Hello Maine

[jstar1027]

I would highly recommend the Portland area if you are thinking of moving to Maine. Portland has wonderful restaurants, a little more diversity than much of the state, it's right on the ocean, there are things to do, etc. Portland is also close enough to the lakes region to be able to swim in the lakes, camp, etc.

I wouldn't really recommend the Sanford area. I have never lived there myself (so you can take what I say with a grain of salt), but... it just isn't as nice as the Portland area (much more of a hick-like, closed minded feel).

Portland would most likely be more expensive than the Sanford area, but I think that you get what you pay for. If you decided to live in Maine full time, you would have more things to do living in the Portland area.

You should also check out South Portland and Westbrook. I would stay away from Falmouth, Windham, Gray, etc. They are all "nice" suburban towns, but you have to go closer to Portland to do anything.... and with the price of gas who wants to drive all the time?

I grew up in Windham and it is just plain dull. In the summer it is nice, because you can swim and spend time outdoors, but the winters are rough in the burbs... even if you like winter sports.

If you visit anytime soon, check out Portland. The east end is amazing.. overlooking the bay. The Old port is also great... like I said, some awesome restaurants... Yosaku (for sushi), street and company or Fore street (rated one of the top restaurants in the US) if you want something fancy, etc, etc, etc.

Portland kind of has a similar feel to Port Jeff on Long Island... but less ritzy and expensive.

Good luck!

[MaineMathTCHER]

Being from away myself and here in Maine full time in my second year I have to say the people have been nice, if a bit standoffish at times. Once they realize you are here to stay they warm up quick. The little lady down the street (somewhere in her 90's) warmed up real quick when we told her we were staying forever and not just summer people. When they see you love living here as much as they do, it softens them a bunch. But it is also difficult when I talk with my teens in my classes who keep asking-You left Los Angeles, You left Austin to come here-are you crazy? They can't understand that we left those places for much of the reasons they want to go there!

[cinz420]

Its alright. I bought the house since it was very cost effective 6 years ago. It's pretty quiet with the random occurence that makes one wonder. For instance 2am, kids smoking pot in the street under the street light. I asked them to move along and they did. No skin off my back about the pot smoking but there needs to be line drawn at some point. Another time I saw some kids with an small alligator on the sidewalk. I often wonder whatever happened to that Alligator.
On the other hand, there a nice baseball feild with the Sanford Mainer team and I can hear those games from my back porch. Kids walk to school and there are a couple of nice parks including the recreation center in Springvale. Brings to mind small town America. It is supposed to be up and coming and I do see evidence of that here and there.
If I had to do it over again...I think I would have tried to move to Portland. Its a little more lively with much more to look at scenery wise. Overall, being originally from NJ I have this to say about Maine. It is wonderfully different. People are nice to you if you are nice to them. The pizza sucks as does the chinese food. There are tons of trees. The winter builds character and you will probably note there is a lot more French as the second language on ATM machines than you will note Spanish. I'd miss Maine if I left it.

[Siobjuan]

My advice? Don't put on any airs. Be forthright with your neighbors. Don't be offended when you are reffered to as 'from away'. It isn't an insult, just the way it is. Pitch in. You'll get what you give.

[elston]

I think the term "from away" is minor and it doesnt upset me--I even refer to myself as being "from away"-but if the truth be known I value all the experiences in my life and would really feel badly if I had somehow never gotten out and about and seen at least some of our great country. I am "from away" but I don't consider that there is anything wrong with that.

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by elston

I think the term "from away" is minor and it doesnt upset me--I even refer to myself as being "from away"-but if the truth be known I value all the experiences in my life and would really feel badly if I had somehow never gotten out and about and seen at least some of our great country. I am "from away" but I don't consider that there is anything wrong with that.

Well put elston!

[Maine Writer]

I lived in a town that considered you from away if you went out to lunch in another town and stayed out too long.

[dramamama6685]

Originally Posted by Maine Writer

I lived in a town that considered you from away if you went out to lunch in another town and stayed out too long.

Cute. We will be "from away" when we get up, but have the edge of years of family history. Even the folks that didn't know that when we were up last, were super friendly, regaling us with stories etc.