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Old 04-06-2014, 10:52 PM
 
Location: Western Maine
20 posts, read 24,490 times
Reputation: 80

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Hi All,

Am writing as my husband is a native to the western mountains, and we're set to move back within the year. I'm "from away" but have always loved the wild places, and am eager to feed myself (at minimum) off the land. Other than that however what should I expect? How do I make a living, etc?

We'll be in Farmington-Strong-Avon area, so I'm hoping for good pasture enough to feed some livestock and grow a few veggies. But my education was in marketing/journalism, so I don't know how to turn that into an off-homestead wage. Do I need to pick up new skills to pay my own living? If so, what are they? I've looked at job listings and they're all in healthcare or behavioral health.... is that all there's a demand for?

Thanks in advance - !
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Old 04-07-2014, 05:56 AM
 
1,250 posts, read 2,158,989 times
Reputation: 2567
Wait, what? Not understanding your first paragraph -- your husband is native to the western mountains of MAINE? Or what?

Most people in Maine that I know live off the land to some extent. It never hurts to pick up new skills. That goes for Maine or anywhere.
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Old 04-07-2014, 08:25 AM
 
Location: Western Maine
20 posts, read 24,490 times
Reputation: 80
Birdinmigration, sorry about that - yes, native to western Maine, Rangeley area specifically.

The more I read the more it looks like many Mainers pay themselves - i.e. are sole proprietors. That generally true?
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Old 04-07-2014, 10:16 AM
 
Location: Northern Maine
10,428 posts, read 18,691,590 times
Reputation: 11563
Yes. That is the single largest occupational group after health care and teachers.
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Old 04-07-2014, 01:26 PM
 
Location: Western Maine
20 posts, read 24,490 times
Reputation: 80
So - you're either fixing Mainers' health, fixing their minds, or teaching the next generation enough to move out and find jobs elsewhere. Meanwhile land is the only other big thing going and it's nigh impossible to get the permits. Good lord. If it wasn't for the family biz I think we'd do better to go next door to NH.
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Old 04-07-2014, 03:41 PM
 
Location: Maine
6,631 posts, read 13,547,807 times
Reputation: 7381
What permits are you trying to get?
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Old 04-07-2014, 05:03 PM
 
Location: Western Maine
20 posts, read 24,490 times
Reputation: 80
Not me, my husband and his father. They ultimately got it, but it took months of hearings and lawyer involvement - something many simply can't afford.
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Old 04-17-2014, 07:47 AM
 
Location: Northern Maine
10,428 posts, read 18,691,590 times
Reputation: 11563
There are places in Maine with freedom. They have no building codes and you can build what you want where you want it except for the state shoreland zoning areas. If you want a straw bale house with passive solar, you can build it. (The mice will love you for it.)

Then there are towns with oppressive comprehensive plans and multiple zones. If you like condominium living where many other people control what you can do, those towns are for you. Talk to somebody who knows. It is very sad when you can't do what your neighbor did because you are on the other side of an invisible line you did not know existed until after you bought the property.

There is freedom in Maine. You just need to ask where it is.
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Old 04-17-2014, 06:28 PM
 
Location: Forests of Maine
37,472 posts, read 61,423,512 times
Reputation: 30439
Maine has growing sub-culture of off-grid, organic, sustainable lifestyles folk.

They tend to be poor as church mice, but happy



I have no idea of of what a 'good' career field would be here. I can here on pension.



What kinds of permits are you trying to get?
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Old 04-25-2014, 11:05 AM
 
Location: Peru, Maine
304 posts, read 397,490 times
Reputation: 334
Default "There is Freedom in Maine"...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man View Post
There are places in Maine with freedom. They have no building codes and you can build what you want where you want it except for the state shoreland zoning areas. If you want a straw bale house with passive solar, you can build it. (The mice will love you for it.)

Then there are towns with oppressive comprehensive plans and multiple zones. If you like condominium living where many other people control what you can do, those towns are for you. Talk to somebody who knows. It is very sad when you can't do what your neighbor did because you are on the other side of an invisible line you did not know existed until after you bought the property.

There is freedom in Maine. You just need to ask where it is.
Hi Northern Maine Land Man,

Soooo, WHERE is the most/best Freedom in Maine, anyway?

I'm formally asking, seriously!

BTW-I've just GOT to meet you someday, Sir!
You sound like 'my kind of guy'!

May I ask, where in Maine do you Live? What town?
(You could PM me if you don't want The World to know, your secret location)!

Thank You!

CTwoodnutt
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