 The cities that border Portland - South Portland and Westbrook - are Cumberland County's second and third-largest urban areas. South Portland is most well known for its ever-growing shopping mall (the largest north of Boston), its bustling commercial port, and its family-friendly neighborhoods. South Portland offers several marinas along its coast that provide both slips and moorings and of course easy access to Casco Bay. Westbrook is a growing commuter town with a small downtown undergoing renovations and comfortable new subdivisions.
Beyond South Portland is Cape Elizabeth, which, like Falmouth Foreside to the north, is full of beautiful homes on the water and is where many of the city's top-level executives opt to live. Many homes in this area are perched along craggy cliffs and offer panoramic views of the coastline and Atlantic Ocean. The town of Cape Elizabeth is focused on preserving many of its open spaces and wet lands and the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust is a very active organization. Fort Williams and Portland Head Light are located in Cape Elizabeth.
 Scarborough claims the state's largest saltwater marsh - a wildlife sanctuary of over 3,100 acres. The Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center offers a variety of guided and self-guided walks and canoe tours in addition to exhibits, a nature store, and canoe rentals. Scarborough is also home to some of the finest beaches in Cumberland County, including Crescent, Higgins and Ferry beaches. The town includes several oceanfront communities, with Pine Point, Higgins and Prouts Neck being the most recognized. Many homes in these areas offer direct oceanfront access and sandy beaches. |
