Young amily moving from North of Seattle to Maine (Portland: appointed, real estate)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 1.5 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
... I think people have been really negative in response to your post and I'm not sure why, but they are absolutely correct in that you should come out here and spend some time and see if you like it. It is very different than Seattle! In a good way, though: people are nice here, cost of living is less, "traffic" doesn't exist here, comparatively, to name a few. ...
It rather comfuzzles me, why folks jumped in here with such negativity.
Maine is so much nicer and cheaper an area to live in than Sea-Tac, I do not see why anyone would jump in to say otherwise.
I think the negativity stems from the fact that while Portland is a great little place, it's certainly not for everyone. It's only a good fit (like anywhere else) if it has what you're looking for... if it doesn't, it's easy to be absolutely miserable here (again, like anywhere else).
The reason my post (I'm not going to speak for everyone) may have sounded a bit negative is that the original poster said nothing to show that they would be a good fit for the area. Why encourage someone to come to a place that they may not enjoy? I think some of the people here that are absolutely thrilled with Portland, and Maine in general, may find it hard to see how some people may not enjoy it.
The person was looking to buy a $500k home and work in presumably a white-collar position. While you can find a really nice $500k in the Portland area, the job will be harder to come by than many other places where 500k can get him a nice home. He can also find peace and quiet in other areas where 500k will get him a nice home AND get him a job. There was also little evidence to support the fact that Jc1912 has had much experience in Maine.
Maine's a wonderful place, it's easy to see why people love it here, but I won't support someone packing up and heading out here unless they've either got a Job locked up or have spent enough time here to know that it's a good enough fit and the job can come later. It's just not for everyone, especially someone who wants to keep the same type of job and standard of living they had in a major metro-area. If Jc1912 would like to share a little more information on why Maine is the location of choice, then I'm sure we'd all be glad to make some realistic suggestions and be a bit more supportive.
I really don't mean to sound negative, but my father liked to pack up and move on a whim and many times those moves ended up poorly. I hope Maine can be a good fit for Jc1912, but I haven't seen any information that would lead me to believe that it would. Many people paint such a rosey picture of the place because they're super happy here, but that doesn't mean everyone else will be. Again, I would suggest coming out here and spending some time to get a better idea of how it feels. It's a beautiful place, a friendly place, and an all round wonderful place; but those things alone don't put food on the table and a roof over your head and that needs to be taken into account after experiencing Maine in person... is it worth it for you? That answer is going to be different for everyone.
It rather comfuzzles me, why folks jumped in here with such negativity.
Maine is so much nicer and cheaper an area to live in than Sea-Tac, I do not see why anyone would jump in to say otherwise.
???
I'll jump in (politely, I hope!) and say that my husband is a Washington State native (my grandparents lived in Bremerton for over 50 years), but when faced with choices for retirement and not a government-ordered move, we chose Maine over Seattle. After living everywhere else in the United States, Maine feels like we're finally coming home.
It's still 2+ years until we get to move, but we did buy the place in September. It's a good time to buy if you've done your research and you are ready to buy if the perfect place for you comes up (and ready to be patient and wait if you don't find it right away).
Forest, you have mentioned the San Joaquin Valley of central California, and it always makes me smile. My mom was born in a tiny town called Stratford, near Lemoore, CA. She later lived up in the redwoods near Eureka. I enjoy California's diverse terrain (the Sierra Nevadas, Yosemite, the coastline, the desert, etc.) but we love Maine for living.
There has been some comment about the negativity of some of the replies to this original post. I am one of those people who respond with a negative tone, and sometime sharply to posts of this sort. But I myself find nothing negative about living in Maine. I am not a native although my mother's family was old Maine, and I spent at least a part of my summers here as a child. After moving here in true privation in 1977, I now can say I will not leave here to live anywhere else, and would prefer to live again in privation here, than in luxury in a big city.
But this post is from someone who has represented himself/herself as a "benefits broker". As far as I know from a pretty deep pool of experience, this is actually a life, accident and health insurance sales position specializing in retirement and fringe benefits packages normally for employers who have more than 50 employees. Assuming that this person will have licenses to enable sales in all states, it is possible to start each day in Maine and travel around the country, but such jobs exist in Maine is relatively small number because the marketing opportunity in Maine for such products is very, very small.
This person has said that their house buying budget is in the half million range. I don't know what the median home price in Maine is, but I'll bet that half a million is more than twice the price of the median home sale in Maine. Assuming that this person has earned his/her own money, then they are used to living on about a six figure income and perhaps more. If so, they are talking about being in the upper three percent or so of Mainers, and waaay above the norm, even for metropolitan Portland.
Based on the information available, it seems to me a strong dose of negativity might be in order, just to make sure that the poster has the right information about this State and what this state offers. I personally knew insurance people who wrote more insurance business in one year than I could have hoped to write in ten here in Maine. But had they moved to Portland, I KNEW that I could have cleaned their clock in about two weeks. They were fine people, but they belonged in New York City and not anywhere in the state of Maine.
I'll jump in (politely, I hope!) and say that my husband is a Washington State native (my grandparents lived in Bremerton for over 50 years), but when faced with choices for retirement and not a government-ordered move, we chose Maine over Seattle. After living everywhere else in the United States, Maine feels like we're finally coming home.
We kept looking around, while at each duty station. Hoping to find an area where we could afford a farm and to live on my retirement. Looking and looking, ....
Finally we were in Italy on my last tour of duty before they threw me out, and we decided upon Maine just from the economy stats.
It was a good decision.
Quote:
... Forest, you have mentioned the San Joaquin Valley of central California, and it always makes me smile. My mom was born in a tiny town called Stratford, near Lemoore, CA. She later lived up in the redwoods near Eureka. I enjoy California's diverse terrain (the Sierra Nevadas, Yosemite, the coastline, the desert, etc.) but we love Maine for living.
Neat!
I once was in Lemoore at the NAS getting a brass cartridge removed from my pupil. What I saw from my other eye looked nice
We once lived on a goat dairy in Upper lake [just South of Ukiah].
California is nice for having so many entirely different regions. But wow it has gotten expensive!
I have hiked a lot in Yosemite, gold panned all over the Sierra Nevadas, climbed Tioga Pass, and part way up Mt. Whitney. What a great variety
There has been some comment about the negativity of some of the replies to this original post. I am one of those people who respond with a negative tone, and sometime sharply to posts of this sort. But I myself find nothing negative about living in Maine. I am not a native although my mother's family was old Maine, and I spent at least a part of my summers here as a child. After moving here in true privation in 1977, I now can say I will not leave here to live anywhere else, and would prefer to live again in privation here, than in luxury in a big city.
But this post is from someone who has represented himself/herself as a "benefits broker". As far as I know from a pretty deep pool of experience, this is actually a life, accident and health insurance sales position specializing in retirement and fringe benefits packages normally for employers who have more than 50 employees. Assuming that this person will have licenses to enable sales in all states, it is possible to start each day in Maine and travel around the country, but such jobs exist in Maine is relatively small number because the marketing opportunity in Maine for such products is very, very small.
This person has said that their house buying budget is in the half million range. I don't know what the median home price in Maine is, but I'll bet that half a million is more than twice the price of the median home sale in Maine. Assuming that this person has earned his/her own money, then they are used to living on about a six figure income and perhaps more. If so, they are talking about being in the upper three percent or so of Mainers, and waaay above the norm, even for metropolitan Portland.
Based on the information available, it seems to me a strong dose of negativity might be in order, just to make sure that the poster has the right information about this State and what this state offers. I personally knew insurance people who wrote more insurance business in one year than I could have hoped to write in ten here in Maine. But had they moved to Portland, I KNEW that I could have cleaned their clock in about two weeks. They were fine people, but they belonged in New York City and not anywhere in the state of Maine.
I agree with you that securing a job that can support your lifestyle is a must prior to moving forward with a move like this. HOWEVER, (and i had to go back to make sure), the OP was simply asking for advice on areas around Portland to consider as possible places to relocate to. For all we know, she does not need to worry about her job/income. Perhaps she can work via telecommuting, like i do. who knows. I just think it's more positive and constructive to give the advice the OP is asking for rather than hammering him/her on why it can be hard to live here.
I agree with you that securing a job that can support your lifestyle is a must prior to moving forward with a move like this. HOWEVER, (and i had to go back to make sure), the OP was simply asking for advice on areas around Portland to consider as possible places to relocate to. For all we know, she does not need to worry about her job/income. Perhaps she can work via telecommuting, like i do. who knows. I just think it's more positive and constructive to give the advice the OP is asking for rather than hammering him/her on why it can be hard to live here.
He/She said the current job was a "benefits broker". As far as I know that is a face to face insurance sales position dealing in benefits packages for employees and sold to employers. IF that is in fact the case, the job potential in Maine is pretty limited unless there is some major connection that requires extensive travel out of the state of Maine.
A "benefits broker" doesn't do anything with telecommuting, and since the only other information given was the market range in which this person expected to buy a house, I think a very hard does of reality was certainly what was called for.
While it has been said truely that a major purpose of this forum is to tell people about how good the state of Maine is, I think it is extremely important to tell people what Maine really is: a very large (for the northeast), mostly rural, relatively poor state with a tiny population, and therefore relatively skimpy economic prospects for many "modern" employment situations.
We have a young family (toddler and infant) and are considering moving to Maine by Q4 2009 or Q1 2010.
As someone who moved from Seattle/Tacoma to Maine, I think you're making a wise choice. If you can make a living in Maine -- and I won't lie; Maine does not have a strong economy and finding work could be a problem depending on what you do -- it really is the way life should be.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jc1912
We would need to live a reasonable distance from an urban center for my work (I am a benefits broker). We are thinking Portland, but would love to hear feedback and other ideas.
For "urban areas" you've only got a few choices in Maine: Portland, Bangor, Augusta, and Lewiston/Auburn. Of the cities themselves, I prefer Portland and Bangor over the others, but if you're willing to commute a bit, there are very nice bedroom communities around all of them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jc1912
Based on where we live now, a reasonable distance is 30 miles and an hour commute. We prefer a suburb or even semi-rural setting - the big city doesn't do it for us.
One thing you will LOVE about Maine: No traffic! I remember Seattle. Some days you are lucky if you can go 30 miles in an hour. I used to have a commute of 18 miles, and there were days it took almost an hour and a half. Barring major accidents or road work, that just doesn't happen in Maine.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jc1912
We would not interested in living in a high end neighborhood and the personal nonsense that can go along with that. We have to have a big yard of at least .5 acres, and not too far from good recreation (hiking mainly).
Once you get north of Portland, anywhere in the state fits that bill.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jc1912
Our price range for housing would be around $450K - $500K.
You'll have no trouble whatsoever finding a great home at that price range.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jc1912
Given the givens of the economy, I am hoping the Maine housing market is much kinder!
Lots of stuff for sale right now. It is a buyer's market.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jc1912
Schools are also an upcoming concern. Recommnedations on good districts would be helpful.
First bit of advice:
VISIT. Spend the next few months doing some research, then make a list of possible places, then come for a visit. And don't just visit your list. Look around. We did this. Places we thought we'd love, we ended up not liking very much. Places we thought we wouldn't like, we liked a lot. And the place we ended up moving hadn't even made our original list.
Towns I'd recommend:
Brunswick/Topsham has great schools, great recreation for the kids, low crime, and you are within a half-hour of Portland, Lewiston/Auburn, and Augusta. There are some downsides. With the Naval Air Station closing, the local economy is hurting right now. Make sure you've got an income before you pull up stakes and move. If you want to go even more rural, check out nearby Bowdoinham. Great tiny little town that'll put you a bit closer to Augusta, Lewiston, and Auburn, but a bit farther from Portland. Very, very artsy little place. I think they have their own elementary school, but jr. high and high school kids go into Topsham.
Falmouth, Yarmouth, and Freeport. Half an hour or less from Portland. Good schools. Great recreation.
Bath. Only about ten minutes past Brunswick and Topsham. With your home budget, you could probably buy one of the nicest houses in town. Great downtown area. The schools I've heard mixed things about. I've heard the elementary schools are great, but the jr. high and high school ... not so much.
Gardiner and Hallowell. Bedroom communities to Augusta. Both very nice little towns.
In my opinion, I would avoid anything south of Portland. Too crowded, and crime rates tend to rise the farther south you go. The only towns I would warn you against outright would be Saco, Biddeford, and Lewiston, but I'm sure you can find people who like them.
We re-located to Gorham from southern California. Gorham is a town about 1/2 hour from Portland. We love it here. We also liked Saco and Scarborough. They are both easy commute distance to Portland. When we were looking we found house lots in Portland to be small....but all the surrounding communities have LOTS within your budget....and that match your stated goals. You will probably not to spend what you are budgeting for housing.
Employment is tough...better try to get that lined up before moving and have some resources to carry you thru some tough times.
I think you will find Maine to be a simpler less yuppy enviornment...a bit rougher around the edges...than the west coast...but a truly wonderful quality of life.
Good Luck to your and your family, what ever you decide.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $53,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 1.5 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
