What’s your budget? It will almost certainly be more expensive to build than buy an existing home. Not to mention a lengthy wait before you actually move in.

If I was looking to buy right now, I’d look at Old orchard beach or maybe the Lewiston/Auburn area. There are still affordable homes in those locations.

A friend of mine sold his Westbrook home in 2020 (made a nice profit) and planned on building a new home elsewhere. They just recently moved in after it took them forever to find a suitable lot and complete the build. They are now in Topsham and regret selling their Westbrook home.

No matter what route you try to go, it’s brutal to try to buy or build anywhere near Portland. Good luck.