Only you can tell me...

[Brianandkim]

I certainly did not mean to cause an up roar I was merely pointing out that
There is a lot more to living in Maine than the picture postcard vision that some seem to have.
As to the matter of public water, when it is available in a rural area it is generally only within a certain distance of the towns center.
I live in Gorham and once you get more than a few miles out of town it is mostly wells. Again not trying to stir the pot just pointing out the reality.
Finally, as a plumber I can tell you that in Maine forced hot water heating systems far outnumber forced hot air with the exception of mobile homes and there are a lot of steam systems

[Bydand]

Maybe downstate there are a lot of steam units left, but I personally haven't seen one up here in the last 20 years. I am an Electrician and my brother is a plumbing/heating guy he knows of one in Fort Fairfield. This direction it is almost an even split HWBB and forced air.

Again with the city water and sewer being only around the city centers and not out a few miles. Same as everyplace else in the country, so that is a non-issue.

[Zymer]

Originally Posted by Brianandkim

I certainly did not mean to cause an up roar I was merely pointing out that
There is a lot more to living in Maine than the picture postcard vision that some seem to have.

I didn't think you caused an "uproar", there was some agreement and some dissent. No big deal.

One can find a variety of living situations in ME, as well as many other states. You can have urban (granted not as urban as NYC), suburban, "country", and back woods primitive if you want.

Each situation has its own particular characteristics and trade-offs to be accepted. One has choices, which are a good thing.

The subject of taxes, however, is sure to cause some disagreement because, in many cases, tax liabilities are subject to a great degree of modification and personalization. One thing is sure, and that is that, no matter *where* you live, you WILL pay taxes. Some of the taxes you will see and be aware that you are paying them outright, in other cases they may be hidden- you don't see them but they are there and you are paying them.

For instance, there was a comment made somewhere about property taxes and renting as opposed to owning. You may not *see* a line item for property tax in your rent agreement, but, rest assured, you *are* paying it. The landlord is not going to leave that figure out of his calculations when he determines what the rents are going to be. The landlord must be able to collect enough in rents to offset ALL of the expenses of the property (and would likely want a bit of profit as well).

Some people comment about income tax, but there are many things one can do to modify one's income tax liability. Deductions can be taken, income can be "sheltered" from taxation, etc. If one is educated in tax matters (or hires a profesional who is) and makes the most of legally allowed tax avoidance" strategies, one's *Adjusted* Gross Income can be very different from the total of one's income.

Owning property can create deductions to offset some taxes, and taxes paid in one area can sometimes be deducted when calculating other taxes.

Taxes are a personal thing. A person who has no knowledge of legal tax avoidance strategies will likely pay the maximum amount of taxes that would be applicable. Others, who have educated themselves or paid someone to apply their knowledge for them, will pay the minimum possible. Two people who have very similar situations may pay very different amounts in tax.

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by Zymer

I didn't think you caused an "uproar", there was some agreement and some dissent. No big deal.

One can find a variety of living situations in ME, as well as many other states. You can have urban (granted not as urban as NYC), suburban, "country", and back woods primitive if you want.

Each situation has its own particular characteristics and trade-offs to be accepted. One has choices, which are a good thing.

The subject of taxes, however, is sure to cause some disagreement because, in many cases, tax liabilities are subject to a great degree of modification and personalization. One thing is sure, and that is that, no matter *where* you live, you WILL pay taxes. Some of the taxes you will see and be aware that you are paying them outright, in other cases they may be hidden- you don't see them but they are there and you are paying them.

For instance, there was a comment made somewhere about property taxes and renting as opposed to owning. You may not *see* a line item for property tax in your rent agreement, but, rest assured, you *are* paying it. The landlord is not going to leave that figure out of his calculations when he determines what the rents are going to be. The landlord must be able to collect enough in rents to offset ALL of the expenses of the property (and would likely want a bit of profit as well).

Some people comment about income tax, but there are many things one can do to modify one's income tax liability. Deductions can be taken, income can be "sheltered" from taxation, etc. If one is educated in tax matters (or hires a profesional who is) and makes the most of legally allowed tax avoidance" strategies, one's *Adjusted* Gross Income can be very different from the total of one's income.

Owning property can create deductions to offset some taxes, and taxes paid in one area can sometimes be deducted when calculating other taxes.

Taxes are a personal thing. A person who has no knowledge of legal tax avoidance strategies will likely pay the maximum amount of taxes that would be applicable. Others, who have educated themselves or paid someone to apply their knowledge for them, will pay the minimum possible. Two people who have very similar situations may pay very different amounts in tax.

Well stated

[senior citizen]

Having toured the entire coast of Maine, up and down each peninsula for the past 15 years, retirement is looming and a decision must be made on the eventual relocation. Boothbay Harbor has always been a quaint welcoming choice (vicinity) as well as York Harbor and Wells, Maine. Many other charming towns "out" on the peninsulas but don't want to be too far away from services. Camden is a nice spot also but expensive. Trying to decide on a small town with lots of senior citizen activities for "down the road".
Wells Maine seems to have a nice senior center and library plus adequate shopping at Wells Plaza.......not to mention the trolley connections for the grandchildren that seem to connect Wells with both the York Beaches and Oqunquit as well as to the Kennebunks. Has anyone retired to Wells Beach Maine or Wells Maine from other parts of New England, such as Vermont or New Hampshire and settled in favorably?? After living in Vermont for almost 40 years, with a few short years relocated to both east and west coasts of Florida...........Maine has always had a magnetic draw. It's enough like Vermont in many ways but with plenty of bold open ocean such as Pemaquid, Acadia National Park, etc. Have even been to Eastport and Calais enroute to Canada. Would anyone highly recommend Wells as far as affordable smaller homes? Or York Harbor or York Maine? Thank you for your anticipated input.

[corgis]

We have a home in Eastport and will be moving permenently in 2 years when my DH retires. I love Eastport and the surrounding areas. We used to own a place in Midcoast, just outside New Harbor but it got "discovered" and the prices on homes and goods went through the roof. We sold it and found our home in Eastport. It's a perfect match for us.

[dramamama6685]

Welcome to our little family have loved it!!!

[Oldquarks]

Hello Texas:

Having moved to Maine from NY in '99 and having been a teacher myself, I think I can offer a few relevant comments.

First off, don't worry about a well and septic system. We live in an old house (1820) with a fifty year old well and a septic system which is probably 30-ish and have no problems. There are people out there who can deal with them, even if you can't. Our house is in Warren, about half way between Rockland and Damariscotta, either of which I would recommend for your investigation. Rockland, the shire town of Knox County, is a city that has been on an upswing for the last fifteen years or so and offers many of the amenities you desire. It also has quite attractive real estate values. It still has many of the aspects of a working waterfront community as well. Damariscotta, in Lincoln County, is more upscale and has a large population of retired folks, many "from away". I do some volunteer work there myself, so I know a little about the community and I would think you would fit in quite well. If you are interested in being a bit more rural, there is a nice two-bedroom house across the road from mine that could be had for a pretty good price, I think. I have no interest in the sale except to have nice neighbors ;>)