Best Advice for Those Who Want to Move to Maine (Portland: real estate, crime rate)

[Nor'Eastah]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

some of us really like the freedoms we have here in Maine.

The clear skies, the wildlife, so much of this have left the rest of the US of A.

You have it right there, Forest!

Heck I live in RI, not so very far away from Maine. We get tons of snow here, too, and I've had to plow it, shovel it, swear at it. Same for the bitter cold, which we often get. And the economy here sucks, it's really a challenge for anyone to make money here if not politically well-connected. Which is why I went off to work on my own.

If RI had the freedom, the clear skies, the wildlife, and all the rest that Maine offers, I might consider staying here in retirement. But RI has none of these things. I think we'll be prepared for whatever Maine throws our way. We're comin' up!

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by Nor'Eastah

You have it right there, Forest!

Heck I live in RI, not so very far away from Maine. We get tons of snow here, too, and I've had to plow it, shovel it, swear at it. Same for the bitter cold, which we often get. And the economy here sucks, it's really a challenge for anyone to make money here if not politically well-connected. Which is why I went off to work on my own.

If RI had the freedom, the clear skies, the wildlife, and all the rest that Maine offers, I might consider staying here in retirement. But RI has none of these things. I think we'll be prepared for whatever Maine throws our way. We're comin' up!

I can keep a drink set aside just for you, if you get up here soon.

[Nor'Eastah]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

I can keep a drink set aside just for you, if you get up here soon.

Not that soon, forest! It'll get stale! But, I can have a little something down here at the same time!

Lift your glass, drink to Maine!

[brune]

There isn't a place in America that would not have issues. However my move from Reno, Nevada to small town North Dakota was by far the biggest mistake of my life. The poor immigrants that came over from beautiful Norway to this harsh enviroment and could not afford to return. However having been an army brat, change is kind of in my blood. Winter is not winter till you have had the great wind of the North blow across these flat plains. Simply the act of pumping gas, is difficult. Looking in your trunk can be hazerdous when it fall on your head from the wind.
Last night on my 38 mile drive home from work, my alternator went out on a dark and lonely road. No lights and no power. I then I was able to use my jump start, then again it went out on a railroad track. Someone pushed my off the tracks. I then went to a nearby bar to call for a ride, my cell was dead and often times out here I don't get service anyway. I often feel kind of like a pioneer out here. My husband passed away and never meant to leave me here. Fortunately after watching Designed to Sell shows, I got rid of the house from hell.
This obviousley is not a discussion of Maine, but I don't think moving back to civilization will scare me.

[Casper1212]

I've survived a few of the those midwest winters myself, brune. But after twelve years of living in a place where everything stings, stabs, sticks, bites or cuts, where the summers last for nine months, and the ground is so rough you have to walk around in hard leather boots to protect your feet, I'll take wind and water and snow any day! And that doesn't include that the nearest hospital, doctor, pharmacy, chiropractor and decent grocery store are all a two hour drive away. And it's another hour from there to the nearest Wal Mart. If you break down out here, somebody will come along and ask if you need help. It's so isolated out here, we never leave anybody stranded beside the road.
I DRANK TO MAINE LAST NIGHT, AND I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE MOVING TRUCKS TO GET HER AND MOVE ME AND ALL MY JUNK TO MAINE!
I love the people here, but they can keep the rest of it!

[diablogun]

Originally Posted by Casper1212

I've survived a few of the those midwest winters myself, brune. But after twelve years of living in a place where everything stings, stabs, sticks, bites or cuts, where the summers last for nine months, and the ground is so rough you have to walk around in hard leather boots to protect your feet, I'll take wind and water and snow any day! And that doesn't include that the nearest hospital, doctor, pharmacy, chiropractor and decent grocery store are all a two hour drive away. And it's another hour from there to the nearest Wal Mart. If you break down out here, somebody will come along and ask if you need help. It's so isolated out here, we never leave anybody stranded beside the road.
I DRANK TO MAINE LAST NIGHT, AND I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE MOVING TRUCKS TO GET HER AND MOVE ME AND ALL MY JUNK TO MAINE!
I love the people here, but they can keep the rest of it!

LOL, sounds like my town! 29 days and I'll be in Maine--and I can't wait for the snow

[txmom]

Originally Posted by Casper1212

I've survived a few of the those midwest winters myself, brune. But after twelve years of living in a place where everything stings, stabs, sticks, bites or cuts, where the summers last for nine months, and the ground is so rough you have to walk around in hard leather boots to protect your feet, I'll take wind and water and snow any day! And that doesn't include that the nearest hospital, doctor, pharmacy, chiropractor and decent grocery store are all a two hour drive away. And it's another hour from there to the nearest Wal Mart. If you break down out here, somebody will come along and ask if you need help. It's so isolated out here, we never leave anybody stranded beside the road.
I DRANK TO MAINE LAST NIGHT, AND I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE MOVING TRUCKS TO GET HER AND MOVE ME AND ALL MY JUNK TO MAINE!
I love the people here, but they can keep the rest of it!

Casper, I found a scorpion in my bed when I lived in Central Texas. I like not having to worry about that here in Maine. Apparently, there are no poisonous snakes here, either.

[Newdaawn]

Originally Posted by brune

There isn't a place in America that would not have issues. However my move from Reno, Nevada to small town North Dakota was by far the biggest mistake of my life. The poor immigrants that came over from beautiful Norway to this harsh enviroment and could not afford to return. However having been an army brat, change is kind of in my blood. Winter is not winter till you have had the great wind of the North blow across these flat plains. Simply the act of pumping gas, is difficult. Looking in your trunk can be hazerdous when it fall on your head from the wind.
Last night on my 38 mile drive home from work, my alternator went out on a dark and lonely road. No lights and no power. I then I was able to use my jump start, then again it went out on a railroad track. Someone pushed my off the tracks. I then went to a nearby bar to call for a ride, my cell was dead and often times out here I don't get service anyway. I often feel kind of like a pioneer out here. My husband passed away and never meant to leave me here. Fortunately after watching Designed to Sell shows, I got rid of the house from hell.
This obviousley is not a discussion of Maine, but I don't think moving back to civilization will scare me.

Sounds like it is way past time for you to get a "cell" phone.

[Nie0214]

Originally Posted by Nor'Eastah

You have it right there, Forest!

Heck I live in RI, not so very far away from Maine. We get tons of snow here, too, and I've had to plow it, shovel it, swear at it. Same for the bitter cold, which we often get. And the economy here sucks, it's really a challenge for anyone to make money here if not politically well-connected. Which is why I went off to work on my own.

If RI had the freedom, the clear skies, the wildlife, and all the rest that Maine offers, I might consider staying here in retirement. But RI has none of these things. I think we'll be prepared for whatever Maine throws our way. We're comin' up!

I grew up in Rhode Island, left when I went away to college. That was 5 years ago, and I now live in Maine. I can't stand going back to Rhode Island at all. I hate the stoplights, I hate the people that speed around, the congested highway, the potholes, the dirty air--it might be in my head but Maine just seems so much more fresh! I feel safer here.. I don't know. It's only 200 miles apart, but it's a different life!

I do miss Weinie Genie & Del's Lemonade though!

We get more snow here than I ever remember getting in RI too, but it's not bad. They keep the roads pretty well maintained, though plowing in Portland can be a little lackluster.

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by Nie0214

I grew up in Rhode Island, left when I went away to college. That was 5 years ago, and I now live in Maine. I can't stand going back to Rhode Island at all. I hate the stoplights, I hate the people that speed around, the congested highway, the potholes, the dirty air--it might be in my head but Maine just seems so much more fresh! I feel safer here.. I don't know. It's only 200 miles apart, but it's a different life!

I do miss Weinie Genie & Del's Lemonade though!

We get more snow here than I ever remember getting in RI too, but it's not bad. They keep the roads pretty well maintained, though plowing in Portland can be a little lackluster.

I visit RI frequently as I lived there for a while (George St. in Providence) and have many friends in the area. I LOVE Rhode Island, but it certainly is a different life up here only a few hundred miles away. It's a lot quieter up in these parts.

Different strokes I guess.