CUMBERLAND COUNTY
County Offices
142 Federal Street
Portland 207-871-8380
www.cumberlandcounty.org
Chamber of Commerce
443 Congress Street
Portland 207-772-2811
www.portlandregion.com
Major Highways
Interstates 95, 295; U.S. Highways 1, 202, 302
Services
Anchored by Maine’s leading city of Portland, Cumberland County offers some of the most highly developed services and amenities in the state. Transportation efficiencies include Portland International Jetport, national and regional bus lines, Amtrak passenger rail service from Boston, and a network of major highways. State-of-the-art healthcare facilities and major hospitals are strategically located throughout the county. Maine Medical Center in Portland serves as the premier tertiary care center for northern New England, providing comprehensive inpatient services in all medical specialties. Centers of excellence are being developed in cancer care, heart care, and children’s services; and outpatient services range from same-day surgery to rehabilitation.
Recently named the best place in the nation to raise children, the Greater Portland Region provides quality educational opportunities on every academic level. Public and private schools from preschool through 12th grade are recognized for academic excellence and innovation, supported by outstanding institutions of higher education. The University of Southern Maine, Southern Maine Technical College, Andover College, the University of New England, the University of Maine, Maine Maritime Academy, and Husson College are some of the quality choices for continuing education, career development, and degree programs through post-graduate and professional.
Lifestyle
Southern Maine and Greater Portland offer a wealth of cultural and recreational advantages surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. Distinguished as the state’s largest metropolitan area, Portland is situated on a peninsula jutting into spectacular Casco Bay. Within a 15-mile radius of the city lie countryside and coastal landscapes where small towns offer quaint shopping districts and hometown friendliness. The entire region is steeped in New England charm, blending modern office buildings in the larger cities with ornate architecture and cobblestone streets.
Redevelopment of Portland’s working waterfront is revitalizing this “Jewel by the Sea.” In spite of its small-town flavor, the city offers all the cultural attractions of a cosmopolitan environment. Ranked fourth in the book, The 100 Best Small Art Towns in America, Portland supports a vibrant community of visual and performing artists as well as a pulsating nightlife. Internationally renowned artists and a symphony orchestra perform at the renovated Merrill Auditorium, one of the finest theaters in the Northeast. Outdoor enthusiasts can look forward to quick and easy access to some of the nation’s finest destinations for whitewater rafting, deep-sea or fresh water fishing, downhill or cross-country skiing, golfing, sailing, mountain climbing, biking, camping, and nature study. From its vintage neighborhoods to picturesque countryside communities, Cumberland County offers an ideal place to call home.
Brunswick
Municipal Offices
207-725-6659
www.brunswickme.org
Chamber of Commerce
207-725-8797
www.midcoastmaine.com
As one of Maine’s largest towns, Brunswick plays a leading role as a statewide center for higher education, business, and entertainment. Steeped in history, the town is home to Bowdoin College. Among the famous alumni of the college are Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow as well as former United States president Franklin Pierce. Bowdoin College was actually established as early as 1794 and continues to play an enriching role in the community.
Modern Brunswick has managed to preserve a true sense of community that is highlighted by many seasonal festivities and colorful celebrations. Located along the panoramic falls of the Androscoggin River, scenic Brunswick provides all the charm and intellectual stimulation of a college town. Lovely homes line the tree-shaded streets of quiet neighborhoods, available in various architectural styles that reflect the town’s rich history.
The diverse amenities available to area residents include the tree-lined Town Mall, National Historic Districts, Cooks Corner, the Pleasant Street shopping district, and opportunities for local and regional recreation around the four seasons. Brunswick Naval Air Station has always been important to this area. One of Maine’s top employers, the military station is the last active-duty Department of Defense airfield in the Northeast.
Cape Elizabeth
Municipal Offices
207-767-2273
www.capeelizabeth.com
Chamber of Commerce
207-772-2811
www.portlandregion.com
Five miles southeast of Portland, Cape Elizabeth extends 12 miles into ocean, framed by craggy shoreline and sandy beaches. The community serves as the gateway to the scenic Casco Bay and clusters most of its neighborhoods and commerce close to the shore. From its early farming roots, the town has transformed over the decades into a residential haven with many of its residents commuting to Portland. Quality education is a high priority, and students often rank first in state achievement tests. Claiming the world’s most photographed lighthouse, the town also leads the county in the number of parks and open spaces.
Casco
Municipal Offices
207-627-4515
www.cascomaine.org
Chamber of Commerce
207-647-3472
www.mainelakeschamber.com
Casco is a small, charming town with sparkling lakes and rolling hills. Popular as a summer retreat, the town welcomes a tremendous influx of seasonal residents. July’s Casco Days and many other festivities draw enthusiastic crowds, giving neighbors and friends an opportunity to gather for good food and great times.
Located in the Greater Bridgton Lakes Region, Casco is recognized as a destination for vacationers and those who enjoy outdoor recreation around the four seasons. Sparkling lakes harmonize with alpine splendor to create breathtaking landscapes for a wide variety of sports. Regional facilities include miles of Nordic ski trails at Five Fields Farm, snowmobile trails, and Shawnee Peak skiing.
Cumberland
Municipal Offices
207-829-5559
www.cumberlandmaine.com
Chamber of Commerce
207-772-2811
www.portlandregion.com
Located minutes from Portland, the community of Cumberland offers quick and easy access to urban amenities via interstate and local highways. Popular as a relocation destination for newcomers to the state of Maine, the town provides an intimate atmosphere near shopping malls and employment centers.
The attractive housing selection in this community offers enough diversity to cater to every lifestyle choice and budget. Elegant waterfront properties, welcoming suburban neighborhoods, and even rural estates are available in or near Cumberland. This region is known for its natural beauty and the quality of the public school system. The town stretches from the panoramic rocky Maine Coast to inland hills for a variety of breathtaking landscapes. Industry in Cumberland has no effect on the quality of life, since it consists of picturesque apple orchards and rustic farms. Recreational facilities are well developed, including the convenience of a ski area close to home.
Falmouth
Municipal Offices
207-781-5253
www.town.falmouth.me.us
Chamber of Commerce
207-772-2811
www.portlandregion.com
Extending from Maine’s coastline to the rural inland areas, the town of Falmouth is located seven miles north of Portland. Residents enjoy the use of a local harbor, the town landing, tennis courts, a nature preserve, ice skating facilities, and a golf course.
Lush parks throughout the town provide sports fields, walking trails, racquet sport courts, picnic facilities, and many playgrounds. The attraction of Wilshore Farms provides a family oriented destination with more than 180 acres of preserve that features an active farm, trails, wooded forests, and the nearby Piscatiqua River. The town encompasses the seaside and recreational community of Falmouth Foreside with its yacht club, landing, and boatyard. Waterfront homes in this community tend to be stunning. The commercial district along Route 1 offers services, shops, and businesses. The area known as West Falmouth is still largely farmland. However, it also offers the luxury of spacious suburban housing and larger lots.
Gorham
Municipal Offices
207-854-5077
www.gorhammeusa.org
Chamber of Commerce
207-772-2811
www.portlandregion.com
Situated west of the Metropolitan Portland region, Gorham residents benefit from the convenient access to the well-developed transportation and commercial amenities offered by the city. Still, residents have been able to maintain the community’s tranquil village atmosphere.
An idyllic choice for those who are employed in the city but desire the serenity and intimacy of a smaller community, Gorham provides a quick commute to Portland. Already one of the fastest growing cities in Maine as Greater Portland expands westward, Gorham is positioned for continuous growth. The housing selection has continued to grow steadily over the last 15 years to include meticulously maintained homes on small lots in the center of town or traditional suburban developments along the periphery of the community.
Students in Gorham benefit from an award-winning public high school system as well as a local campus of the University of Southern Maine.
Gray
Municipal Offices
207-657-3339
www.graymaine.org
Chamber of Commerce
207-772-2811
www.portlandregion.com
Many lovely New England postcard images could easily have been taken in Gray, characterized as a friendly and growing community just 15 miles north of Portland. The town is ideally situated at the crossroads of Main State Routes 26, 100, 115 and 202 as well as Exit 11 of the Maine Turnpike. The community offers quick and easy access to some of Maine’s most celebrated recreational amenities. Pristine lakes, famous ski mountains, and breathtaking Casco Bay for water sports are just a few of the attractions close to home. The local community center provides a wide variety of team sports and youth programs. The town operates a beach at Crystal Lake.
Naples
Municipal Offices
207-693-6364
www.townofnaples.org
Chamber of Commerce
207-647-3472
https://www.mainelakeschamber.com/communities/naples
Attracting many active residents who are outdoor enthusiasts, Naples offers superb recreational activities. An inland community, Naples takes advantage of Maine’s many streams, lakes, and rivers to provide a variety of summer sports. The town beach and Sebago Lake State Park are ideal for water sports and boating.
Nearby Douglas Mountain is ideal for hiking, while local resorts provide premier golf courses and tennis courts. Winter sports throughout the region are equally abundant. Nearby alpine areas provide trails for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Residents also enjoy relaxing river and lake boat cruises.
Portland
Municipal Offices
207-874-8300
www.ci.portland.me.us
Chamber of Commerce
207-772-2811
www.portlandregion.com
Nationally recognized as one of the most livable cities on the East Coast, Portland enjoys a strategic location that is reasonably close to several of the East Coast’s most popular cities including Boston. At the same time, Portland stands in a class of its own with its rare small-town atmosphere, a close-knit community, and friendly residents. This charming seaport nestles on a peninsula that juts into the Casco Bay.
Vintage architecture lends even more character to Maine’s largest city, where impressive old brick, stone and clapboard buildings grace the downtown district and older residential neighborhoods. The working harbor bustles with picturesque recreational, fishing, cargo, and passenger vessels. Portland is also home to the Portland International Jetport. Showcasing the region’s nautical flair, Old Port serves as a center for shopping and culture.
Raymond
Municipal Offices
207-655-4742
www.raymondmaine.org
Chamber of Commerce
207-892-8265
www.sebagolakeschamber.com
The small community of Raymond provides an expansive and scenic area for homesites, blending older homes with newer construction in a variety of architectural styles and price ranges. Recreational amenities are provided by a privately owned and operated association that offers everything from skiing and winter sports to tennis, swimming, team sports, drama, and karate. Panoaramic parks and lakes around Raymond further encourage outdoor activities and adventures.
The commercial development in Raymond is sufficient to meet the daily needs for goods and services, with nearby Windham offering a shopping mall for greater variety. One of the greatest attractions to this area is outdoor adventure in lake, alpine, and ocean environments. Raymond offers easy access to premier recreational sites and facilities that ensure options for four-season outdoor enjoyment.
Scarborough
Municipal Offices
207-730-4000
www.scarboroughmaine.org
Chamber of Chamber
207-772-2811
www.portlandregion.com
Situated at the convergence of the barrier beaches that stretch to the south and the rocky northern coast, Scarborough is home to some of the most spectacular surf and coastal scenes in the entire world. Ideally located just six miles from the urban bustle and world-class attractions of Portland, Scarborough is a well-balanced community that attracts newcomers to a tree-shaded, tranquil suburban atmosphere. At the same time, this area supports two industrial parks for a favorable local tax base. Scarborough harmonizes a number of other contrasts. This sprawling town encompasses the largest saltwater marsh in Maine, yet it offers shopping in many fine retail centers. One of these plazas is located adjacent to the largest mall in the state for virtually unlimited shopping opportunities.
Complementing the town’s natural beauty is an outstanding educational system. While Scarborough provides all the intimacy of a small town, the cultural and entertainment attractions of Portland are readily accessible.
South Portland
Municipal Offices
207-767-3201
www.southportland.org
Chamber of Chamber
207-772-2811
www.portlandregion.com
The community of South Portland neighbors Portland, divided only by the Fore River. While the advantages of Portland are right outside the front door, the city provides outstanding services and amenities like Spring Harbor Hospital and Southern Maine Community College.
Throughout South Portland, quiet neighborhoods offer homes in a wide variety of architectural styles—many that feature distinctive detailing. The bayside atmosphere encompasses scenes of tugboats, cruise ships, and shrimp boats. Distinctive shops and fine restaurants blend with well-kept residential areas in this peninsula city. Newcomers can look forward to recreational opportunities from golf and tennis to deep-sea fishing.
Standish
Municipal Offices
207-642-3461
www.standish.org
Chamber of Commerce
207-892-8265
www.sebagolakeschamber.com
Just a quick 30-minute drive from Portland, Standish is probably most well known as a town that harmonizes rural settings and urban advantages. The community provides a convenient location that includes easy access to institutions of higher education such as the University of Maine, St. Joseph’s College, and the University of New England. Nestled in an area that boasts several splendid natural resources, Standish exemplifies the outdoor spirit of Maine. Residents enjoy the recreational use of nearby ponds, Sebago Lake, the Saco River, Tucker Brook, the Sticky River, and more than 50 pristine wetlands for a water-oriented lifestyle. The region is graced by picturesque landscapes that encompass orchards, cranberry bogs, deer habitats, and quaint stone-cut bridges. Other amenities include shopping, marinas, restaurants, and the cultural attractions hosted by the arts center at Sebago Lake.
Windham
Municipal Offices
207-892-1900
www.windhammaine.us
Chamber of Commerce
207-892-8265
www.sebagolakeschamber.com
Located in the southeastern Maine just 15 miles northwest of Portland, Windham is a popular residential choice for many of the professionals who are employed in surrounding metropolitan areas as well as regional industrial centers. Windham offers a suburban community that harmonizes a number of small businesses with attractive, quiet neighborhoods. In recent years, Windham has seen considerable growth in residential and commercial sectors, with all indicators showing that the town will continue its pattern of expansion.
As the “Gateway to the Sebago Lakes Region,” Windham offers an abundance of premier recreational opportunities for families and youth. In addition to beautiful Sebago Lake, the area encompasses a series of other lakes, rivers, and lodges where residents and visitors alike can enjoy boating, swimming, and fishing. Other municipal recreational facilities include tennis courts, ball fields, soccer fields, playgrounds, and a rink for ice skating. The town also boasts four parks and three wildlife sanctuaries. Residents are fortunate to have the University of Southern Maine and St. Joseph’s College located nearby.
Yarmouth
Municipal Offices
207-846-9036
www.yarmouth.me.us
Chamber of Commerce
207-846-3984
www.yarmouthmaine.org
Providing the very finest in Maine living, Yarmouth is ideally located 15 miles north of Metropolitan Portland. The community grew up along the picturesque coastal region of Casco Bay—a favorite recreation and fishing destination. Because of this enviable setting, Yarmouth residents are able to regularly enjoy the attractions and amenities within Greater Portland, but they can also return home to rural beauty, a relaxing pace of life, and the pleasures of a friendly small town.
The diverse population within this community includes professionals who are commuters to Portland and the commercial fishermen who work on the bay. This charming community boasts architecture that reflects a rich heritage dating back to the 1600s. Home to several shipyards in the 1800s and a paper mill in the 1900s, the town is mainly residential with a scattering of services, small shops, and businesses. The parks division that serves the community maintains a wide variety of outstanding facilities from tennis courts to sports courts and playgrounds. Popular destinations for local residents include the 230-acre Pratt’s Brook Park, Royal River Park, Village Green Park, and Beth Condon Pathway among others.
