Norway, Maine. Please help. Thanks everyone. (Portland, Lewiston: real estate, home builders, job market)

[Paulc1383]

Everyone on this board has been a tremendous help thus far and I really appreciate it.

Norway, ME...Can any 1 share some of their experiences with me concerning this town and Oxford County as a whole? I understand its only about an hour drive to Portland; but are there any other intriguing locations nearby? Coastline? Mountains? Before driving the 3 + hours with my wife from Providence, your help can be a huge deciding factor beforehand. The real estate prices seem wonderful, and we are thinking about making a move fairly quickly.

Would you recommend living in or near this town if you already had a job that allows you to work from your home office? I was also looking into Calais, Maine, but Norway seems like a better fit from the research I have been doing thus far.

Any and all information/advice would be great. Thank you all so much. I look forward to your responses.

[flycessna]

I like the Norway-oxford-Paris area...though I prefer Paris. Paris is vey nice....hannible hamlin (former vice president) had a home on paris hill which is now owned by bob barr (own NH speedway)..Paris Hill is very nice.

I have been told that toen of...oxford has the business, Paris is a little more upscale residential, and norway has more multi families.....But I think they are all about the same...the schools are decent with a very nice HS...

You would be more commutable to Lewiston Auburn rather than Portland...rt26 is a tough drive. Also consider that on the ballot right now is to aprove the building of a 126 million dollar casino in the town of oxford right next to Norway....this would bring in about 900 jobs and certaintly change the landscape of the area.

Overall I would consider living there...Oxford county is the gateway to the white Mt's in Maine and Norway/paris/Oxford are nicely located so that you could still drive to Portland when needed and to the ocean.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Norway is somewhat of the service center for the Oxford and Paris area. It has a good little hospital and there are several very good private schools in the area. I would expect the job market to be better than average despite the fact that at least three modular home builders in Oxford have closed recently. I expect that at least one will reopen. The demand is there.

[lrfox]

Paul, if you're from the Providence area (I used to live on George St.) , moving to the Norway/S. Paris area will be an adjustment. You're probably not used (then again, maybe you are... I shouldn't assume) to 1/2 hour+ being a regular drive time to get almost anywhere. Of course, if you live in the center of town (Norway and S. Paris are pretty much connected), you'll have some of what you need right there, and there's a big Walmart on 26 on Oxford; but any urban area is quite a commute and those urban areas will be much smaller than what you're used to. Lewiston will be the closest, and it's about the size of Taunton, MA (a little smaller than Taunton, actually) and Portland is about 1/3 the size of Providence and doesn't offer the same type amenities you're used to in RI.

All that said, the Oxford Hills area, and specifically Norway, S. Paris, are beautiful. They offer enough to make you feel like you're somewhere, but at the same time feel secluded. Real Estate is relatively affordable, and you can find some gorgeous homes in the area.

Lewiston is the closest city, and as I've mentioned it's small. Most chain retail is accross the river from Lewiston in Auburn, centered around one of the tiniest indoor malls you'll ever see. It's anywhere between 1/2 hour and 40 Minutes drive to get to Lewiston/Auburn by car. Lewiston doesn't offer too much in the way of cultural activity, but it's not completely dead either. Portland, like you said, is about one hour (give or take depending on the flow of traffic along route 26). It's much smaller than Providence, but offers a decent array of restuarants, shops and cultural activities. Most people, if they're not expecting a big city, fall in love with it's quaint seaside charm. The activity downtown in the summertime reminds me of a more middle class Newport R.I (just a personal observation).

In terms of what's around the area, there's plenty of natural beauty. You're not far from the Lakes (in fact, there's a lake right next to Norway) Region including Sebago and Long Lake. You know Portland is 1 hour and that's your seacoast area. and the Mountains and Bethel ("Maine's Most Beautiful Mountain Village") are only 1/2 hour away straight up 26. 26 sees increased traffic in tourism seasons because it's the primary route for people to get to the Sunday River Ski Area (right next to Bethel, in Newry).

If you're looking for somewhere quiet, yet with relatively easy access to the basic needs, Norway/South Paris is a good choice. It's certainly not big, but you have a good hospital, good schools, and your Walmart and Grocery store. Since you have a job where you can work from home, hunting for a job won't be a problem (it's usually one of the biggest obstacles in the way of most people moving to Maine). Going on what I've seen from your post I'd say it's worth making the drive to check it out in person; you'll probably love the area.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

I went through Oxford after the Fryeburg Fair and I see there is a Tractor Supply going in just down from WalMart. They are great sources for everything for farms, snow removal, light logging and just general rural equipment.

[juststoppinby]

I am very familiar with the Norway-So. Paris area. I graduated from Oxford Hills High School and my kids did also. I worked in both So. Paris and Oxford for many years. My son lives in Oxford. That area is a nice area and as other posters have said, it is withing 30-60 minutes to most everything you want. Since you will be working from home and employment is not an issue it will be even nicer. Job opportunities there are not all that plentiful although with the possibility of a casino it will help the area as far as employment goes. If I can answer any questions that have not already been answered, please let me know.

[mollysmiles]

Paul I think you will really enjoy that particular area of Maine, and I think business wise you stand to hit a broader population and better numbers than over here in Calais. We do have the benefit of the border traffic, but it's not always easy to tap into that. Best of luck to you and let us know what you decide

[smdonald]

Paul did you ever make it to Norway?? I have lived her now for 10 years I moved from the Newport area an love it here. The area offers everything you really need. I do travel to Portland everyday, which is an hour to work but it is a pleasure come back home. The moutains and lakes are beautiful.

[gcberry]

I'd recommend checking out the following nearby towns:
Waterford, Stoneham, Lovell, Bridgton, Stow