Oil prices forcing people to leave Maine? (Washburn: mortgage, credit)

[Coaster]

One of my neighbors is a woman in her early 60s who still lives (alone) in the house where she was born. The other night she told me she is putting her home on the market and moving south because she can't afford to heat her house this coming winter. A poster on another Maine-based forum commented earlier today that three of the patrons of his store told him they too are moving south with their families before winter for the same reason. Senator Olympia Snowe was quoted earlier this week as saying parts of Maine will become uninhabitable if current trends continue — and she was referring, of course, to heating oil and gasoline prices.

So far this is just talk. I don't know anyone who has actually moved yet because of heating oil prices, which BTW are $4.71 a gallon on average this week. Do you think it's possible there will be a significant number of folks moving this year or next? Have you heard of anyone talking about it seriously?

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by Coaster

One of my neighbors is a woman in her early 60s who still lives (alone) in the house where she was born. The other night she told me she is putting her home on the market and moving south because she can't afford to heat her house this coming winter. A poster on another Maine-based forum commented earlier today that three of the patrons of his store told him they too are moving south with their families before winter for the same reason. Senator Olympia Snowe was quoted earlier this week as saying parts of Maine will become uninhabitable if current trends continue — and she was referring, of course, to heating oil and gasoline prices.

So far this is just talk. I don't know anyone who has actually moved yet because of heating oil prices, which BTW are $4.71 a gallon on average this week. Do you think it's possible there will be a significant number of folks moving this year or next? Have you heard of anyone talking about it seriously?

In a word YES! Many people will be fleeing the state. Especially older folks on fixed incomes who cannot handle a doubling in heating costs every year. We're sinking about $10,000 into our house this summer installing wood stoves, insulation, new windows , buying wood, etc. We have no mortgage so we can do this. Many folks do not have that option. They're going to have to move to a warmer , less expensive state.

[Shuffler]

Originally Posted by Maineah

In a word YES! Many people will be fleeing the state. Especially older folks on fixed incomes who cannot handle a doubling in heating costs every year. We're sinking about $10,000 into our house this summer installing wood stoves, insulation, new windows , buying wood, etc. We have no mortgage so we can do this. Many folks do not have that option. They're going to have to move to a warmer , less expensive state.

When I was there, I did note a large number of places with construction activity...mostly appeared to be new roofs, siding, and windows...I presume folks are wrapping & insulating their houses and trying to get more energy efficient...I really feel for the people on low or fixed incomes...how the heck are they gonna make ends meet??

If we find a place there, I'm going to have to set aside about 10-20k 'improvement budget' since most of what we see are older, inefficient homes.

[CapeCodder]

Originally Posted by Coaster

One of my neighbors is a woman in her early 60s who still lives (alone) in the house where she was born. The other night she told me she is putting her home on the market and moving south because she can't afford to heat her house this coming winter. A poster on another Maine-based forum commented earlier today that three of the patrons of his store told him they too are moving south with their families before winter for the same reason. Senator Olympia Snowe was quoted earlier this week as saying parts of Maine will become uninhabitable if current trends continue — and she was referring, of course, to heating oil and gasoline prices.

So far this is just talk. I don't know anyone who has actually moved yet because of heating oil prices, which BTW are $4.71 a gallon on average this week. Do you think it's possible there will be a significant number of folks moving this year or next? Have you heard of anyone talking about it seriously?

I wouldn't be too surprised to hear of people leaving.

We've already stocked up on wood pellets and a new stove...replaced a drafty window and are adding more insulation to some walls we are replacing.

We heat with K1 and it would have been horrible to have to pay those prices this winter.

I work with the elderly and am afraid for some of my clients this winter.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by Coaster

So far this is just talk. I don't know anyone who has actually moved yet because of heating oil prices, which BTW are $4.71 a gallon on average this week. Do you think it's possible there will be a significant number of folks moving this year or next? Have you heard of anyone talking about it seriously?

A few of my friends and family members have commented that they are going to try and hang on this winter because they don't want to leave, but will have to see where they stand in the Spring to see if they are going to stay. That is sad, because all I have heard say this, love the state, most were born and raised in the area. To have to seriously think about having to move due to the necessity of heating their home, to an area they don't WANT to go to is disheartening. I think it will happen for a few come Spring. One of my neighbors in Washburn has already sold her home to move in with a sister because she couldn't afford heating oil last year on her fixed income. Another told me that if oil hits $5 a gallon they will probably have to let the house go back to the bank because he is fixed income and as he put it "house payments or heat is what it is going to come down to, and I can't freeze my kids to death."

My thoughts and prayers are with everybody who is riding the edge of their economic envelope this winter.

[Shuffler]

seems the Saudis aren't too confident in production ability...

Not good. Not good at all.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

A lot of people close up their houses, drain the pipes and head south every winter. Some make sure they are out of Maine for 183 days so they don't have to pay Maine income taxes or register their Oldsmobile here. They come back in May, flip the well pump switch, bleed the hot water tank and flip that switch and they are good to go for 182 days. I know a guy who makes a good living down in Florida as a handy man because he speaks English and he will work. Apparently that's a rare combination where is is down there.

My concern is for the young couple who needs a tank of oil on December 15. The oil truck pulls in and wants a cash payment of $1,250. No starter checks, no IOUs and no credit. Most young couples in a single wide trailer don't have $1,250.

[Shuffler]

Makes one wonder if desperate times will cause people to steal fuel oil from others, or worse, kill or be killed in the process when 'survival' mode kicks in. I'm not kidding, either.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

My concern is for the young couple who needs a tank of oil on December 15. The oil truck pulls in and wants a cash payment of $1,250. No starter checks, no IOUs and no credit. Most young couples in a single wide trailer don't have $1,250.

Most young couples living in a nice 3 bedroom 2 bath house don't have $1200 extra at that time anyway.

As long as you don't earn an income in Maine the whole leaving during the winter to miss Income tax may work. If you earn anything in State though it doesn't matter if you are in state for 1 day, you still have to pay Maine Income tax on it.

[flycessna]

This is all part of a larger problem for Maine. Our electricity rates are higher, our economy is poor (no jobs). No doubt heating oil will be a major factor...........but part of me feels OIL is the last straw....there were looming problems to begin with. People in Maine have been just getting by for far too long.

We have all this land.......we have cheep housing........but yet people are going to leave because they cannot make it work here........its a damn shame!!