Literary legend Stephen King's iconic mansion with its bat-adorned wrought-iron gate stands as a testament to Bangor's unique character. The city's rich logging heritage comes alive through the towering 31-foot Paul Bunyan statue at the Cross Insurance Center. Outdoor recreation flourishes in the 680-acre Bangor City Forest, where residents enjoy hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing alongside the Orono Bog Boardwalk. The dining scene features local favorites like Timber Kitchen & Bar, 11 Central's locally-sourced gourmet cuisine, and Mason's Brewing Company, voted Best Burger & Craft Beer in Bangor.
The Bangor real estate market presents diverse options across distinct neighborhoods. Single-family homes in Judson Heights command a median price of $475,000, while the Broadway area sees median prices at $317,700. The Tree Streets neighborhood features single-family homes at a median price of $270,000. The overall median sale price in Bangor sits at $275,000, with townhomes showing a median of $309,000 and two-bedroom condos at $248,400.
Property taxes in Penobscot County maintain a 1.26% effective rate, while Maine's state income tax rate is 6.75% for yearly salaries of $38,152. The education system includes highly-rated options like William S. Cohen School and John Bapst Memorial High School, both serving multiple neighborhoods. Husson University adds to the educational landscape. The Community Connector provides public transportation throughout Bangor and neighboring communities, while Bangor International Airport connects residents to major U.S. cities. The city experiences four distinct seasons with summer highs near 80°F and winter lows around 7°F, receiving 66 inches of annual snowfall.