Bangor is an absolutely beautiful part of the New England landscape. Its lush forests, clean air, seaside cliffs, and neighboring mountains make for some of the best preserved nature in the country. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, someone looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of big cities, or someone looking to raise a family in a picturesque rustic paradise, you will find Bangor to your liking. This also extends to the city itself, filled with gorgeous architecture and striking landmarks such as the Paul Bunyan statue, as well as a downtown area that practically leaps off of a postcard, the views in Bangor are second to none. 


She's a Beauty

The Best Thing About Bangor

Bangor is in many ways an isolated part of the country. While its rural charms and out-of-the-way nature are part of the appeal, to some this can prove a bridge too far. The brutally long and cold winters can be a dealbreaker to many, as is the fact that it’s a long drive from most major cities. There is also a lack of diversity in terms of ethnic and religious makeup, with the majority of the population being white and Christian; if this is something you might find isolating, perhaps another location is to your liking. The lack of diversity also extends to the job market- if you are not in retail, healthcare, or education, and you do not work remotely, you may struggle to find jobs in the area.


Isolation

The Worst Thing About Bangor

The lifestyle of Bangor favors those who enjoy a simpler life. While there are a decent number of historic sights, bars, restaurants- particularly for seafood lovers-, concert venues, sporting events at the local colleges, and tourist spots such as the house of noted horror author Stephen King, Bangor is ultimately a small city (albeit with a pretty cool downtown) located in the heart of the wilderness. There are an abundance of trails for biking, running, and hiking, easy access to both the river and the seashore for fishing, and plenty of public parks for simply relaxing in the sunshine. Additionally, Bangor is considered a good place to raise a family and a good place to retire by most residents. 


Small Town Life

Lifestyle of Bangor

Bangor’s public schools are rated well by most ratings agency, scoring a [**B+ on niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/d/bangor-public-schools-me/), an acclaimed public high school, and a serviceable trade school. [**Beal University**](https://beal.edu/), [**University of Maine at Orono**](https://umaine.edu/), and [**Husson University**](https://www.husson.edu/) all provide higher education options in the area, with strong discounts offered by public universities to in-state residents. Part of the reason for the city’s popularity with families is the plentiful options for schools, so consider your educational needs met. 


Schools of Bangor

If you’re looking for a quiet life of rustic charm and spectacular natural landscape in a secluded part of the country, are looking to start a career in healthcare or education, or simply want to raise a family somewhere with clean air and friendly locals, Bangor, Maine, may just prove to your liking.


Zen-like Charm

Why You Should Move Here Now?

Fairmount is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Bangor. Located near the [**Fairmount Park**](https://bangorme.myrec.com/info/facilities/details.aspx?FacilityID=8700) and the [**Bangor Golf Course**](https://www.bangorgc.com/), recreation options are in no short supply in Fairmount. Also of note is the [**Fairmount Market**](https://fairmountmarket.com/), a deli of nearly one hundred years of age, prized by locals for its delicious sandwiches. [**Fairmount Elementary School**](https://fairmount.bangorschools.net/) is a part of the Bangor School District, and ranks highly amongst the populace while retaining a 7/10 rating. A wide variety of homes, with a myriad of size and price options, also decorate the area, making it accessible to families of all sizes and income levels. Median home price is $289,000.


Families

Fairmount

Home to the city’s most famed resident, Stephen King, the [**Whitney Park Historic District**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitney_Park_Historic_District) is where the upper crust of Bangor resides. With wide streets and luxurious mansions built by the lumber barons of yesteryear, wealthy residents of Bangor have little to complain about when it comes to this upscale neighborhood. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and flanked by the [**Bangor Theological Seminary**](https://bts.edu/), Whitney Park is a truly scenic residential area for those in a higher income bracket. [**Fairmount School**](https://fairmount.bangorschools.net/), [**Vine Street School**](https://vinestreet.bangorschools.net/), [**James F. Doughty School**](https://jamesdoughty.bangorschools.net/), and [**Bangor High School**](https://bangorhigh.bangorschools.net/), all acclaimed and accredited, all serve the neighborhood as well. Median home price is $500,000.


Families/DINKs

Whitney Park Historic District

Little City is a quiet and highly sought-after area. US Senator Susan Collins is a resident. Median real estate price clocks in at over $300,000, making it a middle-tier neighborhood for costs in the state, with most homes being single-family residences and apartment buildings, and many of them historic homes. A common boast among residents is the ability to ride your bike to work every day. [**Mary Snow School**](https://marysnow.bangorschools.net/), a small elementary school, is in the neighborhood.


Families/DINKs/SINKs

Little City

Home to one of the most [**lovely parks**](https://bangorme.myrec.com/info/facilities/details.aspx?FacilityID=8704) in all of Bangor, Bangor Gardens features easy access to walking trails and basketball courts. Bangor Gardens is also home to [Abraham Lincoln High School](https://abrahamlincoln.bangorschools.net/) and [**The Learning Garden**](https://www.thelearninggardenccps.com/), both highly regarded schools. Rental homes in Bangor Gardens are relatively affordable for those in lower income brackets, while single-family homes are available for purchase at around $185,000. 


Bangor Gardens

Single-family homes in the beautiful Judson Heights neighborhood range in price from approximately $250,000-$450,000. The area boasts a very strong sense of community, with trick or treaters, lost and founds, and classified ads helping to foster bonds between families. Elementary schoolers frequently attend the well-regarded [**Mary Snow School**](https://marysnow.bangorschools.net/) for elementary and [**William S. Cohen**](https://williamcohen.bangorschools.net/) for Middle School before going on to Bangor High School. Residents often praise the abundance of yard space and wide-open land in Judson Heights, giving it a sprawling and natural vibe that can be difficult to resist. 


Judson Heights

Bangor

**What's the deal with Bangor?**

I lived in Bangor while I was in grad school at UMaine, and thenI lived across the river in Brewer for another 5 years or so. I didn't mind it. Never had a problem with crime/homelessness. The opioid epidemic hit rural areas hard, and people struggling with addiction and homelessness have congregated in places like Portland and Bangor. There are a few places they tend to congregate and are easy enough to avoid if you're worried. It is quite sad though. There were a few decent restaurants downtown (and there are some really nice downtown apartments now).

Lots of opportunity for outdoor activities. Acadia National Park and Baxter State Park were both reasonable drives for day trips. Rock climbing in Clifton. Lots of spots for bouldering around greater Bangor if you're into that. People ice climb on Harlow Street in the winter (some locals call this Bangor Ice Park). Maine Bound Adventure Center (at UMaine) and Acadia Mountain Guides (locations in Bar Harbor and Orono) offer guided trips and private instruction, and can be a good way to meet young people. I used to go to the Bangor City Forest with a headlamp after work to go snowshoeing after a big storm. There are single track bike trails at Essex Woods, and the University of Maine has a trail system that's great for running, biking, and cross country skiing. UMaine has a small climbing gym that is open to the public at night. You can canoe/kayak/SUP in the nearby lakes and rivers.

For meeting younger people post covid, try joining Bangor Greendrinks and other meetup groups you can find for activities you're interested in. You may have to be more pro-active about finding young people with similar interests, but they are out there.

**What's the deal with Bangor?**

I was planning on doing the exact same thing last fall, but I grew up in that area. I had lived in Portland for a few years, and found it wasn’t really what I was looking for anymore. My advise is to not live in Hermon. It’s a cliquish and really boring small town. Look in the Bangor neighborhoods of Fairmount or little city. It’s an objectively nice area. The tree streets are okay, and trending up. 1st through 4th streets are Bangor’s Parkside from 20 years ago.

There are more young people in Bangor than people think. Not like Portland, but the downtown scene in Bangor is great and that’s where you’ll find the younger and likely single people. I personally like bars and restaurants in Downtown Bangor more than Portland. It just seems more authentic and feels more like the Maine I know. Also you’ll find young people at the mill street bars in Orono. That’s where all the grad and PhD students and young UMaine faculty hang out.

Homelessness in Bangor is nothing like Portland. It’s still noticeable though.

If you hear bad things from people in southern Maine about Bangor, I would take it with a grain of salt. There is a weird rivalry almost between southern Maine and the Bangor area. People in Bangor tend to think Portland is a pretentious shithole, and people in Portland tend to think Bangor is an isolated shithole. In reality both are decent places to live.

**Living in Bangor**

There are plenty of college age people around, so dating is good from what I've seen and heard. Bangor is really what you make of it. As someone who has lived all over America, Bangor is very manageable, with caveats. Everything you need is available within city limits, except the cultural perks of big cities like Boston, NYC. etc.

Real estate was pretty cheap, now climbing due to all the out of state interest. Rentals have shot up and competition is fierce. Crime is low, but there are hotspots near or in downtown that warrant extra care. Just use common street sense and you'll be fine. The homeless have lots of resources available to them and are rarely an in-your-face threat of any kind.

Bangor, Maine

Queen City

Looklyloo Score: 82

We're on it!