Can the Middle Class Make it in Maine? (Portland, Bangor: for sale, real estate)

[Coaster]

I think the thread is mislabeled: The question isn't "Can the Middle Class Make It in Maine?" As AllAboutMe wrote it, it's "Can the Middle Class Make It in Portland?" And the answer is no. Middle class folks are being priced out of the Portland residential real estate market. And don't even think about trying to rent an apartment for a reasonable price.

This is such a turnaround from the 1970s that it's almost beyond belief. I remember talking to a women who moved to Portland with her executive husband in the 1970s, and she recalls being surprised at the LACK of top-of-the-market homes in Portland. All the bigwigs lived in Cape E or Falmouth Foreside. Even on the peninsula, most of those great old brick homes on the West End had been converted into cheap apartments. The Old Port and waterfront were a dingy center of vandalism, winos, graffitti, and muggers. Two tall office buildings now stand on Monument Square on Congress Street where there was once a donut shop where the local hookers hung out.

All talk about tax burden aside, middle-class home buyers need to be looking outside Portland. I have friends who have found good deals in South Portland, others talk about Saco and Auburn. I'm hearing very good things about Westbrook (but beware of the commuter traffic!).

IMO the undiscovered gem in the Portland region is Bath. It's only 45 minutes from downtown Portland, and homes there are VERY affordable by Portland standards. Bath also has some really good and intriguing restaurants, as well as a busy arts scene centered on the Chocolate Church. As a bonus, the railroad station in downtown Bath is being renovated in preparation for the return of passenger train service into Portland.

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by bigchuckie

I think the middle class is starting to lose out as well. I can survive but there is not alot of money left at the end of the month. I dont drink or smoke or go out to eat Betweeen paying 2.40 for a gallon of heating oil and high property taxes We are looking to move south I can make the same money in NC as I can here without alot of the expeses we have here. IE lower taxes,cost of living, etc. I know there are going to be tradeoff's but in the long run we will be doing better. We have 4 kids and the future here in Me does not look all that bright for them. Unless they get into some type of medical field their opportunities are going to be limited or they can learn to say welcome to Walmart

I think that perhaps the "Grass is always greener on the other side of the fense" effect is happening.

I have lived elsewhere [California, Connecticut, Virginia, Scotland, Italy, Washington], and we find that our cost-of-living is much cheaper here, with one exception.

Heat. In warmer climates, we did not have to contend with so much heat.

But we have lived North as well. And when North it goes with the territory that heating budget is higher.

With that exception, we have found that the cost-of-living is much cheaper.

Now my father lives out in Yuma Arizona, and his cost-of-living is very cheap [once he got used to living without A/C. So you can live out in the desert and find things cheaper, but it is much hotter.

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by Coaster

I think the thread is mislabeled: The question isn't "Can the Middle Class Make It in Maine?" As AllAboutMe wrote it, it's "Can the Middle Class Make It in Portland?" And the answer is no. Middle class folks are being priced out of the Portland residential real estate market. And don't even think about trying to rent an apartment for a reasonable price. ... .

I agree.

All of Northern Mass is expensive.

[AllAboutME]

Originally Posted by Coaster

I think the thread is mislabeled: The question isn't "Can the Middle Class Make It in Maine?" As AllAboutMe wrote it, it's "Can the Middle Class Make It in Portland?" And the answer is no. Middle class folks are being priced out of the Portland residential real estate market. And don't even think about trying to rent an apartment for a reasonable price.

This is such a turnaround from the 1970s that it's almost beyond belief. I remember talking to a women who moved to Portland with her executive husband in the 1970s, and she recalls being surprised at the LACK of top-of-the-market homes in Portland. All the bigwigs lived in Cape E or Falmouth Foreside. Even on the peninsula, most of those great old brick homes on the West End had been converted into cheap apartments. The Old Port and waterfront were a dingy center of vandalism, winos, graffitti, and muggers. Two tall office buildings now stand on Monument Square on Congress Street where there was once a donut shop where the local hookers hung out.

All talk about tax burden aside, middle-class home buyers need to be looking outside Portland. I have friends who have found good deals in South Portland, others talk about Saco and Auburn. I'm hearing very good things about Westbrook (but beware of the commuter traffic!).

IMO the undiscovered gem in the Portland region is Bath. It's only 45 minutes from downtown Portland, and homes there are VERY affordable by Portland standards. Bath also has some really good and intriguing restaurants, as well as a busy arts scene centered on the Chocolate Church. As a bonus, the railroad station in downtown Bath is being renovated in preparation for the return of passenger train service into Portland.

Thanks for the title suggestion. I am focusing mostly on Cumberland County, not just Portland.

South Portland is just as expensive, if not more.

As for Bath, check this:

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/ne...70219bath.html

I've already pointed out that if you look outside of Portland within commuting distance, the pricing is the same or even higher. Associations seem to be the new big thing, and they of course add on their fees. If you add 45 mins or more to your commute, the costs of gas/commuting costs will offset any savings in housing.

[AllAboutME]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

I think that perhaps the "Grass is always greener on the other side of the fense" effect is happening.

I have lived elsewhere [California, Connecticut, Virginia, Scotland, Italy, Washington], and we find that our cost-of-living is much cheaper here, with one exception.

Heat. In warmer climates, we did not have to contend with so much heat.

But we have lived North as well. And when North it goes with the territory that heating budget is higher.

With that exception, we have found that the cost-of-living is much cheaper.

Now my father lives out in Yuma Arizona, and his cost-of-living is very cheap [once he got used to living without A/C. So you can live out in the desert and find things cheaper, but it is much hotter.

I don't see how it is a "grass is always greener" scenario.

I LOVE Maine still and am trying to do whatever it takes to make it work here. I've lived elsewhere.

[AllAboutME]

Originally Posted by bigchuckie

I think the middle class is starting to lose out as well. I can survive but there is not alot of money left at the end of the month. I dont drink or smoke or go out to eat Betweeen paying 2.40 for a gallon of heating oil and high property taxes We are looking to move south I can make the same money in NC as I can here without alot of the expeses we have here. IE lower taxes,cost of living, etc. I know there are going to be tradeoff's but in the long run we will be doing better. We have 4 kids and the future here in Me does not look all that bright for them. Unless they get into some type of medical field their opportunities are going to be limited or they can learn to say welcome to Walmart

Ah, someone who can relate! Keep up the good fight!

[ontheroad]

I'm following the thread because Maine is one of my target sites for a possible relocation.

I've lived many years on and off in New England and miss it!

Why I am chiming in right now is: middle class all over the country is suffering increases in housing, and related costs. I am not moving from the SW because of housing, but culture, but I must say that out here, with few job opportunities for most, very low wages, a higher than 6% unemployment rate in my town/county and skyrocketing living costs, people here will be hard-pressed to identify as middle class.

[AllAboutME]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

I'm following the thread because Maine is one of my target sites for a possible relocation.

I've lived many years on and off in New England and miss it!

Why I am chiming in right now is: middle class all over the country is suffering increases in housing, and related costs. I am not moving from the SW because of housing, but culture, but I must say that out here, with few job opportunities for most, very low wages, a higher than 6% unemployment rate in my town/county and skyrocketing living costs, people here will be hard-pressed to identify as middle class.

Hi! I wouldn't want to scare anyone away. I agree, I think this is a trend happening in many places. I would much rather be struggling in Maine than "making it" someplace else, like a big city. I wish I could do more to influence the situation, or at least buy a house!

[ontheroad]

Thanks, AllaboutMe, I suspect we all recognize the difficulties many who identify as middle class are facing.

And I am so pleased to hear you'd rather face these obstacles in New England, and in particular in Maine.

I never realized what an East Coast, New Englander I was until I wasn't home anymore!

[Coaster]

Originally Posted by AllAboutME

Thanks for the title suggestion. I am focusing mostly on Cumberland County, not just Portland.

South Portland is just as expensive, if not more.

As for Bath, check this:

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/ne...70219bath.html

I've already pointed out that if you look outside of Portland within commuting distance, the pricing is the same or even higher. Associations seem to be the new big thing, and they of course add on their fees. If you add 45 mins or more to your commute, the costs of gas/commuting costs will offset any savings in housing.

AllAboutMe, you seem determined to find the worst in the situation, but let me try one more time. Where are you looking in SoPo where prices are equal to the same house in Portland? Because I can't find it. They're higher than they used to be, certainly, but not at POrtland's level yet.

You can't get much more middle class than me. I live within commuting distance of Portland, and I'm proof that your assertion about home prices is wrong. The Bath leak thing is temporary and will be fixed shortly. To cite that as a reason to discount the city is simply shortsighted. And what "associations" are you talking about? Condominiums? Condos have always come with monthly service fees. I'm not aware of any gated communities in Maine yet, although there's been talk now and again.

And I currently commute more than 45 miles to my job — the expense doesn't come close to offsetting the savings in residential costs. Of course, I'm not driving a Hummer or Escalade SUV either. My only regret is the time involved in driving.