The city of Brewer, Maine, considered the sister city of Bangor, was famous for its brick-making in the 19th century. It is said that some of the neighborhoods of Boston, namely those in Back Bay and South End, are made of "Brewer brick."
If you head north in Maine right along the Atlantic coast, you'll soon run into the Penobscot River, which will lead you to the small coastal city of Brewer
The city of Brewer, Maine, considered the sister city of Bangor, was famous for its brick-making in the 19th century. It is said that some of the neighborhoods of Boston, namely those in Back Bay and South End, are made of "Brewer brick."
If you head north in Maine right along the Atlantic coast, you'll soon run into the Penobscot River, which will lead you to the small coastal city of Brewer. Known as one of the more historic cities in the region, Brewer is home to about 9,500 residents and encompasses just over 15 square miles. Connected to Bangor by three bridges over the Penobscot River estuary, Brewer was famous for shipbuilding and saw-milling in addition to the aforementioned brick-building. Now, it's a small thriving city with a friendly community and a low crime rate.
Moving to Brewer
One thing that you'll notice right away when looking for apts for rent in Brewer is that most of them are located in multi-family houses. A lot of these houses were built prior to WWII, so you'll find interesting architecture, large front porches and other characteristics that were often included in older homes. If you're looking for studio apartments for rent, you might have great luck, as some landlords have converted their second floors or basements into smaller living areas for tenants. The prices for apts for rent in this area tend to be pretty average, so you shouldn't run into any big surprises.
If you're looking for premier apartments like what you would find in an apartment complex, you might be better served over the bridge in Bangor, where you'll find a variety of larger apartment buildings, as well as condominium complexes. Here in Brewer, though, while you'll find many rentals with modern amenities, most of the buildings are older and full of character.
Looking for an apartment can be a tedious task. To speed up the process, make sure you bring all of the right paperwork and documents so that your prospective landlord won't have any reason to turn you away. Bank statements, your credit score, and proof of employment are just a few items that he or she might want to look at. Also, if you have any pets, make sure you ask if they're allowed in the unit you're looking at.
Neighborhoods in Brewer
Brewer does not have a large population, but it does encompass over 15 square miles, so you will want to keep location in mind when it comes to choosing where to live. In general, the closer you live to the bridges connecting Brewer to Bangor, the more quickly you'll be able to access amenities like grocery stores, restaurants and entertainment options. There are a few different sections of town that you should know about if you are planning to relocate to Brewer.
City Center: The area immediately surrounding where I-395 crosses the river toward Bangor is often referred to as the City Center. You'll find apartments for rent here that are priced a bit lower than in other areas of the town. Although it's called the City Center, there are not a lot of amenities to speak of, and you will definitely need a car to get around. Two places of interest in this area include Maple Street Park and Eastern Park.
South of Wilson Street: Set back away from the river and south of Wilson Street, the rental prices will be a bit higher. While Wilson Street itself offers some shopping and dining options, this is another area where a car will be necessary. Brewer Airport is located in this area of town, so if travel is important to you, then this might be a convenient place for you to live!
North of Wilson Street: Here is where you will find the highest-priced rentals in Brewer, and also the easiest access to local amenities. Head to North Main Street and take advantage of the North Brewer Shopping Center, or grab a bite at Jesters or City Side Restaurant. It's also very easy to cross either the Union Street or State Street bridges into Bangor, where you can take advantage of the many shopping and dining options there.
Life in Brewer
Living along the coast of eastern Maine means that you'll have all of the water-filled opportunities you want. The Atlantic coast is just a stone's throw away, though the beaches in this area tend to be rocky and windy. The winters here are very cold, but the summers are mild and pleasant. In between, you'll appreciate the intensely colorful fall foliage, as well as the sweet smell of spring as it blooms after a long winter.
Maine is filled with historical buildings and lighthouses, so you can visit many local attractions without driving too far. Of course, living close to I-395 means that you have easy access to points north, headed toward Canada, as well as points south, such as Boston; hopping in I-95 means that you can stay on the same road through Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and all the way south toward Florida!
