Thinking of Relocating from Arkansas to Maine. (Portland, South Portland: for sale, real estate market)

[GetmeoutofAR]

Have lived in Arkansas for most of my life and absolutely cant stand it. Im a Artist type who enjoys painting and am looking for a Artsy little town preferably not too far from the coast, but i still dont want to be over 45 min from major shopping etc. Id also like to know what the Real Estate market is like on the Maine Coast. I visited the Camden-Rockland area last summer and it seems like every other house is for sale, this concerns me. Also what is the weather like on the Maine Coast?

[AMTL]

I moved to Maine from Pennsylvania in June and love it here. Coastal Maine in particular has a very active arts community and is very accepting of people "from away" (I'm told that's not always the case in other parts of the state). I live in Bath and I'm amazed at the affordability of the real estate here compared to what I'm used to. Great, old houses, quaint downtown with shopping right on the mighty Kenebeck River and only 15-20 minutes from the most gorgeous beaches anywhere. It's an easy 40 minute drive to Portland, only 2 hours to Boston, all the usual shopping options (Target, Home Depot, etc) are only 20 minute drive. Bath is kind of the 'gateway' to Downeast because it sits at the point at which route 1 goes from a highway to the two-lane road that leads eventually to acadia. Wonderful spot. Go for it and good luck.

[Coaster]

Second AMTL's comments. Bath is a cool little city with an active arts community of its own as well as being near the Bowdoin College community in Brunswick. Rockland is very up and coming in arts -- lots of little galleries and great restaurants downtown and the Farnsworth Art Museum. (Home values there and in neighboring Thomaston are still very reasonable, too.) Next-door Rockport has the Maine Coasts Artists gallery, very well respected, and then Camden has an active gallery scene itself. Go to www.downeast.com, the Down East magazine website, and check out the calendar to see the various arts events in Maine. It also has real estate listings, I think, or see the MLS listings at:

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Why were you concerned about the number of houses for sale? There has always been a very active housing market in the region. Prices along the coast are considered high for Maine, but most folks from away consider them bargains.

[GetmeoutofAR]

Thanks for your replies. Bath sounds very appealing b/c of its proximity to Portland and stores like Home Depot etc. There being many houses for sale is great for someone like me, its a buyers market, i just wondered if there were like lots of people moving away or something. Is it a growing area? Would you all consider Portland an up and coming city. How big is Portland by the way. From what I saw of it it didnt seem too big. Ive also traveled alot in the Cape Cod area and like that area as well, but its a bit too crowded for me and the Real Estate is pretty high.

[cookie207]

Originally Posted by GetmeoutofAR

Have lived in Arkansas for most of my life and absolutely cant stand it. Im a Artist type who enjoys painting and am looking for a Artsy little town preferably not too far from the coast, but i still dont want to be over 45 min from major shopping etc. Id also like to know what the Real Estate market is like on the Maine Coast. I visited the Camden-Rockland area last summer and it seems like every other house is for sale, this concerns me. Also what is the weather like on the Maine Coast?

Hi, I am a native of Maine, the Portland area which is about 2 hours from the Camden/Rockland area. Portland is 1.45 minute north of Portland with easy access via highway or railway. Portland is a wonderful artsy community with some of the best restaurants in the US, suprisingly so due to its size. We are on the coast with about 7 beautiful beaches and state parks w/in a 20 minute drive. I live in South Portland just 5 minutes to downtown Portland's historic/arts district. Everywhere I look I see water. Its one of the most beautiful places to live. My husband will confirm that for you, he is a native of Michigan and relocated to boston and then Maine last year. You probably see a lot of homes for sale in the Camden/Rockland area because there is not much industry there. It is home to mostly artist/teachers or fisherman. Portland is a small thriving city. Also, the real estate market has shifted so you will find lots for sale in almost any town in Maine. It is a buyers market. I am also in Real Estate so would be happy to answer any questions on the area you have. Camden/Rockland is beautiful as well, a place I love to vacation. Let me know if I can be of further help. Anne Marie

[cookie207]

Portland is growing. I have relocated many families/singles here over the last 11 years. It's popular for is slow paced, low crime lifestyle, not to mention the beauty of the area. Lakes, ocean and mountains. Fall is spectacular with the leaves turn orange and red on all the trees. I would say people move here for the quality of life. Close to Boston for those that crave the big city feel.

[flycessna]

Moving can be very Subjective. I moved to Maine 12 years ago and have been trying to leave the last 5. I try and give you the facts. High taxes, low wages, lots of poor people, beautifull geography, low crime, ok schools, very democratic, good hard working people, friendly? depends where you live I guess. Most of the areas I'd love to live I can't afford. If you can afford it Portland is exactley what cookie said it is. My basic feelings are maine is a great place to own a 2nd home, visit, or vacation. not a place to work, raise a family and spend the rest of your life. I've lived in ma, va, Dc, MD, and fla. Good luck

[GetmeoutofAR]

Thanks for the info Flycessna, you seem to be familiar with New England, what are your thoughts on MA, I like MA, except for the very high Real Estate prices, which dont seem to be confined to the coast, expensive property seems to extend all the way to western MA.

[flycessna]

I grew up in Ma. in a small town of 22000 18 miles south of Boston. A large city by Maine standards but it truley was a sleepy town. extremely low crime rate, and excellent schools. But your right about the home prices. Very expensive. a strong jobs mkt and strong wages keep the prices up. If you get past the cost of your home everything else is the same. If your still thinking of Maine and want to live on the coast the further Down East (North along the coast) you go the cheaper. EastPort, the most eastern town in the usa is very affordable. If you have to work and earn a living and would just like to be in NE then NH is your best bet. NH has low taxes (one of the lowest, maine is the highest) and acess to good Jobs. You could even work in Ma and live in NH. Go to ****** and take their quiz. Its fun and can match places to your needs and desires.

[wwtravels]

Originally Posted by flycessna

Moving can be very Subjective. I moved to Maine 12 years ago and have been trying to leave the last 5. I try and give you the facts. High taxes, low wages, lots of poor people, beautifull geography, low crime, ok schools, very democratic, good hard working people, friendly? depends where you live I guess. Most of the areas I'd love to live I can't afford. If you can afford it Portland is exactley what cookie said it is. My basic feelings are maine is a great place to own a 2nd home, visit, or vacation. not a place to work, raise a family and spend the rest of your life. I've lived in ma, va, Dc, MD, and fla. Good luck

flycessna, you've lived in several places we're considering and would appreciate your insight into the following cities: Falmouth/Portland, ME; North Hampton, NH (low taxes but close to Boston); rural area between Haymarket/Leesburg, VA; outside Baltimore, MD. No kids, travel frequently, 48 & 52 yrs old, self employed, looking for estate living (1+ acre) with scenic surroundings less than 1 hr to large metro city with intl hub or regional airport with frequent commuter flights to intl hub. Want one sizable home, price does not matter, accessible year around vs. spliting time between two homes in summer/winter regions. Native Northern Californias nowing living in beautiful, but hot, East Texas looking for right place for next 7 years.