Why Everyone is Choosing This City in Maine as Their New Home

When a city finds its groove, the momentum can carry it to places that some have only dreamed of. In Maine, there's been a few cities on an upward trajectory over the last decade or so.

According to MoveBuddha, one of those cities stands out above the rest. In fact, it stands out amongst cities across the nation. MoveBuddha has declared Portland, Maine, as one of the 25 most-desirable cities to move to in America.

The "Cool" Factor Can't Be Understated

Among the top 25 most-desirable cities in America that people want to move to, there's a stickiness to one element in particular. MoveBuddha refers to it as the "cool" factor.

Portland, Maine, is viewed as one of the coolest cities in the country thanks to its solid arts and music scene. Despite taking a hit recently, Portland's culinary and beer scene is still viewed as a powerhouse around the country.

Despite Its Growing Costs, Portland's Population Keeps Growing

One interesting element of MoveBuddha's list was the ratio of people moving in and out of their top 25 cities. Portland's radio stands at solid if unspectacular growth. In 2023, Portland added 1.5 residents for every 1 resident that left the city.

What isn't turning new residents away? The costs. One of the appeals for out-of-state residents in Portland is all the new construction of luxury condos near Portland's Old Port. A walkable life without congestion has made Portland popular and desirable.

Can Portland Sustain Growth?

Hard to say. Portland's growth is coming with some serious pains and the leadership in the city will have to figure out ways to overcome those challenges while maintaining the city's "cool" factor.

Portland has a parking issue. Portland has a public drug use issue. Portland has an affordable housing issue. None of those issues come with simple fixes.