Bangor, Brewer, Hampden or Winterport PLEASE help with some advice (Portland: houses, high schools)

[fxtrader]

I agree with everyone above as far as the upper crust being relative to your experience. I grew up in Bangor and lived there for 19 years. Hampden was always considered uppity by most everyone in the area.
I have spent the last 4 years in the suburbs of NYC in towns that are really uppity by any standard. We don't really have many options. It is either live in a nice town or live in an area that you have to worry about safety. My opinion of Hampden being high class has definately changed over the years. I drove through Hampden a couple of months ago and was telling my wife how the town was always considered in this regard. She seemed surprised and I guess now that my experiences have changed, I would have to agree with her.

[mollysmiles]

I'd agree too.... I went to school in Orono, and then lived in Bangor after for 15 years. I'd heard about Hampden being a snobby town, but it was from people who were from that area. I don't think that people who move there feel that way, or even see how that is true I like a lot of the towns in the Bangor area, I really like Orrington.... very nice town feel and the history and community are a priority

[MEbound700]

Aside from the schools, do the politics differ much among Bangor, Brewer, Hampden, Orrington etc. I get the impression from everything I read is that it is mixed except for some places like Winterport that might be more decidedly conservative. Any thoughts?

[Presque Isle]

Hi folks, I've been away from the forum for many months having decided NOT to move from Presque Isle to the Bangor area. My husband and I have done a weekend travel back and forth thing for 13 months and have finally decided to make the move. We looked at 50 homes and finally we've purchased a house in Hampden and will be moving there Nov. 7. I've been reading the posts again and have some concerns about the whole "snobby" issue. It hadn't occurred to me that it could be an issue. We looked for a long time and certainly now that we're making the big move I hope we made the right choice.

[Elcarim]

Yay for you, Presque Isle! I'm happy to hear you're making it up there!

[juststoppinby]

Presque Isle, I moved to Hampden in June and love it! I don't have kids (mine are grown and gone) but love being here. We are renting but may buy in the next year or two. I don't think you will regret it one bit. DM me if you have any questions I can answer.

[puntin]

I grew up in Hampden. I thought it was a great place to grow up. The schools are great, it's a nice safe community, you are close to Bangor. I think a lot of the snob thing comes from the community not wanting a bunch of chain stores up and down main street, they want to keep it that quaint New England town. Wow, how snobby

[starwalker]

Originally Posted by MEbound700

Aside from the schools, do the politics differ much among Bangor, Brewer, Hampden, Orrington etc. I get the impression from everything I read is that it is mixed except for some places like Winterport that might be more decidedly conservative. Any thoughts?

I am not much of a political animal -- but do tend to be a little more on the liberal "crunch" side of things. I can say that in the rural area outside of Bangor where we live and wander (north of 95) I can report a heavy preponderance of McCain yard signs and only a scattering of Obama, if that helps you at all.

I have clients in Bangor and spend quite a bit of time there and think the place is pretty much accepting, period.

[Presque Isle]

Thanks everyone, I'm looking forward to making the move and starting to get settled. my husband has enjoyed the Bangor area, but he sure hasn't like the moving he's had to do over these months, 4 different places, and the travelling home and back again on weekends.
Like sdstlouis our sons are grown and living away. Portland actually. I'm really glad that we'll be closer to them.
Still have to figure out the stuff like cable, internet and such. We're downsizing so I still have a bunch of decisions to make about what will and won't fit in the house.

[MEbound700]

How far south of Brewer can you go towards the water and keep a reasonable commute?