Quality of Life and Community
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7/25/2008
Auburn is the residential-half of the twin cities of Lewiston-Auburn (L-A). Whereas Lewiston grew up around shoe, linen and other factories, Auburn claimed the suburbs and, until a couple decades ago, supported several dairy farms but few businesses. The arts community around L-A is growing, as is the diversity of race, class, and gender within both towns. "Good fences make good neighbors" is still the maxim here, though, as Robert Frost wrote; the tradition of East Coast stoacism and independence is strong here. The French-Canadienne culture remains vital to the cities' roots, while new settlers from Somalia and elsewhere bring fresh ideas to the area. Clean air, the powerful Androscoggin River flowing between the two "towns," and plenty of parks, lakes, mountains and nearby recreational areas makes Auburn a fine place to raise a family and enjoy the outdoors. Crime, especially drug related, is a problem here, and the population tends to be older, since many young people leave Maine for opportunties out of state. However, with a community college in Auburn, and a University branch and Bates College across the river in Lewiston, we have several venues to further one's education close by. Portland, Maine's cultural center on the coast, is only a 30 minute drive "south," and Boston is just a couple hours' drive away.
Theresa | Auburn, ME