Need info. on the following towns...please (Bangor, Rockland: low income, for sale)

[lovemaine]

With our relocation not too far off, I need to start figuring out where we'd like to settle. DH's new employer suggested the following towns: Thomaston, Nobleboro, Camden, Rockport, Rockland, Hope, Appleton, Jefferson, Union, and Washington. If anyone is familiar with any of these towns, could I please get some insight, good and bad. Any other towns anyone could recommend in this general vicinity would be great too! Schools are very important, and also affordability. (We're renting the first year.)

Thanks so much in advance for your help!

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Maine has the highest rate of home ownership in the nation. The flip side of this is that we have the lowest rate of rental homes. Apartments are scarce in Maine. Most rural towns like Appleton have few or no rentals. Those rentals available are usually intended for very low income people. On occasion you can get lucky and find a home for sale where the owner will be willing to rent out the home, but you must understand that you need to agree to be out in less than 30 days if it sells.

[BacktoNE]

My only suggestion would be to contact a realtor in the area who also handles rentals and see if he or she can hook you up with something. You may get lucky since you plan to live in Maine for a full year before you purchase your next home, and people are usually happier with long-term tenants than someone who just wants to rent for a few months.

As for those towns. Camden is going to be VERY expensive, and a nightmare in the summer due to tourist traffic. I would probably avoid Camden more than any of the other towns on your list.

[lovemaine]

DH's employer is putting us in touch with a realtor who also deals with rentals. Hopefully we'll have some luck that way...

[msina]

Good luck, I hope you find a nice place.

[lovemaine]

Originally Posted by msina

Good luck, I hope you find a nice place.

Thanks, msina! Me too! I've found some nice looking places on Craiglist too. Either way, either DH or I will fly up to check out any rentals we might consider. We're so thrilled to be moving to Maine, we'd be happy to live in someone's garden shed...

[Coaster]

There are all sorts of rentals in Rockland and some in Thomaston, for all kinds of income levels. (Not to contradict you NMLM, but I'm VERY familiar with that area.) Camden homes/rentals are apt to be most expensive, and rentals are often seasonal. Check out the ads at villagesoup.com, which also owns the local weekly newspapers. Also contact the local banks -- Camden National, for example, and Bangor Savings -- to see if they have any foreclosed homes they need to rent or sell quickly. It's an awful thing to say, but it's also the new reality.

[lovemaine]

Originally Posted by Coaster

There are all sorts of rentals in Rockland and some in Thomaston, for all kinds of income levels. (Not to contradict you NMLM, but I'm VERY familiar with that area.) Camden homes/rentals are apt to be most expensive, and rentals are often seasonal. Check out the ads at villagesoup.com, which also owns the local weekly newspapers. Also contact the local banks -- Camden National, for example, and Bangor Savings -- to see if they have any foreclosed homes they need to rent or sell quickly. It's an awful thing to say, but it's also the new reality.

Great info! Thanks, Coaster! I'll check it out...

[BacktoNE]

Perhaps Uncle Henry's might provide some help in addition to the others already mentioned.

[Mike Mc]

Out of the towns mentioned, I like Appleton (very pretty and the school has a good reputation I hear) and Union ( the center of town with the commons is very neat). Camden and Rockport are pricey and Rockland stinks. Literally. Some days you just might lobe breakfast, it's so bad.