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Location: Concrete jungle where dreams are made of.
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I visited Portland (Oregon) last year for a week and have lived in Maine for a couple years. You would be able to get around Portland (Maine) without a car much easier. The public transportation in Portland really isn't that good at all.
It's fun hanging out in old port in Portland (Maine), but it gets old after a while. But the good thing is that the people are very friendly, so at least you have some nice people to hang out with; even if you wind up going to the same places all the time, lol.
I am so glad this question has been asked! I too am sort of torn between these two. My husband and I have only ever lived in the deep south (northwest Georgia) so we are looking forward to something new and different at some point (maybe in another year or two). We don't have any children to consider (as far as school systems, etc.) and we are both pretty flexible when it comes to employment, but it's still difficult to chose between these two great beauties. The only thing I'm really afraid of in EITHER new place is the lack of sunlight; coming from the deep south, I have grown quite accustomed to the heat and bright rays. However, with that being said, here in the foothills we do get a good bit of rain - especially in the "winter" months. Thanks for asking this!
thisbloominglife: Winters in Portland, Maine (live there now) are darker than Portland, Oregon (shorter daylight). I'm from Seattle originally and have spent a lot of time in Oregon, mostly coastal areas. Oregon gets more grey rainy-drizzle days than southern Maine, but the winter days are so short here that it feels darker to me than the couple of years in Anchorage, AK did. I've also lived in Charlotte - but not Georgia. If you're concerned about sunlight - I'd avoid either place but I would choose Oregon over Maine.
thisbloominglife: Winters in Portland, Maine (live there now) are darker than Portland, Oregon (shorter daylight). I'm from Seattle originally and have spent a lot of time in Oregon, mostly coastal areas. Oregon gets more grey rainy-drizzle days than southern Maine, but the winter days are so short here that it feels darker to me than the couple of years in Anchorage, AK did. I've also lived in Charlotte - but not Georgia. If you're concerned about sunlight - I'd avoid either place but I would choose Oregon over Maine.
I'm really surprised to hear this opinion. Portland, Maine is further south than Portland, Oregon and thus should have more daylight in the winter.
Portland, ME Sunrise: 7:12am
Sunset: 4:30pm
Total daylight: 9 hours 18 minutes
Portland, OR Sunrise: 7:47am
Sunset: 4:54pm
Total daylight: 9 hours 7 minutes
A virtually negligble difference, but Portland ME actually receives more daylight than Portland OR.
If you're concerned about lack of sunlight, I would choose Maine over Oregon in a heartbeat -- the Northeast does not experience the same kind of prolonged periods of cloud cover that the PNW does.
Tend to agree with backdrifter here. The Oregon Coast is breathtaking, perhaps equal or better than CA. Yes, the towns are small, and many areas are depressed, yet many wealthy residents have built substantial homes along this stretch. My humble guess is that when the economy turns around, this area will explode. (Insider tip to buy now???, and no I have no connection to the real estate industry!)
Without any industry, I don't see that happening myself.
I'm guessing the problem with Portland ME daylight is one of time zone rather than latitude. Maine coast is the last bit of territory in the Eastern zone, which also includes places as far west as Indianapolis. Sunset in Portland would be a lot later if it was over the line into Atlantic time. But the time zone location is great for early risers!
Actually, both Maine and Oregon would be in my top five Northern states to live.
I would probably slightly prefer Maine.
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