Insider's look: Why Portland rental apartments beat out hotels

Published: June 1, 2020

What makes a place home?

Each year there are thousands of tourists that flock to Portland, Maine to experience its unique sights, sounds, and seafood-centered cuisine. While many visiting for business or pleasure can hit Portland’s staple locations, few can fully understand the elusive charm the city offers its local citizens– beyond uniform hotel rooms. Listen to what famous Portland, Maine native Henry Wadsworth Longfellow has to say about the city’s hidden beauty through a few stanzas of his poem, “My Lost Youth”:

“Strange to me now are the forms I meet
When I visit the dear old town;
But the native air is pure and sweet,
And the trees that o’ershadow each well-known street,
As they balance up and down,
Are singing the beautiful song,
Are sighing and whispering still:
“A boy’s will is the wind’s will,
And the thoughts of youth are long, long thoughts.”

And Deering’s Woods are fresh and fair,
And with joy that is almost pain
My heart goes back to wander there,
And among the dreams of the days that were,
I find my lost youth again.
And the strange and beautiful song,
The groves are repeating it still:
“A boy’s will is the wind’s will,
And the thoughts of youth are long, long thoughts.”

Wadsworth mentions, “the strange and beautiful song” of Portland, Maine (and consequently his “lost” youth). Every city has a song seldom heard by visitors– often compromised of undiscovered streets, unmet people, and unknown places rarely discovered by the average tourist. If you’re looking to unlock the deeper experience and song of a Portland local, it’s time to break free from costly hotels and live like the rest of us– in an apartment building. To fully illustrate the advantages of living locally rather than in a hotel while staying in our city, we’ve listed the top three reasons living locally can unleash Portland, Maine’s beautiful song residents experience year-round.

1. The comforts of home

While the initial excitement of staying in a nicely groomed hotel can seem enticing, those rooming for extended stays oft miss the amenities and comforts of a place they can call their own. Make the transition from obscure hotel art to family photos, from cent-operated laundry to high-powered machines, and from edible breakfast buffets to delicious, locally cooked food.

What are some of the advantages of staying in a rental rather than a hotel?

On top of increased comfort, you’ll find yourself in the heart of all Portland, Maine has to offer its residents given our apartment buildings are centralized within the city. Whether you choose to live near the beautiful Eastern Promenade or the heart of the Old Port, rest assured an apartment will offer increased comfort and exploration of the area.

2. Small moments only locals experience

If you’re looking to unleash the “song” of Portland, our apartment buildings are centered in the perfect location to do so. Imagine yourself waking up to a crisp snowy morning, making some hot tea, and then heading out to your car for work. As you walk down Portland’s unique brick walkways to your reserved parking spot, a women walking her dog gives a warm smile. The chilly wind blows through overhead trees and allows a little bit of last night’s snowfall to be brought back to life on an unsuspecting head. After you park your car at work, a short walk brings you to one of Portland, Maine’s many revered coffee shops to boost your energy.

Work by Karmos on Wiki.

This picture is starkly different from mornings trapped inside a corporate, uniform hotel. Most greetings in the morning come from staff, more often than not because they are required to in the customer service industry. Room service tea or coffee almost always comes at a cost, and the complimentary drinks downstairs are often watery or cheap. While staying in a nice hotel can certainly be a pleasant experience at times, at the end of the day nothing beats the small excitements living locally has to offer and the new perspective it can bring on a city.

3. Location is everything

Few rental companies can claim to have as perfectly centralized apartment listings. At Portland Maine Rentals, we understand that those who choose to rent are looking to immerse themselves in the city rather than float above it. We know that through offering luxury apartment buildings close to shops, stops, and hops that make locals feel at home you will also begin to feel a sense of belonging within the city. Don’t believe us? Take a look at the location of a few of our apartment buildings:

As you can see, easy access to public parks, grocery stores, and delicious food all cultivate an experience you will remember. Not only will you be exploring the city’s local businesses, but you will also be directly supporting them and in turn helping the city to grow and prosper each year. Sound’s like a win-win to us. Discover what endears locals to Portland, Maine by joining us.

What makes a place home? Small moments, locally immersed location, and ample comfort. Make Portland your new home by viewing our luxury listings today!