Living in Portland without a car? (South Portland, Westbrook: best cities, rent, insurance)

[island mermaid]

Migrjo,

Please take into consideration that public transportation in Portland is pretty limited compared to large cities. Sidewalks are often hard to navigate on a good day and in the winter, they're impossible when they're covered in ice.

Again, good luck with your search.


K-luv, nice job

[migrjo]

K-Luv et al. -

I guess the reason I can't drive is not a secret, yet I felt curiously shy when you asked. I have vertigo.

The Twin Cities got frosty and rude to me after the Eleventh of September. I am African/Cuban/Indian-American and, among other minorities, am sometimes mistaken for an Arab. It has occured to me of course that Portland may not be any warmer or more welcoming but I wouldn't have the memory of a warmer time to miss. That's goofy...but maybe it makes a kind of (goofy) sense.

I have always wanted to live on the Atlantic Coast in retirement. I chose Portland because of its inclusion in John Villani's "The 100 Best Art Towns in America" and its inclusion in the 1997 (?) "Utne" article, "The 10 Most Enlightened Towns in America".

I'd love to get everyone's comments on those sources!

Thanks,
M.

[genmomto5]

We have found the city to be very artistic and enlightened. If you find centrally located place you should have no problem walking everywhere in good weather. I drive more than I'd like but only because I have a large family. My husband legally blind and has had no problems getting himself wherever he needs to be. My perspective may be skewed as we moved from a rural location where we had the following things in walking distance..... trees, grass, a muddy pond, the mail box, you get the picture. But that said, we find it very walkable.

This site may have useful info for you.
Portland Green Streets » About

[migrjo]

Thanks for the link, genmomto5!

M.

[migrjo]

"Sidewalks are often hard to navigate on a good day..."

Can you tell me more about this?

M.

[island mermaid]

By hard to navigate I meant that in a few areas they are made of cobblestone down near the Old Port. In many areas they are unlevel in spots. The curbs sometimes are a little broken down in some areas.
During winter months they can be slippery, unshoveled and also narrow when there is a lot of snow accumulation. If you needed to venture out early in the morning during the winter, it might be best to wait until later in the day once they have had time to clean them up a little bit.
I wish you the best of luck in finding your perfect town.

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by Fort Lauderdale mermaid

By hard to navigate I meant that in a few areas they are made of cobblestone down near the Old Port. In many areas they are unlevel in spots. The curbs sometimes are a little broken down in some areas.
During winter months they can be slippery, unshoveled and also narrow when there is a lot of snow accumulation. If you needed to venture out early in the morning during the winter, it might be best to wait until later in the day once they have had time to clean them up a little bit.
I wish you the best of luck in finding your perfect town.

The Mermaid knows....listen carefully!

[genmomto5]

Originally Posted by Fort Lauderdale mermaid

By hard to navigate I meant that in a few areas they are made of cobblestone down near the Old Port. In many areas they are unlevel in spots. The curbs sometimes are a little broken down in some areas.
During winter months they can be slippery, unshoveled and also narrow when there is a lot of snow accumulation. If you needed to venture out early in the morning during the winter, it might be best to wait until later in the day once they have had time to clean them up a little bit.
I wish you the best of luck in finding your perfect town.

Yup. Don't do the Old Port in high heels, lest ye break something. A lot of the sidewalks are brick, which looks nice from a distance but can be a pain when pushing a stroller.

[silvermist37]

Originally Posted by migrjo

"Sidewalks are often hard to navigate on a good day..."

Can you tell me more about this?

M.

Most sidewalks on the Peninsula are brick and the frost heaves them. Makes walking difficult. I walk on the side of the road, no problem. I live in Portland without a car and get along ok. There is a bus to Hannaford for shopping and a bus to the Mall.

[nis&tony]

Originally Posted by migrjo

If I want to live in Portland without a car, which neighborhood should I choose? I want to be able to walk to retail and, more importantly, to art events.

Thanks!
M.

I think Downtown Portland would be best for you