wanting to relocate (Portland, Lewiston, Bangor: crime, neighborhoods, living in)

[the relocater]

I am looking to relocate from massachusetts to maine does anyone know any safe towns to relocate to

[maineguy8888]

Almost any place in Maine is quite safe. Lewiston/Auburn has a bad reputation (and has for a long time). BUT by national standards it's not that bad.
There are gangs moving up into Maine, but it's hard to say for sure where they are operating at any given time. Portland is a bit sketchy in places but not too bad.

[Submariner]

Most of Maine is very safe.

Crime here is low.

[HighTechRocker]

Lawrence, Brockton, Chelsea, Revere, Lynn, New Bedford, Springfield, or Fall River.

[trailblazzer]

bangor is nice, good jobs, cheap housing, close to ocean, great bars, the chicks are tight though.

[Mainer61]

Bangor has become a drug haven and, the river may run through it, but the ocean isn't that close.

[Brodels]

In defense of Bangor, the bath salts issue is not as bad, or at least as visible, as it was awhile back. I live downtown and never feel unsafe walking around at night.

It is about 40 minutes to the coast, a little more than an hour from the Appalachian Trail, an hour or so from Acadia National Park, and two hours from Portland. Not bad.

[Submariner]

All things are relative.

If you are accustomed to living in neighborhoods where you never heard of drug issues, then one police report every 10 years might seem like a HUGE issue.

Since moving to Maine, I have not seen any one selling drugs. So in my world, it only happens here in the news reports.

I have lived places [stateside and overseas] where if you stopped for a traffic light in some neighborhoods, you would be offered drugs by peddlers standing in the street. They would tap your windshield or car windows to get your attention, to offer you their drugs. I have not witnessed this behavior in Maine.

Prostitution seems to go hand-in-hand with drug trafficking.

I have lived in places where hookers stand in the street, they lift their skirts to advertise the 'goods' to passing motorists. In Italy, at night, it is common to see tires set at 100 yard intervals, alongside the road, and set on fire, so hookers can dance by the light of the flames [and horrible smoke] to advertise for prospective customers.

Here in Maine, a single hooker can involve 18 months of police 'investigating' to get a misdemeanor conviction. [Which I consider a lot of tax-payer spending on a misdemeanor conviction] google: 'zumba dance instructor'

If you have never lived in any areas with measurable 'crime', then any hint of crime sounds like something horrible is going on.

[Maineac]

Originally Posted by Mainer61

Bangor has become a drug haven and, the river may run through it, but the ocean isn't that close.

Funny. I've got over 50 years into the Bangor area and the crime has simply shifted around over that time. The place has actually improved over the years. The ocean is less than an hour in several directions.

[bobbyleeking]

No place in Maine is considered unsafe………..yet.

Sure there are drugs, but I would not call anyplace unsafe. Portland is safe.