Life in Portland, ME (Scarborough, Gorham: crime, how much, school districts)

[PDXsailor]

We currently live in Portland, Oregon, and we are thinking about relocating to Portland Maine with our 2 year old daughter. Just wondering what life is like in the Portland area.

How are the schools, crime, housing costs, are the people friendly, do they easily accept outsiders, and the most important question..... how bad are the winters? We rarely see snow here in the other Portland, but we get a lot of clouds and rain!!!! How much snow do you get and how long does it last? And how warm does it get in the summer and how cold in the winter?

Also, we are big into sailing and skiing and I know that the area has awesome sailing, but what about the skiing? Are there ski areas close by? And does anyone know what the moorage costs are?

I know I have asked a lot of questions, but if anyone can answer any part of them, I would greatly appreciate it.

[Dragondog]

Crime will be much lower in Portland Me. New Englanders can be rather reserved at first- but in time they can be friendly, loyal and real.
Schools in the Portland area and city proper are very good.

Winters at the opposite end of the continent- where the prevailing weather patterns are off the north American continent will be different then In Oregon, which has a maritime coastal pacific climate, where weather patterns largely come from the mild expanses of the Pacific ocean.

Portland Me lies on the Atlantic ocean-and can be best described as a continental northern maritime climate. Winters will be considerably colder then in Portland OR, with more snow ( average around 50-75" a year with some years less, some more) and temps dropping to zero or below on 5 nights a year. The Oceanic location however does retard the arrival of winter, and prolongs the autumn. Downside is the cold waters of the chilled Atlantic retard the arrival of spring compared to inland locations. Summers with much sun and temps 80-85 are the rule- with some heat waves of 90 or above with high humidity lasting a few days each summer month.

Portland has unpredictable chilly springs, very pleasant warm summers and falls and cold winters. Even in winter however, there are days of sunny but cold days that can linger. Pleasant mild weather in the 50s and 60s can linger well into November. Spring can have mild sunny days followed by a chill that is most unpleasant- balmy spring weather does does not really break out till late April or early May. Central Air is still not needed here-

Portland is an historical maritime center - where sailing is done with passion. As for winter sports, your opportunities are endless. Global warming is changing things however, with less snowy winters and cold, earlier springs, warmer summers and longer falls.

[JPeak]

Can anyone identify the top PUBLIC schools within a thirty minute commute from Portland? We are considering a move from NH (where we love it), to the Portland area for job reasons and would like to know which school districts are the very best. Thanks!

[rico304]

Originally Posted by JPeak

Can anyone identify the top PUBLIC schools within a thirty minute commute from Portland? We are considering a move from NH (where we love it), to the Portland area for job reasons and would like to know which school districts are the very best. Thanks!

Without knowing scores, I would guess there are a whole lotta really nice schools withing 30 minutes. ie.
Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Falmouth, Cumberland (Greely), Yarmouth, Gorham. These have great reps from people I have spoken to. I'm sure there will be many other opinions out there too.