Portland ranked in the Top 10 on another national list.
U.S. News & World Report has Portland at No. 8 on its list of “2022-23 Best Places to Live.”
The rankings measure affordability, desirability and quality of life.
U.S. News had this to say about Maine’s largest city:
“Maine’s largest metro area and economic hub features cobblestone streets and ships sheltered within the island-specked waters of Casco Bay. Artful living and farm-to-table dining are not just trends in Portland — they have been a way of life for years. A ‘do it yourself’ spirit resonates throughout the region, so don’t be surprised if a neighbor offers you extra produce from a community garden, home-brewed beer or knitting tips. All around Portland, you’ll find dozens of local entrepreneurs offering homegrown or homemade products, from mittens to coffee,” wrote Ed Pfueller.
All that may sound a bit like a Norman Rockwell portrait of the city.
But U.S. News did pay mention to the city’s soaring housing prices and a shortage of affordable housing, saying “Portland is at a crossroads on moving forward.”
“The new development,” the magazine continued, “is often met with opposition, while demand for affordable housing is high. An aging rental and housing stock combined with a tight market on mid-tier units have left middle-income earners struggling to settle in Portland.”
In related lists, U.S. News has ranked Portland No. on its “Safest Places to Live” list, No. 10 on “Best Places to Live for Quality of Life” and No. 30 among “Best Places to Retire.”
Overall, U.S. News has as its top city Huntsville, Ala., which knocked Boulder, Colo., from No. 1 to No. 4.
“Much of the shakeup we see at the top of this year’s ranking is a result of changing preferences,” said Devon Thorsby, real estate editor at U.S. News. “People moving across the country today are putting more emphasis on affordability and quality of life than on the job market, which in many ways takes a back seat as remote work
options have become more standard.”
The Top 10
2022-23 U.S. News Best Places to Live:
1. Huntsville, Ala.
2. Colorado Springs, Colo.
3. Green Bay, Wisc.
4. Boulder, Colo.
5. San Jose, Calif.
6. Raleigh and Durham, N.C.
7. Fayetteville, Ark.
8. Portland, Me.
9. Sarasota, Fla.
10. San Francisco