Hi Portland, ME mommas, I need some help...

[rimomma]

My family and I are thinking of moving to Portland, ME when our lease is up in 6 months or so. (We live 3 hours away in CT right now) My dh lived there for a few years, but that was before kids! So I need help about the areas and schools etc. Any good links? I have been looking at Craigslist for apartments, any other ideas where I can look? We drove up there yesterday but couldn't do much 'cause it was so darn cold!

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Becki

[l_Kimmie_l]

Hi...I live in SO Po and my parents live in Portland. I have been here since 1979...LOL!! The best schools and area to live is Northgate or North Portland. It is stunning there and the school system is the best. The Portland Press Herald has great listings for places. Here is the link.

http://rentals.mainetoday.com/search.html

[rimomma]

Thanks! That link was great- I even found info on schools from it.

Much appreciated!

Anyone else have anything to share about Portland?

[FancifulFanny]

I live in Windham, just west of Portland. I grew up in Portland and my parents still live there. I went to King Middle School (closer to downtown Portland)and Deering High School (I went out of my area because of the band at the time - band geek alert!). I grew up in the USM area, which was very nice - still is. The pp is right - Northgate and north Deering areas are nice. My parents live in the Northgate area in a condo, which is a very nice community. But there are plenty of homes and apartments in the area, too.
Feel free to email me if you have any questions. I can tell you definite areas you want to avoid. I've lived in some of those, too, when I was younger in my own apts. lol

If you want to be outside of Portland, Windham is supposed to have a good school department and the primary school is supposed to be especially good. My ds isn't in school yet.

[rimomma]

Emailing you!

[aimeejf]

I live in Waterboro, now, which is about 35 minutes southwest of Portland - but I wanted to vouch for Windham as well. That's where I grew up and went to school. The primary school is very nice and reasonably new - and the high school is brand new within the last couple of years and is beautiful. I loved my experience growing up in Windham and think it would be a nice consideration if you're willing to live out a bit from Portland... its a pretty popular area for Portland commuters. My DH and I are both from Windham and would love to buy our next house there if we can afford to move anytime soon!

[Catherinew]

We have only done middle and high school in Portland, King Middle and Casco Bay High and we think they are both great! I can't comment on elementary school.