Got Any Advice, Folks? (Portland, Lewiston: apartment, rentals, condos)

[Julicious719]

Hi! I was just wondering... Is the area located around Congress St. and Casco St. (around the Maine College of Art) a safe area?? I'm from out-of-state and have been in Maine for a few months now. I'm thinking of moving to Portland and I found an apartment down the street from the Maine College of Art, but before committing myself to a 1-year lease, I thought I'd get your opinions!

Thanks for your time. I really appreciate it.

[island mermaid]

Originally Posted by Julicious719

Hi! I was just wondering... Is the area located around Congress St. and Casco St. (around the Maine College of Art) a safe area?? I'm from out-of-state and have been in Maine for a few months now. I'm thinking of moving to Portland and I found an apartment down the street from the Maine College of Art, but before committing myself to a 1-year lease, I thought I'd get your opinions!

Thanks for your time. I really appreciate it.

IMO, a few years ago it would start to get a little sketchy up that far. Not horrible, but less comfortable. Certainly okay during the day, not sure I would do it alone at night. Ask k-luv, he'd be more familiar with the area after dark than I would and he's much younger and would have a different perspective than mine.

[Julicious719]

Thanks for the quick input, Mermaid!! Oh man. I was hoping it would be an OK area, but I couldn't tell. Although, I did see a guy barfing along the sidewalk the other day... Very gross. haha!

[island mermaid]

Originally Posted by Julicious719

Thanks for the quick input, Mermaid!! Oh man. I was hoping it would be an OK area, but I couldn't tell. Although, I did see a guy barfing along the sidewalk the other day... Very gross. haha!

During the day? Ohhhh..... that's not good.

After a night in the bars it would be a more common sight. Day light says something all together different.

Do a search for k-luv and send him a dm. (direct message) He's pretty knowledgeable of the downtown area.

[MRVphotog]

The wife and I have walked thru there a bunch at night and never felt threatned A couple of blocks further south on Congress St there's a convenience store which did seem to attract a few the typical nightime characters.

With the MCA dorm(big old apartment building), the MCA gallery across the street and a few other galleries I always felt alot of strange people were just your typical artisit/art school students...

It's been a few months but there is a new office building going just south on Congress which I think might make that part of Congress look better.

[Julicious719]

Thanks for the input! I really appreciate it. I like your comment about the art people/students... haha I'm an artist myself, so perhaps I'll feel at home in that area after all??? Hmmmm. Decisions, decisions.

[K-Luv]

Casco and Congress is alright. During the day you do have some crazies/homeless and/or drunks milling about. They might try and bum some change, but that is about it. Honestly, I have yet to encounter these people at night, so I am assuming that they either go home, where ever that may be, or they pass out somewhere. I dunno, when the sun goes down the other drunks come out There is the White Heart on that corner, which may not be your cup of tea - it's not really mine either most of the time, but it is a cool bar nonetheless.

The real question is where exactly might you live? If is on Casco close to Cumberland, then it can be a little bit more sketchy at night. There are some homeless shelters and subsidized housing right there, which may or may not mean anything to you, but, if you can believe it (and you should because it is true) is that there are also some expensive rentals and condos in the immediate area as well.

Safety is something that you should always concern yourself with, but this area is generally pretty safe. While it is a good idea to always be aware of your surroundings, you shouldn't have to feel like you constantly need to look over your shoulder (within reason).

I could write more; maybe later. I'll tell you this, though, I'd rather live on Casco and Congress any day then where you currently live. That is just a personal opinion and not intended to be a bit of advice.

One last thing; where you are looking to possibly move to is within the 'yellow zone'. What that means is that when it snows, there is a total parking ban on all the streets for like three days after a snow fall. Or something like that. The city just plows the streets throughout the rest of the city, but in downtown (the yellow zone) they don't just plow, they actually remove the snow. So, if you have a car you might have to park it in a garage for a couple of days. Which brings me to one last one last thing: parking may be a problem. If your apartment does not have a dedicated parking spot, then you are either going to have to park in a garage, and pay, or get a downtown zone sticker for your car (zone stickers are free) and you will then legally be able to park in any 1 Hour parking zone for an indefinite amount of time....if you can find an open one.

[K-Luv]

Eh, I just read my post....sorry; I am imbibing on the juice of fermented malt.

[Julicious719]

Thanks, K-luv. Aw, man. The whole parking ban sounds like a complete drag. I've been calling around for information about monthly garage rates... A lot of 'em are full or just too damn expensive. BLAH. haha (Got any suggestions?) I'll be living on Shepley Street (that is, if I decide to sign the lease on Friday!). So, yes. I would be right next to Casco and Cumberland. To sign the lease or not to sign lease... Oh, the dilemma. I know that I'd have to use common sense if I chose to walk by myself at night, BUT... I think I'm gonna shop around some more for places to live. I don't mean to sound like a complete anus-head or anything, but GOODNESS! Lewiston is kind of boring haha. It's not THAT small, so I wonder why the place isn't a bit more lively!! Right now, I live down the street from Bates College. I honestly don't know what the Bates students do for fun. You'd think there would be more house parties or a better night-scene out here. So far, I've found nothing!! Well, I have yet to explore some tiny cafes, I guess. *sigh*

[island mermaid]

IMHO- you'll find so much more to do in Portland than in Lewiston. The night life scene in Portland is much different. IMHO, you're talking about two completely different cities, I see nothing in common between the two.

Sure, the parking bans are a pain but people do it and survive just fine. It's all part of the experience. Most covered parking garages do having waiting lists, keep that in mind as well.

Tough decision, perhaps. To me the answer is clear. Portland has everything to offer a younger person in your position.

Best of luck to you.