upon what type of home you are looking for, i,e. new or sold, water access/view, lot size, square feet, number of bedrooms & baths, garage size, etc. As I look in MLS I see 37 homes in those communites in that price range. There is also 182 land parcels between $100k and $500k to choose from. In addition there is new construction not yet on MLS as builders/developers don't put all of their lots/build packages on at once to give the appearance of scarcity. You certainly will have plenty to choose from!

[Maine2009]

Originally Posted by moughie

Congratulations! You are in an enviable category with incredibly lovely properties from which to choose!!

You may want to check Falmouth Foreside and South Freeport for lovely waterfront property or, as mentioned by whofanme, Cape Elizabeth also. Do you have any children?? Make sure the realtor advises you on school districts. Good luck!

Thanks for the info! We have heard that the house budget in Maine goes alot further than here in Los Angeles, and are very happy about this We don't have any children, but I agree to always check about school districts. Living near a good or bad school district i've been told can also affect a home's resale value.

[Maine2009]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

Maine2009

Both Cape Elizabeth and Falmouth are very nice New England upscale towns, dripping with charm. You also might consider Scarborough, just south of Port Elizabeth- all have quick easy access into Portland. Cape Elizabeth is a very beautiful aloofly genteel somewhat snobbish enclave.

At the prices you suggest- you will be able to buy a very large luxury home. On 2-4 acres-
with a large gardens, wooded privacy, screened porches, stone patio's, veranda's, curved stairwells, multiple fireplaces, and within walking distance to the beach in many cases.

See realtor.com to see what that price can buy.

Thank you for giving us some more insight as to where you would suggest living in Portland, Maine, and what we can get for the money. In our price range of $750-$999k how large are most of the homes in the areas that you mentioned above? Do the homes usually have finished basements? What is your opion about septic tanks? Out here nobody really has them, but they seem more common in main.

[Maine2009]

Originally Posted by Acadianlion

Yes. The question is, "WHY are you moving to Maine?"

Moving to the greater Portland area is in reality, moving to North Boston. You are moving into the most urban area of the state, and therefore are not living in Maine. Having lived there and elsewhere, if I were making the transition from LA to the east coast, I would probably live in Massachusetts rather than in Maine, and certainly, with nearly a million dollars to spend on a house, I could do it. Portland is a nice, urban area, but it is NOT Boston.

If you are looking for bright city lights, why make the compromise to live in a very small, relatively poor state, when the sophistication of Boston is readily available, with real estate prices that have recently taken a tumble?

Now, if you are interested in living in MAINE, then you might do well to pick an area that is serviced by an airport that can get you to the urban centers of the east coast and the rest of the world quickly. Portland, of course, but Bangor, Augusta, Camden/Rockport and the Mt. Desert Island area are obvious choices because of their all weather commuter airline service.

Per your question, We are moving to the Portland, Maine area from Los Angeles due to a Job Transfer. Luckily, we will not have a decrease in income so financially its a good decision for us. We are also both originally from back East, and have been living here in California for 15 + years and are ready for a slower pace of life....hope this answers your question

[MRVphotog]

I have had a home in Cumberland Center for several years....it's a nice quiet community and I can get to downtown Portland in 20 min. The only downside is that all the districts schools are in town which means that when school starts and when it lets out you have total gridlock for about 30 min since every kid nowadays seems to have their parents drive them to school rather than using the buses.

Falmouth and Cape E have about as much New England charm as a shopping center since in Falmouth that's pretty much all you got. The Post Office is in the big Shaws store and one of the other shopping centers is anchored by a Walmart.

The town center of Cape is basically a couple of convenience stores and a shopping center. Away from the village centers both communities have some very nice areas.

Yarmouth is a really nice town with a nice village center once you get off Rt 1. I like to call Freeport the town retail built. The village center is basically one big outlet/retail store shopping center.

[iris_917]

Falmouth Foreside is where you want to be.

[Mainer61]

Originally Posted by Acadianlion

Yes. The question is, "WHY are you moving to Maine?"

Moving to the greater Portland area is in reality, moving to North Boston. You are moving into the most urban area of the state, and therefore are not living in Maine. Having lived there and elsewhere, if I were making the transition from LA to the east coast, I would probably live in Massachusetts rather than in Maine, and certainly, with nearly a million dollars to spend on a house, I could do it. Portland is a nice, urban area, but it is NOT Boston.

If you are looking for bright city lights, why make the compromise to live in a very small, relatively poor state, when the sophistication of Boston is readily available, with real estate prices that have recently taken a tumble?

Now, if you are interested in living in MAINE, then you might do well to pick an area that is serviced by an airport that can get you to the urban centers of the east coast and the rest of the world quickly. Portland, of course, but Bangor, Augusta, Camden/Rockport and the Mt. Desert Island area are obvious choices because of their all weather commuter airline service.

I agree with you completely. Southern Maine is like living in Boston.