Renting with dogs (Portland, Brunswick, Scarborough: home, neighborhoods, tax rates)

[Jpurvis]

I think you found your piece of "heaven" Bewitched. Sounds like a great place to be. Snow and all.

[Bewitched]

Originally Posted by Jpurvis

I think you found your piece of "heaven" Bewitched. Sounds like a great place to be. Snow and all.

Yes, it's beautiful, affordable and pet and crunchy-chick friendly
We'll be looking to buy in the next year or two, and plan on moving farther north, and closer to the coast.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by Petertherock

Because no one in there right mind wants to live in an area where it's winter almost 12 months of the year. I can't even take the 6-7 months of winter we get in Portland.

Spoken like a true ... wait I can't say that here. 6-7 months of winter in Portland? LOL that is a good one, have you heard the one about the Nun, Truck Driver and Hooker that walk into a bar...

Lets look at this realistically. What would be considered winter should be the first question.

American Heritage Dictionary

win·ter (wĭn'tər) Pronunciation Key
n.

1. The usually coldest season of the year, occurring between autumn and spring, extending in the Northern Hemisphere from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox, and popularly considered to be constituted by December, January, and February.
2. A year as expressed through the recurrence of the winter season.
3. A period of time characterized by coldness, misery, barrenness, or death.

Second question would have to be: What portion of the year fits this description?

I'll go out on a limb and say it is the 1st definition we are looking at for what winter is. More importantly most people who live in the Northern climates consider snow to thaw as being "winter" If that is the case Aroostook County doesn't get 6 or 7 months of winter. Snow generally mid-November - Thaw generally Early to mid April. That is how much? Maybe 5 months tops. If you go by "cold" that is fairly subjective unit of measurement so I'll give you the 6 month figure for up here. Portland about a month to month and a half less any given year. From mid April to late September are very warm days followed by pleasant evenings. If that is your idea of winter, I'll take it. Lets see that is about 5 1/2 months... longer than winter.


Don't like it, pack it up and go someplace where you can complain about the 12 months of sweltering heat.

As for severe winters, there are LOTS of other places in the country that would laugh at you if you said we had real severe winters, even in "The County." Cast your eyes West young people and check out the winters most of the North-central states endure. I'll take a Maine winter ANY day over a Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, or UP of Michigan winter.

[Elcarim]

Maybe a trip to Texas where it's SUMMER for 10 months out of the year is in order!

[starwalker]

Originally Posted by corgis

LOL! - I thought bewitched meant Boyden Lake in Perry.

If I were to rent my house out for the winter, fully furnished, I'd allow dogs ( I have 3 Welsh Corgis) and I'd allow children, friends, guests, etc. I'd probably charge $500. a month plus utilities. It's in the middle of town within walking distance of the grocery store, doctors, clinic, restaurants and good neighbors.

and if I were looking for a place to rent for the winter, I would surely bite on that... it's $200 less than what I have to give down here in NC. But I am not looking for "fully furnished"....

4 walls, roof (preferably non-leaking, unlike the one I have now...), heat, water... and ability to get to whatever job I manage to find...

[lovemaine]

Originally Posted by Bewitched

Thank you for sharing that information, lovemaine..
That was nice of you

You're very welcome! I've also found pet-friendly rentals on Craigslist. We have 2 dogs and 2 cats, so finding a rental that allows pets is a must. I didn't want to have to have to buy a house again right away since I want us to get familiar with the area first. We've made 2 long-distance moves, and even though moving with our furry friends made it much more difficult, I would never dream of leaving them behind. Here I go rambling again! Hope you're enjoying the snow!

[mollysmiles]

Originally Posted by Parrotpaul

Trust me, I know what is in Maine, and I know what isn't in Maine. I lived there from 1943 until 1998. I know all about Maine.

I don't think you do....I think you grew up in Bath and lived in southern Maine....Maine is HUGE....you said in another post something about not liking anything north of Augusta....and you complained about having to get the paper in North Saco.....being that 90% of Maine is rural, and you don't like rural....

no, honey, you don't know Maine....you know SOUTHERN MAINE....there's a h*ll of a lot more to this state.

Furthermore, while I'm happy that you enjoy your life in California, and I really am.....this is a Maine forum....we're hearing a lot about California from you....do you think you could change that up just a little????

[Parrotpaul]

Originally Posted by mollysmiles

I don't think you do....I think you grew up in Bath and lived in southern Maine....Maine is HUGE....you said in another post something about not liking anything north of Augusta....and you complained about having to get the paper in North Saco.....being that 90% of Maine is rural, and you don't like rural....

no, honey, you don't know Maine....you know SOUTHERN MAINE....there's a h*ll of a lot more to this state.

Furthermore, while I'm happy that you enjoy your life in California, and I really am.....this is a Maine forum....we're hearing a lot about California from you....do you think you could change that up just a little????

Mollie, I really didn't know I had to march to your drum.

I was under the impression this is a public bulletin board, but it does seem like there is a small group who seems to think they control the board.

You have separated the state into your area and the southern part. The southern part of the state is as valid as is your part. You just have to be a little less ethocentric and defensive. I have no problem if you choose not to read my posts. That's on you, but I didn't think I had to clear content with you.

[mollysmiles]

Originally Posted by Parrotpaul

Mollie, I really didn't know I had to march to your drum.

I was under the impression this is a public bulletin board, but it does seem like there is a small group who seems to think they control the board.

You have separated the state into your area and the southern part. The southern part of the state is as valid as is your part. You just have to be a little less ethocentric and defensive. I have no problem if you choose not to read my posts. That's on you, but I didn't think I had to clear content with you.

right....from your posts you are talking to me about "ethnocentric"....I'm not defensive at all. I'm sorry you got that impression, it's far from the truth. I have no reason to be. It is a public board, certainly, but if you read through your posts friend, you will find that many contain comments unfavorable to the northern area of Maine. "Control" is not an issue here, so I'm not sure why that even came to your mind. What an odd little thing to say.

PS you spelled my name wrong---another odd thing. teacher???

[Parrotpaul]

Originally Posted by mollysmiles

right....from your posts you are talking to me about "ethnocentric"....I'm not defensive at all. I'm sorry you got that impression, it's far from the truth. I have no reason to be. It is a public board, certainly, but if you read through your posts friend, you will find that many contain comments unfavorable to the northern area of Maine. "Control" is not an issue here, so I'm not sure why that even came to your mind. What an odd little thing to say.

PS you spelled my name wrong---another odd thing. teacher???

Not defensive...OK. Is there anything else you can find to pick apart? Northern Maine is what it is, and it isn't everyone's cup of tea. You love it, and that's fine. Are your comments about southern Maine any less unfavorable than what you contend of my comments...whatever they were? Pot meet kettle.

If control isn't an issue, what in the world is your "teacher" comment all about? Now that's just petty.