Orono/Bangor (Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Old Town: house prices, high school, university)

[riley49]

Hi all,
We have been planning a move to the Portland area for a while now, when all of a sudden a really great job opened up in Orono that I could (potentially) get. We are trying to research and do our homework on Orono and Bangor as fast as possible. We visited Portland and the surrounding areas in July and figured out where we wanted to live there including which school to put our 1st grader in. Now we have to start from scratch with Orono/Bangor. Of course, there is no guarantee at all that I will get this job, but there is a chance.

Does anyone have any feedback about the communities of Orono and/or Bangor? Also which schools are the best in your opinion? I saw Bangor H.S. on Newsweek's top highschools list. It was ranked near Cape Elizabeth H.S. I think.

ANY thoughts would be so appreciated!

[Elcarim]

In our research and after visiting the areas you mentioned, I can say that we chose to head more northward in the state to stay away from the more urban lifestyle. When you get up into the Bangor area, you will find cheaper housing and a more relaxed and quieter lifestyle, I think. If you do side by side comparisons of some houses, you will be pleasantly surprised at the savings in Bangor vs. Portland.

Though Bangor is still a "large city" by Maine's standards, I guess, it is considerably smaller than Portland and still has that quaint charm we, personally, are looking for. I know there are some wonderful schools surrounding that entire area, and those who live that way can better advise you there.

Forest lives in Old Town, just north of Bangor, and is very happy with the area. I believe he has a child in HS, as well, if I remember correctly, and can probably advise you on that scene.

Good luck with the job!

[msina]

Bangor is a great area of the State. Orono has a lot to offer with the U.M.O. Campus there. I think you would be surprised at what the Bangor mall area has to offer, while still being able to drive a short distance and be "in the country". Housing costs are much better than the Portland area. There are a lot of outdoor recreational areas within a daytrip area, Hermon Mtn. for skiing, Baxter State Park. If you look around the area, I think you can find something that will work for you. Welcome to the City of Bangor

[DavidoftheNorth]

Orono is cool.

[riley49]

Thank you for your responses. I am looking forward to visiting Orono, Bangor and the other surrounding communities. As you guys have previously mentioned, I AM happy to see that house prices seem to be less than the Portland area!

David of the North,
What is cool about Orono? Is it because it is a college town, which can often have a cool, laid back feeling?

Also, do you know anything about the schools in that area?

[DavidoftheNorth]

Originally Posted by riley49

Thank you for your responses. I am looking forward to visiting Orono, Bangor and the other surrounding communities. As you guys have previously mentioned, I AM happy to see that house prices seem to be less than the Portland area!

David of the North,
What is cool about Orono? Is it because it is a college town, which can often have a cool, laid back feeling?

Also, do you know anything about the schools in that area?

Yes, Orono is "cool" because it is a university town. I can't really speak too much about the schools, but other earlier threads have explored that. Try searching this forum for "Orono schools".

[forest beekeeper]

I am a member of the organic farmer's Market in Orono.

Our youngest son attends high school in Old Town.

We have lived in Maine for two years [this is my third summer, my family's second].

We fit right in and have been enjoying it.

I do not know much about Orono, sorry.

I wish you luck though.