Thornton Heights
Ocean lighthouse views and Deering Oaks Park
Getting outside to enjoy nature is common in South Portland neighborhoods. “...You can go to Bug Light lighthouse and Spring Point Light, and there’s also Southern Maine Community College which has a beautiful campus around the ocean. Right next to it is a popular beach called Willard Beach where locals hang out,” Akers says. For Thornton Heights residents, hopping on Route 1 over Thompson Point will take them to Deering Oaks Park, a large green space in downtown Portland. On Saturday mornings, Deering Oaks Park “has a huge three-seasons farmer’s market. A lot of people play football and tennis and volleyball there. It’s also got a big playground and you can go ice skating on the pond in wintertime,” Akers says. “Right next door is Hadlock Field for minor league baseball, which is a good family event to attend.” The City of South Portland Municipal Golf Course is right in the neighborhood for getting in nine rounds after work or on weekends.Downtown Portland’s many events and festivals
Living so close to downtown Portland means taking advantage of the many annual and weekly events that it has to offer. Locals in Thornton Heights can take daily tours or cruises around Maine’s waterways, go to art exhibitions or attend live music performances at bars and theaters all over town. Visitors can check out the Maine Comic & Toy Con in April or the annual Portland Fine Craft Show in August. In November, families can enjoy the Polar Express Train Ride event at the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum for some holiday cheer. In December, Victoria Mansion hosts a gala called Colors of the Season, where guests who buy tickets can take part in an elegant social evening.Eclectic architectural styles in Thornton Heights
A few Thornton Heights homes are undergoing renovations, and there are new constructions cropping up in the area. “What’s appealing about the houses here is that they have a lot of history. There’s a house that’s pending that was built in the 1830s,” Akers says. “There are no cookie cutter houses there.” However, that may change as more and more new builds appear. Empty land, where the Meetinghouse Hill Park development will be, is currently for sale at around $180,000 for most 0.11 acre lots. “South Portland is great for first-time homebuyers and new families, people who don’t want to be in Portland but don’t mind being a 5-to-10-minute drive from downtown. It’s just over the bridge, so it’s an easy commute,” Akers says. Established homes in the area range from $375,000 to $650,000, with varying architectural styles such as Colonial, ranch-style and farmhouses with gambrel roofs.Maine’s largest mall and nearby restaurants
For shopping, Thornton Heights locals “can either go to some restaurants in Ferry Village, and then there’s also the Maine Mall where all the box stores are. It’s the biggest mall in Maine,” Akers says. They can also head to the Old Port area of Downtown to check out the bustling atmosphere there. “The whole Old Port area is a working harbor that has been turned into more of a destination where you’ll find a lot of locally owned restaurants and bars and shops. It’s very locally owned there, so you’re not going to find a lot of national brands,” Akers says. Closer to home, restaurants on Main Street, like Coppersmith Tavern and Table or Aroma Joe’s, make it convenient to get a cup of coffee or spend a date night out of the house. Indy’s Sandwich down the road serves breakfast sandwiches all day, as well as curry and rice dishes. For longer grocery trips, the nearest Walmart and Sam’s Club are 3 miles west near the Maine Mall.South Portland Public Schools programs and clubs
Students in Thornton Heights may first attend Dr. Waldo T. Skillin Elementary School, graded a C-plus on Niche. Formally called Memorial Middle School, students can now attend sixth through eighth grade at South Portland Middle School, which resides in the neighborhood and is also graded a C-plus. South Portland High School, graded a B-minus, serves the entire school district. The school offers over a dozen athletic sports, clubs and after-school activities, such as ultimate frisbee, jazz bands, a robotics team and a writing club.Interstate 295 to downtown Portland
Because it is centrally located, Thornton Heights is a great spot for people who want to be near downtown without dealing with the higher cost of living. However, the neighborhood’s proximity to the interstate, airport and Long Creek can lead to traffic noise and possible flooding during particularly rainy seasons. Downtown and Old Port are just 5 miles away via Interstate 295. Portland International Airport is only 3 miles north via Route 9 or Broadway. Maine Medical Center and the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital for checkups and emergencies are just 4 miles and 10 minutes north of most Thornton Heights homes.


Agents Specializing in this Area
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Scott Reiff Denise Reiff
Coldwell Banker Realty
(207) 891-6314
76 Total Sales
1 in Thornton Heights
$435,000 Price
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Kim Gleason
McAllister Real Estate
(207) 481-4132
191 Total Sales
1 in Thornton Heights
$285,000 Price
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Davian Akers
Keller Williams Realty
(207) 544-4158
111 Total Sales
1 in Thornton Heights
$270,000 Price
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Melinda Torrens
Epique Realty
(833) 268-6193
30 Total Sales
1 in Thornton Heights
$407,100 Price
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David Banks
RE/MAX By The Bay
(207) 503-3042
1,105 Total Sales
1 in Thornton Heights
$445,000 Price
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Edmund Gardner III
Gardner Real Estate Group
(207) 387-7218
207 Total Sales
1 in Thornton Heights
$299,500 Price
Schools
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Parks in this Area
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Thornton Heights | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 3 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 4 | 4 |
Robbery | 4 | 4 |
Burglary | 4 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
Larceny | 5 | 4 |
Crime Score | 4 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Thornton Heights Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Thornton Heights, South Portland sell after 52 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Thornton Heights, South Portland over the last 12 months is $365,000, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
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