Considering moving to Maine from Michigan...but have some questions... (Portland: sales, real estate)

[Cunning0915]

My boyfriend and I are considering moving to Maine from Michigan so he recently asked me to do a little research. Unfortunately I am finding it a little difficult to find what I am looking for. So I decided what better way to find out then ask the residents themselves.

1) What is the largest city in Maine?
2) What are some of the local newspapers called that might have a webpage where I could search the classifieds for jobs etc...?
3) How are the schools?
4) How is the economy there?

Where I live in Michigan the economy is aweful!! There are no jobs here for people and it is forcing people like my boyfriend and I to move out of here. There are slim to no opportunities for our children to grown and thrive here like they could if perhaps they were living in a better economic state.

Anyways and information that anyone could give would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time,
Sicnerely,
Cunning0915

[secedefrommaine]

I moved from Detroit 8 years ago. I would not consider living anywhere else in the USA. I am fully aware of the economy in Michigan. I can tell you that there are places in Maine with even poorer economies. This is not the type of place that you move for a good job, or low taxes. It has never been a "good" financial move. I moved here to be part of a community. I wanted my children to be a part of the world, and not afraid of it. I moved here because this truly is "how life should be".

[Mainer61]

Hi there, I've lived here my whole life in the area of Camden/Rockland/Thomaston (midcoast). It's always been a nice spot but now is attracting the big box stores..Ugh. We are becoming more like Brunswick. Portland is the largest city with Bangor second. There are jmore ob opportunities in southern Maine than eastern or northern. Check out the Portland Press Herald or the Bangor Daily News for job ads Real estate is slow in this area and the economy is not the greatest right now.

[Bydand]

Portland is the largest, Lewiston is second Bangor is third. population wise Portland is about 61,000; Lewsiton is about 36,000; and Bangor is about 32,000. Don't know what area of Michigan you are coming from, but if it is Detroit, other than costs (much higher here than there) it will seem like the UP everywhere.

I DM'ed you a message about what I have found between Michigan and Maine.

[Acadianlion]

Originally Posted by Bydand

Portland is the largest, Lewiston is second Bangor is third. population wise Portland is about 61,000; Lewsiton is about 36,000; and Bangor is about 32,000. Don't know what area of Michigan you are coming from, but if it is Detroit, other than costs (much higher here than there) it will seem like the UP everywhere.

I DM'ed you a message about what I have found between Michigan and Maine.

Actually, this is not entirely correct. Portland is the largest city in Maine, and Lewiston is the second largest. Bangor is third, followed by Auburn.

As you search for jobs, you should start with Portland, and then look in Lewiston which is right across the river from Auburn. Both Lewiston and Auburn are a reasonable commuting distance into the greater Portland area.

Bangor is the major economic center of eastern Maine, and is the last large city before the Canadian border 110 miles up the Interstate highway.

Your move to Maine will be complicated by what you will need to find for work. Maine is a very, very large state, with a very, very small population and the "jobs" market is very restricted as a result. Perhaps if you discuss your specific sets of job skills, this forum can be more helpful to you in your search.

[skytrekker]

Greater Portland population around 150,000 is the largest population center in Maine, including Portland, South Portland, Falmouth, Westbrook, Gorham, Cape Elizabeth, Yarmouth and Scarborough. This area of southern Maine has Maine's largest and strongest economy.

Its is a very pleasant area to live. Portland is an historic Maritime port- with much charm.
Costs for housing will be higher then Michigan- a single family home in greater Portland has a median price of around 225K-

Also Consider the Brunswick and Bath areas.

If looking into New England consider eastern Connecticut- CT has a diverse economy that will do better in the economic downturn- as well as most of Maine, then other parts of the country. Eastern CT is rural, but close to Greater Hartford, with housing costs the same as Portland, there is easy access to the ocean, Providence and Boston.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by Acadianlion

Actually, this is not entirely correct. Portland is the largest city in Maine, and Lewiston is the second largest. Bangor is third, followed by Auburn.

Which is what I said.

Your move to Maine will be complicated by what you will need to find for work. Maine is a very, very large state, with a very, very small population and the "jobs" market is very restricted as a result. Perhaps if you discuss your specific sets of job skills, this forum can be more helpful to you in your search.

Actually, Compared to Michigan, Maine is a small state. Michigan has almost twice the land area as Maine, and if you include from the boundaries of Michigan it is almost 3 times the size with as much water as the entire state of Maine.

So true about needing more information.

[elston]

I've been recently told that South Portland is the fourth largest city in Maine and Wikopedia (v) that as of the 2000 census.

[GrammieLinda]

I am a Mainer as have been my ancestors for generations. If I weren't so entrenched in Maine, I probably wouldn't still live here. I've heard so much about taxation and other costs that it would make me think to look elsewhere if my roots weren't so deep or my grandchildren so near.

New Hampshire has no Sales Tax, no Income Tax, no fee for returned bottles (that I know of). It's right next door to Maine, Vermont and Massachusetts. However, according to Cost of Living 4th Quarter 2007
Maine had the lowest cost of living in the 4th quarter of 2007 of any of the New England states. But that page gives no indication of earning potential. And, according to that page, there are 36 states that had a lower cost of living in the 4th quarter of 2007.

[flycessna]

Cunning0915, are you out there?........thread might be dead.....that post is the only one she has ever written.