Belfast Anyone? (wages, to live in, move)

[grimstuff]

Maine natives. They are insular and inbred. Everyone is related to everyone, and they hire among their own unless that is absolutely impossible. When that's the case, you can be sure the job is utterly thankless in every possible way. Don't be taken in by the pleasantness of people who are taking your money when you're a tourist. They want you to leave that money and go home.

Wow. I would hate to see the world through your eyes. Truly pitiful.

[moughie]

Alexia, why are you and your husband still in Maine?
Take your losses and leave. No one is forcing you to stay.

Your experience was highly personal- everyone will have their own experiences. Some people may or may not agree with you on some of your points. Too bad you are so bitter. Perhaps next time you may want to reconsider sharing your highly personal and judgemental observations with the entire forum and opt for the direct dm route instead. I believe your comments did insult many of us regular participants.

[Elcarim]

I was just going to keep my mouth shut! I'm sorry for the illness you/DH has experienced. Too bad that those things would have happened nomatter where in the country you had chosen to live. When bad things happen to good people, it's often very difficult to continue seeing the beautiful forest for all the pesky trees that tend to get in the way.

I hope your future is better than your recent past!

[Alexia319]

You have had one experience, I've had another. I know countless people who have had the same experience I and my husband have had. I can back up every single thing I have said with very specific facts. I can point you, for instance, to the Maine Sex Offenders Registry. Some of these people are employed at places where I have been turned down repeatedly (not even called) for a job. I invite you to go there and check it out. They're somebody's brother, uncle, cousin, hunting pal, drinking buddy.

Every single "outsider" I met when we first moved here is now gone, with only two exceptions - and those two people (families, actually) declared bankruptcy in Maine and now don't have enough money to pay the moving expenses to go home. These are, in every instance, professional people with successful careers prior to moving to Maine. Yes, they brought their "outsider" ideas with them. They don't hunt, they don't like NASCAR, they don't worship George Bush, they aren't interested in girls' basketball. They dared to try to be themselves here, as they have been able to be in other places, not realizing until too late that there is no acceptance here for anyone who doesn't have the characteristics of a native. I actually grew up in a place where it was ok to think whatever you thought, even if it was different. And you could actually express your ideas to other people without being shunned. You said it yourself:

"Neither of us are from here originally. If somebody is willing to live in Maine and not try to drag their "baggage" and old way of life with them, you can be as accepted as somebody who was born here. If you try to jam your ideas of how things are "supposed to work in the real world" down their necks, you will never be accepted. "

Don't go bringing your ideas about anything with you, because we don't want no ideas here except our own. You made my point for me. Thanks.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by Alexia319

They don't hunt, they don't like NASCAR, they don't worship George Bush, they aren't interested in girls' basketball. They dared to try to be themselves here, as they have been able to be in other places, not realizing until too late that there is no acceptance here for anyone who doesn't have the characteristics of a native.

I haven't hunted in years, I cannot stand NASCAR (and don't know a soul who is a loyal follower up here actually), Don't like Bush either, Wouldn't walk across the street to watch either boys or girls basketball. I am just as much myself here as any other state I have lived in, no problems. My family is as accepted as those who were born in this area.

I actually grew up in a place where it was ok to think whatever you thought, even if it was different. And you could actually express your ideas to other people without being shunned.

I still do, and am not "shunned". It is HOW you present yourself, not that I would expect you to grasp that concept really.

You said it yourself:

"Neither of us are from here originally. If somebody is willing to live in Maine and not try to drag their "baggage" and old way of life with them, you can be as accepted as somebody who was born here. If you try to jam your ideas of how things are "supposed to work in the real world" down their necks, you will never be accepted. "

Don't go bringing your ideas about anything with you, because we don't want no ideas here except our own. You made my point for me. Thanks.

Did you really read what I said? I think not, either that or you didn't understand what I was saying. Let me clarify. I said "if you try to jam your ideas down their necks", not if you bring them up. I have different views than how things have been done here, but I don't approach it as their way is stupid, or unskilled, or un"citified". Do that anyplace and you will be treated the same way as you get here. Don't try to spin my statements into something that was not intended or implied.

[Mudflaps]

My wife and I moved to the Belfast area about 2 years ago from Boston. I freelanced from our house for the first year. Once I started looking around, there wasn't a huge number of jobs available but I did manage to get a job working for a local newspaper, and presently working for a convention display company. More art production than actual "design" but it's a job. A big trade off is the rate of pay in Maine. Extremely low by any means but you make up for it with the quality-of-life found here in Maine. I have not found too many musicians in my circle as of yet, but we have 2 kids and are stretched for time as it is. I am constantly looking at "jobsinmaine.com" or "mesda.com" for jobs or freelance gigs. These are good places to look.

Good luck!

[strichmo]

and I've only been here about six weeks and I've been faced with a lot of pretty dire situations since I've been here as those who've read my other threads well know. I grew up with the stereotype of the crusty, vaguely rude, always cold New Englander. I've never found much truth at all to that stereotype, least of all among the lovely Mainers I've met. Having just moved from arid Arizona (in so many ways!) I'm here to tell you that Maine people care; it was considerably less so in AZ.

I'm very sorry for the unpleasant experiences others here may have had, but Maine is a beautiful state in so many ways, not the least the souls of her gentle, gracious people. Not all of them and not all the time, but far and awy, by and large.

Stephen

[Bewitched]

Nicely said, Stephen

Alexia...

It's too bad you've had such a negative experience here in Maine.
But, if your conduct here is indicative of your demeanor, I'm not surprised.

Most people, when describing a situation or experience, are able to acknowledge both the negative AND the positive aspects of said situation...even if for no other reason than to lend balanced insight and credibility to their beliefs and opinions.
You have only conveyed self-pity, bitterness and incredibly flagrant generalizations.

Your post begs these questions:
BEFORE you moved...
Did you and/or your husband bother to research and crunch the numbers, compare household costs, utilities, insurances, and taxes, etc?

Did you spend time here during different seasons, or visit more than a couple of times... for periods longer than a week's getaway?

Did you research physicians, hospital services, veterinarians (if needed), pharmacies, emergency response services, etc in the area?

Did either of you look into the employment arena or check the labor market trends...to see availability and demand of positions in your profession, or average Maine wages for that profession? Did you research average/typical benefits (and cost) offered by employers in your field? Did you contact any temp agencies to see what type of jobs were available short term, in case it takes time to establish employment in your chosen field?

Did you research or contact the department of transportation (for your area) to inquire how often they care for the roads during inclement weather, or their materials, methods and equipment used?

If you have children, or plan on having them in the future....did you check out the school systems, availability of bus transportation, extra-curricular activities, and any services offered should you have a special needs child, or even what sports or recreational activites would be available to your children?

I could go on....but you get the picture.

If you took the leap without educating yourselves on all aspects of Maine, or thought that all would be champagne and roses.....welcome to reality.

It has been said here many times...Maine is not for everyone.

My fiance and I researched everything I mentioned above, and then some. We had a very clear picture, and plan, before we ever set foot in Maine as residents.

It's just simple self-preservation skills.

Belfast is a great little town, and Maine can be a life-long, awesome adventure .....IF do your homework first.

[quote] "My conscience would bother me if I didn't respond on this thread, although I almost let it pass" [quote]

The way I see it, your conscience *should* bother you...because of the way you DID respond.

[strichmo]

While I certainly echo the comments of my friend Bewitched and the others above, I really do feel bad that Alexia's had such a bad time of it. Maybe someday she'll be able to give Maine another chance. I know it's worth at least one more time.

I hope Alexia can find her heart again in all that negativity.

Stephen

[Maine Writer]

I always wonder why people who are so bitter inflict themselves on other people. And why they don't do something about the problem, let go of their anger and be happy. And being kind of nosy, I wonder what they've said and done to make everyone in their circle dislike them. A reality in life - when it's everyone else who has a problem, it's really you.