|
|
|
| Wonderful Portland (population
63,000 with 500,000 in the metro area) - once
home to poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - is situated
on a peninsula on the southern coast of Maine
and is
a very livable city rich in history, character
and authenticity. Dating from 1633, this
hardy community has spent most of its days as
a seaport, a pirate hideout, a rail hub and more
recently as a popular tourist spot. Yankee practicality with a
modern outlook are highlights of this
enlightened city. With a
thriving cultural and arts scene, a picturesque
setting, an unemployment rate
below the national average, a revitalized
downtown, outstanding restaurants, excellent
health care facilities, a working waterfront,
strong senior services and an easy, 2 1/2 hour train ride to a large metropolitan area (Boston), Portland shapes up
as a place many retirees want to call
home. Of the population, 20% is age 45 to
64, and 14% is age 65 or better.
|
|
|
|
|
Portland's cost of living is roughly 5%
above the national average, and the median home price is $220,000. Dwellings include Cape Cods, New
England Colonials, bungalows, Craftsman, cottages and many Victorian
residences that were built after a devastating fire in 1866.
Most homes are large, and the median home price will buy anywhere from
2 to 4 bedrooms and up to 2,500 sq. ft. Nineteenth-century homes in need of some TLC can be found in the
low-$100,000s. Small (600 sq. ft.) condominiums start for
sale for less than $100,000, and some very nice units are available
starting at around $150,000. Residences in the $750,000
and up range are quite stunning and include exquisitely restored
Colonial Revivals and Queen Annes, one or two of which have been
featured in Better Homes and Gardens Magazine. South
Portland, a southern suburb, is the fastest growing area,
and new construction can be found here. Portland
has a lot of renters, but apartments seem to be in tight supply.
Those that are available have a median monthly price of $800. |
Maine property taxes are
high. In Portland, real estate is assessed at 100% and taxed at
$17.74 per $1,000 in valuation. Without any exemptions, the
annual taxes on a $220,000 home would be $3,902. An almost automatic
homestead exemption of $13,000
helps a bit. There is also a Veteran's exemption of $5,000
to those who served during a recognized war period, are 62 years or older, are
receiving 100% disability as a veteran or became 100% disabled while serving.
An exemption of $4,000 is available to those who are legally blind.
Eligible Maine residents may also receive a partial refund of property taxes
and/or rent paid on their primary residence under the Circuit Breaker program.
Social
Security is exempt from state income tax. There is also a $6,000
exemption for pension income, but not IRAs, minus amount of
Social Security benefit. Out-of-state government pensions qualify for
the $6,000 exemption. Singles or head of
households over 65 receive a $1,250 exemption; with one spouse over 65 it is
$950. If both are over 65, it is $1,900.
This is an interactive map.
Click on the arrows in the upper left hand corner to move the map
to the East, West, North or South, and click on the +/- signs to
zoom in and out.
Mainers are down to earth,
self-sufficient, common sense people, and these characteristics are in
abundance in Portland, but growth on the southern end of the city and an
influx of Bostonians has in some ways made Portland an exurb of
Boston. Portland continues to exudes Maine charm and independence
but with an added bit of sophistication. In fact, this year Bon
Appétit Magazine named the city "America's Foodiest
Small Town" for its renown fresh seafood, tasty microbrewery beers,
artisanal bakeries and the best breakfasts in America (quite true). The
city has always had wonderful, rustic, out-of-the-way eateries specializing in
hearty New England dishes, but these days fine dining establishments and
to-die-for diners share the epicurean food scene and are found on every
corner. It is true that more money is spent per capita in Portland
restaurants than in any other U.S. city except San Francisco and New York,
which is quite a feat. Portland's delights are not
just confined to the palate The Old Port district along the harbor
is impossibly quaint with cobblestone streets, artisan shops, locally-owned
stores, galleries, restored 19th-century red brick buildings, green awnings
and sidewalk cafes (this is a favorite spot for tourists and weekend
revelers). The city also boasts the Maine College of Art, the Portland
Museum of Art, the Portland Stage Company, the Maine Historical Society and
Museum, the Portland Symphony Orchestra, the University of Southern Maine
(population 10,000 students) and a campus of the University of New
England. For sports fans, the Portland Sea Dogs are a class AA farm team
of the Boston Red Sox, and the American Hockey League Portland Pirates are an
affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. There are also four golf courses
located in and around Portland (90 are within 30 miles). For
the romantics, a number of ferry lines, including Casco Bay Lines, offer
summer cruises around many of the 200 islands that sit just beyond Portland's
Casco Bay. For canine lovers, Portland has several dog-friendly
beaches and off-lease dog parks. Portland Head Light, just a
few miles outside of city limits, is the most photographed lighthouse in North
America, and the Top of the East lounge at the historic Eastland Park Hotel
boasts the best 360-degree views of the city, the harbor, downtown and the
western countryside. On a clear day, New Hampshire's Mount Washington,
the tallest mountain in the northeast, can be seen in the distance. Portland,
Maine, Continued....
Great Retirement Spots Newsletter is
published four times a month by Webwerxx, Inc. 2770 S. Elmira St.,
#152, Denver, CO 80231. (303) 358-0512. Copyright ©
2006-2009.
All rights reserved. No part of this electronic publication may be
reproduced without the express written consent of Webwerxx, Inc. All
attempts were made to verify the accuracy of the information contained
in this bulletin, but some information may have changed since
publication. Webwerxx, Inc. cannot be held responsible for information
that has changed since this publication appeared online. Please contact us at staff@greatretirementspots.com
if you have questions or comments.
Maine Carolina Real Estate Active Adult Communities in Maine
|
