Need help deciding where to move... (Portland, Bangor: real estate, to rent, houses)

[cmcmillan]

Hey all! My name is Christine. My husband and I, and our 3 year old son are considering moving to Co, Pa, or ME in the next year. I am a respiratory therapist and my husband will be getting out of the Army. When he gets out he is wanting to go to school to be an electrician or something else that might catch his interest that pays just as well. We are looking for something within the $150,000-200,000 for a 3 bedroom.2 bath, 1600+ sq ft. Is it possible? We both need the conveniences of a big city for jobs, but don't mind living outside the city (especially if it means more house for the money). I don't know how bad traffic is there as far as coming into the city from the outside, we prefer something that will only take us an hour or so tops to get to work. And if anyone has any other options for jobs for my husband that he should explore, please let me know. He needs to make at least $18/hour. His job in the military is infantry, and his work experience prior to the military was construction (drywall, building houses, etc.) Thanks in advance for your help!
We would need to rent when we first got there, and then buy within a year. As far as Maine goes, I think the lower half of Maine would be best for us, within 50 miles of augusta/portland.

[skytrekker]

Originally Posted by cmcmillan

Hey all! My name is Christine. My husband and I, and our 3 year old son are considering moving to Co, Pa, or ME in the next year. I am a respiratory therapist and my husband will be getting out of the Army. When he gets out he is wanting to go to school to be an electrician or something else that might catch his interest that pays just as well. We are looking for something within the $150,000-200,000 for a 3 bedroom.2 bath, 1600+ sq ft. Is it possible? We both need the conveniences of a big city for jobs, but don't mind living outside the city (especially if it means more house for the money). I don't know how bad traffic is there as far as coming into the city from the outside, we prefer something that will only take us an hour or so tops to get to work. And if anyone has any other options for jobs for my husband that he should explore, please let me know. He needs to make at least $18/hour. His job in the military is infantry, and his work experience prior to the military was construction (drywall, building houses, etc.) Thanks in advance for your help!
We would need to rent when we first got there, and then buy within a year. As far as Maine goes, I think the lower half of Maine would be best for us, within 50 miles of augusta/portland.

It might prove difficult to find a home as you describe in southern Maine and the Portland area for the price you suggested. Near Augusta, and Bangor it would be much easier however.

Traffic in all of Maine is pretty light. As for construction jobs its a mixed bag currently as residential real estate building has slowed in Maine and all of New England- there may be work however in non residential construction. Most work would be in southern Maine for construction, but the Bangor area would have some as well.