Portland, ME, or Manchester, NH? (Old Orchard Beach, Hope: lofts, condo, homes)

[Jdobbi01]

Hello! I am looking to move to either Portland, Maine, or Manchester, NH next year. I am applying for grad school at University of Southern Maine and Southern New Hampshire University. Obviously, a good part of my decision will be based on school but I was curious to know others' opinions on the two areas.

Also- any info on the schools and their reputations would be much appreciated as well. I have applied to a few other schools also, but it would be great to be in NE!

Thanks much

[Maineah]

Most likely people in the Maine forum will recommend Portland (since they are familiar with Portland) and people from the New Hampshire forum will recommend Manchester (since they are familiar with Manchester). All I can tell you is they both have an airport and it used to be cheaper to fly out of Manchester than Portland but the gap is closer than it used to be.

[elston]

I lived in NH for more than 20 years and worked in Manchester......I now live near Portland...where my father was born and grew up. I like both cities....but am much fonder of Portland. I had been away from Manchester for more than a few years and recently visited....and was very pleased and surprised at how well it has made it back from the skids it was in about 15 yrs ago when everything was closing down...and falling apart. (I worked in the Dept of Welfare.....so was more familiar with the seamy side of Manchester.)

Portland is a seaport and Manchester is a riverside mill town. At one time Manchester was a vibrant industrial city with a large French Canadian population.....then the bottom fell out of its economy and it was on the skids.....lots of the same problems as other depressed mill towns.....crime, blight and visable decay. Manchester has made its way back from that state and is now a lovely and bustling city... with lots of beautiful neighborhoods and down town and served by large and modern malls etc. To me Manchester feels like a bigger city than Portland...but I have no idea of the real statistics.

Portland has more beautiful views and archetecture....the words "quaint" and "charming" come to mind. For me it is a much more comfortable, gentle enviornment....and it also possesses a touch of class. I value the Portland Symphony and prefer the Portland Art Museum over the one in Manchester.

I havent really used either city as a source of entertainment.....and don't look for the nightlife. But I think it fair to say Portland has better and more interesting resturants and its proximity to the coast are pluses......Manchester has more commercial amenities and is closer to Boston.

[futurecruiser]

Well, I'm biased, as I moved from outside Manchester NH to outside Portland, ME, and would never move back, for lots of reasons. I just love it here. Your mileage may vary. ;-)

elston has some good info.

I think, being a student, it would really depend on the school situation, which one is better for you. You can always 'settle down' somewhere else later.

[Mark S.]

I'm not a big fan of Manchester. Not a terrible place. Just a very typical city. As cities in NH go, I think Concord is a much, much nicer city. Portsmouth is too.

But between Manchester, NH and Portland, ME, I'd definitely go with Portland.

[dms21466]

I had to give this one some considerable thought. I grew up near Manchester and now have settled in the Portland area. As one of the posts above, Manchester is a has been mill city where most of the mills are now condo's or restaurants. But it is in a nice area.

But... with that being said, comparing both cities, I would have to say Portland. It's on the ocean, the Old Port is fun place for young people with it's little bars and shops. close to all kinds of outdoor activities... Hiking, skiing, bike paths, Old Orchard Beach, pine Point, the list goes on and on....

Yes, I would have to say Portland. But... bottom line is your education. Go with whichever school feels right.

[Wingfoot]

Manchester for ordinary people,Portland for "yuppies" .

[K-Luv]

USM does not have the best reputation for higher learning around here. Now, I am saying that in regards to the school as a whole, which has been having some financial difficulties for a few years now and who seems to continue to make poor financial decisions. I do know a decent amount of students who attend USM, and their opinions vary. Realistically, it really depends on the specific program or department.

What are you looking to study?

I have never been to Manchester, NH., so I dunno. Portland is great if you are under 30 or over 45. There does not seem to be many 30 somethings in this city who are not yuppies.

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by K-Luv

USM does not have the best reputation for higher learning around here. Now, I am saying that in regards to the school as a whole, which has been having some financial difficulties for a few years now and who seems to continue to make poor financial decisions. I do know a decent amount of students who attend USM, and their opinions vary. Realistically, it really depends on the specific program or department.

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!

Originally Posted by Wingfoot

Manchester for ordinary people,Portland for "yuppies" .

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.

[jbub22]

I live in southern NH but response is not biased towards NH towns. I have visited both cities. Manchester is ok but does not provide that college atmosphere which I know your looking for. While Portland was totally differant. The beaches are very close which means...you know, connect the dots. Portland provides a better college atmosphere, way better.

If your decision is based on which school provides the best education then I would seek another source.

Good luck!