A working waterfront city across the harbor from Portland
When making the drive across the Casco Bay Bridge over Portland Harbor, South Portland stands out as a more residential counterpart to its noisy neighbor of Portland. “I always tell people that it’s the best of both worlds. On one side of town, you have the beach, and on the other, you have Target,” says April Cohen, a South Portland native and broker with Duston Leddy Real Estate. “South Portland is to Portland what Brooklyn is to Manhattan. It’s quieter — but getting busier — and you get all the same amenities with half of the hassle.” Uncrowded beaches, less expensive housing and a more suburban feel with direct access to Downtown Portland are just a few reasons that people choose to live on the southern side of the harbor.
South Portland is known for its working waterfront and a bustling oil port that serves as the starting point of the Portland Montreal Pipeline. On the west side of the city is Rigby Park, the busiest rail yard in New England. South Portland's myriad means of transportation make it a distribution hub, with manufacturers based near Portland International Jetport.
Views of the Portland's Eastern Promenade and Old Port can be viewed from Bug Light Park.
Cash Corner is not far away from downtown Portland.
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Historic coastal Maine homes
Some of South Portland’s most distinct and well-known neighborhoods are on the east side of the city near the coast. Ferry Village has become one of the most sought-after places to live thanks to its waterfront access and an active neighborhood association, while Knightville offers convenient access to shopping. Throughout the city, trademark New England home styles such as Cape Cods, saltbox and shingle-style houses are popular, with builds spanning from the mid-19th century to today. “Portland is being built up more with condos, but South Portland has a lot of well-maintained, older single-family homes,” Cohen says. Townhouses and condos, despite not being the dominant housing type, can also be found across the city. The median sales price is $505,000, higher than the state median of around $400,000. Houses sell after an average of 17 days on the market, which is more than twice as fast as the national average of 45 days.
Aerial view of Willard Beach in South Portland Maine.
Willard Beach in the Breakwater neighborhood offers locals a great spot to go to to catch some rays.
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Waterfront recreation at Willard Beach and events at Mill Creek Park
In the summer, residents converge on Willard Beach to bask in the sun and sand. Even in the offseason, many folks still frequent the shore for waterfront strolls and playground fun. Over at Bug Light Park, oceanfront picnics and kite flying are two of the top activities around the iconic Portland Breakwater Light, also known as Bug Light, a small lighthouse that stands at a mere 25 feet tall. Various marinas, boat launches and fishing spots can be found along the harbor, which is also flanked by the South Portland Greenbelt Walkway. “It’s not all stuff to do in summer, either,” Cohen says. “The hills by South Portland High see a lot of sledding, and people go ice skating on the pond at Mill Creek Park.” A scenic but small park, Mill Creek is where summer concerts and the annual Art in the Park festival are held.
Willard Beach offers a calm atmosphere perfect for families with gentle surf.
An iron arch lets visitors know that they have entered Mill Creek Park.
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Popular South Portland High football games
South Portland Public Schools scores a B-minus from Niche and serves about 3,000 students across five elementary schools, South Portland Middle and South Portland High. “Lots of locals go to the South Portland football games,” Cohen says.
The city is also home to Southern Maine Community College, which has an enrollment of about 7,000 students. The college’s campus is in Breakwater , just north of Willard Beach, which Cohen notes is a major part of its appeal: “Who doesn’t want to go to college on the beach?”
The South portland recreation Complex is near Cash Corner.
South Portland High School located on the corner of Highland Ave and Mountain View Road.
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Cross one of three bridges to reach Downtown Portland
Interstate 95, Interstate 295 and U.S. Route 1 all pass through South Portland. Neighboring Portland's attractions and amenities, including the Maine Medical Center and the Portland Transportation Center, can be accessed via one of three bridges that connect South Portland to Portland’s peninsula. Most areas of South Portland are within 5 miles of Downtown Portland, which can take 10 to 20 minutes to reach, depending on traffic. Portland International Jetport is on the west side of the city, and the South Portland Bus Service provides rides around town.
Decreasing crime and rising coastal water levels
According to FBI crime data, violent crime fell by 19% and property crime dropped by 31% in South Portland between 2018 and 2023.
South Portland experiences warm summers, with highs averaging 80°F, and cold winters with average lows around 15°F. Properties near the waterfront face a significant risk of flooding. A coastal flooding map created by the city in 2024 shows that the Breakwater, Loveitts Field , Knightville and Ferry Village neighborhoods may be especially susceptible to damage from major storms over the next 25 to 75 years. The city has formed a Coastal Resilience Team to assess and address the potential for flooding and major coastal storms, with initiatives that include FEMA assistance, beach scraping and zoning amendments.
Neighborhood restaurants and the Maine Mall
Many of the neighborhoods on the east side of South Portland are dotted by local restaurants, cafes and convenience stores, while Portland’s renowned dining scene lies right across the Fore River. “Everyone goes into Portland to shop and eat out in the winter months, because you won’t want to go when it gets busy in the summer,” Cohen says. The South Portland Farmers Market operates year-round to provide fresh produce, while the Mill Creek Shopping Center in Knightsville is a hub for local retail. Big-box stores, plus the Maine Mall, are on the western side of the city in Country Gardens .
Get fresh, organic produce at the South Portland Farmers Market.
People flock to the Maine Mall Food Court in Country Gardens.
On average, homes in South Portland, ME sell after 20 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in South Portland, ME over the last 12 months is $522,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Meet Ashley, a Maine native who has worked in real estate since 2016. With over $200,000,000 in sales, her and her team are ranked in the top 1% of brokers. Living in Cumberland County for over 20 years, she has an intimate understanding of the region's unique neighborhoods and hidden gems. While Ashley initially pursued a Bachelor's in Science of Nursing, her journey took an exciting turn when she discovered her true passion lay in the world of real estate. With her strong interpersonal skills and genuine care for others, she found that her background in nursing translated seamlessly into her new role as a realtor. Beyond her professional pursuits, Ashley is a devoted mother to two boys. As a family, they cherish their time together, often exploring the beaches, venturing out for ATV adventures, or enjoying time at their camp. In addition to her busy family life and real estate career, Ashley also finds time to give back to her community. She volunteers at local schools, sharing her experiences and knowledge with the next generation. Moreover, Ashley is actively involved in supporting local sports organizations, recognizing the importance of promoting active and healthy lifestyles among the youth. Ashley's commitment to her clients is unmatched. Having personal experience in investing, she fully understands the significance of every real estate decision. Her dedication is not just about buying or selling properties; it's about guiding her clients towards their dreams and aspirations. Her genuine concern for their well-being ensures that she goes the extra mile to make the entire process smooth and stress-free. With a passion for real estate and a heart for her clients, Ashley strives to make each transaction a positive and rewarding experience. Whether it's buying or selling the perfect vacation property, the ideal family home, or a lucrative investment opportunity, she will navigate the complexities of the market with unwavering determination.
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.
