Relocating to Maine from Texas

[Mark S.]

Ah. Well, if you're in Dallas then even Portland (Maine's largest city) is going to feel small to you. You could fit every major city in Maine (Portland, Bangor, Augusta, Auburn, Lewiston) into the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and still have room left over.

Bangor has a population of about 33,000. Lubbock (which is a small Texas city; tiny compared to Dallas!) has a population of 236,000 people.

To me, Bangor "feels" bigger than it really is because it's so spread out. But as cities go, Bangor is actually pretty small.

[mnew2010]

I keep getting more and more excited about the move to Maine!!! Is there anything else that you all feel that I may need to know before this big move?

[AustinB]

Originally Posted by mnew2010

There is a house that I am looking at currently that is between Bangor and Ellsworth. We are wanting the smaller cities since we are coming from Dallas we want more family oriented.

That's a very nice area.

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by mnew2010

Is there anything else that you all feel that I may need to know before this big move?

If you're going to move before the snow starts falling, you better hurry. Seriously though, Autumn seems to be starting 3-4 weeks early this year, which makes me wonder if winter is going to do the same.

Tornadoes are not unheard of in Maine, but they are very, VERY rare. But there will be more power outages than you're probably used to. If you can find a house with a heat source or a backup that doesn't rely on electricity, you'll thank yourself later. Power is rarely out for more than several hours, but in particularly bad storms (especially ice storms) it can be out for days. I find snow storms more fun than pain. But ice storms ...

Mainers are going to tell you how delicious whoopie pies are. Don't believe them. I'm still convinced it's a trick they're trying to play on the rest of the world.

If you want a fancy lobster meal, there are plenty to choose from. But honestly, if you just want the lobster to taste good and don't care about the atmosphere, most roadside stands have far better food than the fancy schmancy places.

Bangor has some great summer concerts.

Despite what Boston folks believe, you'll find much better donuts and coffee at the mom and pop stores than at Dunkin. If you pass through the Topsham area, be sure to stop at Rocky Ridge Orchard for the best pumpkin donuts on planet Earth. I heard that Maine has more UFO sightings than any other state in the U.S. I'm convinced it's because the donuts at Rocky Ridge have an intergalactic reputation. They're that good.

[mnew2010]

We are hoping to make the move soon but we have to wait on the relocation department for my husbands work. THAT IS THE WORST PART...... Do any of you know the job market for teaching?

[Luvlylilac]

I am hoping my family will be relocating to Maine someday soon as well. We are trying! I am currently in California but lived 5 years in Texas. Just curious where in Texas you are coming from?

[mnew2010]

We are coming from an city outside of Dallas, Garland.

[RiverBird]

Originally Posted by Mark S.

If you're going to move before the snow starts falling, you better hurry. Seriously though, Autumn seems to be starting 3-4 weeks early this year, which makes me wonder if winter is going to do the same.

The Farmers' Almanac says U.S. Zone 1, which is the Northeast, is expected to get a good amount of snow in early Nov. (unusual) and again in early Dec., with cold periods at those same times. If moving this year, I'd move quickly. I once moved in the dead of winter and it was no fun, even if you have professional movers.

If you're ordering furnace oil and hope for an annual plan pay-by-month, that's also a consideration (to avoid the highest prices). Plus you'd want to get the kids situated in school asap.

[RiverBird]

Originally Posted by mnew2010

We are hoping to make the move soon but we have to wait on the relocation department for my husbands work. THAT IS THE WORST PART...... Do any of you know the job market for teaching?

I don't know, but you can start subbing just about in any school district, on a per diem basis.

[PAhippo]

Originally Posted by mnew2010

I keep getting more and more excited about the move to Maine!!! Is there anything else that you all feel that I may need to know before this big move?

Don't eat wrinkles. Don't even try.

(They're a shell fish of some kind. Comparable to a curly piece of rubber)