Southern / Mid Coast Maine? Freeport- Brunswick? (Portland, Lewiston: best town, real estate, 2011)

[goosie443]

Hi- I guess I'm asking about southern Maine elementary schools/childcare ?
We are moving to Maine a.s.a.p- we are looking in the area of Freeport - Brunswick, Pownal, Durham, Bath? We like rural living with about a 10 min. drive to a hub(ie Brunswick or Freeport). We are just trying to find out opinions of the schools in the named towns. ANy feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

[Unhappycamper]

I live in Durham now and i are an produkt of durham skooling and i dun good. But really the schools here are excellent and depending where you live in town it can be a short drive to Brunswick, Auburn, Lewiston, Lisbon or Freeport. Most Durham students go to Brunswick High School because the town will provide transportation to the school. Though with the whole school consolidation thing Durham might be teaming up with Pownal and Freeport, thus sending them all to Freeport High School (which is good too, I had alot of friends that went there.) Pownal already goes to Freeport.

[goosie443]

Thanks so much for the information. What are your thoughts on the Brunswick Elementary Schools? Do you know if they are as good as Durham?
We were looking into Pownal however there didn't seem to be much in the way of housing in our price range.

[Audry524]

If you go to greatschools.com you can get all sorts of info regarding schools in specific towns.

Also you mentioned you liked rural living. Just an FYI, the main roads in Brunswick are pretty congested and lean towards urban to me. But that's just my opinion

Best of luck!

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by goosie443

Thanks so much for the information. What are your thoughts on the Brunswick Elementary Schools? Do you know if they are as good as Durham?
We were looking into Pownal however there didn't seem to be much in the way of housing in our price range.

I don't know anything about Durham schools. Sorry.

My kids go to Brunswick schools. The elementary schools are great. Good teachers and lots for the kids to do. (My 3rd and 5th grader are learning Japanese after school once a week.)

Brunswick junior high is okay. I've got no major complaints, but I think it's on the verge of becoming over-crowded.

I've heard very good things about the Freeport and Topsham schools, but I have no firsthand experience. I know that the Topsham high school generally has a better reputation than Brunswick, not so much in terms of quality education, but simply because Brunswick high school is so big. Lots and lots of students.

Keep in mind that all of this is probably going to change in the next few years.

First of all, it looks like the elementary schools are going to consolidate in Brunswick.

Secondly, with the base closing in 2011, overcrowding may no longer an issue. Don't get me wrong. Brunsiwck isn't going to empty out, but the population will take a hit.

As far as other nearby areas, I've heard mixed things about Bath and Lisbon Falls. Lisbon in particular has a bad rep among some folks, but I've had others tell me that the bad rep is undeserved.

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by Audry524

Also you mentioned you liked rural living. Just an FYI, the main roads in Brunswick are pretty congested and lean towards urban to me. But that's just my opinion

I wouldn't say "urban." It's nothing like Boston or even Portland. But Maine Street, Pleasant Street, Bath Road, and the streets round Cook's Corner definitely have traffic problems. Especially during summer or the air show. In fact, just plan on staying home during the air show.

If you need to shop downtown, the best thing to do is park and walk. Downtown really isn't that big. You can walk from Topsham Bridge to Bowdoin College in 10 minutes with no problem.

[goosie443]

Great!- this is exactly the kind of feedback I am looking for. Honest first hand experience from those who live in the area. Like I mentioned my husband and family are moving our 3 children to the area. He will be working in Harpswell and I will hopefully be working in Freeport- retail field. We could be looking at moving quickly depending on the right job opportunity. I have visited the area but am still trying to figure out the best town to raise our kids in as far as schools!!
Good point made about the base closing and decreasing student flow in Brunswick. We like to live out of the center, but still be able to enjoy what the downtown has to offer. I love the skating rink on the common! We visited recently and saw so many families enjoying it! Exactly the type of enviorment I'd like to raise our boys in-- community family oriented, yet able to enjoy privacy around our home.
I am still wondering if anyone has any experience with the Durham schools.
Thanks again all!

Thank you everyone for your input! We are so excited about moving! We love Maine and have enjoyed it for years!

[goosie443]

I have checked the site "greatschools" the scoring of the schools is helpful but it's nice to hear what people who have experience there think. Thanks for the info.

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by goosie443

He will be working in Harpswell and I will hopefully be working in Freeport- retail field.

Harpswell is nice, too. They have their own elementary school, but junior high and high school kids bus into town. Real estate is definitely pricier out on Harpswell though, and folks out there tend to stay well stocked on candles and lanterns. Any big storm moves through, and Harpswell folks can count on losing their power.

Originally Posted by goosie443

I love the skating rink on the common! We visited recently and saw so many families enjoying it!

It's great. After you get frozen skating, head over to the Little Dog cafe for the best coffee in town. It's right next door to the Red Dragon, a really neat toy store that our kids love.

Bad news though. With this cursed warm front that moved in the other day, the rink downtown is melting. I saw more grass than ice when I drove past it a day or two ago.

Cold weather in the forecast though!

[goosie443]

We've been to the Little Dog cafe! Great coffee!
We think we'll be renting a house in the area for a year or so(we want to not rush into purchasing a house). Any thoughts on rentals in the area? Also, we'll definately need daycare. Are there any good daycares that anyone has had experience with?