Downtown Portland
Neighborhood in Portland, Maine
Cumberland County 04101, 04102
Apartments and condos in converted buildings
Sidewalks lead directly from the restaurant scene to the condos that over 4,000 people call home. That number is only expected to grow. “The downtown is changing rapidly,” Rathband says. “A lot of what was traditionally office buildings are being converted to residential. The number of people who are going to be living downtown, and on the peninsula in general, continues to increase.” Many of those red-brick office buildings turned into condos are from the 1800s. Several contemporary units pay homage to the older architecture in the city. Prices for a one-bedroom condo tend to range from $425,000 to $525,000, while two bedrooms can cost between $650,000 and $875,000. Mid-20th century condos on the shore, featuring balconies facing the sunrise in the east, cost between $1 million and $1.2 million. Most residents are renters.. Although single-family houses are rare, there are some Victorian-era and Federal homes in the neighborhood that typically go for $850,000 to $1.1 million. Downtown Portland receives a CAP Index Crime Score of eight out of 10, compared to the national average of four.Outdoor and indoor fun in Downtown Portland
With so many places to visit, there is always something to do. History buffs can explore Lincoln Park, Portland’s first public green space that is being renovated, and Fort Allen Park, a military base in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. The Eastern Promenade Trail connects the park to East End Beach, the only public beach in the area. At the Portland Museum of Art, which opened in 1882, patrons can see over 18,000 works, including pieces by Andy Warhol and Claude Monet. The Portland Public Library is across the street from Monument Square, a gathering place at the center of the city. “It’s the place where people protest, it’s the place where people pray,” Tyson says. “It’s where the people go in public to get their message out.”Portland High students can enroll at PATHS
The neighborhood is served by Portland Public Schools, with Reiche Community School receiving a C-plus from Niche and King Middle School scoring a C. Portland High School (PHS) earns a B-minus and partners with Portland Arts & Technology High School (PATHS) to offer hands-on learning for programs ranging from masonry to biomedical and health science. If students enroll in a program at PATHS, they can take a maximum of four classes at PHS. Downtown is also home to the Maine College of Art and Design, which Tyson describes as a “destination school for artists.” It offers a bachelor's and master's degree in fine arts and a pre-college intensive for high schoolers.Artistic events throughout the year
The neighborhood boasts a full calendar of events, many embracing the city’s creative energy. First Friday Art Walks kick off each month with a stroll through the many galleries in the area. The Resurgam Music and Arts Festival is an annual all-day celebration of local artists that started in June 2021, with over 60 live performances and 40 vendors selling their art. Portland Downtown hosts the Monumental Market every Friday from June to September to support the many makers in the city. Other highlights throughout the year are the Old Port Half Marathon and the Portland Parade of Lights on Casco Bay each holiday season.Comfortable for commuters
Downtown Portland is a walkable community, but it is more than that. Tyson describes the walks as “lovable,” with wide, brick sidewalks and decorated resting spots leading to the restaurant district. Many people also get around on bicycles, either their own or ones rented from Tandem Mobility, a bikeshare program with over 40 stops in the city. Drivers share the road with the Greater Portland Metro, which has several bus routes connecting downtown to the rest of the area. Franklin Street borders the neighborhood and connects with Interstate 295 and U.S. Route 1. Portland International Jetport is about 5 miles away, and the nearest emergency room is at Maine Medical Center.Lively dining and shopping scene
With the Maine coast as a backdrop, downtown offers plenty of seafood options. This includes DiMillo’s on the Water, a fine-dining establishment, and the more casual Gilbert’s Chowder House, which has served the community for over 30 years. However, Downtown Portland’s food scene offers so much more than seafood. “I always tell people, it’s like New Orleans,” says Cary Tyson, executive director of Portland Downtown, a nonprofit dedicated to the continuing growth of the area, and resident of 8 years. “You can’t have a bad meal if you choose a local restaurant. The market is so strong that it doesn’t tolerate bad food.” One shining example is Leeward, an Italian restaurant twice nominated for a James Beard Award since it opened in 2020. Both Rathband and Tyson recommend Bard Coffee, a café next to two of the city’s many parks, Tommy’s Park and Post Office Park. “They just have such good coffee and great service,” Rathband says. The area also has several independent shops, such as the Art Mart, which sells artist materials, and Little Ghost, a vintage clothing store. Folks can either get their groceries from Trader Joe’s or Hannaford, both within 1 mile. Target, Walmart and Lowe’s are all about a 7-mile drive.


Agents Specializing in this Area
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Edmund Gardner III
Gardner Real Estate Group
(207) 387-7218
208 Total Sales
6 in Downtown Portland
$350K - $725K Price Range
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Jacqueline Nedwell
Responds QuicklyTown & Shore Real Estate
(207) 618-9460
89 Total Sales
3 in Downtown Portland
$266K - $551K Price Range
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Sarah Cotnoir
LAER
(207) 707-3457
48 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Portland
$320,000 Price
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Nicholas Dambrie
Keller Williams Realty
(207) 387-9614
173 Total Sales
2 in Downtown Portland
$615K - $860K Price Range
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Nova Tower
Waypoint Brokers Collective
(646) 971-8783
67 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Portland
$1,159,000 Price
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Frank Barry
RE/MAX Oceanside
(207) 496-1806
52 Total Sales
2 in Downtown Portland
$585K - $1.5M Price Range
Schools
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Parks in this Area
Transit
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Downtown Portland | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 4 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 6 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 4 | 4 |
Robbery | 7 | 4 |
Burglary | 8 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 7 | 4 |
Larceny | 8 | 4 |
Crime Score | 7 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Downtown Portland Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Portland, Portland sell after 86 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Portland, Portland over the last 12 months is $808,837, up 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
Good Transit
Transit Score®
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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