Are there really people who never ventured out of state? (Portland: college, living in)

[maineguy8888]

Originally Posted by kellysmith

I know one farmer in Houlton who has not traveled beyond where he can see his farm for over 40 years. He's in his 70's so I don't know about the first 30 years of his life, but he doesn't even go to town. There is a phobia some people have and this guy has it and is perfectly content as long as he can see his own farm. He hasn't traveled more than a mile from it over that time.

Wow, that is definitely to the extreme. Sounds like some mental health issues going on.

[slyfox2]

Originally Posted by AtkinsonDan

When I lived in Hancock county and had a job in Bar Harbor, I worked with an older guy who only left Mount Desert Island once every 10 years or so.

I can understand that. There is a fear that, like Brigadoon, it will disappear overnight if we leave.

[American girl]

Folks should do/live/eat/work/play in ways and places that make them happy and comfortable. I've known people who had never travelled outside Maine or even their county. I've found them delightful in every way.

[Nor'Eastah]

I'm wondering if this could be a French trait? I know there are many up in the County.

My wife was born in Fall River, MA. Back when her mom was alive, she'd comment on which neighbors of hers (all French) had never left Fall River. There were quite a few. Then I remember the town of Woonsocket, RI, where my work sometimes took me. A lot of French live there, all Canadian-derived. I recall that many of then had not ventured beyond the town limits of Woonsocket, in quite a while.

A Frenchman who lived in Providence (dragged there from Fall River by his Fall River-born French wife) was once required to fly out to California for work training. It nearly killed him, and he never left again!

[maineguy8888]

Actually, almost all Valley French people have been out of Maine. Almost all have been to Connecticut, due to the massive number of them who have either worked there or had family members live there. That's for starters. 90% go to Canada on a very regular basis, or have lived there.

[jeremywolf81]

Never been out of Maine? Maybe not, but plenty of people from "real Maine" (as some like to call it... North of Augusta parts of Maine) rarely if ever go far. My family is from Washington County and it's pulling teeth to even get them to come visit me down here in the Portland region. It's a huge scary metropolis to them; I mean Bangor is the "big city" to them, a special once every few months trip for something big (buying a car, Christmas shopping, etc). I finally, after being down here for years, got my parents to come stay for a few days and they were scared to death driving on the Turnpike or in Portland area traffic.

[IHeartMaine]

Originally Posted by American girl

Folks should do/live/eat/work/play in ways and places that make them happy and comfortable. I've known people who had never travelled outside Maine or even their county. I've found them delightful in every way.

+++

Exactly. Who are we to judge them? I actually admire people that are totally content with their locale and don't feel the need to leave it. I find myself being more of a "homebody" as I get older........but I also don't feel a longing to be around people.....especially large crowds. And the way the world is evolving.......I'm very happy on my 63 acre "slice of heaven" most of the time.

[IHeartMaine]

Originally Posted by jeremywolf81

Never been out of Maine? Maybe not, but plenty of people from "real Maine" (as some like to call it... North of Augusta parts of Maine) rarely if ever go far. My family is from Washington County and it's pulling teeth to even get them to come visit me down here in the Portland region. It's a huge scary metropolis to them; I mean Bangor is the "big city" to them, a special once every few months trip for something big (buying a car, Christmas shopping, etc). I finally, after being down here for years, got my parents to come stay for a few days and they were scared to death driving on the Turnpike or in Portland area traffic.

Or they really don't want the hassle of dealing with traffic and people. Who can blame them?

[jeremywolf81]

Originally Posted by IHeartMaine

Or they really don't want the hassle of dealing with traffic and people. Who can blame them?

Nope they're just scared. There are so many misconceptions about other places up there; a lot of times reinforced by the older generations. "Oh you go to Portland/Boston/New York you'll get mugged or your car will be stolen."

[American girl]

Originally Posted by jeremywolf81

Nope they're just scared. There are so many misconceptions about other places up there; a lot of times reinforced by the older generations. "Oh you go to Portland/Boston/New York you'll get mugged or your car will be stolen."

On the flip side I've been asked, or heard comments, by folks who have come to Maine:

How many people are killed by bears in a year?
Will I hit a moose/deer and be killed if I drive to Moosehead?
I'm afraid I won't find inside plumbing up North.
I'm afraid to drive on roads without street lights.
I wouldn't have come if I'd know there wasn't wifi everywhere!
My kids have to have cable tv, you don't have cable tv?
Why is it so dark here? It's not dark like this at home? It's really creepy.
Lobsters at home don't have green stuff in them. Will I get sick.
I couldn't come in the winter, I'd be afraid I'd freeze to death.

Kinda funny