Bargain -Unappreciated Maine towns - houses

[maineguy8888]

Originally Posted by lawmom

But we're in NM now! Although we do hope to get back to Maine and MA every summer if we can.

Do you usually drive or fly?? Just wondering!

[lawmom]

We just moved here a month ago -- Uhaul with DH's truck in tow, and our van with me driving and the 2 kids. He got the better end of the deal. Took us 5 days with a visit of family in Nashville.

From here on out, it's flying all the way. We still have a house in Northport we need work on before we can list it, my parents are in Lewiston, DH's on Cape Cod. Plus, I need to see Lincolnville Beach and the view of the ocean at the Little River in Belfast every once in a while.

[ronaldrcoles]

the further north and east one travels in maine, the cheaper the homes become. the county and washington county are the best buys.

[dramamama6685]

Originally Posted by ronaldrcoles

the further north and east one travels in maine, the cheaper the homes become. the county and washington county are the best buys.

I would agree. There were some real bargains to be had in Eastport.

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by dramamama6685

I would agree. There were some real bargains to be had in Eastport.

Am I right that the economy is pretty bad in Eastport also? Feel free to lie to me LOL...you know I want to move to Maine.

[dramamama6685]

Originally Posted by Alaskapat528

Am I right that the economy is pretty bad in Eastport also? Feel free to lie to me LOL...you know I want to move to Maine.

It's definitely not great, but I actually saw signs of economic improvement from the first time we visited(August 2003) until now.

That being said, we will have to transform ourselves a bit. If we want to be bale to go sooner(the kid and her bf will graduate, get married(most likely) and move by fall of 2013) instead of waiting on retirement, we have decided that if Peachie still needs folks, I would work for her and have a day job at Calais' Walmart which would mean going back part time here to be able to transfer. Woxyroxme would try to get a handyman business going as we have been told there is a need for someone reliable and good on the island. As soon as that is more established, I would be able to go down to one job.

That being said, there are restaurant jobs and from time to time business are not passed down the family, but sold. So if you are willing to strtch and change, well I say, you'd be just fine.

[newenglandgirl]

Originally Posted by atardie

Check out Mapleton! A great little town just 5 minutes from P.I. The "largerst town in the County. Good home prices without the high taxes of P.I. If you want more info, let me know.

What's a good realtor site for the Mapleton area that shows all information including property taxes?

Have these small towns seen a dramatic rise in property taxes recently?

What about seniors (65+) - do they get any tax breaks, and is there a town with particularly nice affordable senior housing?

Thanks!

[maineguy8888]

Originally Posted by newenglandgirl

What's a good realtor site for the Mapleton area that shows all information including property taxes?

Have these small towns seen a dramatic rise in property taxes recently?

What about seniors (65+) - do they get any tax breaks, and is there a town with particularly nice affordable senior housing?

Thanks!

I go to mainerec.com, then click on real estate. It brings up a list of realtors in Maine, and you can just click on the ones in the County. they are linked up.
It's a great site!
All the local realtors do a good job with their web sites.
No big rises in property taxes lately, compared to other parts of Maine.
Almost every town up here has good senior housing complexes............which are well maintained. There are a couple such complexes in Caribou, for example, which are very nice. One is right on the pond downtown, next to the park. My wife and I had our heart set on getting an apartment there when we moved to town, and were bummed when we found out it was senior apartments lol.....
Houlton is building a new senior complex right next to historic Market Square downtown............should be really nice when done next spring.

[maineguy8888]

Originally Posted by dramamama6685

It's definitely not great, but I actually saw signs of economic improvement from the first time we visited(August 2003) until now.

That being said, we will have to transform ourselves a bit. If we want to be bale to go sooner(the kid and her bf will graduate, get married(most likely) and move by fall of 2013) instead of waiting on retirement, we have decided that if Peachie still needs folks, I would work for her and have a day job at Calais' Walmart which would mean going back part time here to be able to transfer. Woxyroxme would try to get a handyman business going as we have been told there is a need for someone reliable and good on the island. As soon as that is more established, I would be able to go down to one job.

That being said, there are restaurant jobs and from time to time business are not passed down the family, but sold. So if you are willing to strtch and change, well I say, you'd be just fine.

I think it's gotten a bit better but you should know that Eastport/Lubec had an unemployment rate around 20% not long ago..........look into it carefully.

[dramamama6685]

Originally Posted by maineguy8888

I think it's gotten a bit better but you should know that Eastport/Lubec had an unemployment rate around 20% not long ago..........look into it carefully.

Thanks, but don't worry 'bout us.. DH is a real planner and so am I that's why are time line is roughly just under 12 years. *sigh* Saving up the $$ dontcha know.