Anyone live in Maine, work in CT? (Portland, Bangor: house, transfer)

[newenglanders2]

We moved from Maine about 3 years ago to CT, due to job in Hartford. We miss Maine, want to move back. My husband would commute on weekends to Maine. We used to do this when he worked in Baltimore. Can't say we liked it, but don't like living in CT either. (beautiful state, just too many people and poor air quality) Want to retire in about 10 years or so.
Looking to live south of Augusta, north of Portland, more on the east side of 295. We've lived in Waterville, Bangor and Aroostook County. Looking for any advice on decent towns, friendly people. Also would love to hear from someone who is actually doing this, the pitfalls, what they like, quality of life, etc.
We have been concentrating on the Jefferson/Whitefield area, but may consider more coastal, out past Bath, etc.
Thanks so much for all your help! (PS: No kids, we are empty nesters)

[RHB]

We moved from CT to Argyle...about 25 miles north of Bangor. As hubby was prepping the land (he's retired) I stayed in CT (New London County) until I could transfer my job up here. Trying to get together on the weekends were hard...but then again our commute was 6-61/2 hours - yours would be shorter.
Since you would need to run two households, it might be easier for you to head south rather than hubby heading north on the weekends. The other thing is the expense of running two households.
I really have no advise for you...sorry...just somethings from my experience trying that, which may provide food for thought.

[arzachena]

When I lived in CT (New London County) I found that the trip to Belfast, Maine on the weekends was crazy.
The traffic was nuts!!! Especially around the toll booths and forget about holiday weekends!

But now that I live in Maine...travel to CT on the weekend is fine.
Everyone is traveling north on Friday (while I'm traveling south)
and south on Sunday (while I'm traveling north).

[RHB]

arzachena - where in New London? I grew up in Montville, move to Waterford in high school, married a sailor stationed in Groton, and have property in Norwich.

It is just a lot of time on the road, and after working all week...arzachena is right, you hit those tolls in traffic ....uggggg

[arzachena]

DH was stationed at NLON subase for 11 years. I have family in the area (Mystic/Beacon Falls/Windham) so I loved it. We lived in Westerly for a while then moved into housing. Eventually we bought a house and naturally DH got orders to TN. Luckily we were able to sell.
Your sailor still in the service? DH retires next week!!!
I am leaving today as a matter of fact to take part in the ceremony and help with the drive to Maine--Home.

[newenglanders2]

Thanks for all your replies. I posted yesterday, but for some reason, it didn't show up on the board.
Yes, the weekend drive north can be horrible in the summer time, esp. around the tolls. My DH is hoping to leave noonish on Fridays to avoid the Boston rush hour, and drive back to CT early early Monday AM.
Still not sure I can survive each week without him. It's when he leaves to come back to CT that kills me.

[fxtrader]

We are doing just the opposite living in CT and driving home to Maine for most weekends. I usually get Fridays off so the drive there isn't to bad. If we have to go on Friday, I take a nap after work and wake up and leave around 8 PM. We also wait until later to come back to CT because of the traffic. Planning on going through Portland around 7PM or after. It is 8 hours to camp and just under 4 to the wife's family, so it's not to bad. It is well worth it to me.

[AustinB]

Originally Posted by newenglanders2

Thanks for all your replies. I posted yesterday, but for some reason, it didn't show up on the board.
Yes, the weekend drive north can be horrible in the summer time, esp. around the tolls. My DH is hoping to leave noonish on Fridays to avoid the Boston rush hour, and drive back to CT early early Monday AM.
Still not sure I can survive each week without him. It's when he leaves to come back to CT that kills me.

Having worked away from home for awhile... what you are proposing has got to be one of the worst commutes I have even thought of.

[CoastalMaine]

Originally Posted by newenglanders2

We moved from Maine about 3 years ago to CT, due to job in Hartford. We miss Maine, want to move back. My husband would commute on weekends to Maine. We used to do this when he worked in Baltimore. Can't say we liked it, but don't like living in CT either. (beautiful state, just too many people and poor air quality) Want to retire in about 10 years or so.
Looking to live south of Augusta, north of Portland, more on the east side of 295. We've lived in Waterville, Bangor and Aroostook County. Looking for any advice on decent towns, friendly people. Also would love to hear from someone who is actually doing this, the pitfalls, what they like, quality of life, etc.
We have been concentrating on the Jefferson/Whitefield area, but may consider more coastal, out past Bath, etc.
Thanks so much for all your help! (PS: No kids, we are empty nesters)

You've both got E Z Passes for quicker travel through the toll pits, right?

[Zymer]

Originally Posted by newenglanders2

Thanks for all your replies. I posted yesterday, but for some reason, it didn't show up on the board.
Yes, the weekend drive north can be horrible in the summer time, esp. around the tolls. My DH is hoping to leave noonish on Fridays to avoid the Boston rush hour, and drive back to CT early early Monday AM.
Still not sure I can survive each week without him. It's when he leaves to come back to CT that kills me.

My wife is currently working in NH and living in MA, sometimes it's 2, 3, 4 weeks between visits. You do what you gotta do.