Aroostook County questions (Bangor, Presque Isle, Caribou: rentals, to buy, schools)

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by caitlinsmom

Maineah- Do you know by chance the name of the companies doing this? My google search pulls up little info.

Yes , I'll direct message you the information.

[caitlinsmom]

Back for another question.....I was checking out some other threads and saw one about treegrowth plans?? What are these and what are their purpose?

I see alot of mention about high taxes in ME...but most of what I have seen on the internet seems to be quite low. What are income, property, and sales taxes sitting at? Do the raise often and by large sums?

[boonelsewhere]

be very carefull when you buy land current under tree growth plan if you unsure about the future use.
i am a new property owner in Maine, as the time of closing, i asked the lawyer who help us on the closing about the tree growth plan, i think the seller have to disclosure the info, he explained but it did not mean anything at the time.
I ask about the penelty if i want to removed the land from the plan, the answer at that time was, i have to pay 5 years back defered tax(actual tax - tax under tree growth) plus some penelty. i think nothing of it because tax is very low.

but from what i read from this furum and did more reading from Maine.gov site
it is not just only the defered tax portion, it may be the actual land value - the the value asses as under tree growth plan that could translate to large penelty.

never buy land axactly 10 acres on tree growth and plan to build a house on it. unless after you factor in the penelty and think it is a fare price, because you must remove all 10 acres from then plan and pay penelty.

tree growth plan will give a big saving on property tax, could be in thousand of $ per year depending on current assesment value of your property.

Originally Posted by caitlinsmom

Back for another question.....I was checking out some other threads and saw one about treegrowth plans?? What are these and what are their purpose?

I see alot of mention about high taxes in ME...but most of what I have seen on the internet seems to be quite low. What are income, property, and sales taxes sitting at? Do the raise often and by large sums?

[Craigster]

If you are considering UMPI (University of Maine at Presque Isle) you will not like the commute from Houlton area to PI (Presque Isle) in the winter time. I reccomend you rent in the area while you decide on which communty best suits your desires. The towns closely surrounding PI are awsome little towns and MSAD#1 is a great school system. Gardening is great in The County as well. AKA, The Other Maine.

[caitlinsmom]

Thanks Craigster. We have been looking closer to PI and are finding a few places that catch our eye. Any reccomendations?
Has anyone gone to UMPI? My husband is going into education, anyone have any specific info on this program? We have read athe website but I want real opinions.

[Bydand]

The education program at UMPI is a very good program. I may be a bit biased, but do know they have a VERY high placement percentage and the instructors are very good. Both as Professors, and as people. It isn't unusual to find Instructor and student having lunch together. I lived in the area for close to 20 years and will DM you the number of somebody to talk to about the program. She deals mainly with Canadian students in the education program, but is a good information source about the campus after having been there in the Education department for many years. She may even have a house going up for sale soon. Did have it as a rental, and rented it to families who were in the Education Program, but is looking to downsize and retire in the next few years. She may be able to help you out in that area as well. (Tell her Scott said hi if you speak with her.)

UMPI is a small campus, but is very well laid out and is rather nice. The actual town of Presque Isle is nice, but feeling growing pains and doesn't seem to have a clear vision how to take the next step. Fort Fairfield is a very nice small town with a real good feel to it now. The people are friendly for the most part and open to outsiders. Washburn is where I lived while there and I enjoyed the town. Not much there and not a real grocery store, but the small Washburn Food Mart does what he can and is fair with prices. He has some very good meat there (Cut on site, and will do game animals as well for a low price to butcher and wrap) and he does homemade breads, rolls, and other bakery items daily. Plus Dan makes some to-die-for Whoopie Pies.

[Snowmon]

I have just taken a drive around Fort Fairfield, and PI. Very nice, Fort Fairfield has a nice feel to it. Lots of vegetable stands on the roadside. I know a few professors at UMPI and they are great people, the ones I know are outdoorsy, young families.

I have just moved here myself and am enjoying it, haven't found a whole lot of people for social activities yet, but I have been busy with work. I'd say that it's a largely conservative area, but in a more traditional way, if that makes sense.

[mollysmiles]

Snowmon, welcome to the forum The social stuff will come, just stay friendly and try to be active in the community

[maineguy8888]

hi caithlins mom, i'm from the County and have lived all over the place. I'm back there now. A few thoughts: People here will kind of EXPECT you to be helpful and help people out when it's really necessary. In return, you can certainly expect them to do the same for you when YOU need it. This comes from the earliest settlers, who HAD to really "pull together" to survive in a rugged environment. That attitude is still a big one. It gives a real "community" feel. In reverse, nobody respects someone here who isn't a bit tough or who is lazy. That doesn't go over very big. Same reason (our roots).
People's reputations are important here (it's a small community and everyone knows everyone, it seems). So most of the contractors etc. have to do good work or they won't last long. If you ask around, people are very open about giving you good names, etc. and sharing their experiences with houses, land etc. Again--it's just expected.
Very open-minded here. For some strange reason this area has kind of gotten a bad rap for being closed-minded. Not so. You are free to do what you want as long as you aren't hurting your neighbors or something. "Live and let live" attitude.
Winters are tough. But that makes spring a real joy. Houses need: attic insulation, seal any cracks/holes in the basement walls, and window coverings (they make a real high quality grade of plastic to put over the outside of old windows--it's see through, and works great. Use wooden lathes to nail it down). It's not as hard to heat a house as some think.
Lots of people will plow driveways reasonably. Neighbors might even do it for free (again---just the way people are here).
Lots of things to do. Very different place from elsewhere. Surreal. And gorgeous. A real adventure. An "old time" kind of place. A different world. If you come, you will DEFINITELY be welcomed.
Hope this helps!
PS: Use a realtor if you'd like: they are pretty much all darned good up here, I think (again, nobody can afford to ruin their reputation. Plus they really do care, unlike realtors in other places). If you buy direct from someone, you can feel free to ask around and find out as much as you want about the house (from people who live nearby, contractors, town hall etc.) Again, this is not considered "being nosy" here. In fact, people will be "expected" to help you out with your search and tell you whatever you need to know...all for one and one for all...
PSS: Caribou is 10 miles from Presque Isle and has retained much more of its "original community feel" than Presque Isle....it has a lot going on.

[caitlinsmom]

I am back yet again with another few questions. We have been looking at Fort Kent and the surrounding area as of late. What can you tell me about the town? What about the "feel"? What does the town offer? How far from Bangor is Ft. Kent? What about the University there? Compared to PI which would be "better"? Will I need to go to Bangor to do major monthly shopping? Is there a SAMS, Costco, or local big store for stocking up (In Bangor that is)? What is a reasonable amount to expect to pay for rent (3bd house)?