New Yorker thinking about moving to Maine. (Portland, Lewiston: high school, college)

[Lux]

[SIZE=3]Can someone tell me where I can find African American communities in Maine? I’m taking a trip to Maine in Nov and would like to know the main spots before going. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]I lived in NYC all my life, Queens to be exact. I love NYC but I gotta go. I’m looking for a place where the standard of living is low and where u don’t have to stand on line for EVERY little thing. Lol Must have high speed internet and good response for my cell phone. I have an online business so that is important. Here’s the biggie...ready…must be on a bus line.. Is that possible? I have a car but I am use to being near buses and trains and may not be able to adapt if I don’t hear a bus sound may never use it (as I don’t here) just need to know it is out there in case I do. Are there any taxis service in Maine? If so, is it costly? [/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]I heard Maine is a wonderful and peaceful place to live… That’s what I’m looking for a place where I can live peaceful away from rocket prices and low on crime. I’m not looking to change anything about Maine, just myself. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]Can someone help me out here? [/SIZE]

[raygabs]

I hear you on the public transportation thing..it took me a looong time to get used to the limited buses in Long Island after moving there from Brooklyn. Once I got here to Georgia...my daughter and I took a very long walk to a store and the police stopped us and asked us if we needed help(of course I WAS carrying her and some groceries by that time). I laughed and told him "No thanks.,,.I am just from NY and we walk EVERYWHERE!) I can't answer the Maine question..just wanted to let you know how I "get" your inquiry! Good Luck!

[msina]

Lewiston and Waterville have a larger ratio of African Americans than many places I know of in Maine. Lewiston has a community of Somali refugees which kind of skews the ratio as they are a completely differant culture. College towns have a better ratio. Colby college has a decent community of young people. In my experience, Almost anywhere you go in Maine, you will be welcome. You will meet other African Americans. We lived near Bangor for many years and loved it. We are now in a little town a bit further north and there are a couple of mixed families on our street. We didn't know this until after we got here. We are a mixed up couple my husband is also a bit older than I am. We've always been treated well and fairly. Bangor does have a bus line, but I think once you've driven around a bit, you will love it. Traffic here is NOTHING compared to a city, and things are pretty well marked.

[mollysmiles]

I just have one critical question: are you a Yankees fan?? We are currently not accepting Yankees fans, but if you were to be a Mets fan, or ANY other ball club that would be fine.

LOL
I'm sorry, I couldn't resist!

I think Bangor or Portland would both be nice areas for you, and both areas have public transportation. How far north would you like to go? Do you think Bangor would be too far?

[Lux]

I heard you on Long Island too.. High school kids take school buses to school because of the limited transportation....still the trans in Long Island is better than most places especially if you lived near the Queens border line. The deeper u go in LI the more u move away from transportation.

[Lux]

[SIZE=3]Msina, How far is Bongor from Portland? Driving isn’t a problem from me, I drive everywhere in NYC.. From me it’s knowing I can get around in case my car is in the shop for repairs.. Gotta plan ahead of time. [/SIZE]

“I just have one critical question: are you a Yankees fan?? We are currently not accepting Yankees fans, but if you were to be a Mets fan, or ANY other ball club that would be fine.”

Lol yep… *runnin' behind tree*

I’m not sure how far is Bongor? As long there is a bus line I can hang…

[msina]

Bangor is a coupla hundrd miles north of Portland. It's a whole differant world from Portland. Portland is southern Maine, more like "Northern Massachusetts". Protland is a bigger city and most likely what you are looking for.
http://www.city-data.com/city/Portland-Maine.html
http://www.city-data.com/city/Bangor-Maine.html
Try these links for more info on the differances of the Two places.

[mollysmiles]

well, my uncle moved back to my hometown after living in NYC for 28 years....he wears his Yankees hat and jacket in Wal-Mart and no one has hurt him yet....so you're probably safe (I've even hugged him while he has it on, but shhhh...don't tell anyone!)

Bangor is about 2 hours north of Portland, centrally located in the state. Portland is about an hour (a little less?) from the Maine-New Hampshire border. There is some great information on this forum, and reading through some of the threads, along with looking things up online, will really give you a sense of the areas. Then when you come up in November you can spend some time visiting your "target" areas.

[mollysmiles]

oh you're so good msina!!

(I'd rep you but have to spread some around....again!)

[ADSLubec]

Originally Posted by mollysmiles

I just have one critical question: are you a Yankees fan?? We are currently not accepting Yankees fans, but if you were to be a Mets fan, or ANY other ball club that would be fine.

That is an excellent policy. We have instituted it in our offices hiring practices as well.