Known as “The Queen City” due to its natural beauty, nearby forests and river views, the small but mighty city of Bangor has become the epicenter of Northern Maine. Founded in 1834, the city's past ties to the lumber industry are evident in its historic buildings and homes. The city has a steady population of around 31,000 and is home to two major hospitals, an airport and plenty of green space. “Residents of Bangor get the ability to have a modern city feel while still having access to all of the natural benefits of northern Maine,” says James Spear, an associate broker with RE/MAX Collaborative who has been serving the area since 2020.
Set in the historic West Market Square, Blaze Bangor, is one of many restaurants in the area.
Downtown Bangor is a hub for local artists.
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Bangor City Forest and downtown museums
The area's largest park, Bangor City Forest, has over 10 miles of shaded trails and is just northwest of the city. “It’s a nice quiet network of trails,” Spear says. “I like to take my dog out there as well as take my family out there when they come to visit.” While northern Maine does get all four seasons and the natural beauty that comes with them, the colder winters of New England mean plenty of opportunities for ice fishing and snowmobiling. In terms of indoor options, residents can explore the rotating exhibits at the Zillman Art Museum and the three levels of hands-on learning at the Maine Discovery Museum, Maine’s largest children’s museum.
Families enjoy time playing at Fairmount Park.
The Maine Discovery Museum in Downtown Bangor is fun for the whole family.
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Access to major Maine highways alongside an airport and two hospitals
Those driving around Bangor have access to both Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 2. Wide sidewalks line most streets as well. “The area has seen a big revitalization for pedestrians,” Spear says. “And this is alongside a pretty good public bus route that efficiently gets you from one end of the city to another.” The Bangor International Airport has direct flights to major East Coast cities, from Washington D.C. to Orlando. “The airport is one of the bigger draws to the area,” Spear says. “It's nice for homeowners to be so close to downtown while also having access to destinations all over the world through the airport.” Bangor residents also have St. Joseph Hospital on Broadway and the Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, which has a Level II Trauma Center. Though some residents work for the University of Maine in Orono, the hospitals and airport provide employment within the city.
Historic Colonial Revivals alongside dense suburban New Englanders
In January 2025, the median housing price in Bangor was $275,000, significantly lower than the national median at the time. Housing options in Bangor vary depending on the neighborhood, with stately Colonial Revivals along Broadway and densely packed New Englander homes in the Tree Streets and Bangor Gardens neighborhoods. On the outskirts of the city, homebuyers can find both manufactured home communities and custom-built $1 million estates around Judson Heights .
This classic colonial style home is in Broadway.
New Englander style homes are very popular around Little City.
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Bangor public schools and Husson University
Students in Bangor are served by Bangor Public Schools, which earns a B rating on Niche. Potential schools include the Fruit Street School in the Tree Streets community, which earns a B-plus rating, and the Mary Snow School, which also receives a B-plus. Public schools converge into the B-plus-rated Bangor High School, which has earned more than 100 state athletic championships since it was founded in 1835. Higher education options are also available in Bangor, including Husson University, just 2 miles from the heart of the city. The school receives a B rating and is most known for intimate class sizes and its baseball team.
James F. Doughty School serves area students in grades 6-8.
The Fruit Street School in the Tree Streets neighborhood of Bangor, ME.
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Dining and shopping options on every end of the city
Dining and shopping options can be found in Downtown Bangor , the main spot for locally owned shops and stores. Paddy Murphy’s is well known for its pub fare and daily specials and Sea Dog Brewing Co. serves microbrews and offers patio seating. Local grocery stores include Shaw’s just south of downtown Bangor and Hannaford in the Broadway Shopping Center. Additional retail and restaurant options can be found around the Bangor Mall, such as Target, Walmart and one of the two Chick-fil-A locations in all of Maine.
The Sea Dog Brew Pub is a popular local restaurant and brewery close by to Bangor Gardens.
Fairmount residents love to visit the beloved Paddy Murphy's Pub in nearby downtown Bangor.
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Bangor State Faire and local events
Residents of Bangor are within walking distance of annual downtown events, the largest of which is the Bangor State Fair, a tradition since 1849. The fair occurs over two weekends in August and includes carnival rides, demolition derbies and tractor pulls. Year-round events can be found in the Downtown Bangor neighborhood at the Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway and the Cross Insurance Center. During the warmer months of the year, Bangor residents can find big names in music like Pitbull and Hozier at the Maine Savings Amphitheater.
Decrease in property crime from 2022-23
According to FBI data, Bangor's reported rates of both property and violent crime exceed state and national figures. Between 2022 and 2023, property crime rates decreased by 18%, and violent crime rates had a 13% uptick. The Bangor Police Department's 2023 annual report also reflected a 3% increase in the total number of incidents.
I have lived in the Greater Bangor Area most of my life. I grew up in the Winterport/Hampden area. My wife and I raised our 2 daughters in Brewer. I currently live on Pushaw Lake with my wife. I have a strong background in construction, having owned my own building and remodeling company for many years. This affords me some great insight when looking at homes. I have also spent many years in the Sugarloaf area, and recently purchased a home up there. This allows me to also serve clients looking for the mountain life.
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