Rumford Maine (Farmington, Dixfield, Bethel: to rent, buying a home, buying)

[JT LA]

My wife and I are considering buying a home in Rumford. I've heard the paper mill smell is bad, but we live in downtown Los Angeles...it can't be much worse. We're both teachers/freelance writers, so hopefully income won't be too much of an issue. Would anyone be so kind as to offer any info on the area? Thanks!

[7th generation]

Hi, I grew up 15 miles from Rumford and after travelling around the country Ifinally decided to return. The mill is what is supporting the surrounding communities at this time. How long it will remain in town is anyones guess. With cheap labor overseas and the availability of wood to make paper in 3rd world countries it is hard to predict the longevity. In saying this Rumford is a true Maine town of hard working individuals whom take pride in their community. The school system in town is as good as anywhere I have travelled. Outdoor recreation is fantastic with Sunday River only 18 miles from downtown. The white Mt. National Forest is about the same distance also.There are many lakes of varying size close to town.Black Mt. Ski area is in Rumford. We have a decent hospital and the medical staff seems very professional. Well feel free to ask any thing.I give the area an A+ and please don't consider the smell of the mill the reason you "won't" come to our beautiful area . Pack it up and we will welcome you with open arms!

[Taffy-]

I am also thinking about moving to Rumford.. I was born in a small paper town in Maine.. then moved Machais to attend school.. decided to get to the "city" .. and cant affrod to buy a home here.. So I am thinking about a move ..

I am pretty liberal, I see Rumford voted republican last election..

Any feelings about being gay in Rumford?

[msina]

Like all papertowns, Rumford does stink,... to the people that work there it's "the smell of money being made". There are tons of little towns around the area however and western Maine is nice. I think you could find something to suit you well

[RMFDGUY]

Originally Posted by Taffy-

I am also thinking about moving to Rumford.. I was born in a small paper town in Maine.. then moved Machais to attend school.. decided to get to the "city" .. and cant affrod to buy a home here.. So I am thinking about a move ..

I am pretty liberal, I see Rumford voted republican last election..

Any feelings about being gay in Rumford?

hi i placed an ad in craigslist LOOKING for a gay or lesbian couple to rent my house in rumford. rumford is gay friendly and so is a local campground!!

[elston]

Good Luck Taffy!

[flybob63]

Originally Posted by JT LA

My wife and I are considering buying a home in Rumford. I've heard the paper mill smell is bad, but we live in downtown Los Angeles...it can't be much worse. We're both teachers/freelance writers, so hopefully income won't be too much of an issue. Would anyone be so kind as to offer any info on the area? Thanks!

The papermill smell is definitely there.... I have been going to Rumford a couple times a year my whole life.... My mother and father live directly across the river from the mill. The smell used to be so bad that you could smell it 15 or 20 miles away at Roxbury Pond when the wind was blowing the right way.

The Mead Paper Corporation, who now owns the mill, has done alot to curb the smell and it is not near as bad anymore....

Rumford itself is an industrial town with a small downtown area...Myself, I love the place and the smell does not bother me at all...

If the smell bothers you, try the towns of Dixfield, just a few miles away, or Bethel, about 15-20 miles away.

If you are looking for a simple way of life in a beautiful country setting in the north country than western Maine is a great place to be.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Mead sold the Rumford mill to New Page Corporation.

If the occasional smell is a problem the best area to live in is up river from the mill.

[CreditWitch]

I remember that smell...like cabbage boiling for too long.

[juststoppinby]

I was in Rumford a couple of weekends ago. What a nice small town. My brother in law works at the mill and makes a nice living for his family. Like other posters have said if the smell bothers you try one of the other towns around Rumford. Farmington can be a nice area,Canton and Dixfield are nice too.