Does Portland have a "skid row" area? (Lubec: apartment, neighborhood)

[DuctTapedToCokeMachine]

I'm not from Maine but interested in visiting this summer and have a friend in New Hampshire. But I'm just wondering, does Maine or Portland have a "skid row" kind of area? I know Maine is a calm, relaxed state generally but I heard it has a high homeless rate compared to other colder states. I live in CA so I know enough about homelesness, drug problems, and related issues, but is it really bad in any part of Portland where it's best to avoid at night? Is the problem getting worse in Maine?

[dubthang]

Places in Portland to avoid? Sorta. There are less desirable places to find yourself in once it gets dark, but I don't think that any one place is worse than another. It is all about how you carry yourself. If you look like a victim, then you could end up as one regardless of what neighborhood you are in.

[Kiwiluver]

There are a lot of port towns to choose from that actually are safe for the most part. I’m partial to Lubec and Eastport myself.

[Giantrobot]

Originally Posted by DuctTapedToCokeMachine

I'm not from Maine but interested in visiting this summer and have a friend in New Hampshire. But I'm just wondering, does Maine or Portland have a "skid row" kind of area? I know Maine is a calm, relaxed state generally but I heard it has a high homeless rate compared to other colder states. I live in CA so I know enough about homelesness, drug problems, and related issues, but is it really bad in any part of Portland where it's best to avoid at night? Is the problem getting worse in Maine?

Yes, the Preble Street area. That is the highest concentrated area of homeless people and associated drug-related problems, mainly because of the shelter being there. During the warmer months, there is a large gathering of them nearby on the edge of Deering Oaks Park across from the post office. That stretch is the epicenter. Otherwise, there are really no areas to avoid in Portland, and I’m not sure you’d even need to “avoid” that area for your safety, just not a great place to hang out.

[KEVIN_224]

The Back Bay apartment tower is quite close to that shelter. Quite the contrast! I often walked down Park Avenue from the Congress merge to maybe High Street. I rarely walk east of there for this reason.