An art and entertainment center while also an outdoor mecca
Portland, a peninsula city anchoring the state of Maine, is an essential commerce, arts and cultural hub in Northern New England. After gaining prosperity through shipbuilding during World War II, Portland has grown into a dynamic city rooted in the arts, hospitality and financial services industries. Its flourishing seaport not only serves as a vital economic pillar, but also recalls Portland’s rich maritime history. “I would say that Portland, as Maine's largest city, offers a wonderful mix of old and new, charming and modern,” says Nancy L. Martin, the city’s business programs manager at the housing and economic development department. “We have incredible restaurants, a scenic working waterfront, charming neighborhoods and great public schools with incredible diversity.” Today, the city has a population of about 69,104, and the local workforce is mainly focused in the health, insurance and banking sectors. Top employers include Maine Health, which employs over 8,700 people, Northern Light Mercy Hospital, Unum and Wex, both of which are insurance companies.
A large green space offers beautiful views of the Bug Light Park Lighthouse in Breakwater, ME.
East Bayside is adjacent to Downtown Portland, a bustling city center.
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Eclectic housing options in a coastal city
Portland has a diverse housing landscape and offers homebuyers a range of real estate options. Condominiums, apartment complexes and multifamily properties are concentrated in neighborhoods around Downtown Portland, including East End. West End has many million-dollar mansions from the Victorian era. Inland neighborhoods tend to be more residential, and neighborhoods such as North Deering, Deering Center and Stroudwater have more single-family houses. “Generally speaking, the neighborhoods on the peninsula are denser. Many residents there do not own cars and use active or public transportation to get around,” Martin says. “Neighborhoods off the peninsula are less dense and feature more single-family housing. Don’t forget we have five islands too! For example, some people live on Peaks Island and commute by ferry to school or work in Portland.” Properties in designated flood zones may require the purchase of additional flood insurance.
The city’s median home price is $605,000, which is higher than the state median of $402,500. Smaller single-family homes such as Cape Cods, beach cottages and ranch-style homes start in the $300,000s, and larger properties in Colonial Revival, New Traditional, Tudor Revival or Queen Anne styles can reach over $3 million. Townhouse units are usually between $350,000 and $2 million. Condos start around $250,000 and can quickly climb to over $2 million for units in new, waterfront buildings. Multifamily homes, such as duplexes and triple-deckers can run from $500,000 to over $1.5 million.
This classic New England two-story with a shed dormer is located on Chebeague Island.
This unique home is located in Deering Center.
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Waterfront parks and marinas to nature trails and sports leagues
Some of Portland's bigger parks include the Western and Eastern Promenades and Deering Oaks Park. The 68-acre Eastern Promenade features the scenic East End Beach, which has a boat launch and kayak and canoe rentals, the Eastern Promenade Trail that’s popular among cyclists and and athletic fields and courts. The waterfront Fort Allen Park has a peaceful walkway offering breathtaking views of the harbor and the sea. The city has a humid climate, with prolonged, snow-heavy winters and short, muggy and hot summer seasons. The impacts of global warming have led to the continual rise of sea levels, which can be a threat to area residents and marine life. Four minor league sports teams, including the Portland Sea Dogs and the Maine Mariners, are also located in Portland. Starting in 2025, the Maine Hearts of Pine, a United Soccer League expansion team, will begin to train and play in the city’s Fitzpatrick Stadium.
Boating is a popular pastime at Chebeague Island.
Deering Center is a great place to raise a family.
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A distinguished culinary culture and food festivals
The city has an established reputation for its quality food scene. In 2018, Bon Appetit named Portland “Restaurant City of the Year,” and establishments such as ZU Bakery and Norimoto Bakery gained many accolades as winners of the Maine Beard Award in 2024. Restaurants and breweries are concentrated in Downtown Portland, specifically the Arts District and Old Port neighborhoods, and off U.S. Route 302. The city also has a local farmers market, as well as a thriving beverage sector with over 20 breweries. Shopping centers featuring big-box stores, grocery markets and local businesses include Pine Tree Shopping Center and Union Station Plaza Shopping Center.
Echoing the city’s vibrant culinary culture, Portland also has many food festivals throughout the year, including a Greek Festival, an Italian Street Festival & Bazaar, the Main Brewers Festival, the Maine VegFest for vegan food and Harvest on the Harbor, the city’s annual food and drink festival held each October.
Downtown Portland is famous for its fabulous seafood with stunning water views.
Downtown Portland is a walkable neighborhood packed with colorful shops and cafes.
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A vibrant arts district and annual art festivals
Since the early 19th century, Portland has had a flourishing art scene. Today, the city has over 150 art groups and organizations, and the Arts District is anchored by museums and cultural venues such as the Portland Museum of Art and Portland Symphony Orchestra. Each month during the First Friday Art Walk, galleries and businesses in the Arts District stay open in the evenings with free exhibits, workshops and events, attracting thousands of visitors. Other prominent art festivals include the Portland Maine Comedy Festival, the Bach Virtuosi Festival and the Portland Chamber Music Festival.
Children demonstrate their painting skills at Portland's Earth Day Celebration.
Local bands gather at Postmark Park for a good time in Downtown Portland.
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Public schools and higher-education institutes in Portland
With an overall B-minus Niche grade, Portland Public Schools serves over 6,400 prekindergarten to 12th-grade students and has a student-teacher ratio of 11-to-1. The University of New England’s College of Osteopathic Medicine is the only medical school in the state, and it has moved its campus to Portland. Several other universities also have campuses in the city, including the University of Southern Maine, the University of Maine and Northeastern University’s Roux Institute.
The Friends School of Portland is a private, Quaker-based school serving students in Cumberland.
Portland Hight School has a diverse student population that represents a variety of backgrounds.
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Transportation options range from biking to taking the ferry
The city can be accessed via Interstate 95, Interstate 295 and U.S. Route 1. For public transit, Greater Portland METRO provides bus services throughout the city, and Portland Bikeshare features over 40 stations and 200 bikes for carbon-free transportation. Portland Transportation Center has Amtrak and Concord Coach Lines services, both of which have connections to Boston. Casco Bay Lines is the city’s ferry service connecting island residents to the inland areas. Notably, the Port of Portland can host over 100 cruise ships and is the largest port in Maine. The Portland International Jetport is about 2 miles away from downtown, with services to eight airlines. Major hospitals in the city include Maine Medical Center, which is northern New England’s largest medical facility, and Northern Light Mercy Hospital.
Crime data from 2023
According to Maine's Department of Public Safety, Portland's overall crime rate showed a slight decrease from 2022 to 2023.
Flaherty is the designated broker of The Flaherty Group, and an active listing and buyer agent.
Over the years, Tim has earned a loyal following for both his integrity and his deep knowledge of home construction and land use. In addition to listing and selling residential property, Tim has developed several neighborhoods in the greater Portland area, including Brydon Farm and Wildwood in Westbrook, Olde Birch Lane in Portland, Stonebrooke in Scarborough, and Bowdoin Drive in Falmouth. He also offers consulting services for outside developers.
Tim graduated from Portland High School in 1974 and studied real estate at the University of Southern Maine.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
