Moving to Augusta (Brunswick, Gardiner, China: apartments, rentals, low crime)

[lostsoul62]

I've been out here in the Phoenix area for 6 years and today it is going to be 113 Degrees. I am sick of this place and I have look at just about everywhere to move to in the US and Maine keeps coming up. I was there for one day 3 years ago so I only know what I can find out on the Internet which is nothing like being there yourself. My town in 1.5 million and Augusta in about 20,000 which is a big change. The ocean isn't far away which would be nice to go to on the weekends. I loved the down town area which reminds me of a city and not a town. I have an Irish setter so I might want to rent a house because apartments are far and few between than would allow a dog and as long as I'm about 20 miles from the VA it would be OK. I'm 64 and retired. So I thought I would post this and see what people think.

[cdodge04]

There is going to be a huge difference coming from AZ to Maine...have you ever lived in a cold climate during the winter? Winters here get pretty cold and we tend to get snow by the foot...just make sure you are ready for that. Augusta is a nice area and the towns around it aren't bad..there is cheap property just have to look and weed out the crap from the good.

[mainebrokerman]

Mnay nice towns around augusta also, very close

I lived in augusta 3 different times in my life, and it's what you make of it, the most irritating/annoying thing about augusta is all the state workers seem to get out of work about the same time, and jam up the roads, so any locals know when and how to get around that
if thats the worst i can think of....then it's not all that bad

[BillAck]

If your moving to Augusta your need to make sure you have a lot of money Home tax's are high water and sewer rates are the highest in the state and you will need to heat your house 9 months out of the year. 95% of the house heat with oil at 3.50 a gal so the average house runs about 4K a year to heat. The cost to register your car will average 500.00 a year for a 2006 and up. That is some of the bad stuff. The schools rank average and keep lowering the stander to make them look better. The job outlook is poor all of the mills and manufacturing has moved to China and the only think here is service jobs at low rates. The State has a hiring freeze in place so that is out. Now the good thing the Rail trail is nice to walk on. and the low crime rate. Augusta has been rated one of the best places to have kids and the sports are good. So like I said if you have a lot of money and don't need to work this is a nice place.

[Zymer]

Originally Posted by BillAck

If your moving to Augusta your need to make sure you have a lot of money Home tax's are high water and sewer rates are the highest in the state and you will need to heat your house 9 months out of the year. 95% of the house heat with oil at 3.50 a gal so the average house runs about 4K a year to heat. The cost to register your car will average 500.00 a year for a 2006 and up. That is some of the bad stuff. The schools rank average and keep lowering the stander to make them look better. The job outlook is poor all of the mills and manufacturing has moved to China and the only think here is service jobs at low rates. The State has a hiring freeze in place so that is out. Now the good thing the Rail trail is nice to walk on. and the low crime rate. Augusta has been rated one of the best places to have kids and the sports are good. So like I said if you have a lot of money and don't need to work this is a nice place.

Is this where *you* went to school?

He's 64 and retired. I don't think he's worried about schools or a job...although there could be some need for someone to teach remedial English spelling & grammar, and Reading Comprehension for those unfortunate graduates of those 'average' (cough, cough) schools.

[atrixwolfe]

you should be fine renting with your dog. Maine is a very dog firendly place. Check craig's lists, its where I found a number of rentals willing to accept my golden retriever and 2 cats. Why agusta? I'm guessing your wanting to be near togus, check hollowell, and gardner and it might be pushing the distance but you could even look down in Wiscassett, or Brunswick...just for other options.

[Coaster]

If you're looking for in-town living within a short distance to the Togus VA hospital, Augusta/Hallowell/Gardiner are all good possibilities. Because of all the government workers in the area, expect rents and home prices to be higher than average for the good places. You can also look at Chelsea and Randolph, across the river from Gardiner and much closer to the VA. All of those towns also offer rural living -- even Augusta has some surprising open space.

Be prepared for winter. If you can, find a house with a solid-fuel (wood, pellet, coal) stove to offset heating oil costs. If it's just you and the dog in a small house with good insulation, expect to pay $2,000 or so each winter for heating oil at current prices if that's your sole source of heat. If you have physical handicaps, add the cost of having your driveway plowed and walkways shoveled.

[BillAck]

Go back to mass.

[Zymer]

Originally Posted by BillAck

zymer (lib flatlander) Go back to mass.

I don't think so, I've come home to stay.

What's this 'lib' stuff? 'Liberal'? LOL, Not me, I'm just about as far to the right as you can get.

I think I'm supposed to be insulted, but...oh, well.

[8635angelvalley]

librarian