Budget Friendly Towns near Portland? (South Portland, Saco: apartment, to rent, credit)

[Ashtae220]

Hello everyone! Me and my fiancee' are going to be moving to Maine in the next few months and were hoping to get a little bit of advice. We have friends who are currently living in Old Orchard Beach (they've only been there for about 6 weeks so they are not familiar with the area) who we are moving in with. We are all pretty much in our early-mid 20's and our friends have a 2 year old as well.

Our combined finances right now are about 2600 a month after taxes. I work out of the home so I don't have any transportation bills. My friend's husband works in South Portland. My friend is also planning to get a job within the home so we can expect our budget after taxes to be approximately 3600-4000 a month after taxes. We have bills that equate to about 400 a month that have nothing to do with housing (i.e. credit, loans, car payment, etc).

We are looking for a nice place to live that is close (30 miles preferably closer) to Portland (because of my friend's husband's job and the fact that several of us are still students and will be going to school there). We don't want to live in Portland directly though (we are quiet people who like living in a more rural atmosphere). Basically we want a place with a yard for the toddler to play in and a place where I and my friend can work from home undisturbed. We are hoping to rent a house over an apartment.

Does anyone know of a place near Portland where that's possibly doable? Is our budget totally unrealistic? Sorry about the length of the post but I'd appreciate any suggestions

[elston]

For Budget Friendly towns....I believe that I would look in Buxton, Westbrook or perhaps even Saco (the town just to the south of OOB); I don't know if your budget is realistic or not.....but I wish you good luck. I know you said...rural.....but altho a town....Saco has nice quiet residential neighborhoods. Westbrook is an old mill town and has had its problems....but its location sure is convenient to everything....and it has some rural feeling neighborhoods....as well as crowded tenement districts.....you would want to check it out before signing anything.

[diablogun]

Budget friendly is a subjective thing, but if you are looking to buy, one can buy a smaller and nice house in South Portland right now for less than rent, depending on the loan you get. I live in South Portland and like it, but I also like Saco. Avoid Westbrook and much of Portland, and in the long run avoid OOB. Gorham is nice, but not cheap, and it seems to get kind of Hillbilly-like if you go further out.

Also avoid the towns north of Portland, unless you win the lottery

[editrice]

Hi everyone! I have a question about South Portland. Can you walk across the bridge to downtown Portland (safely)? In other words, how pedestrian-friendly is the bridge between South Portland and Portland? Thanks!

[atrixwolfe]

Originally Posted by editrice

Hi everyone! I have a question about South Portland. Can you walk across the bridge to downtown Portland (safely)? In other words, how pedestrian-friendly is the bridge between South Portland and Portland? Thanks!

Yes you can and many people do, even in winter. There is an easier entry point to the bridge at the park at the top of ocean house rd with a ramp up to the mid point of the bridge. There is a barrier to protect you from the cars and I would not say personal safety is an issue except possibly late at night.
I see many people ride bikes as well across the bridge again even in January and Feb.

[editrice]

Thanks very much, atrixwolfe! That is very helpful!