Moving to Maine need help! (Portland, Bangor: how much, elementary school, property taxes)

[Zymer]

Originally Posted by bar777

can anyone advise on the areas north of bangor? say, between bangor and houlton?

thanks.

What sort of advice did you have in mind? What are you looking for?

[Acadianlion]

Originally Posted by kargo

Thanks for all of your comments, very helpful. Just to clarify a few things: our jobs are fixed in Bangor and Waterville, so we are looking for a place somewhere in between that is relatively larger..er in comparison to other towns. We could even live closer to Bangor than Waterville. I guess we will look at Newport, maybe Hamden? Other suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks again!

Hamden is a lovely town. I think it a good choice for you. Quite a bit of new homes and development has been done through that area, and from a commuting and maintenance aspect, it seems like it would be a good "fit" for you.

[Acadianlion]

Originally Posted by bar777

can anyone advise on the areas north of bangor? say, between bangor and houlton?

thanks.

How about, "watch out for moose"?

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by bar777

can anyone advise on the areas north of Bangor? say, between Bangor and houlton?

thanks.

Between Bangor and Houlton?

Nope, never been there.

I believe that area holds the Alton Bog, the only peat bog crossed by a freeway.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by bar777

can anyone advise on the areas north of bangor? say, between bangor and houlton?

thanks.

You are talking a stretch that is 115 miles long. Which end are you looking at? Or more precise, what are you looking for?

[Maine Writer]

Originally Posted by Acadianlion

In my town as in many others, the State of Maine is mandating special programs, special teachers and all too often, special circumstances for children with "special needs". Here in this tiny town, we have two children who are receiving their "special needs" at a residential school out of state. The cost of their education, their room and board, AND the cost of ferrying their parents to that location and paying for their motel accomodations while visiting once a month, are all paid for out of the school budget. Over $100,000 per year is devoted to this, from a school that has fewer than 200 students, and a total school budget of around $3 million.

In the end, does this mean that I think that our children are being disserved by the public schools? Not necessarily, but I wonder what is happening when I see young people working in retail establishments who have NO clue what to do when the simple process of making change isn't clearly instructed by the computer screen.

As far as "what I am doing about it", aside from trying to vote for the return of "intelligence" to education, nothing. I have been there and done THAT. I spent time teaching the educationally and socially disadvantaged in the inner city at the beginning of my career which was interrupted by a foolish and wasteful war; taught college courses to community members and military personnel at the remote location where I was stationed; raised and sent to college (and graduated) my two children. And now I encourage parents to raise theirs and pay attention to them.

I've cut a lot out.

Our tiny town sends out about 100 tax bills a year. Most go to "summer people." We now tuition 11 kids to two high schools and two elementary schools. Until recently we tuitioned a special needs student to a private school. He was driven by a private driver. State subsidy didn't make up an equal percentage of special needs education compared to regular schools. Average tuition between the two high schools: $7000 per student. Tuition and driver for special needs: $60,000.

When a kid can't make change I wonder about the parents. We learn the value of coins and bills and how to make change in first, second and third grades. Where were the parents? Why weren't they bringing this problem to the teacher's attention? Were they working with these children at the kitchen table after school? Maybe they were doing all of these things but surely not all of them or we wouldn't have so many kids like this.

I'm beginning to look forward to the time I cut down on "doing something." We have 14 years in so far between school boards, Century 21 (No Child Left Behind), volunteering, consolidation. We'll put in at least three more years. Our youngest graduates then. Til then, the public's stuck with me scurrying around asking "what are you doing to help?" I keep looking for new ideas.

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by bar777

can anyone advise on the areas north of bangor? say, between bangor and houlton?

thanks.

What specifically did you wish to know?

There are a few towns string along between Bangor and Houlton.

Bangor, Veazie, Orono, Stillwater, Bradley, Old Town, Hudson, Milford, Alton, Argyle, Greenbush, Bradford, LaGrange, Milo, Olamon, Passadumkeag, Howland, Enfield, Medford, Seboeis, Lincoln, Woodville, Mattawamkeag, Medway, Millinocket, Grindstone, Stacyville, Sherman, Crystal, Hersey, Moro, Davidson, Golden Ridge, Patten, Belvedere, Island Falls, Dyer Brook, Oakfield, Smyrna, knowles, Timoney, Ludlow, New Limerick, Houlton.

[elston]

MILO the friendly town; home of our beloved msina!

[K-Luv]

So there is a Subaru line as well ?


starwalker-
The Subaru Forester is one of the best vehicles 0n the market. While the F0rester is still made in Japan, the 0utback and Legacy are made in Indiana and Subaru 0f America is headquartered in Philly. GM als0 0wns 20% 0f the c0mpany. I 0nce 0wned an '81 Subaru and never had a pr0blem 0btaining parts f0r it.

D0n't mind the 0, my "0" butt0n just st0pped w0rking.....

[dmyankee]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

Between Bangor and Houlton?

Nope, never been there.

I believe that area holds the Alton Bog, the only peat bog crossed by a freeway.

The Alton woods holds a big population of atypical bucks!