Where to live?

Hello everyone! My name is Melissa, and I plan to relocate to Maine this August/September to attend UNE's Nurse Anesthesia program. I am currently looking at places to live, and have become interested in Old Orchard Beach, Saco, Scarborough, Westbrook, and Gorham, due to their apparent lower cost of living. I have contacted possible landlords in Old Orchard Beach, and have found this location particularly interesting. However, with the Maine winters, would commuting to Portland to attend classes be a problem? Also, are these nice areas? I have only been to Portland and have no idea what to avoid, ie which areas are safe and which have a higher crime rate. My husband and I have a small pug, who is like our child, who will be making the trans-continental trip with us! Any input and advice would be greatly appreciated! Feel free to PM me, too! Thanks again!

I have a condo for sale in OOB if you might be interested.

Portland is a good city. Pretty low crime. Depends where you are coming from.

You shouldn't have any problems driving in the winter. Just be sure you know about parking bans to plow snow. Unless of course you've never driven in snow. Oh and please don't use chains.. The locals will laugh at you..LOLLLL

If you need more info PM me.

I grew up in OOB, (as Old Orchard Beach is called), it is a small town in the winter, but please be aware that in the summer it becomes a tourist town. The population BOOMS, lots of Canadian tourists and out of staters. Depending on where you live, you could have all night party neighbors, so you want to make sure you don't rent or buy in the downtown area. It has, like all other towns, nice neighborhoods, but also very cheesy areas. One of the nice things is the beach, you are less than 10 minutes away no matter where you live in OOB. 7 miles of beach is nothing to sneeze at. If you are looking to buy a home, taxes are high in OOB. As far as commuting to Portland, it isn't far, 20-30 minutes depending on traffic. Scarborough is generally a nicer area, and Saco is great too, of course, the rents probably reflect this. I probably wouldnt live in Westbrook, it is a mill town, but I am sure there are nice areas there too. Biddeford is kind of the same, there are some really nice areas, but Main street is awful, and there is actually a trash facility in the center of town. Taxes are better, and the commute is easy. Rentals and prices of houses are better in Biddeford, and there are some really nice areas.

As far as winters go, you can never tell. This has been an easy winter as far as snow goes, but it goes from 27 degrees one day to 62 the next. Theres and old saying in Maine, "if you dont like the weather, just wait a minute", and it is completely true. I wouldnt be to concerned about traveling and snow, we all adapt, and if it is too bad, school is called off.

If you have four wheel drive you are all set, or just get snow tires for the winter. Good luck, and if you have any questions feel free to email me!

Hello everyone! My name is Melissa, and I plan to relocate to Maine this August/September to attend UNE's Nurse Anesthesia program. I am currently looking at places to live, and have become interested in Old Orchard Beach, Saco, Scarborough, Westbrook, and Gorham, due to their apparent lower cost of living. I have contacted possible landlords in Old Orchard Beach, and have found this location particularly interesting. However, with the Maine winters, would commuting to Portland to attend classes be a problem? Also, are these nice areas? I have only been to Portland and have no idea what to avoid, ie which areas are safe and which have a higher crime rate. My husband and I have a small pug, who is like our child, who will be making the trans-continental trip with us! Any input and advice would be greatly appreciated! Feel free to PM me, too! Thanks again!

Melissa

UNE used to have and may still have a place on it's website with rental information. Many do "winter" rentals for professors and students alike.

I don't know if that area of the site is still functional. When I lived in Biddeford I went to UNE and found a roommate from one of the bullentin boards. She was a PT student.

Good luck. I'm not in Maine often anymore. Travel Nurse.

Portland has a great night life BTW if you have time..LOL