Bargain -Unappreciated Maine towns - houses (Biddeford, Saco: theater, colleges, live in)

[maineguy8888]

Originally Posted by trom

Eastport, Calais and Machias are very nice communities, especially Eastport. Eastport is a beautiful pristine area overlooking the Bay of Fundy and is quite spectacular. Most definitely worth checking out.

I wonder if I could live in Washington County. I (obviously) don't mind living outside of the "Massachusetts North" half of the state (I live in the County). And I've been to some neat places in W.C. It's cheap and I think I could find work. But I wonder about some of the other stuff. The rich folks from away are slooooowly taking over any town on the coast, even downeast. Totally changing them. I don't like that, I like the real Maine culture that has been around since forever.
Also, some of these places in the winter............I have driven through I think winters must get awfully long. The snow isn't all that dependable, which would suck for me (skiing and snowmobiling). Some of these really small towns (like Lubec, Eastport, Machias) seem to have lots of activity going on in June, July and August, but from late fall to early spring, I don't think I would like how totally dead it gets.

[maineguy8888]

There are some mill towns (Lincoln and Rumford come to mind) that have that "whole new level" kind of pollution. Could never live there.
There are a few towns that are pretty depressed but if you can make a living there, you can get a total STEAL on houses. Millinocket area, Danforth, Milo come to mind.
Up here in the County, real estate prices and the economy are surprisingly holding their own (especially compared to what it was like 15-20 years ago----NOBODY thought there would be a soul still left here in 2009!)
But, boy----you can get some real deals. Our 1890 updated Victorian (2,000 square feet and a barn) on half an acre in a great neighborhood in a great little city (Caribou) cost around $100,00. We got a huge financial jump start in starting our family just by settling here.
And there are lots of towns like that around here. GREAT houses cheap.
As for Presque Isle, I'm sorry to say that my old home town has really "lost its way". Many of us don't even recognize it anymore. A lot of my old classmates have moved to neighboring towns (like Caribou, Fort Fairfield, etc.)
An awesome town is Houlton. I would live there in a heartbeat. (I work there 2-3 days a week).

[lrfox]

Wilton or Industry and even Kingfield have a LOT to offer at a reasonable coast. They're not quite as pricey as some of their neighbors (Rangely, Sugarloaf areas, Farmington), but still offer excellent proximity. Dixfield has some interesting areas as well.

[MRVphotog]

I would add Lewiston, Waterville and Lisbon Falls. Lewiston has be rehabbing the mills on the river.

[atardie]

Look at Aroostook County. Way north but no place more beautiful and laid back!

[maineguy8888]

[quote=lrfox;10452192]Wilton or Industry and even Kingfield have a LOT to offer at a reasonable coast. They're not quite as pricey as some of their neighbors (Rangely, Sugarloaf areas, Farmington), but still offer excellent proximity. Dixfield has some interesting areas as well.[/quot

I know Wilton and Industry, but where is Dixfield???

[maineguy8888]

Originally Posted by MRVphotog

I would add Lewiston, Waterville and Lisbon Falls. Lewiston has be rehabbing the mills on the river.

Waterville and Lisbon Falls......MAYBE. But you could not pay me enough to live in Lewiston, old mills or not.
That place has been MESSED UP for the last 50-60 years.....................

[lrfox]

[quote=maineguy8888;10465394]

Originally Posted by lrfox

Wilton or Industry and even Kingfield have a LOT to offer at a reasonable coast. They're not quite as pricey as some of their neighbors (Rangely, Sugarloaf areas, Farmington), but still offer excellent proximity. Dixfield has some interesting areas as well.[/quot

I know Wilton and Industry, but where is Dixfield???

It's at the intersection of routes 2 and 142 a few miles east of Rumford. It's on the river, near the mountains (and the vastly underrated Mt. Blue state park). It really does have a cute little town center.

[lawmom]

Someone mentioned Belfast. I guess it depends on what price range you consider to be bargains, but I do not consider there to be many bargains there. We lived in Northport (still have a house there we need to put on the market.) We couldn't afford Belfast (for what we wanted in a house), even though we make a very nice living. Anwhere on the coast is likely to be pretty expensive, in my experience. Granted, Belfast is cheaper than Camden.

[mainebrokerman]

[quote=lrfox;10468019]

Originally Posted by maineguy8888

It's at the intersection of routes 2 and 142 a few miles east of Rumford. It's on the river, near the mountains (and the vastly underrated Mt. Blue state park). It really does have a cute little town center.

i use to have a good friend that lived in dixfield, owned a store for years (j.h.)
it's a nice little town!!!