Bangor, ME, United States

Capital City

With a population of just 31,753, Bangor is the third-largest city in Maine, but it has the distinct feel of a small town. The city's economy is centered on services, healthcare, and education, with major employers like Hannaford Supermarkets and Eastern Maine Medical Center. However, Bangor's northern location comes with a price - the city experiences harsh, snowy winters with an average of 74.6 inches of snowfall per year. Bureaucracy is also a persistent headache, as evidenced by the city's long history of flouting prohibition laws and occasional crackdowns by state authorities. Overall, Bangor offers a quiet, affordable lifestyle, but the brutal winters and occasional bureaucratic hassles may not appeal to everyone.