I toured 3 one-bedroom apartments in Portland, Maine. It made me want to give up my NYC apartment.

Erin McDowellAug 24, 2024, 02:20 IST

I toured three one-bedroom apartments at different price points in Portland, Maine.Erin McDowell/Business Insider<ul class="summary-list"><li>I recently visited Portland, Maine, for the first time and toured three <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-biggest-nyc-office-building-transformed-into-luxury-apartments-homes-2023-12">luxury apartment buildings</a>.</li><li>I toured <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-york-city-resident-tours-austin-apartments-2000-per-month-2021-12">one-bedroom apartments</a> at The Armature, The Casco, and Nightingale apartment complexes.</li></ul>Ever since I was a teenager, I idolized Carrie Bradshaw's New York City apartment and worked hard to eventually be able to call this city home.In many ways, I've made that dream a reality — I'm a working writer and have <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-its-like-living-in-a-haunted-nyc-brownstone-2023-10">lived in a classic brownstone</a> in Brooklyn, New York, for three years.But I often wonder if other cities can compete with <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dink-lifestyle-nyc-apartment-photos-2024-2">New York</a> in terms of price, especially since I live with two roommates and would love to eventually live on my own.On a recent trip to Portland, Maine, which has often been ranked as one of the <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/map-of-united-states-best-places-to-live-florida-colorado-2024-5">best places in the country to live</a>, I decided to check out a few <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-york-city-resident-tours-austin-apartments-2000-per-month-2021-12">one-bedroom apartments</a> to compare what I could get at different price points.As a native New Englander, I've considered moving to Portland multiple times in the past thanks to its thriving food scene and scenic streets. While I'm not quite ready to make the leap yet, it was nevertheless enlightening to see how apartments in Portland compare to what I have in New York City.All of the apartments I toured were in luxury buildings, with amenities like conference rooms, gyms, recreational areas, and even one that had a swimming pool — things that I could only fantasize about while living in New York City.According to <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.apartments.com/rent-market-trends/portland-me/#">Apartments.com</a>, the average cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in Portland in August 2024 is around $1,695 a month.While this is still 10% higher than the national average of $1,536 a month, New York City one-bedrooms run for a staggering $3,801 a month, <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.apartments.com/rent-market-trends/new-york-ny/">the site</a> reported.The apartments I toured were all higher than the average cost in Portland but still lower than the average cost of one-bedroom apartments in New York, which made me question whether Portland could be a better option.Here's how all three apartments compared in terms of price, location, and amenities.

The first apartment building I viewed was The Armature in Portland's Bayside neighborhood.

The Armature apartment building was modern on the outside with wooden accents.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The neighborhood felt quiet, but there was still plenty to do within a short walking distance.

The Armature apartment building had a spacious courtyard outside, as well.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The building amenity that surprised me the most was the arcade room.

The apartment building alsoErin McDowell/Business Insider

There was a nice outdoor area, as well.

There was also a grass-covered outdoor courtyard with lawn games.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

There were multiple different fitness areas and amenities, though the pool was most impressive to me.

The pool was the most impressive amenity I saw out of all the apartments.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

There was also a roof deck with fire pits.

The roof deck had sweeping views of the neighborhood.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I viewed an unfurnished one-bedroom apartment and thought it was a great blank slate.

I thought the living room was spacious and had a lot of light.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The bedroom was located off the living room and had a large window.

The bedroom also had a large window.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The kitchen was modern and spacious with wooden accents.

The kitchen had wood cabinets and modern, black countertops.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The apartment had a modern bathroom with black countertops and a rain shower.

The bathroom was simple but elegant.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The second building I toured was The Casco, which was located closer to downtown.

The Casco building is the tallest in the entire state of Maine.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The entrance to the building was modern, with a grand staircase that gave a luxurious feel to the space.

The lobby was modern and inviting, and I was impressed by the wooden staircase.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

What impressed me the most about this apartment building was the amenities.

The gym had treadmills and other exercise equipment.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The building had many of the same amenities as The Armature.

The sky lounge offered great views of the city.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The views really blew me away.

From The Casco's sky lounge, I could see all of the downtown area.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The one-bedroom apartment I toured had views of the water, which was a pleasant surprise.

The living room easily had enough space for a couch, coffee table, chair, and media console.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The apartment had a galley-style kitchen with modern cabinetry.

I liked the simple white cabinetry that made the space feel more open.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The bedroom also felt spacious.

The bedroom also had great water views.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

When I toured, I asked the real-estate agent how possible it is to get these kinds of views in every apartment.

From the living room, you could see Portland Harbor.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The bathroom was a little less modern than the last apartment, but still nice.

The bathroom had all the essentials, including a tub.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Overall, I felt like this apartment was more in keeping with my own personal style than The Armature.

I liked the color of the walls and the floors, which made it feel more cozy.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The last apartment building I toured was the most unusual.

Nightingale was converted from a 1940s-era hospital into apartments.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

However, the side of the building was renovated to create a more modern entrance for residents.

The entrance was modern and inviting.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Right away, I noticed the building still had that historic hospital feel, with some updates.

There were some historic details left over from the original property.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

A sitting area by the entrance featured an original stained-glass window.

Some original details, like stained-glass windows, were left behind.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The apartment building had some luxury amenities like a gym, a library, and a pet spa.

The gym was spacious and had all the equipment I could ever want.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I noticed quite a few spaces for work, including conference areas and work nooks.

The apartment building had plenty of coworking spaces.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The rooftop deck also had a full kitchen for residents to use.

The sky lounge had a full kitchen.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The building also had access to an outdoor deck with views of the city.

The deck had views of the surrounding neighborhood.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

However, there were some parts of this building that really still felt like a hospital to me.

There were some parts that still felt like a hospital.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The apartment I viewed had tall ceilings and a modern kitchen.

The apartment had an open-plan living area and kitchen.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The bedroom had an en-suite bathroom and a large closet.

The bedroom had a small window.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

However, the walk-in closet was certainly an asset I don't have in my current apartment.

The walk-in closet was a major plus.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The bathroom was also spacious and had tile flooring.

There also wasn't a tub in this apartment.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

If this was my own personal apartment search, I know exactly which apartment I'd choose.

I really enjoyed my experience touring all three apartments.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

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