Judi R.

I’ll start with a disclaimer. I live in Shapleigh. But rarely does a day go by that I don’t head into “my city,” as I refer to Sanford Springvale. One of my favorite stops is the Springvale Library, with the delightful staff and a plethora of activities offered. I also would be lost without the YMCA and the Trafton Senior Center, where I work on staying healthy in body and spirit. The Sanford Performing Arts Center was a well-timed addition to the new high school. It’s perfect for anyone wanting to see an amazing assortment of shows, and to get home at a reasonable hour. I’m so proud of Sanford Springvale for the teamwork and support given by so many individuals, agencies, and churches to the asylum seekers who have arrived over the past two years. And in no particular order, I’m grateful for the Mousam Way trails; Number One Pond; Gowen, Gateway and Goodall parks (and the Mainers); the helpful, friendly workers at the grocery stores and restaurants and one more kudo to all those involved in the production of the Sanford Springvale News. I usually pick up the paper copy at the Trafton Center on Friday, and on Saturday, I look forward to the color photos and other additional information. I’m glad I’m only a few minutes away from all of the offerings of Sanford Springvale.

Carol F.

My husband and I moved here in 1985 after having moved to Caribou from our home state of Texas in 1980. He was hired in Boston in the field of psychiatric social work, but we wanted to stay in Maine, and I was hired by the Sanford Schools. We knew nothing about the area when we moved here but have truly enjoyed our stay. Through a 32-year career at Sanford Junior High School, I got to know so many families and learned much about their resilience and hard work and dreams for their children. Working in a school system that educates students from a varied socio-economic background is enriching, humbling, and rewarding. I have great respect for the educators with whom I have worked, and I think the school system does not always get the credit it deserves. Sanford Springvale is a generous and giving community, and the recent arrival of immigrants is just one example of that. There is a diverse population with people from all over the country and for one reason or another, they have come to call this home. I love the availability of great walking trails and the fact that you can walk miles on the Main Street sidewalks and feel safe and comfortable. I enjoy the small-town aspect of going into stores and seeing people with whom you have interacted for years. I love that we have excellent Thai, Jamaican and Mexican food available. Its location is ideal with easy accessibility to both the mountains and the ocean. A drive to either Portland or Boston is not too lengthy, but I look at that from the experience of living in West Texas where you could drive for five hours and still be in the state with the landscape not changing. No place is perfect, but we truly enjoy living here and are so glad we do.

Lorraine T.

My 60th birthday was upon us. My sisters were visiting from Florida. We had moved back from Florida a few years before that, and they were wanting to move back too. So, during that little celebration visit, we did some thinking about what we were going do as a family and decided we should try to find a two-family home, get rid of mortgages, and live together. We’re not getting any younger! Our search led us to a two family here in Sanford on June Street – it was so perfect – it met all our needs and more. It’s a wonderful location and we jumped at the chance to purchase it. The one thing I came to realize once we moved here was that there were so many wonderful trails and so many outdoor places to explore. Everything was close by; we had the hospital, library, grocery stores, YMCA, restaurants, everything was right here at our disposal. One thing that really stands out for me is the fact that there were so many trails. We had two small dogs who were very leash reactive. Willy had gotten attacked in Florida, so he was nervous of other dogs. I had so many options to get them out and give them long enjoyable walks. Gowen Park and all the trails throughout there, the “Y” trails, the Rail trails – the options were limitless. We love our home here in Sanford. It’s a beautiful property; people go by and remark on it all the time. We have wonderful neighbors. It’s a friendly loving neighborhood and we’re very happy to be here in Sanford.

Donna Hodgdon

I love our place in Maine where we are located, close to the mountains, lakes, and the ocean in central York County. We’re close to New Hampshire within minutes and there is NO better place to live but in Sanford! The people, my family and friends, our amazing Performing Arts Center, our parks and trails, our churches, our Goodall Park, our businesses – what’s not to like! I was born here, raised here, and have lived in other places, but there’s no place like our little hamlet where I reside and have spent most of my life. I chose to live and work here in this small city where the people I love, family and friends have done the same thing! It’s community, a good place to raise your kids and be involved in area activities. Love you, Sanford!

Brenda F

I’ve always said Sanford Springvale is not perfect but it’s a nice place to be. There are many things to enjoy and appreciate, like the small-town community feel and people always willing to help one another out. This winter driving down Main Street during the holidays, the beautiful Christmas tree at Central Park and all the lights throughout town really did give the feeling of a small New England town. Number One Pond is a great place where you can watch the sun rise or set, fish, or just sit and enjoy the sunshine. There are wonderful walking trails throughout the town, especially the Rail Trail that leads to beautiful Deering Pond. How great is Gowen Park in the summer with its bounty of beautiful flowers and how many kids have grabbed their sleds to fly down the hill in excitement? On Saturday mornings, I head out to the Farmer’s market while grabbing a coffee and donut. These are some of my favorite things. There are more. I have lived in other places in my life, but when I came back to Sanford Springvale I said, “this is a nice place to be.”