Job in Bath, Relocating to the area (Brunswick, Topsham: real estate, apartment)

[arzachena]

Looks like we will be moving from Belfast to the Bath area this spring.
We are in need of info on the area. Mostly on the schools.
Middle and High school.
And, how is the commute into Bath from Richmond, Topsham, Freeport or Durham?
Taxes? Which town has the highest mil rate?

[Mark S.]

I have no firsthand experience with the schools, but I've heard mixed things. A friend of my wife's, who often subs in the Bath schools, says the elementary schools are good but the middle and high schools not.

Commute from Topsham would be ten minutes or less. Freeport would be twenty minutes or so. Probably the same for Durham. Not sure about Richmond.

Not sure about taxes, but real estate is definitely cheaper in Bath than places like Freeport, Topsham, and Brunswick.

[arzachena]

Thanks Mark

I read the reviews on great schools and Topsham along with Bath had low marks. Brunswick and Freeport were the best.

Brunswick may be where we settle. (I like Bath, but the schools have to be our first priority.)

[woolwiTch]

Bath is a great town to live in, but the schools don't have a strong reputation. Morse is the high school, and it has a poor graduation rate. I hadn't heard that Topsham schools had low marks. I have always heard that the high school, Mount Ararat, was considered very good.

Your commute from Richmond would not be pleasant. You'd likely be driving the River Road, and people can drive dangerously fast on it very frequently. Commutes from Topsham and Brunswick would be easy. Freeport would be pretty easy too. You can take 295 to Route 1, Route 1 all the way, or the back way.

I was sure I had found a mil rate site some years ago, but now I can't find it. If you go to this website, it has quite a bit of town data and easy links to each town's website, so at least this might cut down your research time a little bit: Real Estate in MaineToday.com | Moving to Maine

I think Brunswick would be a good choice. Loads to do, easy access to shopping, 295, a nice selection of local merchants and restaurants. With BNAS closing soon, there are questions about the effect on the town, but they're working hard on planning for the town's future, so I don't think it should be a big worry for you as you considering moving there.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

With schools a consideration, Brunswick is your best choice. They will have declining class sizes which is usually a good thing. The system may drop some of the frill classes, but the basics should be reinforced as a result. Town taxes are based on real estate. People are leaving for Mayport, Florida. The real estate and tax base remains.

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by arzachena

I read the reviews on great schools and Topsham along with Bath had low marks. Brunswick and Freeport were the best.

Brunswick may be where we settle. (I like Bath, but the schools have to be our first priority.)

You'll pay more for a house in Brunswick than Bath, but the schools are definitely better. However, given the general economy right now plus the fact that BNAS is beginning its closure, housing should become more affordable in Brunswick. Good news for buyers, if not sellers.

I have two kids in the Brunswick Junior High and one in high school. They all love it. We had a bit of an issue with one of the teachers at BJHS, but my son doesn't have her this year, so problem solved. Not a bad teacher. Just a bit of a crank.

Brunswick has GREAT sports programs for kids, and lots of stuff in the community --- theater, arts, etc. If your kids are into martial arts or the outdoors at all, I HIGHLY recommend the AIM program. It's run and administered by the Riverview Foundation, but they offer after school programs beginning in 4th grade.

I'm surprised, too, that Topsham schools got low marks. I've always heard good things about Mt. Ararat. No firsthand experience myself though.

The thing about Brunswick and Topsham, they are literally right next to each other. Cross the bridge and you're in the next town. You can easily live in one and enjoy the other.

Of the two, I prefer Brunswick's downtown area MUCH more. It still has a real main street and downtown area. Topsham is mostly strip malls. But Topsham has some very nice residential areas.

[arzachena]

We have visited the area a few times. I will like having box stores close by and we will be closer to CT (for shorter trips to visit friends).

Being retired Navy, it is too bad the base is closing because we would love to use the facilities. oh,well.

Our daughter will be an 8th grader next year. It will be her third middle school....poor child. She is excited about the move and a new school though.
We have looked at housing in Topsham and Brunswick as well as the surrounding areas. Topsham has lower priced properties with higher taxes and Brunswick has higher priced properties with lower taxes.

We will be checking out the area again after Christmas.
Any great restaurants in the area that are a must try?

Thanks to everyone for all your info. It is greatly appreciated.

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by arzachena

Any great restaurants in the area that are a must try?

In Brunswick...

My favorite place in Brunswick is Pedro O'Hara's on Maine Street. Mexican food and Irish beer. Yummmm.

Joshua's on Maine Street is also good. Very pricey. I think there you're paying more atmosphere than anything. Great desserts though.

Richard's (right above Pedro's) is very good.

I've heard good things about the Great Impasta, but I have yet to try it.

Scarlet Begonia's. First time I ate there, it might have been the best sandwich I ever ate. The second time was good, but nothing to write home about. Maybe they changed chefs?

Big Top Deli on Maine Street. Great burgers.

Little Dog cafe on Maine Street. Best coffee in the world.


In Topsham...

Sea Dog. Right on the river next to the bridge. Here, you're paying for the view. And the view is great. The food is good. Not great, but good.

Old Munich Restaurant. Good German food. GREAT German beer. And the owners are really nice.

Fairground Cafe. Good, basic diner food. Service is spotty.

[woolwiTch]

Restaurants; one of my favorite subjects!

In Brunswick, I love the Great Impasta, El Camino, Back Street Bistro and Morse's Lobster Shack. You can get freshly made doughnuts every morning at Frosty's on Maine Street. I've heard that you can even eat on campus at Bowdoin College, but I don't know the details. Might be worth checking out, since Bowdoin has been rated as the best college food nationwide.

Mark S. is right that you're paying for the view at the Sea Dog. The food is only so-so, but the beers are good. Back Street Bistro has several excellent beers on tap and the food is great, so I much prefer to go there. BSB is pricier than the Sea Dog, though, because the food is not bar type food; it's fine dining in a casual atmosphere.

I always liked Old Munich, too, but I think it closed recently.

[arzachena]

Thanks for all the restaurant info. I have made my list and have googled all for directions. We are going to Brunswick NAS for ID cards and doctors visits next week so we will be eating at a few restaurants. I will post our reviews.

We are looking for an apartment for DH right now. He should start work next month and the commute from Belfast is just too far for him.

Any nice apartment communities in Bath, Brunswick or Topsham?
Any areas to avoid?