Lewiston-Auburn

[mainelander]

Originally Posted by pw-nc

Been looking at a potential job in Lewiston. What can people tell me about Lewiston that isn't on the web? I've seen some good things, and a few negative things ("drug capital of Maine," "dying, decaying old mill town," etc.). I know every place has its problems -- e.g., I grew up in Richmond VA, and it's not the dangerous "murder capital" that outsiders think, even though there are rough places that you know not to go to.

So what can anyone tell me that might make me love/hate it?

from my experience lewiston is the part of maine people that miss Detroit or other similar cities go to to relive the squalor.

[Maineah]

Lewiston is much nicer than it was 20 years ago. That said, there are some less than desireable areas around Lewiston though the city is trying to make a comeback. It's tough to do in this economy. No city of any size appeals to me. I would not like living in Lewiston, Portland or Bangor let alone Boston or NYC. That's me, many like the city so they will have a different take on it.

[mainelander]

yeah but even as cities go, its not portland or even nyc. its pretty abysmal. lotta people kinda hanging out in the streets

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by jcinsov

yeah but even as cities go, its not portland or even nyc. its pretty abysmal. lotta people kinda hanging out in the streets

You should have seen it in the 70's and early 80's! It may not be all that great now but in comparison it's MUCH better than it was. It was a real rat hole back then and to many older Mainers the reputation lives on. I've only recently come around a bit from that opinion. Like I said they're trying to clean the place up and have had some success.

[mainelander]

i guess i have such high expectations from other parts of maine lewiston stands out like a canker sore to me

[maineguy8888]

There is NO WAY I would pick Lewiston. Its social ills are deeply engrained and pathological. Sad but true.

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by jcinsov

yeah but even as cities go, its not portland or even nyc. its pretty abysmal. lotta people kinda hanging out in the streets

It's not without its flaws, that's for sure, but Lewiston has far lower crime rates in almost every category than Portland or NYC (check the stats if you want here on C-D).

It's blighted in spots like many industrial towns as a result of the loss of industry and residents, but the whole notion that it's infested with crime, is so overblown. It's got some ugliness and abandonment (not to mention, lower-income residents) but it's not a dangerous place by any stretch. There are actually some really nice neighborhoods and downtown Lewiston is relatively attractive. It's not a terrible place. Not wonderful, but certainly not terrible.

[7th generation]

OK here's the deal as I see it.

There are ceratain areas many members are not endeared to, but that does not mean we curse these towns.

If we post in threads that pertain to our expertise, that is helping.

To jump into a thread and claim "North Humdinger" is terrible because people hang out on the streets is bull.

Please give it a rest, please..........

Now hopefully we can get back to the OP.