South Portland, Maine, is a superb location tucked between the bigger metropolis of Portland throughout the Fore River and Cape Elizabeth to its south.
That is the state’s largest metro area and one of the vital well-liked.
The west aspect of South Portland is a retail and industrial hub of exercise, whereas the east aspect is filled with outside adventures and seaside actions.
It’s additionally residence to the second-largest oil port within the nation.
South Portland was constructed on a pig farm within the Sixties and has grown to greater than 26,000 residents.
You get beautiful shoreline views with lighthouses on the horizon.
Additionally, you will have entry to the biggest mall within the state and straightforward freeway entry to different parts of the coast or the mountain areas.
Downtown Portland has an abundance of resorts, and in South Portland, most resorts are on the west aspect close to the freeway.
You’ll have loads of trip rental choices in South Portland close to the water and if you happen to’re additionally near the Portland Head Lighthouse, one of the vital photographed lighthouses on this planet.
Warnings & Risks in South Portland
OVERALL RISK : LOW
There is a low total threat in South Portland and Portland, however crime rose in Portland throughout 2022. Maine is the second-safest state within the nation, and Portland is the 4th most secure metropolis, in keeping with Pockets Hub. On prime of that, you could have so many protected and enjoyable issues to see and do, you will not wander round and find yourself in a foul space.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK : LOW
Higher Portland Metro serves the area with routes that embrace the airport in South Portland. Rides are $2 every approach. Amtrak presents service “Down East” to Boston and again. You will want a automotive or taxi to get you between Portland and South Portland if you do not have a rental automotive. All choices are low-risk and straightforward to make use of. Having your individual is preferable.
PICKPOCKETS RISK : LOW
Between Portland and South Portland, there have been simply three pickpockets in 2021, on prime of lower-than-average theft charges. You wish to use good security practices and additional warning throughout the busy summer season months.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK : MEDIUM
This can be a medium threat and with a storm approaching throughout any season, deal with it as a excessive threat. Nor’easters and hurricanes are the foremost climate threats, and winter climate might be fairly intense. Flooding is one other concern on prime of storm surge dangers. You will get loads of warnings about an approaching storm. You may evaluation the hazards and security recommendations on the Cumberland County Emergency Administration web site.
MUGGING RISK : LOW
This can be a low threat, with simply six robberies reported in 2021 with no freeway robberies. Portland’s theft price was 80% decrease in comparison with 2015. Maintain your threat low by strolling solely in well-lit areas. Do not stroll round at night time alone.
TERRORISM RISK : LOW
If any metropolis in Maine can be a goal, it is Portland. With such a significant port economic system, South Portland can be included in that threat. Nevertheless, Boston can be a likelier goal because it’s a lot larger with extra impacts on the inhabitants and economic system.
SCAMS RISK : LOW
The one actual concern listed here are rental scams. That is when individuals submit faux listings of rental properties for insanely low costs. Prospects are requested to pay prematurely after which arrive to seek out out the situation would not exist or is owned by another person. Keep away from this threat through the use of a neighborhood journey company that will help you discover a vetted rental residence.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK : LOW
That is one other low-risk class. So long as you comply with customary security precautions, particularly when procuring and carrying quite a few luggage, you should not face a lot of a threat. Nevertheless, there can be crooks on the lookout for a criminal offense of alternative. Do not let the low crime charges offer you a false sense of security.
TAP WATER RISK : LOW
Portland’s water supply is so clear that it would not should be filtered earlier than it is handled and despatched via the pipes. The 2022 Water High quality Report does present one violation, however that was resulting from a reporting error, and water high quality was by no means compromised. This doesn’t cowl the water high quality of the river or ocean, however we’ll discuss learn how to verify that later on this article.
Most secure Locations to Go to in South Portland
VisitPortland.com is the official tourism web site for Portland, South Portland, and Cape Elizabeth.
VisitMaine.com covers all the state if you wish to transcend the shoreline.
Use the “My Journey Plan” perform to save lots of your favourite actions and share them with journey buddies.
Portland is a four-season vacation spot, although a number of the sights are solely open from Could via October.
One of many first issues I’d advocate when planning a visit right here is to determine if you wish to lease or constitution a ship.
This a part of Maine has dozens of islands off the mainland, together with:
- Eagle Island State Historic Website
- Fort Gorges
- Fort Scammel
A Greenway path in South Portland ends at Bug Gentle Park, the place the Bug Gentle nonetheless stands.
This was as soon as a shipbuilding yard however now’s geared towards vacationers wanting these unimaginable seaside landscapes or nice views of Portland throughout the way in which.
Occasions are held all year long, and the trail goes all the way in which to the Bug Gentle, a stout lighthouse.
Willard Seaside is a four-acre seaside with views of the lighthouses and fishing boats working out and in of the harbor.
You can too see Spring Level Ledge Lighthouse.
Fort Williams Park is simply south of South Portland in Cape Elizabeth and residential to the Portland Head Lighthouse.
Plan to spend half a day to a full day at this park, as there are a lot of sections to see, together with:
- Portland Head Lighthouse Excursions
- The Ecology Challenge: Study sustainability and revitalization of this pure marvel.
- Battery Keyes & Battery Blair: The remnants of small army battery models.
- Goddard Mansion: Remnants of a mansion constructing in 1861.
- Youngsters’s Backyard
- Seaside
The Maine Army Museum honors the sacrifice of troopers all through historical past.
The reveals cowl wars from the Revolutionary Warfare to the Warfare on Terrorism.
Uniforms and artifacts are additionally displayed, with real-life conflict tales instructed alongside the tour.
This museum is open year-round.
The Maine Mall is in South Portland and full of outlets from identify manufacturers to native distributors with loads of eating places.
A close-by trampoline park is an effective way to have enjoyable and burn vitality on a chilly winter’s day.
Locations to Keep away from in South Portland
Be happy to journey all through South Portland, as there are not any harmful neighborhoods or locations to keep away from resulting from felony threats.
The Outdated Port space of Portland noticed elevated gun crimes throughout 2022, however not sufficient to maintain locals and vacationers away.
“You’ve obtained to watch out wherever you go, however I wouldn’t convey my granddaughter down right here if I didn’t really feel protected within the metropolis of Portland,” North Yarmouth resident Nelson Parise, who was visiting the Outdated Port space along with his granddaughter, instructed Maine’s Information Heart.
It’s one thing to keep watch over as violent crime can rapidly spin uncontrolled.
Portland noticed practically double the taking pictures numbers in 2022 in comparison with 2021, and that was earlier than 2022 even got here to an finish.
If that price continues, this is likely to be a would totally different article.
Nevertheless, police instantly reacted to the rise in crime by shifting extra officers to avenue patrol.
“The objective is to indicate a presence to let the general public perceive we’re on the market, and we perceive the significance we perceive that they’re involved about what they’re seeing of their neighborhood,” Interim Police Chief Heath Gorham instructed the information outlet.
In South Portland, there’s an argument about homeless individuals being allowed to remain in native resorts.
That is vital whenever you search for a spot to remain, as Days Inn, Consolation Inn, and Howard Johnson had been getting used as of 2022 for homeless housing amidst an inexpensive housing disaster within the area.
The resorts and surrounding areas have seen extra crime, and the neighborhood calls for change.
Security Ideas for Touring to South Portland
- South Portland Police Division (SPPD) has an interactive crime map on its web site that’s up to date day by day. You choose parameters to your search after which can evaluation every outcome or see crime sizzling spots on the map. For instance, you would possibly wish to know what number of automotive thefts occurred close to your most well-liked resort. You would possibly wish to verify thefts on the seaside. It’s a flexible solution to verify extra regarding crimes whereas staying on prime of the most recent crime tendencies however not getting overwhelmed with information.
- You may’t afford to overlook emergency notifications on this neighborhood, and by signing up for CodeRED alerts, you’ll get info for all the county, not simply South Portland. Obtain the CodeRED app to get essentially the most options out of this system.
- South Portland Group Tv movies are posted on-line. Whereas a number of the movies are boring conferences which might be geared towards residents, there are native occasions and security interviews on there too. You can too find out about new companies and upcoming festivals.
- Parking guidelines change throughout the winter. I want I may summarize it rapidly for you right here, however there are loads of particulars I don’t need you to overlook. The “Winter Parking Ban” part of the town’s web site lays out the place the financial institution is carried out and the place to park within the meantime.
- Town additionally has a “New Residents” information on its web site, however there’s loads of nice info that vacationers would discover helpful about parks and facilities. For instance, if you’re actually considering water high quality, you may schedule a water therapy plant tour.
- Anglers want a license from the Maine Division of Marine Assets or the Maine Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Guidelines fluctuate between saltwater, open sea, freshwater, and ice fishing, so do your due diligence by reviewing the distinctive guidelines of this outdoorsy state.
- I as soon as had a 30-minute dialog with a pal about how I interviewed for a job in Portland. We talked about how stunning the town was – the seaside, the rocky shoreline, and the lighthouses. I finally realized we had been speaking about two totally different Portlands. I used to be speaking about Portland, Maine, whereas she was speaking about Portland, Oregon. That is a simple mistake to make with two main cities – clear throughout the nation from each other – sharing related traits. Be sure to add “Maine” to your whole searches. One other nice indicator is the 207 space code, which is in Maine.
- That can assist you discover the native police departments on Fb, the handles are @southportlandpolice and @PortlandMainePolice. You can too comply with @cumberlandcountyemergencymanagement to verify on climate and security dangers.
- Use the “Verify Seaside Standing” on Maine.gov earlier than stepping into the water at any seaside. The interactive map on this web site is straightforward to make use of; you may see which seashores have wholesome water and the place there is likely to be dangers.
- Even when the climate is heat, the water within the ocean can nonetheless be too chilly for swimming with out a wetsuit. Summer season water temperatures may not even get above 62°(F), even when it’s sizzling outdoors. Chilly water can put your physique into shock, and you possibly can drown even in just a few ft of water. Speak with a neighborhood surf store about finest practices for water actions. You gained’t discover the nice and cozy ocean waters like Florida has on this area.
So… How Protected Is South Portland Actually?
You would possibly come throughout some social boards that discuss how harmful Portland is, however that’s a privilege individuals have in a state with unusually low crime charges.
Any metropolis with elevated crime ranges will get a response from locals.
No metropolis on this state is almost as harmful as Chicago or New Orleans.
That stated, Portland has seen a rise in violent crime in 2022.
That is only a reminder that non-public security ought to by no means be ignored merely due to a criminal offense price itemizing.
As violent, drug, and gun crime rise, Portland and South Portland have escaped the worst, not less than by the tip of 2022.
I’ve seen a number of cities in Maine have the problem of homeless individuals staying in resorts and bringing extra crime to an space.
It’s because the price of dwelling within the state is so excessive that inexpensive housing is extra of a dream than a actuality.
To maintain individuals off the streets, native governments supply up resort rooms funded by grants.
Determined individuals can flip to crime as a solution to make ends meet.
In South Portland, 18% of violent crime occurred in opposition to strangers, and in Portland, 34% of violent crime was in opposition to strangers.
The crime that does occur is more likely to be amongst individuals who know one another or instances of home violence.
Robberies usually tend to affect a enterprise than somebody strolling down the road.
You need to take winters significantly right here as a result of bitter-cold temperatures don’t cease the robust individuals of Maine.
You’ll must know base layering expertise to insulate your physique from the chilly whereas stopping perspiration or precipitation from getting near your pores and skin.
Maine is named Vacationland, and for good motive.
Hopefully, this security information has helped you get began on the perfect path to take pleasure in all of the facilities.
How Does South Portland Evaluate?
Helpful Info
- Visas – The U.S. State Division is in command of visas for worldwide vacationers. The method can take a number of months and consists of paperwork, an in-person interview, and a evaluation of all social media websites from the previous 5 years. Your felony historical past can be checked as effectively. When you get your visa, you will use it whenever you undergo Customs on the airport or port of entry.
- Foreign money – You may solely use the U.S. Greenback right here. Change forex at residence to get the perfect worth and lowest charges. Some U.S. banks will purchase again forex on the finish of your journey. Bank cards are broadly accepted, however carry about $100 of money with you simply in case. Simply maintain it in a protected place.
- Climate – Pack for the worst of every season; hopefully, you will be pleasantly shocked by delicate climate. Waterproof footwear/boots and jackets are an excellent thought. You may lease fishing and boating gear, so there isn’t any must pack that. Convey sunscreen and bug spray. Even in the summertime, the mornings and evenings might be cool, so pack a jacket or your favourite sweatshirt and denims all yr lengthy.
- Airports – Portland Worldwide Jetport is in South Portland, so you may simply journey to the one main airport close by. In case you are flying out of Boston, plan for about two hours on the street to get there. You can too take the Downeaster prepare to get to Beantown.
- Journey Insurance coverage – We at all times advocate journey insurance coverage, however particularly when visiting an space so susceptible to journey impacts of climate. An approaching nor’easter or hurricane may shut down all the northeastern hall to air journey. Insurance coverage will defend your monetary funding if you happen to’re caught, delayed, or dealing with canceled flights and rebooking charges.
Click here to get an offer for travel insurance
South Portland Climate Averages (Temperatures)
-5° C
-4° C
1° C
7° C
13° C
18° C
21° C
21° C
16° C
10° C
4° C
-2° C
Common Excessive/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | Could | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excessive °C |
1 | 1 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 21 | 15 | 9 | 3 |
| Low °C |
-10 | -9 | -4 | 1 | 7 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 4 | -1 | -7 |
| Excessive °F |
34 | 34 | 43 | 54 | 64 | 73 | 79 | 79 | 70 | 59 | 48 | 37 |
| Low °F |
14 | 16 | 25 | 34 | 45 | 54 | 59 | 59 | 50 | 39 | 30 | 19 |
