Maine Insecurities (Portland, Patten: health insurance, how much, house)

[MeganAK]

When my hubby and I were standing at a pull-out outsaide of Patten, we were taking pictures of the mountains and trees, and we discussed the fact that we should take a video to remind us later how much we liked Maine. Well, the wind was blowing and it was a little chilly, and then the battery on the camera died, so we didn't get to take the video. And just as we suspected, the longer we sit and rot here in Nome, the more insecurities we have and uncertainties about where to go. It is such a weird feeling to be rootless. So here are the things that make us so uncertain and slightly afraid about moving to Maine:

1. The wages for Nurses are so much lower that I am having a difficult
time imagining how we will get by.

2. The taxes are much higher than we pay now (since we don't pay state
tax). This combined with lower wages makes me feel it even more.

3. Health Care Options and Cost: The amount seems a bit high!

So I guess what is so difficult for us is that we are really wanting to buy our own land, build our own house out of pocket, and get some roots! In order to do that, we need to be able to afford it! <sigh> We want to eventually work just part time, raise a family, grow as much of our own food as we can, hunt for meat, and grow old!

If there are people out there who are doing the same thing, wanting to do the same thing, or feeling the same fear about moving, let me know, because we just need some reality checking! Why is it so scary to do something that wasn't scary at all when I moved to Alaska? Is it because now we have a defineable dream and know what we need to do to achieve it? Or is it just that we have been so comfortable for two years that discomfort makes us squirm? These are all rhetorical questions, just thinking out loud........

The only other places we have looked to live are Colorado (which is closer to fmaily, but too expensive) and Minnesota (which is closer to family, but FLAT) and neither place pays any better or has any different taxes. I just wish we weren't so afraid. I wish we could just go for it, like jumping into the deep end as a kid with my nose plugged and my eyes closed. I always popped back up to the top. But why is that the older we get, the harder it is to remember that?

Thanks to all of you for just living your lives and writing about it. It does give me hope.

[Elcarim]

What led you to think of Maine to begin with? What is your particular "draw"?

I have to say from my personal experience that Maine is either part of you or it's not. It is not a place to move just to see if it fits. It's not the place to move if you want to make more money working less hours. It you need a video or pictures or convincing you to move there, for goodness sakes, reconsider that choice!

When we found Maine, we knew WHAT we were looking for - we just had no idea where to find it. When we entered the state for the very first time and began our drive up that highway, we KNEW we were home! There were absolutely no doubts in our minds. We didn't need anyone to tell us how wonderful it is - though they did. We didn't need anyone to tell us we were welcome there - though they did. And we didn't need anything going home with us to remind us of where we belong - though everywhere we turn, the signs seem to be around us! I got a photo of my brother in the mail the other day - the tie he was wearing had a picture of the Portland Headlight on it - he didn't even know what it was!

When you find YOUR right place in the world, you'll know, and all the signs and confirmations will be there to comfort you and show you that the universe is aligned! When HOME is calling you, you won't need to know how you'll make ends meet - you'll know that whatever it takes, you WILL make it work - just to be in that perfect, right place in your life.

[forest beekeeper]

MeganAK -

A depressed economy can be 'good' or it can be 'bad'.

Lower wages, and prices tend to be lower.

You may be looking at a reduced income when you move to Maine. We moved to Maine as our income was dropping as well. In our case we don't earn a high enough income to pay income taxes. So I really can help you there.

We have been paying under $50 / year for our property taxes, though now with our house nearly completion our property taxes will be going up.

Health care; I cant really comment on. I am retired military so I have a fairly good health insurance underwriter helping us with a local HMO plan. An annual enrollment fee, office co-pays, and script co-pays.

If I was not retired military, I have no idea what we would be paying.

[moughie]

If you have any doubts at all, you should not move to Maine.
The decision should feel right and there should not be any nagging concerns in your mind.

Move on and check out the next choice.
Best of luck to you!

[MeganAK]

Originally Posted by Elcarim

What led you to think of Maine to begin with? What is your particular "draw"?

I have to say from my personal experience that Maine is either part of you or it's not. It is not a place to move just to see if it fits. It's not the place to move if you want to make more money working less hours. It you need a video or pictures or convincing you to move there, for goodness sakes, reconsider that choice!

I guess I have to clarify some things! We were initially drawn to Maine because it has many of the topographical features that we love about Alaska- ocean, mountains, tundra, similar flora/fauna, winter with snow, etc. We love Alaska, but it has become less feasible to live here because of distance from family, difficulty in obtaining goods, infrastructure, cost of living, etc. So we started looking around. Maine immediately drew us in and we loved it when we came to visit. The reason that it is difficult when we get back to Nome is because of the sheer immensity of moving out of Nome. I don't want to be in Nome, I am ready to move on, but we have to fly everything we own out of here and then pack it all into a trailer and drive out of Alaska. It is a HUGE undertaking and fairly intimidating. Being in Nome, with no trees, no sun, and nothing but quiet desperation, it is hard to remember what Maine was like. And it is easy to let doubt creep back in. We are just scared. Scared of change, scared of the unknown. It isn't that we need convincing, it is just hard to leave what is familiar. I have lived in Alaska for eleven years! Living in Alaska and wanting to move somewhere else is especially difficult because we can't drive places to investigate. We have to fly long distances and pay lots of money to even check a place out, and I know that you can't really get a feel for a place on vacation. So I guess we are just feeling lost, feeling like we are stuck on some island in the middle of winter and it is a long road out! If we were living somewhere in the Continental US, it would be easier. We could more easily investigate places to live. Anyway, thanks for your thoughts. They are good thoughts, even if they sadden me because we AREN'T sure. And it isn't any fun to have a dream and have no direction as to where to go. I feel I am rambling. THanks for listening. We will keep searching and try to find our home.

[RHB]

Only you can make that call....
Did you feel nervous the last move you made?
The life here isn't like anywhere else, just like life in Alaska isn't like anywhere else.

From someone who has moved many times...each place is what you make of it. Each move came with doubts, worries and concerns...Each move came with some wonderful (and some not so wonderful) experiences.

If you do come...and find you don't like it...I promise, we will let you leave (maybe )

[RANGER.101ST]

Originally Posted by MeganAK

When my hubby and I were standing at a pull-out outsaide of Patten, we were taking pictures of the mountains and trees, and we discussed the fact that we should take a video to remind us later how much we liked Maine. Well, the wind was blowing and it was a little chilly, and then the battery on the camera died, so we didn't get to take the video. And just as we suspected, the longer we sit and rot here in Nome, the more insecurities we have and uncertainties about where to go. It is such a weird feeling to be rootless. So here are the things that make us so uncertain and slightly afraid about moving to Maine:

1. The wages for Nurses are so much lower that I am having a difficult
time imagining how we will get by.

2. The taxes are much higher than we pay now (since we don't pay state
tax). This combined with lower wages makes me feel it even more.

3. Health Care Options and Cost: The amount seems a bit high!

So I guess what is so difficult for us is that we are really wanting to buy our own land, build our own house out of pocket, and get some roots! In order to do that, we need to be able to afford it! <sigh> We want to eventually work just part time, raise a family, grow as much of our own food as we can, hunt for meat, and grow old!

If there are people out there who are doing the same thing, wanting to do the same thing, or feeling the same fear about moving, let me know, because we just need some reality checking! Why is it so scary to do something that wasn't scary at all when I moved to Alaska? Is it because now we have a defineable dream and know what we need to do to achieve it? Or is it just that we have been so comfortable for two years that discomfort makes us squirm? These are all rhetorical questions, just thinking out loud........

The only other places we have looked to live are Colorado (which is closer to fmaily, but too expensive) and Minnesota (which is closer to family, but FLAT) and neither place pays any better or has any different taxes. I just wish we weren't so afraid. I wish we could just go for it, like jumping into the deep end as a kid with my nose plugged and my eyes closed. I always popped back up to the top. But why is that the older we get, the harder it is to remember that?

Thanks to all of you for just living your lives and writing about it. It does give me hope.

your thinking to mutch and your mind is talking you out of it.if you have no roots as you say then what have you got to loose dont think just do.good luck

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by MeganAK

I guess I have to clarify some things! We were initially drawn to Maine because it has many of the topographical features that we love about Alaska- ocean, mountains, tundra, similar flora/fauna, winter with snow, etc. We love Alaska, but it has become less feasible to live here because of distance from family, difficulty in obtaining goods, infrastructure, cost of living, etc. So we started looking around. Maine immediately drew us in and we loved it when we came to visit. The reason that it is difficult when we get back to Nome is because of the sheer immensity of moving out of Nome. I don't want to be in Nome, I am ready to move on, but we have to fly everything we own out of here and then pack it all into a trailer and drive out of Alaska. It is a HUGE undertaking and fairly intimidating. Being in Nome, with no trees, no sun, and nothing but quiet desperation, it is hard to remember what Maine was like. And it is easy to let doubt creep back in. We are just scared. Scared of change, scared of the unknown. It isn't that we need convincing, it is just hard to leave what is familiar. I have lived in Alaska for eleven years! Living in Alaska and wanting to move somewhere else is especially difficult because we can't drive places to investigate. We have to fly long distances and pay lots of money to even check a place out, and I know that you can't really get a feel for a place on vacation. So I guess we are just feeling lost, feeling like we are stuck on some island in the middle of winter and it is a long road out! If we were living somewhere in the Continental US, it would be easier. We could more easily investigate places to live. Anyway, thanks for your thoughts. They are good thoughts, even if they sadden me because we AREN'T sure. And it isn't any fun to have a dream and have no direction as to where to go. I feel I am rambling. THanks for listening. We will keep searching and try to find our home.

Relax.

Every time that you move it is hard.

I have moved many times, it is always hard.

But you have made the decision to leave Alaska. That was a big decision.

Maybe Maine is for you. If you allow your fears to gain control then only your fears will have won the day.

There are folks on CD who will say negatives about Maine. That happens.

For now, it seems that you need to breath deep and relax.

Anywhere that you go to, will have folks who would criticize you for going there.

That is life.

condemnant quod non intellegunt

[MeganAK]

Thanks RHB- I DID feel nervous about the last move. Moving to Nome was just as hard beforehand as imagining moving out. I am a creature of habit- I get really anxious about change, and then love it once it happens. That's my pattern.

And you are right, Ranger101- I DO think too much, and AM thinking too much. Thanks. That's what I needed, I guess. One of the many things I don't like about Nome- too much darkness and too much thinking. Can't wait to have more daylight than four hours a day!

Sometimes I think we have been dreaming so long that we are afraid of it becoming a reality! It is a huge leap of faith. And you are right, we don't have anything to lose. We know we don't want to stay in Nome, and we are ready to leave Alaska.
Thank you, thank you very much. I'll try to spend more time thinking about getting a job, then I'll think about moving : )

[Maineah]

You have Sarah Palin as Governor.....I'd stay there!