by Jamie Elizabeth

Created on: March 27, 2009   Last Updated: December 27, 2009

Hands down, the best place for singles to live in Maine is in Portland. As the state's biggest city, it offers a vibrant, big city feel, but without any of the problems that come with living in an actual big city such as Boston or New York.

The young singles population of Portland runs the gamut from young professionals to artistic types to those who spend their lives working on the water. The downtown and Old Port areas of the city are the hub for all of this activity, and serves as the residential, recreational, and professional center of many young singles' lives.

The Old Port has a huge number of bars, mostly centered around Fore Street and Wharf Street, though they stretch all the way up along the side streets to Commercial Street. Gritty McDuff's, Amigos, Ri-Ra's, and Bull Feeney's are all popular watering holes that are never without a crowd, but are always fun to visit and good for meeting people. Bull Feeney's often has live music, Gritty McDuff's is famous for its micro-brewed beer, Ri-Ra's is located on the scenic waterfront and has a very popular trivia night, and Amigos is a very large bar with an outdoor area that often hosts live music.

If the bar scene isn't your thing, Portland also offers a variety of other ways to meet people and options for great dates. Every Friday night from 5-9 The Portland Museum of Art is free, thanks to the sponsorship of LL Bean, and is a popular destination for all types of people. In the summer there are kickball, softball, and dodgeball leagues that play at local parks such as Payson Park and Deering Oaks. If athletics are your thing, Portland definitely has its fair share of fun opportunities. The Portland Sea Dogs, the triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, play at Hadlock Field and their games are always a fun event to attend. Make sure to sing along to Slugger the Seadog's rendition of YMCA and to eat at least one SeaDogs Biscuit. In the winter, the Portland Pirates, the local hockey team, play their games at the Cumberland County Civic Center in the heart of downtown and offer a fun alternative to staying at home avoiding the ice and snow.

Portland's beautiful location on the water makes it an incredibly attractive place to live. Baxter Boulevard, located on Back Bay in Portland is a scenic biking, jogging, and walking route that is popular in all seasons of the year. The Casco Bay Ferry Service offers a unique option for a trip to the Casco Bay Islands whether just to take a boat trip or to visit the islands to walk, bike, or sit on the beach.

The city of Portland offers so many options for so many different types of people, that it is perfect for nearly anyone searching for a new place to live that will allow them to make quick friendships. As a relatively cheap city to live in, Portland is a viable option for nearly everyone and deserves a good look from anyone who is looking to relocate.

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