Alaska Perspective (Bangor, Presque Isle, Caribou: salaries, to live, cost)

[MeganAK]

Okay, so a couple of nights ago Dave and I got the cold feet sweats and began wondering if we were crazy to think of heading all the way to the other side of the country without really even knowing the area. We both feel a little anxious about the proximity to loads of people. What is the reality of tourists in Maine? Will we be able to forget that we are 5 to 7 hours away from Boston? Because I REALLY will want to forget. Is it normal to get out for recreation and be fairly solo on your adventure? Do many people sea kayak? And how hot does it get exactly in the summer? We are more nervous about the high temps than the low. Sorry for the twenty questions, but who would know better than....YOU! Anyway, just looking for a little reassurance, I guess, that Maine is far enough away from the masses to get lost....

[patriotchick]

HEAT??? not bad here- some days are sticky muggy but I would say high 80's are a norm for like end of july and august sometimes 90's...but it doesnt last lol! usually it goes like this....jan, feb, march, are cold and snowy 0 to 30's, april may and half of june expect temps in the 40 50 60 range last half of june, july august 70 80 possibly 90's then starts to cool off sept oct nov warm days and cooler nights, then come december hopefully snow for christmas!!!!! We lake kayak...have never been ocean kayaking but some people do, I know they have day trip kayaking on the coast, guided tour sort of thing. As for getting lost, hubby and I have been camping and not seen another living soul the whole time we were out. I can only speak for myself but Boston seems a world away....I havent been to boston in like four years, no need to go there. I have walked for hours on dirt roads and trails and not seen another person, you can definately be solo if you wish to be. I think thats why I like the central maine area....coast is only about an hour away if I want to eat lobster and do touristy things and then mount katahdin area is about 40 minutes away if I want to get lost. Bangor is only 45 minutes away if I feel like hitting the mall or going to a movie. In my experience, if I want to enjoy the coast I go when its off season....alot of shops and tourist things are closed, but thats okay with me because I dont like crowds to begin with. On a day to day basis here in Lincoln its fairly quiet. I live six miles from down town on a dirt road and I dont have to see anybody if I dont want to. I putter around the garden and just enjoy the peace and quiet. Tourists mainly stick to the beaten path....and I dont live on the beaten path...so tourists are no problem for me. Depending on where you settle yourselves they probably wont be an issue for you either. be excited!!! what an adventure!!!!

[MeganAK]

That is EXACTLY what we were wanting to hear : ) Thanks! nine more days and counting......

[Maineah]

I have a friend who moved from Maine to Alaska...three times. Each time he moved to AK he stayed anywhere from two to as long as six years. He loved Alaska but the winters were so long and depressing he just finally moved back here to stay.
On the other hand his brother who teaches in Fairbanks has lived there for over 25 years and managed to save a ton of money. His teacher contract paid for his housing and food as incentive for him to stay. His salary is more than double that of a teacher in the lower 48. With no bills and a great salary he and his wife, who is also a teacher, have saved a lot of money over the last 25 years and will be able to retire quite young with funds in the millions of dollars for retirement. .So like anywhere else it's what you make it!

[kmarvin35]

Hi Megan.
You are crazy to move to Maine. You should just stay in Nome. Maine is a terrible, terrible place to live. It's expensive, has bad weather, the people are unfriendly, and housing is hard to come by...oops am I talking about Maine or Nome? Sounds a lot like Nome! I'm just kidding. I think you have figured out who this is and WE WANT YOU TO STAY HERE!! On the upside, I have never actually been to Maine and have always wanted to go there for a visit. Maybe I'll have a reason now. I'll check in with you and Dave when you get back to see what you thought of it. No offense to the Maine people I hope..We love Megan and Dave and hate to see them go! We'd say it about any place they were considering moving to. Megan - I have some teacher friends (married couple) that just moved to Northern Main from Savoonga last summer. If you want I can give you their names and contact. They are about your age. Talk with you in a few weeks. Have a fun trip.

Oh and I have to defend my town - It really is about perspective. I am a third generation Alaskan, my kids are the fourth. We've only been in Nome for six years but we love it most of the time. We have lived in four different Alaskan communities and have found things to love (and hate) about them all. Nome is our second favorite so far. Valdez comes in first for me..that's where I was born, raised, married, and had my kids. We'll probably retire there. If we have any retirement left by then!!

[patriotchick]

My daughter just got back from Valdez what a beautiful place. She took lots of pictures. On her way back to the port she got a video of a black bear eating salmon right on the side of the road, the cabbie pulled over so she could get some good shots.

[IfULivedHere]

Originally Posted by MeganAK

...Okay, so a couple of nights ago Dave and I got the cold feet sweats and began wondering if we were crazy to think of heading all the way to the other side of the country without really even knowing the area. We both feel a little anxious about the proximity to loads of people....

It's all perspective... I have been to Millinocket and compared to where I live (Baltimore, MD suburbs) it is the most quiet and peaceful place i have ever been (maybe only certain places of NYs Adirondacks compare). I rode my bike about 60miles one weekday (for those who are familiar from Cedar lake, rt 11 into town then up to Baxter entrance on Millinocket Rd and back) and was probably passed the entire ride by no more than about 20 cars/logging trucks (not counting my ride through town). For perspective; I did a 7 mile ride at home and was passed by about 20 cars in my first 30seconds of riding at 630am on a weekday morning. For you however there are probably main roads just a few miles outside of Nome were 20 cars are the total daily traffic.

To me Alaska is indeed the "Last Frontier" I think you'll find most of Maine fairly "civilized" compared to Alaska. I mean in many parts of Alaska (outside of cities) preparation against the elements really could be a life or death matter (at least this is what I've seen on TV), even in areas that would probably be considered "civilized" by Alaskan standards - heat, electricity, town within 10-20 miles. No doubt there are places in Maine where at any giving time there may be not a single human within maybe a radius of 60 miles, but I would imagine in Alaska that could be 1000 miles. However having said that Maine to me is still very quiet, charming, and wild. Now I'm not a local so I have a completely different perspective - but Maine just has this way about it, even on a busy day in Bar Harbor or Ogunquit Beach (way down south) there is still this quiet relaxing feeling.

I have no benchmark for comparison but I would think you'd find Maine to be a much easier life - in terms of environment and services. Whether or not that's better is a matter of perspective. One thing that has always perplexed me is the high cost of real estate in Alaska, at least near the cities. I've done some Anchorage searches and been blown away by the price of an average "suburban" style home, it's like $250-$300K. I saw a "House Hunters" episode where a couple in Wasila had paid about $600K (it was not a manison, newer 3 or 4 bdrm, two car garage, maybe 2800-3200 sqr ft) for their home about 3 years ago and were looking to buy a second home in Hawaii. I would have never guessed that any place in Alaska was that expensive. I've always romanticized (falsely perhaps) that only two types of people live in Alaska, those that were born there or those that are looking for a real challenge - the man vs. nature conflict. That means there's only about 3 people I know - including myself who would ever want to move to Alaska (no natives, so that means they want the challenge).

Go for it! What do you have to lose? Sounds like you have the attitude and life skills to survive nearly every situation. Be the best you can be and live every day like it may be your last! Good luck I hope to be following in your footsteps some day.

[dramamama6685]

Originally Posted by MeganAK

Hey, thanks for all the replies! We are getting super excited. We are coming down October 3rd and will spend some time just looking around. We'll post back about how it goes!

Omg.. that means you're there right now. I do hope you find what your heart is looking for.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

No sightings of MeganAK yet. With her permission I'll report if and when they arrive.

[Sunday1]

I don't think Alaska is as much like Maine as people might think. I've never lived in Maine, but have traveled there several times. I have however lived in Alaska. Living in Alaska takes a special breed of person and it's not necessarily about adventure or challenge. For many transplants it's about jobs, career advancement, or escaping something or someone in the Lower 48. I was a corporate transfer for a publishing company. Native Alaskans are a different story all-together. I met plenty of people, however, who weren't the least bit interested in the nature or beauty of Alaska. Lot's of oil people up there and those from related industries. Many (including myself) got on a fast-track career-wise because they were/are willing to accept an assignment up there. I didn't care for Alaska and traveled all over the state. That said, I'm absolutely in love with Maine and considering a relo there. I can't wait to read what Megan thinks about her experience.