Community
With a metro population of 230,000, the Greater Portland area (Portland, South Portland, Westbrook, Cape Elizabeth, Gorham, Falmouth, and Cumberland) is home to almost one quarter of Maine's total population. Portland is an old seacoast town with a population of 64,000. The Greater Portland area has more than 35 miles of trails to hike, jog or cross-country ski. From mountains to lakes, city to country, nature to nightlife- you can find everything within a 15-mile radius. Portland is a modern city filled with galleries, one-of-kind boutiques and shops, and incredible restaurants serving everything from traditional New England clam chowder to nouveau cuisine.

• Recreation
  Maine’s largest city is also home to two semi-pro sports teams: Portland Sea Dogs Baseball and Portland Pirates Hockey! The Portland Jetport is a modern airport, giving you immediate access to the world – or you can drive. From Portland, Boston is a short 90 minute car ride or travel down via southern Maine’s new commuter rail service. If you enjoy the out of doors, you’ll find many fun-filled ways to spend your leisure time in Maine. Portland is minutes away from miles of sandy beaches along the coastline. Moor your sailboat or power boat in any number of local marinas. Our downhill skiing is spectacular! From Portland, you’re just an hour’s drive from premier ski resorts. You might also enjoy other winter activities such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and ice fishing.

• Schools
  Maine schools are outstanding! Portland and surrounding communities boast some of the finest schools in the State. You have your choice of public, catholic and private schools. Not long ago the National Education Goals Panel ranked Maine as having the best education system in America – two years in a row. Maine ranked above all other states in high-school completion rate and student performance in reading, math and science. Mainers also value higher education. The University of Southern Maine, with campuses in Portland and nearby Gorham, is a branch of the University of Maine system offering 50 majors and more than 40 academic programs to over 11,000 enrolled students. Also in Portland, the Southern Maine Community College offering technical, career development and liberal arts courses of study, and the Maine College of Art offering courses in a variety of artistic mediums.

• Economy
  The economy has shifted over the years from relying primarily on fishing, manufacturing and agriculture towards a much more service-based economy. Today, Portland is Maine's business, financial and retail capital. Most national financial services organizations with significant operations in the state have their Maine base here. You will also find major international law firms, technology based companies, import/export companies, and modern high-rise office buildings in the Greater Portland Area. Portland is said to be the strongest small-business sector of any large metropolitan area in the United States and is the hottest small business market in which to develop a company. When compared to national and state averages, Portland has a low unemployment rate as well as higher median incomes than most other Maine communities.

• Culture
  Currently, Portland stands as one of the few working waterfronts left in the United States, acting as New England’s largest tonnage seaport and second largest fishing port. Portland’s “Old Port” is one of the most successful revitalized warehouse districts in the country. Seamlessly connected to the waterfront, the Old Port is both working waterfront and a chic shopping, dining, and entertainment district. The Old Port is also the site for the Annual U.S. Cellular Old Port Festival. This energetic event has been going on since 1973 and offers guest 10 stages of music, food and arts/crafts vendors, as well as children’s activities.

  Uptown, a few blocks from the waterfront, is Portland’s secret treasure—the Arts District. With Congress Street as its spine, this once traditional shopping street has turned into a Mecca of art galleries, antique shops, and artist studios. The world class Portland Museum of Art, the Children’s Museum of Maine, the Institute of Contemporary Art at the Maine College of Art, the Center for Cultural Exchange, the State Theater, the Portland Stage Company, the Center for Maine History, and the stunningly-renovated Merrill Auditorium all line Congress Street.

  Walking Congress Street provides a glimpse of office buildings intermingled with historically preserved buildings. The Wadsworth-Longfellow House is the 19th century childhood home of the poet. The First Parish Church has an original cannon ball from the revolutionary war as a chandelier. Portland’s City Hall was built by Carrere and Hastings, best known for their design of the New York Public Library. And, Portland High School is the oldest standing high school in the country.

• Real Estate
  You will have a range of residential lifestyle choices around the Portland area. Choose a chic apartment or townhouse or condo, a historic Victorian home in town, a modern colonial in one of several wonderful suburban-type subdivisions, a country farmhouse with some acreage, or maybe travel a few minutes out of the city to find land on which to build. Portland has been rated one of the country's best cities when it comes to raising children in a study that ranks cities for “kid friendliness” based on population, health, education, public safety, economic and environmental indicators.

• History / Fun Facts
  Portland was the first capital of the state. (In 1832 the capital was moved to Augusta.)
  Portland's Deering Ice Cream Company had been in business for 121 years.
  The record snowfall for Portland in one winter was 141.5 inches, in 1970-71.