Live in Portland or South Portland? (Hope: fit in, apartment, crime)

[Smily Gladshanks]

So what is your opinion about living in Portland or South Portland? Incidentally, you are a young, single professional; you enjoy the city but grew up in the country--kind of fit in wherever, as a result; you like good beer (Espcially La Fin Du Monde...but I regress), but NOT clubs; you like to leave the city and get out and hike, bike, etc., but you also would like some stuff near your apartment to do (have historically lived very near some restaurants/bars in other cities); don't mind a quiet evening at home; could do without people vomitting on your doorstep; do need some sense of being in a community where you are not the only young person without kids and where there is not that sense of loneliness that you get in a place too far from what is going on and where your neighbors are mostly only interested in timing the arrival of the mailman.

Thanks, guys.

[lookinforahome]

Portland. Maybe the West End. It's close to the downtown area, so you'll be close to all the restaurants and amenities of that. It has a neighborhood organization and newspaper. I think crime is fairly low in the West End, but not sure.

The reason I wouldn't say South Portland is because it is a completely different place than Portland. It is very sprawling and suburban. You would have to drive to get anywhere for a cup of coffee or a restaurant (although there are a few in South Portland). I think South Portland would more fit into the category you described of you being the only one without kids. It seems like a very family oriented community. The other thing that always weirds me out is how on one side of town, there are suburban single-family homes, and on the other is a huge mall surrounded by several other chain shopping venues. Its such a drastic change.

Anyway, definitely Portland. And like I said, the West End seems like it might be a good choice. You could easily walk to the downtown area, and I think there are a few bars right in the West End too. The part about clubs, I think it was Irfox who explained in another thread that the clubs in Portland are really just usually bars with a small dance floor, so you don't have to worry about the club thing. And for the sense of community, once again the West End has a neighborhood newspaper and a neighborhood organization, also there's a St. Patty's parade in the neighborhood that is organized by neighborhood locals, that seems shows a sense of community.

And of course, the nice things about Portland or South Portland is that you can be out of the city and find places to hike in 20 minutes. Skiing is also close by (an hour or two), and in Portland they're just now working on inner city biking trails that weave around the city. But again, if you're looking for a hike or some mountain biking, you won't have to look very heard.

Hope this helped!

[elston]

I think "lookingforahome" is really accurate in his discriptions of Portland and S. Portland.

[K-Luv]

I will agree that for the single person, Portland is the place to be. So. Portland is okay, but as stated it is definitely more suited towards those who want suburban living.