I want to go to move to Maine (Portland, Bangor: real estate, rent)

[ZeeDante]

I have lived in a rural California town for all my life. I am thinking of leaving after I graduate because I hate it here for these reasons:

1. Air is arid, polluted, and dry
2. no rain, no snow, lowest temp i've seen here is 20 above 0.
3. Job market, sucks frankly.
4. Cost of living doesn't equal the rate of pay
5. I just need a change

Ok, I have more but these will do, my questions:

1. My degree will be in English with a minor in Journalism, any prospects for jobs in Maine for this kind of education?

2. Living costs, how much would you say someone would have to make to pay the rent? I am basically coming with the clothes on my back and a few thousand in the bank.

3. I am cool with cold weather. I actually prefer it. However, is there any dangerous weather? Hurricanes, snowstorms, tornados?

4. Are the people nice?

5. Are there any video game companies nearby, I was thinking about being a tester.

Any other advice would help me a lot! Thank you in advance.

[flycessna]

There are limited opportunities as Maine's job market is poor also. However, that does not mean you could not come here and work...it just might be the exact job you want. When I here English and journalism as a major I think of teaching, and that is "probably" where you would have the best opportunity to find work and decent pay.

Maine is not cheapest place to live nor is it the most expensive. I think where in Maine will have the greatest impact on cost of living though I cannot imagine it being any more expensive than california...the worst case scenerio would be that it is similiar.

if you live in Portland your rent can vary (size,condition,location) from $600 and up for a monthly rent. A decent one bedroom in a decent area I would expect it to be about $800.00 A standard pay range for teacher is 30k-50k with a few schools less and a few schools more.

So, you do not like the town you're in. Have you thought about different locations but still in california...or even trying out Oregon or washington. Why Maine?

[skytrekker]

A liberal arts degree anywhere these days can be iffy in the current job market. It might be best to bone up on some courses in health care, and in Maine Senior and Social Services, and education.

Maine's economy relies much in tourism, services, health care, and education.
Cost of living will be lower then the central valley. The environment will be much cleaner however.

Rents will start at bout $600 a month. Weather along the coast will be the mildest- there is snow, some years more then 75" some years less then that. Summers and autumns are most pleasant. Hurricanes striking Maine are uncommon-tornadoes are rare.

New Englanders can be called, dry, reserved, caring, aloof, honest and good hearted.

[ZeeDante]

I'm not sure. Looking at pictures of Maine makes me think it is a beautiful place to live and it has an outdoorsy feel to it. My friend who went there about a couple years ago told me that land is fairly cheap there and that the area she stayed at was beautiful. I love the outdoors so I kind of went with the idea in my head. Hearing that the rent is almost identical to where I live makes me think that a starter home might be better if I saved up and stayed where I live for a couple more years. I could teach for a while and write on the side.

[skytrekker]

Originally Posted by ZeeDante

I'm not sure. Looking at pictures of Maine makes me think it is a beautiful place to live and it has an outdoorsy feel to it. My friend who went there about a couple years ago told me that land is fairly cheap there and that the area she stayed at was beautiful. I love the outdoors so I kind of went with the idea in my head. Hearing that the rent is almost identical to where I live makes me think that a starter home might be better if I saved up and stayed where I live for a couple more years. I could teach for a while and write on the side.

Good luck-Maine is a beautiful state- land and real estate around Bangor is a bargain.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by ZeeDante

I'm not sure. Looking at pictures of Maine makes me think it is a beautiful place to live and it has an outdoorsy feel to it. My friend who went there about a couple years ago told me that land is fairly cheap there and that the area she stayed at was beautiful. I love the outdoors so I kind of went with the idea in my head. Hearing that the rent is almost identical to where I live makes me think that a starter home might be better if I saved up and stayed where I live for a couple more years. I could teach for a while and write on the side.

For you: "life is an oyster".

Where in California did you grow up?

I was raised near Modesto, between there and Fresno, and spent a lot of time in Yosemite.

I am very happy to have settled in Maine.

[mainebrokerman]

Originally Posted by ZeeDante

I'm not sure. Looking at pictures of Maine makes me think it is a beautiful place to live and it has an outdoorsy feel to it. My friend who went there about a couple years ago told me that land is fairly cheap there and that the area she stayed at was beautiful. I love the outdoors so I kind of went with the idea in my head. Hearing that the rent is almost identical to where I live makes me think that a starter home might be better if I saved up and stayed where I live for a couple more years. I could teach for a while and write on the side.

id research the job market in maine , see whats available or what opportunities are open...
there's much of maine beyond portland, portland is one of the priciest areas.
id think in the bangor area, which is just not the city of bangor but many surrounding towns,,,you could probly rent a house for 5-800 a month.

[flycessna]

Originally Posted by ZeeDante

I'm not sure. Looking at pictures of Maine makes me think it is a beautiful place to live and it has an outdoorsy feel to it. My friend who went there about a couple years ago told me that land is fairly cheap there and that the area she stayed at was beautiful. I love the outdoors so I kind of went with the idea in my head. Hearing that the rent is almost identical to where I live makes me think that a starter home might be better if I saved up and stayed where I live for a couple more years. I could teach for a while and write on the side.

Maine is a beautifull state you can always come here and see how it works. No harm in dreaming a little...it might be everything you want...or a few years might be enough to fill your desire of getting away and you might be ready to do something else.

[ZeeDante]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

For you: "life is an oyster".

Where in California did you grow up?

I was raised near Modesto, between there and Fresno, and spent a lot of time in Yosemite.

I am very happy to have settled in Maine.

Thank you.

I grew up and still live in Bakersfield. I have camped in Yosemite for a couple days, best couple of days of my life.

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by ZeeDante

I grew up and still live in Bakersfield.

Oh god, sorry.

I am from Sacramento myself, now living in Portland, ME.