Parkside - Portland, ME

In 1866, the Great Fire of Portland ravaged Portland and left 1,800 destroyed buildings and 10,000 homeless citizens in its wake. Because the city was predominantly uninhabitable, residents migrated south and began to rebuild, paving streets such as Sherman Avenue and Grant Avenue that established the early Parkside neighborhood. The streets mainly consisted of three-story apartment buildings called triple-deckers, which housed the majority of Portland's Irish and Italian immigrant populations.

Since its humble beginnings, the Parkside neighborhood has developed into a rich community with a passion for the arts. The International Cryptozoology Museum attracts those with an interest in the unknown, with exhibits ranging from Bigfoot to the Lochness Monster and UFOs. The Portland Museum of Art caters to more pragmatic visitors, featuring a variety of artwork including paintings, prints, sculptures and more.

For more than just chain restaurants and fast food joints, find copious amounts of American food diners and ethnic cuisine such as African and Asian sprinkled throughout Parkside. Although the neighborhood features no central restaurant location, some of Portland's top-rated dining options lie within a few minutes of the neighborhood.

Treat your taste buds to the best lobster sliders in town at Congress Squared, an upscale seafood restaurant located on High Street. This restaurant's excellent food quality combined with its luxurious modern decor make for an impressive dining experience. Make a reservation or walk in and order the buttermilk-fried oysters for an appetizer. For the main course, try the braised short rib with asparagus, and finish everything off with a glass of wine or bottled beer during happy hour.

Katahdin Wood Fire Grill & Bar serves up American comfort food and drinks in a relaxed atmosphere that welcomes newcomers and regulars alike. With daily specials such as salmon dumplings, wood-fired pork loins, Maine crab fondue and nightly cocktails, you can always try something new. Regular menu items consist of chicken rigatoni with sweet sausage, market vegetable risotto and half-pound sirloin burgers.

For live music, Geno's Rock Club and Blue serve as two venues popular with locals, and both reside just a short drive away on Congress Street in West End. After catching a show, head back to Parkside and hoist a pint while you shoot a game of 8-ball at Bramhall. Or, stay in West End for a while and visit Downtown Lounge, a popular dive bar where stiff drinks, cheap prices and friendly staff keep patrons coming back for more.

Parkside residents have access to a number of public transportation options, including buses, taxis, and Uber. The Greater Portland METRO Bus runs eight different routes throughout Portland and costs $1.50 for a one-way ride. Cabs provide another option, although selection is limited to only a few taxi companies. Uber also services the area and ranks as the most popular option for Parkside residents.

If you don't have a car or want to use public transportation, Parkside features highly walkable streets that allow residents to easily reach their destinations on foot. However, biking is hit or miss. Some areas of the neighborhood have bike lanes, while others do not, but the streets with bike lanes provide a safe environment for cyclists. When biking, research your route beforehand to ensure safe transit. Public parking can be found throughout Parkside, but be prepared to pay — almost every area of the neighborhood charges for parking.

For residents who commute to work, Interstate 295 lies just north of the neighborhood and allows for quick trips to and from the freeway.

The Deering Oaks Park has been around since the late 1800s and features just about everything a recreation enthusiast could ask for. With a large wading pool and playground perfect for little ones, multiple ponds, a baseball field, a tennis court, a sand volleyball court, gardens and more, the 55-acre park provides something for everyone. This dog-friendly park allows animals kept on leashes. To sweeten the deal, this all-in-one park charges no entry fee.

For something a bit different than the usual park stroll, enjoy a bike tour with Summerfeet Cycling. The group tours Portland's lighthouses and various coastal routes with stunning ocean views. Just bring your own bike or rent one from Summerfeet. Prices vary per tour.

Portland residents love their annual events and make it a point to support local festivals and celebrations. Harvest on the Harbor, Portland Brew Festival, Maine Jewish Film Festival and the Old Port Festival are just a few annual events that draw in Parkside residents.

Parkside residents enjoy a slightly lower cost of living than other Portland neighborhoods. A trip to the Portland city center costs just $1.50 via the METRO Bus, while a pint of beer fresh off the tap runs about $4. You can snag a one-bedroom apartment for roughly $1,075. Although Parkside comes with a relatively low cost of living, drivers pay approximately seven percent more than the rest of the country for gas.

Limited shopping options exist in Parkside, so residents often venture into neighboring areas that offer grocery and retail essentials. For groceries, locals head west to the Save-a-Lot on St. John Street or journey past Interstate 295 to the Hannaford on Forest Avenue, which also houses a pharmacy. Trader Joe's in West Bayside provides another suitable alternative.

Boutiques stand in short supply in Parkside, so residents drive into Old Town to find unique specialty items. The Portland Trading Company has dubbed itself "a general store for modern times" and carries vintage home wares, handmade women's and men's clothing, footwear and apothecary items.

The Portland Farmer's Market in Deering Oaks Park opens Saturday mornings and brings in freshly grown fruits and veggies as well as hand-raised livestock. Goat milk products, chicken, pork, eggs, roses and organic fruits and vegetables comprise some of the items you can expect to find at the market. Unfortunately, the market only opens from April to November due to Maine's harsh winter climate.