Best areas in Maine for artsy gamer types? (Portland, Bangor: real estate, rentals)

[JPCoppertop]

Native Mainer here who has been mired in California for a decade, and I'm itching to return. Fortunately my husband is a northern european who isn't any more fond of CA than I am, so we're starting to look for a spot of land (50+ acres) to build a house on.

Question is...assuming we're not interested in Portland or far southern maine, for the reality that you can't get 50+ acres all that cheap there (we're aiming for 50kish), what are the good places in Maine if you want to find folks who are somewhat artsy and/or can appreciate fantasy/sci-fi/gaming/etc? (I heard they play zombie kick ball in Portland...what a great city) Just generally educated is always good too.

I'm guessing my home town (Farmington) still qualifies, seeing as UMF and the school system has a very active music/theatre/etc scene but...ehhhh, I'm not quite prepared to move back to my home town.

We've been eyeing Northern Oxford county somewhat, at least from the real estate listings (rumford area). What can folks tell me about how that county? Or what about the Bangor area? Comparison's to Franklin County would be especially handy, since that is what I know best.

[flycessna]

Non of what you asked about has probably changed that much from what you remember. Bangor has a casino now and though I am reall not familiar with it it too probably has not changed much.

I love Oxford county though I am partial to the fryburg area closer to NH. Cost usually depends on demand and access to jobs. I would much prefer farmington over rumford though.

Here is a link that will help you in your search...no I am not affiliated in anyway...just a good search site... good luck!

Garnsey Bros. Rentals - Maine IDX Search For Listings

Click on the "personal property" link..you can narrow your search better.

[Casper1212]

I couldn't tell you where to find an area in Maine where you'll find gamers and artists, but I'm wondering if I should put you in touch with my daughter. She's an artist, and she and her hubby each take a night off on occassion to go gaming. They "correspond" with people all over the US, and when they went to a conference last fall for hubby's work, the entire group spent their evenings gaming.

[JPCoppertop]

Thanks for your replies. Casper1212, sounds like your daughter and her husband are just the sort of people I was thinking of. Are they in Maine?

Oh, to clarify, by "gaming" I don't mean gambling. I mean roleplaying games, as well as just a general love of sci-fi/fantasy books/movies/tv shows.

[diablogun]

Originally Posted by JPCoppertop

Thanks for your replies. Casper1212, sounds like your daughter and her husband are just the sort of people I was thinking of. Are they in Maine?

Oh, to clarify, by "gaming" I don't mean gambling. I mean roleplaying games, as well as just a general love of sci-fi/fantasy books/movies/tv shows.

LOL, I haven't met too many of us that go into middle age and admit openly we are "gamers".

Having been one for more than 25 years, I was unaware we needed to be "artsy". My high school friends whom I still game with are all conservative Republicans who wouldn't be caught dead in an art gallery

[corgis]

I have nothing to help here except that I've never heard of the term "artsy gamer" - sounds to me like someone who designs artistic game boards for Parker Brothers or someone like that.

[JPCoppertop]

*laugh* It's taken me a decade to admit openly that I'm a gamer, though the internet has been a big help.

And, well, admittedly, most of my art is character portraits and fantasy art. *laugh* So for me it's a pretty natural synergy. Can't say I go to galleries much, but I do enjoy people who can appreciate beautiful things for their own sake, natural or created. I don't imagine that's something that cares one whit about party lines.

In my experience, artsy types are open minded. And gamers are open minded.

So perhaps I should just say I'm looking for places that have open minded people.