Portland has notoriously cold winters, but it also has fresh lobster, clean air and a more reasonable cost of living than most cities on the New England coast.
Home prices, however, run about 20% higher than the national average, but they've managed to remain relatively stable.
"The housing market, like most of the Northeast, has not come back as strong as the states harder hit by the housing bust," said Errol Samuelson, president of Realtor.com.
While the number of listings is down 15% compared with last year, homes stay on the market so long that buyers have plenty of time to find the right place.
