Portland, ME, or Manchester, NH?

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by lrfox

Ditto. I'm a USM graduate (Int'll Business) and I'd have a hard time recommending it to anyone. It's got a decent Accounting program and a good law school. The Muskie School of Public Policy is fairly reputable as well. However, I don't really know anything about SNHU, so I really can't make an apples to apples comparison.

As far as city v. city, I don't know. I like both of them and depending on what you want, one city may be better than the other. Portland has the feel of a small seaport city (because, well, it is one) while Manchester has the feel of an old industrial town that's been on the rebound for a while. Both are good cities to live in.

Portland has the better downtown area with the historic Old Port and waterfont. Manchester is larger and feels larger but its downtown area is a bit less in tact than Portland's (not bad though). Aesthetically, it's hard to argue that Manchester is prettier when you compare it to Portland with the old streets of the Old Port and the harbor and the islands. However, there's a real gritty urban charm that Manchester has with its old industrial tenements (most of which have been converted into nicer homes) that seems lacking in Portland (which really feels like more of a mid-size town than a city). Portland has better access to outdoor activities (both oceanic and inland) than Manchester, but neither city is bad in terms of that. Portland's dining scene gets more attention than Manchester's (or most other small cities for that matter), but Manchester's isn't far behind (albeit under the radar) and quite good. Manchester's nightlife is leaps and bounds better than Portland's as it has much more diversity in that regard... Portland has a handful of pubs downtown and it ends there.

Manchester is closer to Boston and has bus service but Portland has the train. Manchester's airport is a little larger and has some cheaper flights (including Southwest Airlines). Portland's isn't bad either. Both are easy to access via car. Neither city is difficult to drive in and both have adequate bus service (not wonderful, but adequate). Both are walkable at the core but neither is really easy to live without a car.

Hopefully that'll add a little insight. Good luck!



Ignore this. There's no truth behind it. Manchester as an old Mill Town has a little more of a blue-collar flare, but the luxury lofts and distinction as part of Boston's CSA have really changed that. Portland, despite the fact that some choose act like it may as well be Beverly Hills, is very middle class. There are some yuppies in both areas but most of the population in either city is very hard working. In fact, within Portland itself, most people are very laid back and easy going (btw, the same can be said for Manchester). I met a ton of nice and even-keeled people while living in Portland. Don't let the "yuppie" comment scare you... it's not bad in either town.

In fact ignore Wingfoot whenever possible.....troll!

[imjustthere]

I grew up in New Hampshire 15 minutes south of Manchester and went to college in Maine a couple hours north of portland, but I've spent a significant amount of time in both cities. I definitely think Portland wins. Both are very nice with a vibrant city atmosphere, but there's something about portlands charm that always maks me want to go back.

[Jdobbi01]

Thank you all! I think I may look at Portland after school. I am a business student and was mainly looking for an MBA program or an MS in something business related. Portland really seems like my cup of tea, (I'm not a partier, but I love live music and a beer every now and then). And the beach...well yeah. I lived along the south eastern coast for a while and I much prefer the NE coast. Thanks again everyone, this website is the BEST way to learn about areas!