Best Advice for Those Who Want to Move to Maine (Portland: for sale, high crime)

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by diablogun

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

Woo Hoo!

go for it!

[forest beekeeper]

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 agree.

I have lived off/on in Ct, very near the RI border, and I agree entirely.

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

Though I am not familiar with these two.

[Nie0214]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

Though I am not familiar with these two.

Del's is all around RI. A few years back there was a battle between Del's Frozen Lemonade and Coffee Milk for "State drink of RI". Weinie Genie is a hot weiner joint in Lincoln.

I am still able to get coffee milk in Maine at least. I would be more lost if I could never eat Portland Pie again by moving back to RI.

[brune]

As cold as North Dakota is in the winter, you can't believe the flys and mosquitos in the summer. The West Nile virus is very high here. I'm presenty in the farm country, and there is a type of lady bug that gets into your house in the spring also. The area seems kind of old fashioned here. Some of the locals try to get me to go to church all the time, but I'm not Lutheren. Excuse my spelling, but I don't know how to use this spell check. Personally I'm not a hunter, and I don't like those who shoot racoons, just because they are looking for some food. On Sunday, there is nothing open till noon, except for markets and drug stores. Only certain places can sell liquer or drugs. The people here are very decent, though I must admit that.
The weather in Reno was the best of anyplace, except maybe San Fran. But California, is overpriced and different. Reno became very expensive, and the crime rate and population increased. I have family in Massachusetts, in fact I was born in Boston. My brother wants me to move closer, although I had been thinking of moving around the St. Cloud, Mn area. It's much more expensive in the east of course. However now, I am thinking of perhaps moving closer to family. Not necessarly in the same state, but one of the New England states. Right now though, I'm trying to downsize, before I make any move.

[gussie]

Best weather no lie. San Fran.. I loved it there and I loved the people.. So nice and a beautiful place......

[Chandler85]

I wouldn't move from ND to MN Its practically 6 of one and a half a dozen of another!

[BanterMaine]

Originally Posted by flycessna

And I still laugh when people ask vague questions like...."can I find a nice home for under 250k in Maine?" wow now there's someone who has no clue what their doing...............yet

Hi flycessna,

Why does this make you laugh? Just curious since I'm not sure if you'd laugh because 250K is too high or too low for a nice home. (or maybe it's just right but still funny for some reason)

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by BanterMaine;

... Why does this make you laugh? Just curious since I'm not sure if you'd laugh because 250K is too high or too low for a nice home. (or maybe it's just right but still funny for some reason)

Maine has a 'depressed economy', and has had this condition for decades.

The recent economy of the nation is not really having much effect here, since locally it was already 'there'.

Abandoned farms sell at auction for low prices.

I have been looking at apartment buildings lately. 4 unit properties, 6 unit properties, all filled with tenants and showing a steady profit each month. they market for $100k to $175k.

So when someone sells their home in California, located in tract development that has become a slum, and they have $250k in their pocket. Wondering if they could possible purchase a 2bdrm on a 50foot lot in a high crime slum.

We laugh.

$100k can buy you 10 acres, a 3 bdrm farmhouse with attached barn.

Put the big wad of money away, this is a depressed region. Never tell a realtor that you have $250k to spend. Say that you have $50k, and then shop around.

Read through this forum.

We have seen folks move to Maine, shop around and find homes for $40k.

If you were to openly say that you had $250k, the realtors will find you a home. They will suck up all your money, and only later will you realize that you could have spent half that much money.

My SIL bought 105 acres and she spent $30k.

Now do you see?

[Sunday1]

Thanks for spelling things out so clearly and succinctly Beekeeper. Can't be any clearer than that.

[BanterMaine]

Thanks beekeeper. I guess the real estate web sites for properties around portland do not have these deals on them, given that a decent 4bdr house sells for 300K+.

What resource can I use to find these deals? I'm not interested in investment real estate, just a nice home for me and my family.