Gorham vs. Standish (Portland: apartment, crime, new home)

[Audry524]

I know taxes are lower in Standish but any thoughts on the differences between the towns. The schools, volunteer opportunities, the people, overall feel of the town, anything?

Thanks in advance.

[elston]

I cant speak for Standish, and don't like it when people who aren't from a particular town and who have little to no experience with the town...bad mouth and run it down. Far too much of that goes on as far as I am concerned.

I can say that I recently moved to Gorham from out of state. I love it here. It has a very definate "home town" feeling about it. It has a little downtown with historic buildings and the cemetery where the founders rest in piece; old homes line the down town streets, all neatly maintained and to me, conveying the sense of NE tidiness--lawns raked, flower beds and shrubs beautifully presented. It has a couple of eateries and a Hannafords and drug store and hard ware etc. It is rural, but it is a hop skip and a jump to the mall and other retail stores eg Lowes etc.

The people here have been super friendly and warm. The crime report/police blotter in the freebe newspaper is amusing to me as it chronicals kids who didnt come home when expected but came home just a little later, someone acting strange in a parking lot, and animals loose on the road. There is very very little that suggests violence or criminal behavior such as one would find in other areas.

Gorham is a college town with some of the cultural percs that go along with having a college, the vibrancy of youth, a concert series, art store and book store.

I love my new home town.

I hope that you find your hearts desire....for me it looks like Gorham.

[Audry524]

elston-

Thanks so much for your honest response. I have to agree with you regarding people speaking on a town they don't live in. Outside of my time in college, I've lived in my current home town all my life. So many times I've read things on these forums regarding my home town that are completely inaccurate.

I actually read the Gorham Times on line and am also amused by what's written in the blotter. I actually share it often with my husband and we get a good laugh over it.

We drove through Gorham last year and both fell in love with it. We didn't like some of the surrounding towns but didn't get a chance to see much of Standish. We're closing in on narrowing it down and Gorham may be it. I need to stop second guessing myself.

Thanks again!

[MRVphotog]

I don't they are very comparable in that Gorham is much larger and more of a growing Portland suburb while Standish is more rural with a nice small village. There is a small college in Standish as well.

My in-laws moved up from the Cape a couple of years ago and bought a place in a new small retirement subdivision just south of the Gorham Library. It's nice, they like it.

My crazy but awesome brother-in-law has owned and lived in an apartment building across from the Rt 25 entrance of the USM for many years.

Gorham is close to many services/shopping while you would have to drive abit from Standish. One neg with Gorham is that the traffic is tough most of the day trying to get thru the village center but they are working on a by-pass. There is growth out in Standish but it's mostly low density single home subdivisions off the main road....so far.

[ME-Evergreen]

We were just in Gorham and Standish (as well as other towns near Portland) and really liked Standish. Gorham is also very nice but given the choice between the two I would choose Standish. Either town would be a great choice.

[12buttons]

Originally Posted by ME-Evergreen

We were just in Gorham and Standish (as well as other towns near Portland) and really liked Standish. Gorham is also very nice but given the choice between the two I would choose Standish. Either town would be a great choice.

whats the weather like in the four seasons? temps..precip..etc
which has better and more housing choices? any waterfront in either town?
historic district? old quaint victorians..no subdivisions!

[ME-Evergreen]

Originally Posted by 12buttons

whats the weather like in the four seasons? temps..precip..etc
which has better and more housing choices? any waterfront in either town?
historic district? old quaint victorians..no subdivisions!

We liked Standish a wee bit better because it is easier to get around in the town and is close to Portland too. We were looking for a home with some acrage and Standish had more to offer at the time we looked (mid May). It is also about two miles from Lake Sebago. We visited the high school and middle school and were quite impressed with the staff and the academic offerings. We went to the town hall and everyone treated us like they had known us for years! There is a fair amount of growth in Standish--I just hope it keeps that small town flavour.

We also looked at several properties in Gorham and it is also a lovely town. It has some lovely older homes in the town centre. Old is a relative term here since nothing in the US is really older than a couple of hundred years. Gorham is much larger (or seems much larger) and the traffic was heavy at times but it is a real winner too.

Either town is great. Best wishes in your search.

[ME-Evergreen]

I am not sure of the weather, temperatures, or seasons since we are coming in from Scotland. I know they do indeed have four seasons and there is snow in the winter. Perhaps someone can add their expertise here.

Someone on the forum is sure to know about the lake front property offerings. There should be some with all of the lakes around.

[gottagetoutofmaine]

I have lived in Gorham the last 9 or so years. I love how I can walk downtown to go to the store, library, etc.
I find Standish to be boring.
I guess its what you are looking for.
Standish is your town if you are looking for waterfront on the lake.
The weather is the same in both areas. Humd in July, August, gorgeous in Sept., early October. Cold and snowy from December until the end of March. Muddy for the month of April. Pleasant in May and June.
The traffic in Gorham backs up, but should change once the bypass opens up in a few months.
Same goes for Standish if you work in Portland, you will be on route 25 for quite some time.

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by elston

I cant speak for Standish, and don't like it when people who aren't from a particular town and who have little to no experience with the town...bad mouth and run it down. .

Opinions, and experiences,whether first hand or anectotal from people who have lived in Maine a long time do serve a purpose. Old stories,and insights can often allow newcomers to see behind a rosie veneer painted by a chamber of commerce or hungry realators. Many times a town will refurbish just one area in an effort to enhance the image of the town. Locals can help seperate the wheat from the chaff in a situation like that and help people absorb a feel for the area that is not so one sided. You dismiss locals opinions and observations at you're own risk.