Considering moving to Caribou Maine. How is it there?

[atardie]

The roads aren't that bad. Frost heaves are a thing of spring. We live with it. Maine is awesome. Love it or hate it. Not much in between.

[po_box_808]

Just read this thread. Interesting, informative, funny. Last post was 8-25-09, so I'm hoping some of you MaineLanders still check it for updates. Like goldenretrieverlover back in 2008, I'm now looking at Maine. Looking at land parcels all around Aroostook county, for possible retirement. Trying to get a handle on the roads - I've been on US1 and ME161 etc in the summer, how are they year 'round? Lot of (county) roads are gravel as I remember - are they even open during the winter? I've got 4WD P/U - good enough? Not necessary to be on a highway, but year 'round access is a must. I've been to Portland, Augusta, Waterville in the winter (January, February) - how does Aroostook weather compare? Thanks for any information you care to share.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by po_box_808

Just read this thread. Interesting, informative, funny. Last post was 8-25-09, so I'm hoping some of you MaineLanders still check it for updates. Like goldenretrieverlover back in 2008, I'm now looking at Maine. Looking at land parcels all around Aroostook county, for possible retirement. Trying to get a handle on the roads - I've been on US1 and ME161 etc in the summer, how are they year 'round? Lot of (county) roads are gravel as I remember - are they even open during the winter? I've got 4WD P/U - good enough? Not necessary to be on a highway, but year 'round access is a must. I've been to Portland, Augusta, Waterville in the winter (January, February) - how does Aroostook weather compare? Thanks for any information you care to share.

Most roads in Aroostook County are paved. Very few roads are gravel, none of the main roads are. Winter in Caribou is much worse usually that in Portland or Waterville, but they do a very good job keeping the roads clear. It isn't the 1800's up there still; roads are cleared, paved, and maintained year-round.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by Bydand

Most roads in Aroostook County are paved. Very few roads are gravel, none of the main roads are. Winter in Caribou is much worse usually that in Portland or Waterville, but they do a very good job keeping the roads clear. It isn't the 1800's up there still; roads are cleared, paved, and maintained year-round.

I bet that most homes have running water and indoor toilets too.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

I bet that most homes have running water and indoor toilets too.

Yep, MOST do. Believe it or not, I have been in a couple that still did not though.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by Bydand

Yep, MOST do. Believe it or not, I have been in a couple that still did not though.

I am sure of it.

[maineguy8888]

Roads are generally not bad. (Some of the gravel roads are actually excellent!). They do close a few of the back roads in winter.
They know how to plow and handle snow here. If you have AWD or 4WD, you'll do fine. The winters are a month longer and quite a bit snowier than southern Maine (usually). Generally, December through March are the winter months. (We had an unbelievably easy winter this year.....not much snow and spring started in mid March).
Hope this helps!