Wait, is Maine’s Largest City Still Considered Underrated?

Maine's largest city is no stranger to publicity and popularity. But can it still technically be underrated? One popular travel site says "yes."

The mighty fine folks over at The Frugal Expat recently put together a list of the most underrated cities in America. The 12 selected cities vary in size, and can be found all across the country.

Wouldn't you know it, the second city listed is Maine's own Portland. That's pretty darn good for the Forest City. Now, I have no idea if it's actually in a ranked order, but it sure beats being 12th.

Who would disagree with Portland's inclusion on this list? It's a wonderful city dominated by delicious cuisine, craft beverages, shopping and art districts, parks, no traffic, and a beautiful working waterfront.

But don't just take my word for it. Here is what The Frugal Expat had to say about the Southern Maine city.

...nestled along the gorgeous coast, invites with its coastal charm, highlighted by iconic lighthouses, wonderful seafood, and a wealth of historic buildings. The city's waterfront, which has been a center of activity for years, continues to be a mesmerizing focal point.

I think the most important question is whether or not Portland should be considered underrated. Sure, it's a city with a small population in a state that is considered relatively remote. However, it's also a city that receives consistent national praise, and continues to be featured on television and other media.

Portland is clearly not underrated to Northeastern folks, but probably is to the rest of the country. It's easy for us to not see it, because we live here. If Portland was in Wyoming, we would probably think it's a good candidate for being underrated. Plus, San Antonio is on this list. I think the underrated definition is rather loose.

Regardless of whether or not it should be listed, this is great publicity to our state's biggest city. It's always nice to see Portland in the spotlight.