Best areas to live/rent apt in Portland ME (real estate, apartment complex)

[Rhapsodie2014]

Hello;

I will be starting job at Maine Medical Center soon and will need to find apt. I would like to be close to hospital as I will not have car at least for a while.
I will get 30 days temp. housing but need to find own apt. I know that like all cities Portland has some less desirable areas as I have driven through city several times.

Anyone work at Maine Medical: Please advise. I would rather not live in a large apartment complex, rather live in a smaller 4-6-8 unit building that has New England architecture.....i.e. looks like Maine.
Also would like the area to be at least somewhat safe as I will be working second shift.................

Thanks

[HighTechRocker]

Look in the Saint John Valley neighborhood. It is very close to Maine Medical Center and still within walking distance to downtown. The train station is also within walking distance for day trips to Boston. Rent is fairly affordable for Portland and the architecture is classic late 1800s early 1900s.

Souce: I live in this neighborhood today.

[Rhapsodie2014]

Thank you for that advice.

[Rhapsodie2014]

Gee....I guess this was not the right place to have question answered,,,,,after 65 view???

[WhoFanMe]

Hi Rhapsodie,

I'm sorry but there are not a lot of posters in this part of the state. As for me, as a licensed real estate agent, I can't comment on the types of questions you are asking.

[dubthang]

West End is your best bet. That is where Maine Med is located. St. John Street is somewhat run down. Steer away from Grant Street. East End is quite nice. You can take the route 1 bus from the East End right down to Maine Med.

[HighTechRocker]

You'll pay 50%+ more just to live up the hill. It may be worth it to you, but personally I'd rather spend that extra money to enjoy Portland. There are plenty of great apartments to be had in the following section of town:

North - Park Ave.
South - C St.
East - Gilman St.
West - St. John St.

Please note that most of St. John St. is commercial, but it does have some rental units.

[MassVt]

From my experience in visiting Portland, a nice area ( for blocks around) is right next to Maine Med--can't comment on the prices, though. Portlans gets a bit seedier the more you descend down the hill..

[mainebrokerman]

high demand for Portland rentals

my son lives in Portland, going to college and sharing a place with two other students

look on maine craiglist, Portland press herald, newspaper, property management companies for rentals

[Rhapsodie2014]

Originally Posted by MassVt

From my experience in visiting Portland, a nice area ( for blocks around) is right next to Maine Med--can't comment on the prices, though. Portlans gets a bit seedier the more you descend down the hill..

Thank you both for the info..........hard to move into new city (even if it is small), as all cities have their "sections"..............can you tell me;

1. What is down the "hill", up the hill??? Down the hill is not good area, but what hill are you talking about?

2. Is the West End crowded with student from University of So. Maine....other side of 295?? I am middle aged and do not want to be around tons of college students.............

Thanks