North Carolina to Maine? Good Idea?? (real estate, violent crime, motorhome)

[Petertherock]

It's March 6th and the temps are WAY below zero...Factor in the windchill and it's about -20 to -30. That's in Portland. Away from the coast it's -40 or colder wind chill. They did a thing on the news today where they threw boiling water into the air and it instantly turned to snow.

Maine is OK from June until about October. But the rest of the time is cold and wet or white. The job situation sucks unless you have some kind of trade or skill. Young people leave here by the droves because there is no future here. If I had the money I would already be gone but that's something I am working on.

[cold_mainer]

Wow, that is funny. My wife and I currently live outside of Portland, Maine and are thinking about moving to the Raleigh, NC area.

The main reasons that we are thinking about moving are as follows:

1. Maine is the 49th highest taxed state in the union. Maine is basically a welfare state where all your taxes help pay those "poor souls" that are not able to work. I don't have a problem with the government helping people that really need the assistance. What I disapprove of are all the people that abuse the system.

2. The price of property in the Portland, ME area is crazy. If you are lucky you may find a fixer upper for $200k which was probably built 100 years ago. Most "nice" property is $250k and up. Depending where you are moving from these may actually be cheap for you. It's all relative.

3. There are very few places to work in my area of expertise. I am a software developer and can count on one hand the places that I could potentially work if I were to ever be out of work.

Really, your decision to move to Maine is your own and needs to be based on what you enjoy doing.

If you enjoying getting outside and walking or riding bikes, then Maine is great for that.

If you enjoy going to clean lakes and walking on sandy beaches, then once again. Great state.

If you want to be able to shop directly at LL Bean's main store in Freeport you will love this place.

If you can afford property up here then housing won't be a problem for you either.

If you don't mind paying alot of taxes and helping out your fellow "Mainers", then that shouldn't be an issue either.

If your husband is secure in his position and not worried about lay-offs or losing his job then Maine would be great for you as well.

I hope I have given you a few things to think about and good luck with whatever decision you make.

Cold_Mainer

P.S. It was -1F this morning. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. I hear its about 64F in the Raleigh area.

P.P.S I also wanted to add that I live in Yarmouth, ME and it is a beautiful town and we feel completely safe there. Yarmouth has a reputation for really good schools as well. (I don't know for certain though since I don't have any children)

[darstar]

The only part of NC worth living in is The Blur Ridge Mts....I lived there 18 years, and would go back, except for the Politics...beleve it or not, thats why I moved to a blue state.....Michigan.
Canada if I could, but, do not have the connections, to make it work. So....will settle , I hope, ONE LAST TIME, in the UP, marquette area, round house on a mt. top with endless views of lake Superior, can't wait !

[horsewizard]

We have lived in Maine all our lives and are moving to Raleigh (area) within the next year. Yes it is nice that you can go to the store and leave your car running to grab the paper, you can leave your house unlocked, etc. But.... it's March 28th and it was 30 degrees at 8 am! Come on! We still have snow and ice everywhere! Everything here costs more - heat, oil, electricity, phones, internet, tv, everything! My sister moved to Tennessee for her husband's job, bought a house worth about twice as her house in Maine, sent her kids to private school in Tennessee and is still spending LESS than she did up here! The job situation also sucks up here. So be careful.
If you want to stay in the Portland area, check out Scarborough and Kennebunk. Great schools in both towns.
Good luck.

[forest beekeeper]

Lots of negativity here.

I moved here because I found an area where everything was/is far cheaper than areas where we have lived before.

I can now afford to live on my retirement pension.

And buy land,....

And build a house,...

And try to enjoy life, ...

[duff30329]

I lived in Yarmouth Maine....and loved it.
I was a southern boy in a northern city, very northern. I adjusted to short summers and cold winters. I raised my 4 kids there so you can't go wrong doing the same.
Schools are great......two of mine went to N. Yarmouth Academy...check it out...its right on main st in Yarmouth. Good luck
PS.....neighbors are always willing to lend a helping hand.!

[Elcarim]

Do I have to stick my nose into this discussion too?

I have done cost of living comparisons between where we are now in the Houston area and the Bangor area. It's nearly the same - about $1000 a year more to live there. Salaries in DH's profession are also very near the same. SO worth the move north!!!

[rabbitlover]

Originally Posted by oceanmom

My husband has the opportunity to relcoate to the portland area this summer. He is a research scientist. We currently live in a small coastal town in NC. I realize that a move to the North will present some challenges. We have 2 daughters. One starting high school so for us schools are a proritiy. Also, we would like to live outside of Portland and ideally would like a home with 1 1/2-3 acres of land. I have read wonderul things about Maine(Portland) but I have also read a few things that are a bit concerning. Any advice on towns, cultural aspects, etc would be greatly appreciated. I have been looking at Yarmouth, Westbrook, and Scarborough. We lived in Seattle, WA for two years, so the rumors of bad weather do not scare me but I would like to be prepared for Maine winters.
Oceanmom

Some things you will need to battle the weather in Maine, a good snow blower, or a tractor with a snow blower.
Wood stove is a must.
Before you get a wood stove, READ UP ON WOODSTOVE safety. If need be speak to your local fire department.
Of course, before you buy wood make sure you know what the amount of a cord of wood is too.

[tkx7]

I disagree that a wood stove is "a must." It isnt even something I would recommend, but if you want, go for it.

[rabbitlover]

Originally Posted by tkx7

I disagree that a wood stove is "a must." It isnt even something I would recommend, but if you want, go for it.

I have to respectively disagree, it's the only thing that keeps this home warm when it is way below zero outside. Plus with oil hovering around $3.00 a gallon a wood stove is a good option.