Give me hope! (Portland, Bangor, Westbrook: house, to buy, elementary school)

[Audry524]

**sigh**

Can you good folks living in Maine help me out here, please.

I just got back from what we're calling our 2 week long tour of Southern Maine. I really had had my heart set on moving to Gorham or Standish. As I mentioned before on here my family is from Maine (not me, just parents and everyone before that) and many still live there but other then stopping off in Westbrook to see my aunt or heading up I95, getting off in Houlton and heading up Route 1 to the St. John valley I hadn't seen Route 1 around Portland for some 15+ years. I have to say I was so sadden by what I saw. We drove as far as Wiscasset and to just about every town about 20 miles inland to the border in Kittery. I can not believe how built up it's gotten. The change is so dissapointing, I'm considering not moving. All those big box stores. My goodness, I live in CT now, which I think is densely populated in a lot of areas and Maine has gotten just as built up. Do we really need that many Lowe's, Home Depot's and Walmarts in this world?

So should I have kept driving? What about the Bangor area? I haven't seen that in years (well other then I95). I'm looking for towns with more of a small town feel.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

[Let's tell the truth]

Originally Posted by Audry524

**sigh**

Can you good folks living in Maine help me out here, please.

I just got back from what we're calling our 2 week long tour of Southern Maine. I really had had my heart set on moving to Gorham or Standish. As I mentioned before on here my family is from Maine (not me, just parents and everyone before that) and many still live there but other then stopping off in Westbrook to see my aunt or heading up I95, getting off in Houlton and heading up Route 1 to the St. John valley I hadn't seen Route 1 around Portland for some 15+ years. I have to say I was so sadden by what I saw. We drove as far as Wiscasset and to just about every town about 20 miles inland to the border in Kittery. I can not believe how built up it's gotten. The change is so dissapointing, I'm considering not moving. All those big box stores. My goodness, I live in CT now, which I think is densely populated in a lot of areas and Maine has gotten just as built up. Do we really need that many Lowe's, Home Depot's and Walmarts in this world?

So should I have kept driving? What about the Bangor area? I haven't seen that in years (well other then I95). I'm looking for towns with more of a small town feel.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Try CaribouThey would never hear of a Lowe's, Home Depot or a Wallmart being put in thier town!!I hoestly don't know how a Dunkin Donut's got in here! oh I forget for our police they have to have breakfast!!!!

[Audry524]

***sigh***

Anyone else?

[msina]

Try looking outside of the bigger towns. In the Bangor area try the outlying areas, Milford, Hermon, Hudson, Bradley, too many to name. What type of conveniences do you want in the town you live in? what type of population are you looking for? How far from the city would you be willing to live? Are you willing to get involved in civic/community affairs? all things to consider. We decided we didn't mind being "a drive" away from Bangor in consideration of a smaller population, but we did want some things available. We found a nice house on a side street in the middle of a small town. The drugstore, library and several small stores are in walking distance, but groceries, etc. require a trip. Very little traffic, and a good sized yard were big pluses as was a good straight road "inta town". On the downside, you may have to travel a piece to work depending on your proffesion and such.

[msina]

Oh Yeah,... lol no Dunkin Donuts, Macdonalds or (heaven forbid) Starbucks,up theyah either,.. not a thing I'd miss anyway.

[MRVphotog]

Standish is still pretty unchanged and a nice place to live. Gorham is really starting to grow and getting busy.

My place is 5m from US1 but has little effect from being that close to US! and has not really grown at all.

Rockland has really exploded with the big box stores just in the last couple of years. I still think there are many places along the coast, especially mid-coast and downeast, that are still small and laid back.

[corgis]

take a look at Eastport. No big box stores, just a local IGA, good restraunts, lovely scenery, on an island in Northern Maine.

[ruthere04976]

If you want small town, try Belfast. They won't allow Walmart in. Heck, you literally can't buy underwear in that town lol. The only place to buy clothes are gift shops, Reny's, some dollar type store and the local Goodwill. It has a Hannaford's grocery store, VIP Tire and repair, McDonalds (all on one strip), but no Home Depot, Walmart or Lowe's....

My favorite area is around Waterville. Waterville has all the "box stores", but all around it are small towns. I live 10 from everything but get my coffee at the local mom and pop store where they call me by name, know almost all of the parents at my kids' schools, can ride my bike safely all over town and yet have a 10 minute commute to my college. It is really a nice area and not as expensive to live in as Ptld or Bangor areas. Housing is much more affordable.

Albion and Unity are also very nice small towns with hard working farmers and white collar professionals alike. The elementary school in Albion is fantastic because of these hardworking folks and their ethics. Unity is big on history and has a lot of old homes and a very quaint downtown.

I hope this helps.

[mollysmiles]

Chin up Audrey! There are still plently of places here that have what you're looking for...try making a little list of what you're looking for, including what you need to do for work, and maybe we can help point out some areas. I think you've got some good suggestions here all ready too!

[Elcarim]

Originally Posted by ruthere04976

If you want small town, try Belfast. They won't allow Walmart in. Heck, you literally can't buy underwear in that town lol. The only place to buy clothes are gift shops, Reny's, some dollar type store and the local Goodwill. It has a Hannaford's grocery store, VIP Tire and repair, McDonalds (all on one strip), but no Home Depot, Walmart or Lowe's....

My favorite area is around Waterville. Waterville has all the "box stores", but all around it are small towns. I live 10 from everything but get my coffee at the local mom and pop store where they call me by name, know almost all of the parents at my kids' schools, can ride my bike safely all over town and yet have a 10 minute commute to my college. It is really a nice area and not as expensive to live in as Ptld or Bangor areas. Housing is much more affordable.

Albion and Unity are also very nice small towns with hard working farmers and white collar professionals alike. The elementary school in Albion is fantastic because of these hardworking folks and their ethics. Unity is big on history and has a lot of old homes and a very quaint downtown.

I hope this helps.

I actually think that Belfast is working on a deal with Walmart now, according to the Republican newspaper. Did I misunderstand?