HGTV Gives Portland, Maine, a New Nickname and It's Stupid

By now, it’s probably pretty clear that someone behind the scenes at HGTV really likes Portland, Maine. The powerhouse television network has featured Portland in many different ways through on-air and web content. That includes the city being chosen in 2020 for HGTV’s massive “Urban Oasis” contest.

So it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise that Portland was featured on another list from HGTV. It’s a list Portland has found itself on often from various publications. HGTV has named Portland, Maine, one of the ’50 Best Places to Live in America’ for 2024.

Naming Portland to the list isn’t the problem. The problem is the small blurb HGTV wrote to explain why Portland was featured on the list this year. The excerpt reads:

“…some locals jokingly refer to their culture-filled city as Portlyn, suggesting their city is the Maine equivalent of Brooklyn, which many consider the hippest of the five New York boroughs”

In life, there will be many firsts. And this is likely the first time hearing that “locals” refer to Portland, Maine, as ‘Portlyn’ for many people. It’s likely the first time you’ve heard it because it isn’t true. Nobody refers to Portland as ‘Portlyn’ and they never will.

The foolish nickname HGTV invented shouldn’t anger Mainers as much as it will. HGTV meant it as a compliment. Maine’s largest city rivals New York City’s coolest and hippest borough for culture, food and fun. But here in Maine, we will still get annoyed and angry because that’s what we do. Nobody calls Portland “Portlyn” unless we say so.

And we’re saying no.