What do Americans think of Portland Maine?

I’m in Canada heading to Maine and most Canadians don’t seem to know about Portland ME. Is that the case in the US too?

48 comments

  1. I’m only aware of its existence because every now and then you’ll hear a reference to the fact that there’s a second, presumably saner, Portland.

  2. I think it’s a relatively small city in Maine. I think Stephen King is from there. And that’s all I think.

  3. I’m from Portland, it’s an amazing city with great nightlife, low crime, good schools, some semblance of diversity in northern New England, etc but I wouldn’t live here if it wasn’t for the fact that I’m living with family and don’t have to pay rent. Housing costs are outrageous and in no way worth it anymore and it’s only getting worse with remote work. But then again that’s increasingly the case everywhere so 🤷‍♂️

  5. Port city that gets name dropped in Stephen King books sometimes. That’s about all I got tbh. It’s the less famous of the two main Portlands, although Portland, OR is named for it to my understanding.

  6. Its a small city. I’ve been there. It was niceish. Most people may know of it, but few will have visited.

  8. I think I went on a sales call there once. Hanaford Brothers grocery chain. Got a telephone thrown at my head by the buyer. Good times.

  9. > What do Americans think of Portland Maine?

    I live here, so I think it’s pretty neat.

    > I’m in Canada heading to Maine and most Canadians don’t seem to know about Portland ME. Is that the case in the US too?

    People who aren’t from eastern New England tend to think they discovered Portland and it’s this little hidden gem untouched by mankind that only they’ve heard of. Then they get angry when they realize it’s a massively expensive tourist spot.

  12. Hate it. For no reason other than I work at a hotel in Portland OR and people keep getting us confused.

  13. I was just there for a wedding a few weeks ago. It’s a very nice town.

    It’s the largest city in Maine so I imagine that most Americans know of it if they know any cities in Maine.

  14. It’s a great little city, especially if you love good food.

    So many incredible restaurants. It’s not on most people’s radars. There’s just so many awesome beach towns,interesting small cities, and really great wilderness in New England and Maine it’s just a bit of an afterthought for most. There’s a lot of competition close by — there’s 50 vacation destinations within an hour of it.

    Quebecians (?) have discovered it for sure.

  17. Neat town that has way more great dining than a town that size usually has. I enjoyed my visit last year.

  19. Well I live in Central Maine so my opinion is probably different than say a Californian.

    Portland is the biggest city in the state. It’s the only “proper” city in the state of Maine. It’s a much smaller and more “quaint” city than its cousin Portland OR.

    It’s a pretty cool little city. It’s very unlike the rest of Maine. It feels kinda like a city on the North Shore (area just north of Boston Metro). Whereas the rest of Maine is much more rural once you get outside the Portland area.

  21. It’s a neat city. Worth the visit. There’s pretty architecture in spots, nice food, some good history.

    It’s badly overpriced and a bit too geared towards tourism. I usually spend a few hours in Portland before moving onto lesser known destinations on the Maine coast.

  22. good food, fun town, very dog friendly, still see a swastika or two etched on rocks and such here and there…but that’s kinda just maine.

  24. I think it’s a place that most people have heard of, but only a small minority have been to or really know that much about.

  25. All I know is that, according to Jimmie Rodgers, it’s just the same as sunny Tennessee. Otherwise, I suppose my proximity to the other Portland has probably blunted my awareness of the one in Maine.

  26. Been there quite a bit!

    I feel that it’s fairly vibrant and unique for its size, but it’s a high cost of living compared to the rest of Maine, so it’s kind of a bit of have vs. have-nots at times.

    It’s a city I would absolutely live in, but it’s just a tad too expensive.

  27. Great place to visit! It’s fairly small so I wouldn’t expect people outside of New England to know too much about it.

  28. All I know is that they have a narrow gauge railroad where they do Polar Express rides for the kids at Christmas.

    And they have a neat little town on the beachfront; I think I remember a candy store with a large selection of jelly beans also.

    Other than that…. idk.

  29. Teeny tiny but cool is the impression I have of it (based on the one single person I’ve known in 37 years who has been there. lol)

  30. Coastal Maine is a nice place to visit. Portland has lot’s of good restaurants and breweries, there’s a handful of good tourist activities and sites along the coast nearby the city and decent shopping opportunities between the old port and Freeport. If I had lots of money for a nice place I probably wouldn’t mind living in the city but you couldn’t pay me enough money to live anywhere outside of Portland in Maine.

  32. There’s a navy base there, and all my coworkers who have been there found it rather miserable.

  34. My friend is going there for dental school next semester. I’ll pass your username along

  38. I went for the first time this past Maine. I was only there for a sunset cruise after returning to NY from a Quebec road trip. My main takeaways: Very overpriced Lobster Rolls for tourists and I was happy to see other Black people (I got some stares earlier in the day in southern Quebec and northern Maine).

  39. Vacationed there last year. LOVED it! Made time to drive to Acadia National Park and spent a couple days there, as well. Love the whole area. People were super nice, food was great, scenery was amazing, and the weather was the best! Love Love Love Portland Maine. ❤️

  44. I think that if you say Portland, many people think of Portland Oregon. I would say that if you’re in New England, they would think of Portland Maine. I was lucky enough to live in Portland Maine, and it’s an amazing place. I would live there again in a heartbeat. Also Falmouth, right next-door. The entire state is gorgeous. However, coming from California, and having lived for many years in Oklahoma, I don’t think main geography is that well known outside of New England. Just my opinion.

  45. I split my time between Portland and Boston and I love Portland. I’d be there full time if my job & relationship (my boyfriend is in grad school in Boston) allowed for it. Great food and booze, always lots of interesting events going on, great weather (I prefer cold to hot), very walkable. My only complaint is that I wish the city bus ran more frequently and later.

    Also, while the cost of living is lower than some other places, it’s not as much lower as salaries are. When I was leaving NYC biglaw for New England smaller-law, I got an offer from a Portland-only firm. Given differences in rent but also the fact that I probably would have had to get a car, the amount I would have saved on cost-of-living expenses was about . . . 1/20th of the pay cut I was being asked to take. I went to a firm with an office in Boston.

  47. We vacationed there in May! It was still a little cold, but it’s a cute little town! There isn’t a bad cup of coffee in 500 miles either

  48. I know there’s lobsters. That’s where my knowledge of Portland, Maine ends.

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