A thriving downtown with access to nature in Biddeford
Beside the Saco River, Biddeford, 18 miles from Portland, is the sixth largest city in Maine. “We have an incredible location – access to the ocean and a major river, great parks and trails, and a lively urban core,” says Danica Lamontagne, assistant to the city manager. Biddeford is a service center in our region, so we have easy access to major retailers, but we also have a thriving local business community.” The U.S. Census Bureau reported Biddeford's population as 22,367 in 2023. “Biddeford is this really vibrant, authentic, quirky little place,” says Sabine McElrath, a Biddeford resident and licensed real estate broker with eXp Realty. “Us locals are all cheerleaders for this city.” The city’s former mills now make up the ever-expanding downtown and host artisan businesses in the heart of Biddeford.
The Pepperell Mill complex in Biddeford, Maine is a vibrant example of successful redevelopment.
A Civil War monument in Central Biddeford was erected in 1887.
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Old mill turned creative hub
Biddeford’s downtown surrounds the Pepperell Mill Campus, a self-dubbed creative hub hosting apartments and homegrown businesses. Roads radiating from the mill campus are lined with locally-owned restaurants, retailers and popular chains such as 7-Eleven and Dunkin’. “We have such a strong historic background in our community. Biddeford was a former manufacturing center, and for many years, our former mill buildings sat abandoned in our downtown core,” says Lamontagne. “Over the past 15 years or so, many of them have been converted into new housing and businesses. It has brought a new life to our city (it is a big reason why our downtown area is the youngest in Maine) but also allows us to stay very in touch with our roots.” Small billboards educate passersby on what buildings and areas used to look like a hundred years ago, says McElrath. “Maine’s largest business sector is small businesses, and the Main Street in Biddeford now has 25 retail shops and over 50 food-related businesses,” says Delilah Poupore, the Heart of Biddeford executive director. “These businesses employ a lot of people.” The Heart of Biddeford, working in conjunction with the City of Biddeford, oversees and fosters community with Biddeford’s growing downtown, advertising and sponsoring events year-round. Outside of Downtown Biddeford, heading into North Biddeford, Five Points Shopping Center, the Shops at Biddeford Crossing and other strip malls and shopping centers line Alfred Road.
The Museum in the Streets of Biddeford blend historic mills with modern society.
The Palace Diner is a beloved spot among Biddeford locals and enjoys positive reviews.
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Single-family homes on the coast, multi-tenant properties in downtown
While Downtown Biddeford and the more industrial Five Points and Airport Village are densely populated, North Biddeford, South Biddeford and the coastal areas have single-family homes on large lots surrounded by dense, forested areas. Residents will find more apartment-style and multifamily properties closer to the heart of the city, while the more rural regions contain predominantly single-family homes. Cape Cod, Colonial Revival, split-level and ranch-style homes are common in the area. “On the shoreline, you’ve got 3, 4, 5 million-dollar homes, but closer to the city – which was born on the backs of mills and factory workers – you’ve got very dense, multi-tenant properties,” says McElrath. The median price in Biddeford is $460,000, above the national median of $406,100 reported by the National Association of Realtors. “We are building lots of new housing and welcoming new residents to our community,” says Lamontagne. “We have hundreds of new housing units planned or in construction with a mix of rental and homeownership opportunities.” These new housing units will be available throughout Biddeford, not just downtown.
Crime in Biddeford is higher in the more populated areas but lower in the rural and coastal regions. Downtown Biddefrod has a CAP Index crime score of 5 out of 10, while other areas have a 1 out of 10. The national average is 4.
A Two-story antique home in Central Biddeford.
Biddeford is a great place to raise a family.
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Parks and beaches in Biddeford
“I don’t know if people realize just how stunning our coastline is – there are no commerce areas down there. It’s so beautiful and natural,” says McElrath. She adds that, in addition to sandy beaches, residents can also find outdoor recreation within the city itself, including the 140-acre Clifford Park: “The park is full of hiking trails and waterfalls and many other natural features; it’s so big, I actually got lost in there once,” she says. For an in-town beach, residents can head to Rotary Park, a public beachfront area situated on the shores of the Saco River. McElrath mentions that the East Point Wildlife Refuge, located just outside the city, is another popular outdoor area for locals. “The East Point Sanctuary is part of the Audubon Society; I’ve met hundreds of people visiting Biddeford, and I always tell them about the sanctuary. It’s walkable and has some of the most unobstructed panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.”
Biddeford is known for its hot summers and below-freezing winters. Flooding may occur after severe storms, especially for those living along the coastline. The 2023 Biddeford Comprehensive Plan strives not to overdevelop coastal areas and aims to improve its stormwater infrastructure.
Clifford Park offers well maintained walking trails throughout the park.
Rotary Park offers a sandy beach with lifeguards along the shores of the Saco River.
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University of New England is a major healthcare provider
Biddeford Schools serves the area and receives a C-plus from Niche. The University of New England also has a campus in Biddeford and is one of the major employers in the area. It is Maine’s largest independent university and its top healthcare provider.
Biddeford High School is a public high school located in Central Biddeford.
Biddeford Middle School serves students in grades 5-8.
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Transportation and industry in Biddeford
Biddeford is situated just off the Interstate 95 corridor, which extends the length of the East Coast and allows residents to access the Portland International Jetport, 15 miles away, and downtown Portland, 18 miles away. Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit or BSOOB Transit operate public bus services. To avoid traffic, residents may catch a bus to Factory Island, where they can board the Downeaster line from the Saco train station. While some residents commute to Portland for work, many work from home or in one of Biddeford’s major industries. “I would say there is a mix. Our two biggest employers are the hospital and the University of New England. Our retail sector is also very strong,” says Lamontagne. “Many of our newer residents moved to Maine during the pandemic to get out of the hustle and bustle of larger cities but have retained remote work-from-home positions. We have a lot of precision metal working and high-tech composite manufacturing in our industrial parks.”
Free concerts in the summer
Every August, Biddeford puts on River Jam, a one-day event where residents can enjoy free concerts while exploring the food trucks, vendors and activity booths in Mechanics Park. On snowy days in February, a large sledding hill is built in downtown for WinterFest. Residents may also sled and enjoy live entertainment during the three-day celebration. “The historic City Theater is home to five major community theater projects each year from October to August and features concerts, films, plays, and performing artists throughout the year,” says Poupore.
Religious holidays and services are held at Anchor Baptist Church, Synaxis of Serbian Saints Church, New Life Church and others in the area.
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