Maine is a state with beautiful scenery, a lot of history, and diverse cultures, attracting many people. However, not every city or town in Maine provides the same quality of living and opportunities.
Surprisingly, a recent study identified one particular place as the worst to live in Maine. In this article, we’ll look into why this small city in southwestern Maine has a low quality of life ranking and discuss potential ways to make things better.
This City That Has Been Named the Worst City to Live in Maine
Maine is famous for its beautiful landscapes, tasty seafood, and friendly people. However, not every city or town in the state is equally nice to live in. According to a recent study, Sanford is considered the least desirable place to live in Maine.
Sanford, a small city in southwestern Maine with around 21,000 residents, faces certain challenges. The median home value in Sanford is $183,800, which is lower than the state average of $203,900.
Additionally, the city has a relatively high unemployment rate of 6.4%, surpassing the state average of 5.9%. The poverty rate in Sanford is 13.9%, which is also higher than the state average of 11.8%.
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Why Sanford is the Worst City to Live in Maine
Sanford has a low quality of life mainly because it has a high number of drug overdose deaths. It ranks poorly on the quality of life index due to having one of the highest rates of accidental drug overdose deaths in the country – 39.2 deaths for every 100,000 people each year, which is much higher than the national average of 22.5 deaths per 100,000 people.
Another reason for Sanford’s low ranking is the limited access to emergency medical care. The closest hospital is almost 14 miles away, while other cities and towns in Maine with available data are all within 7 miles of a hospital.
The challenges faced by Sanford, like high unemployment, poverty, crime, drug misuse, and a lack of access to essential services, are common issues in many Maine communities. These problems not only impact the well-being of residents but also limit their economic opportunities and social connections.
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Possible Solutions
But not all hope is gone for Sanford and other struggling places in Maine. There are efforts and programs working to make things better and provide help and resources for those who need them.
For instance, Sanford has teamed up with local groups like Mainers Against Methamphetamine (MAM) and Mainers United Against Substance Abuse (MUASA) to spread awareness and prevent substance abuse among both young people and adults.
The city also provides different services like counseling for mental health, treatment for substance abuse, help with housing, and training for jobs for those who qualify.
Moreover, some residents are taking action on their own by creating neighborhood watch groups, arranging community events, volunteering for local causes, and pushing for change at the city level.
They’ve also shared their wish to enhance their quality of life by attracting new businesses, working on infrastructure projects, improving public safety, and promoting tourism opportunities.
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Final Words
Sanford is a city in Maine that deals with tough issues like high unemployment, poverty, crime, drug problems, and not enough access to emergency medical care. A recent study suggests it’s considered the worst place to live in Maine.
But there’s a brighter side to Sanford. It has a strong sense of community, works closely with local organizations, and has room for growth and development. By having people and groups in Sanford work together more and come up with new ideas, the city might be able to tackle its problems and make life better.
Right now, Sanford might not be the best place to live in Maine, but there’s hope for improvement in the future. With more teamwork and creative solutions from the people who live there and those involved in the community, Sanford has the potential to overcome challenges and reach its goals.
