Moving to Maine??? (Portland, Bangor: best city, apartments, rent)

[BozemanBound]

I am graduating from school this July and am looking to move to Maine. I was hoping that maybe someone could give me some insight on some things! I am coming from Florida and have decided I would like to experience the area (definitely a year...maybe more if it works out). While I love the sunsine state, its time to move on.

I am not familiar with Maine at all and I have never been. I have heard GREAT things about it. I am a 24 year old female moving alone and am looking for the best city that would be suited for my interests. I love the outdoors, prefer to be somewhat near the coast, love hiking, can't wait to play in the snow (I have not seen snow since I was 12!), and am an independant person, but I would like to find a town with people of similar age and where there are fun things to do.

I'm an environmental studies major so any advice on local jobs would be awesome as well

So pretty much any ideas on good cities, places to hike, apartments, jobs, etc..you name it and it would be greatly appreciated!

[BozemanBound]

Anyone?

[txmom]

I'm sure that a lot of regulars on this board will chime in - I just think it's a really busy time of year for most people, so it may take some time to get responses. Don't really know about jobs in environmental studies, but I do know that if you get an apartment in Maine, make sure heat is included in the rent. This will prove to be very important for your budget.

You might want to post in the Portland sub-forum as well. I think there are some people there who will give you some excellent advice. Portland is an awesome city. Sorry I don't have much advice for you, and best wishes in your search.

[txmom]

Have you given up on Montana, or just exploring your options? Exploring options is fun, and I feel very fortunate to live in a country with such immense variety and freedom to move around Don't like the south, just go north - don't like the north, go to the south - don't like humidity, go to the desert - etc, etc. In my native country of Canada, a lot of the population is already just about as south as they can get, so they don't have as quite as many choices. Good luck with your upcoming move.

[Bydand]

First bit of advice would be to VISIT any area you are thinking of moving to. Saying you are ready to play in the snow is great, but are you ready to LIVE in the snow. There is a huge difference between a week or two here and there in the snow and an entire winter in the snow and cold.

Environmental studies here is viewed here about the same as everywhere else that people make their living from the woods, fields and the water. A "suit" or "degree" telling them they have been doing it wrong for generations (while maybe true in cases) doesn't create warm fuzzy feelings. The state offers such a differing experience from one area to another it is a very vague question you are posing. "Environmental Studies" covers such a wide range of possibilities that a bit more detail is needed first. Then that will bring up the question of what size area in regards to population are you looking for. A "town" where you are from may very well be considered a "big" city for the state of Maine. Where I am at (Aroostook County) the "cities" are less than 10,000 and Bangor (32,000) is the "Big City" we drive to when we want to see the sights. Portland is another world to most folks up here with a population of around 65,000.

There are a few jobs around dealing with the environment, but they are mostly how to better manage the environment for a sustainable profit. Somebody with the imprint of bark on the side of their face from hugging trees so hard will not fit too well. I know what you say your stand is from your posts on the Montana forum, so I am NOT saying that is how you are at all. Just here in Maine there are a big number of people who eek out a living in our forests, fields, and waterways; and an econazi would have a hard time here.

What area of the environment have you studied and want to work in? What size community would you like to become involved with? Still looking for a "college" crowd, or just people your own age? Reason I ask the last is that those seem to be two different groups really. The party college crowd, and the more reserved working group (who also party, but still have to get up the following morning .)

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Maine is crawling with environmental organizations. It is our only growth industry. Burrow into that social structure and you will be welcome within it.

[BozemanBound]

I actually chose 3 places that I would like to move to and that seemed good for my field of study (AZ, ME, MT). I crossed AZ off the list a while ago. I have not given up on MT, but it's not looking too promising. I have friends in Vermont and Boston, where as in MT the closest friend/relative I have is in TN!

I am not looking for a "big" city, I just meant more along the lines of not having to drive 30 miles to a store or such. I am looking for people my age. I might possibly go back to school to get my masters, but I don't need to be around 18-22 year olds! As someone said..I like to have my fun, but I get up before 10:00 AM the next day!!

My concentration is conservation/sustainability, but I have a background in community planning and development.

Thanks for the advice on the cost of heat. I was wondering if it would be cheaper to have it included or not. While I do look forward to playing in snow, I think I can live in it. I mean, I can only prepare myself so much being that I have lived in FL most of my life. I did hear from someone that I should try to have snow removal/plowing included where I live. I know it'd cold and snowy there and it will be a BIG adjustment, but I'm ready to embrace it (thats not to say I wont miss that Fl sunshine sometimes!). My car in the snow...well I might have to work on that.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by BozemanBound

I know it'd cold and snowy there and it will be a BIG adjustment, but I'm ready to embrace it (thats not to say I wont miss that Fl sunshine sometimes!).

This was taken March 22nd of this year. It is NOT a drift, just where the plow cut through this winter up where I live (way north of the coast.) Of course we did have the snowiest winter on record this year.


And yes, that is a full sized 4X4 Suburban in case you are wondering.

As for driving in it, take your time the first few times out, and you will soon know how your vehicle will handle the snow, from there it will be no problems. Heat is going to be a BIG factor this winter for the Northeast, if you can find an apartment that it is included in the rent all the better.

[Maineah]

Bydand makes some good points about the envrionmentalist field in Maine. Envrionmentalists are going to be blamed for the current spike in energy costs by standing in the way of reasonable development for the last 20-30 years. They are becoming as popular as a porcupine in a balloon factory!! My stepson has a degree in envrionmental management with a concentration in conservation similar to you and he is working for a large food distributor buying produce.
He could not find anything in his field and has pretty much decided with that with the growing animosity against envrionmentalists by the general public he plans to steer clear of that field for the forseeable future.That degree was a good investment at $180,000
As far as winter goes if you have never been through one you will not like it. Snow is wonderful until Christmas and then the love affair quickly becomes just another problem to deal with. For a test lock yourself in the house for 7 months and read books, sew , knit, play with your cat, cook and if you're still sane after that time you just might make it through a Maine winter.

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

Maine is crawling with environmental organizations. It is our only growth industry. Burrow into that social structure and you will be welcome within it.

Very well put.

Comparing environmentalists to ...

bugs?

ants?

'crawling', burrowing, social structure.

Hmm, ...

NMLM tell us your true feelings.