Top Neighborhoods
Bangor's neighborhoods are micro-climates of culture, convenience, and cost. Choosing wrong means either overpaying for a quiet street you'll never use or saving money while isolated from the city's pulse.
Quick Compare: Top Neighborhoods in Bangor
| Neighborhood | Vibe | Rent Range | Best For | Walk Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown/Old Town | Historic, walkable, college-town energy | $1,100-$1,600 | Young professionals, UMaine grads | ~85 |
| Brewer Side | Riverfront blue-collar, growing fast | $900-$1,300 | Budget-conscious families, first-time buyers | ~65 |
| Stillwater Ave Corridor | Suburban convenience, car-centric | $950-$1,350 | Commuters, families needing space | ~45 |
| Capehart/Bangor Theological | Quiet residential, student overflow | $800-$1,100 | UMaine students, hospital workers | ~55 |
| Union Street Penobscot | Gentrifying edge, eclectic | $850-$1,250 | Artists, foodies, urban pioneers | ~70 |
Downtown/Old Town
Overview: The beating heart where Exchange Street's brick facades house the best food scene. You're steps from the Bangor Waterfront Concerts venue and the historic Thomas Hill Standpipe.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,100 - $1,600/mo (1BR) | $1,500 - $2,200/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $325k - $375k
- 🚗 Commute: 5 min to Bangor Mall area | 3 min to Eastern Maine Medical Center (EMMC)
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~85 (Walker's Paradise)
Local Intel: Parking is brutal - if your building doesn't have a spot, you'll circle for 10 minutes at 5pm. The best coffee is at Cool Moose Cafe on Main Street (get the moose muffin), and Giuseppe's Pizzeria on Exchange Street has a secret Tuesday night special locals don't talk about. Avoid the bars on Friday after 10pm if you want quiet.
Who Thrives Here: Remote workers who treat coffee shops like offices and want to walk to Highland Avenue's craft breweries after work.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Walk Score of 85 means you can ditch your car for 80% of daily errands
- ✅ 12+ restaurants/bars within 3 blocks; never bored
- ❌ Street parking nightmares; snow emergencies mean 2-hour move limits
- ❌ Noise from weekend bar traffic and summer concert venue
Schools: Bangor School Department; Bangor High School is rated above average for Maine; Hammatt Elementary is walkable for downtown residents.
The Verdict: Move here if you want urban energy and walkability. Avoid if you need quiet, off-street parking, or have a 9pm bedtime.
Brewer Side
Overview: Across the Penobscot River from downtown, this is where Bangor's working families get more square footage. The Brewer Riverwalk is the hidden gem - a paved trail along the water with views of the Bangor skyline.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $900 - $1,300/mo (1BR) | $1,200 - $1,600/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $245k - $295k
- 🚗 Commute: 12 min to downtown | 15 min to EMMC
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~65 (Somewhat Walkable)
Local Intel: Maine Street Brewer is the main drag with Sea Dog Brewing and Cheryl's Lakeside Restaurant. The Brewer Flea Market on Route 9 is Saturday mornings only - get there by 8am for the good stuff. Traffic backs up on the Brewer Bridge at 5pm, but it's a 5-minute delay max.
Who Thrives Here: First-time homebuyers who work at EMMC or in downtown Bangor but want lower property taxes.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Median home price $80k less than downtown Bangor
- ✅ Brewer City Park has lit tennis courts and a solid playground
- ❌ Fewer dining options; you'll drive to Bangor for nightlife
- ❌ Older housing stock means more maintenance issues
Schools: Brewer School Department; Brewer High School is average; Brewer Community School (K-8) is well-regarded.
The Verdict: Best for families prioritizing homeownership over nightlife. Skip if you want walkable bars or modern apartments.
Stillwater Ave Corridor
Overview: The suburban spine of Bangor - big box stores, chain restaurants, and 1970s-2000s subdivisions. Everything is within a 5-minute drive, but you'll drive for everything.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $950 - $1,350/mo (1BR) | $1,300 - $1,700/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $265k - $315k
- 🚗 Commute: 15 min to downtown | 10 min to Bangor Mall area
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~45 (Car-dependent)
Local Intel: Stillwater Waterfront Restaurant is the local gem (get the lobster roll). Cross Insurance Center hosts concerts and events here, so expect traffic on event nights. Hannaford and Walmart are your grocery options. The Bangor Municipal Golf Course is 3 minutes away.
Who Thrives Here: Commuters who work at the Bangor International Airport or General Dynamics and want a quiet, modern home with a garage.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Newer construction (1980s+) means less maintenance and better insulation
- ✅ 15+ restaurants within a 1-mile stretch of Stillwater Ave
- ❌ Zero walkability; you'll drive 3 miles for a gallon of milk
- ❌ Cookie-cutter subdivisions with no character
Schools: Bangor School Department; William S. Cohen School (middle) is average; no notable high schools in immediate area.
The Verdict: Perfect for families who value space and convenience over character. Avoid if you want walkable neighborhoods or hate driving.
Capehart/Bangor Theological
Overview: Quiet residential streets near UMaine and Eastern Maine Medical Center. The Bangor Theological Seminary campus is now condos but gives the area a historic, academic feel.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $800 - $1,100/mo (1BR) | $1,100 - $1,400/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $225k - $275k
- 🚗 Commute: 8 min to downtown | 5 min to EMMC
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~55 (Somewhat Walkable)
Local Intel: Capehart Housing area has the best trick-or-treating in Bangor. Stillwater Avenue cuts through for quick access to everything. UMaine's Fogler Library is 10 minutes away if you need a study spot. EMMC workers can walk to work in nice weather.
Who Thrives Here: UMaine grad students, EMMC nurses on night shift, and anyone who wants a quiet residential feel without being far from work.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ 5-minute drive to EMMC saves gas and parking headaches
- ✅ Lower rents due to student housing saturation
- ❌ Street parking only; driveways are rare
- ❌ Student noise on football weekends (Sept-Nov)
Schools: Bangor School Department; Hammatt Elementary is walkable; Bangor High School is a short drive.
The Verdict: Ideal for hospital workers and students who need proximity. Avoid if you want family-friendly quiet or have multiple cars.
Union Street Penobscot
Overview: The gritty, up-and-coming corridor where old industrial buildings are converting to lofts. Union Street has the best ethnic food in Bangor and a visible homeless population that some find concerning.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $850 - $1,250/mo (1BR) | $1,200 - $1,600/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $215k - $265k
- 🚗 Commute: 7 min to downtown | 10 min to EMMC
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~70 (Very Walkable)
Local Intel: Mae's Asian Kitchen on Union Street is the best Thai in town. The Nocturnem Draft Haus has 30+ Maine beers on tap. Hollywood Slots is 2 minutes away, bringing some foot traffic. The Bangor Public Library is walkable. Avoid the area around Ohio Street after dark if you're alone.
Who Thrives Here: Artists, musicians, and foodies who tolerate urban grit for authentic character and cheap rent.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Most diverse restaurant scene in Bangor; walk to 8+ ethnic spots
- ✅ Loft conversions offer unique apartment layouts with character
- ❌ Visible homelessness and some property crime around Ohio Street corridor
- ❌ Older buildings mean drafty windows and heating bills
Schools: Bangor School Department; Catherine M. A. School is average; area has lower-performing elementary options.
The Verdict: Move here for character and food scene if you have street smarts. Avoid if you want suburban safety or have young kids.
Final Advice
Best for Young Professionals: Downtown/Old Town - the walkability and networking opportunities justify the higher rent and parking headaches.
Best for Families: Brewer Side - you get safer streets, lower home prices, and decent schools without sacrificing a 12-minute commute.
Best for Retirees: Stillwater Ave Corridor - single-level living, quiet streets, and everything you need within a 5-minute drive.
Traffic Pattern Warning: The Brewer Bridge and Hogan Road intersection are the two biggest bottlenecks. If you work 9-5, add 10 minutes to any commute crossing the river or using Hogan Road.
Counterintuitive Pick: Consider Capehart even if you're not a student or hospital worker. The 8-minute downtown drive and $800-$1,100 rent range make it the best value in Bangor if you can handle occasional student noise.