The thought of moving terrifies me! Yet I really want to! :) (Portland: health insurance, crime)

[Luv4ThePaws]

Thanks for all your posts! They really mean alot!! We wouldn't be moving without a definate job(s), so I do appreciate that link to the Maine job website! We would be much too scared to move without something definate lined up! Compared to here, most of Maine would actually be more affordable for us, and from what we've seen on real estate websites, some of the taxes are a lot cheaper than what we pay now. That has to be a good thing, right? NC is just a mess with huge deficits, thousands of financial and factory jobs lost and a staggering number of transplants that are all competing for the few jobs still left.

If we can manage a cheap trip, then we will definately try and come up to visit, especially if one or both of us is offered employment. It's not like we have to take time off of work now to visit since we have everyday off! We would have to drive and just find some cheap lodging.

[Acadianlion]

This is precisely the time for your husband to make a trip to Maine. But I suspect that if you have difficulties with jobs there in North Carolina, you will find less than NO jobs in Maine. I am not exactly sure what a "media/radio" person does, but suspect that it is a radio advertising position. This is EXACTLY the time that the broadcasting stations that have any openings are hiring for the summer season. IF there are media jobs in radio, then they are there now.

You are correct in thinking that your husband will need to work in the greater Portland market. Most radio stations do not hire much in the way of outside sales staff, and those that do are centered in the Portland market. But don't expect to find much in the way off jobs in the southwestern part of Maine either: Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont are VERY small markets compared with North Carolina. If things are thin there, expect that they are nearly non-existent here.

But whichever the case, you have zero chance of even getting an interview in Maine from North Carolina. You MUST be HERE, on the ground, and probably knocking on the door in order to find out what is even available. Why is that? Well, Portland and Maine are near neighbors to the Boston and New York media markets. That will be tough competition for anyone from North Carolina.

If you think that the cost of living in Maine is going to be less than in North Carolina, I think you will find that to be a considerable disappointment. Just the cost of health insurance for a family will equalize almost any advantage you think may exist, and when you consider that most wages are low in Maine compared to the larger states, the cost of living factors will multiply rapidly against you.

Since you are both now unemployed, this is the perfect time for your husband to come to Maine and job hunt. If you have friends here, he can stay with them for a few weeks while he make the rounds. But make no mistake: Maine has a total population of 1.3 million people. This means that North Carolina has almost eight times as many people in a state that is only 25% larger than Maine.

North Carolina's largest city is EIGHT TIMES larger than Portland, and the other major cities in North Carolina are between four and twelve times larger than the next largest cities in Maine.

One final statistic: the average percapita family income in Maine was less than $27,000 just before this recession. How much economic support do you thing there is for "media/radio" here in this small market?

You may well not like where you are now, but at least there IS industry and population to support employment and income whereas in Maine, EVERYthing is smaller except for the cost of living and the distances between towns and villages.

So when I and others urge you to come right now and explore, it is because the reality is that times are hard here, too, and living in Maine is never easy if you have to work for a living.

[chaosX5]

Originally Posted by Luv4ThePaws

Hey ya'll!

So, I am having a crisis! My husband and I have always kept our eyes open and ears to the ground about different places to move to. We have a nice home in a lovely neighborhood, but the dream lifestyle stops there! We have crazy traffic, overcrowded schools, strip malls galore, a poorly run county and horrible unemployment (up to 11%, although neighboring counties are up to 15%! ) Plus, NC was just voted the 18th worst state to live in due to crime, and home invasions have been insane around here! I mean, kick in the door, gun in hand, tie up the mom and baby kind of home invasions! It happened to my mother-in-law's next door neighbor!!!

So, we have kept Maine and Pittsburgh (my husband almost took a job there last year and we still consider it an option) in our minds as future places to raise our future kids. Well, now we are really going to have to get going with the moving thing! My sweet husband lost his job today and I already lost mine in February! He doesn't even get severance pay or anything! So... we figure if we can find jobs out of state and manage to sell our house (3 for sale in the neighborhood, including next door...) then we think now is a good time in our lives to move...

But, the thought of moving scares me so much! I mean, does anyone else feel this way or felt this way previously?The thought of moving somewhere new again and hoping to be accepted by the locals worries me! There are memories in this house, good memories- I was married in this house! My dad helped me pick out this house and now he is gone but seeing the walls he painted comforts me somehow. It is a whole crazy mix of emotions... Does anyone out there get it? I am overwhelmed.

Oh, and just like when I moved here, we would be moving to Maine sight unseen... But we have friends in Maine and New England who love it up there and we feel we will too... Of course, we would love to try and visit and were planning to in July, but probably can't now. We are thinking maybe the Bath area to move to? My hubby would no doubt have to work in Portland, as there is not much call for his line of work (media/radio) outside of bigger cities. He went to school in Syracuse, so he is okay with the cold and snow and I am adaptable... As long as I get sunshine in the winter!

Thanks for listening!

P.S. Do you have any dog limits? We have 2 small, 2 big and they are all inside dogs.

Hey Luv4thePaws! Sounds like we live in the same city! I am so sorry to hear of your job losses, It's happening a lot here (and everywhere)

Yes, we live in Charlotte (right outside of the city actually) and I completely understand how you feel about this city...............she's not exaggerating about the problems here folks! Yes, some of the smaller towns outside of Charlotte can be quite nice if that's what your looking for.


I think that the people on this forum do a great jog of helping wannabe Mainers disect their reasons for wanting to move to Maine. I think a visit to Maine is very important if at all possible (we're coming in Sept. ) just to see if it's what you expect.

I moved here (NC) when I was 5, and my hubby is a native so I really understand the fears involved in moving to another state, but it sounds like you already know it's what you want to do. From what I understand the people in Maine are quite nice and welcoming and you say you already have friends there! You'll find your niche in Maine. Get that that house sold and get outta here.............. Good luck!!!!!

[Sunday1]

People keep talking about the "high cost of health insurance in Maine" and quite frankly, I don't understand the context of the comment as it will pertain to the majority of people considering a relocation to Maine. The vast majority of people purchase insurance and thus pay premiums through their employers, not their state government. Therefore most premiums and co-pays are established by private businesses (employers) regardless of what state one lives in unless the employer has regional carriers which most do not. I don't expect my health care (premiums, prescriptions, labs and services co-pays, etc.) to cost more in Portland than it does in my Chicago suburb. In fact, the salary comparison calculators all come up with the same difference for medical care between the two cities: +/- 1%.

Can someone please explain what those frequent comments are referring to? Am I missing something?

[dmyankee]

Originally Posted by Sunday1

People keep talking about the "high cost of health insurance in Maine" and quite frankly, I don't understand the context of the comment as it will pertain to the majority of people considering a relocation to Maine. The vast majority of people purchase insurance and thus pay premiums through their employers, not their state government. Therefore most premiums and co-pays are established by private businesses (employers) regardless of what state one lives in unless the employer has regional carriers which most do not. I don't expect my health care (premiums, prescriptions, labs and services co-pays, etc.) to cost more in Portland than it does in my Chicago suburb. In fact, the salary comparison calculators all come up with the same difference for medical care between the two cities: +/- 1%.

Can someone please explain what those frequent comments are referring to? Am I missing something?

All competition for health care premiums left the state after the draconian mandates came down, enacted by the Legislature. There is basically one insurer left in the State and that is Anthem. Their rates are phenomenally expensive compared to other states.

As many employers do not offer health insurance, many spouses will take a part time job as a cashier just to pay for minimal family care. Most self employed people I know, carry a $5-10k annual deductible with a premium 3-4 times what they would pay, just over the Maple Curtain.

State employees get theirs payed by the taxpayers. More often than not, employer supplied plans are minimal or nonexistent. Do not depend on salary and COL calculators when contemplating Maine. I don't think they reflect the true costs for 3/4 of the State. It is not unusual for premiums to cost $15k-$22k per year for a family plan!

[Sunday1]

In my case, the calculators are correct and I'm grateful.

Sounds like Maine needs some more good people from away. Perhaps some who can bring some new business and/or a few new jobs that include health insurance. And maybe a few who didn't vote for Sarah...<wink> I happen to live with a lifelong condition that doesn't make health insurance optional.

[Sunday1]

Premiums and co-pays are extremely high everywhere. Our out-of-pocket expenses including premiums is close to $14,000 for a family of 3. I don't think this national crisis is exclusive to Maine.

[corgis]

Originally Posted by Sunday1

Premiums and co-pays are extremely high everywhere. Our out-of-pocket expenses including premiums is close to $14,000 for a family of 3. I don't think this national crisis is exclusive to Maine.

Since Maine only basically has one employee benefits insurer, it's hard for business to seek other coverage with other company's and get a better deal than what they have at the present time.

As a retired insurance agenct who is licensed in Maine currently, I can tell you that if a business gets a big premium rate increase, they are limited on where to seek competitive bids to lower their coverage. Most other states have several insurance company's that will give bids for premium coverage for employers and businesses.

[dmyankee]

Originally Posted by Sunday1

Premiums and co-pays are extremely high everywhere. Our out-of-pocket expenses including premiums is close to $14,000 for a family of 3. I don't think this national crisis is exclusive to Maine.

That's not bad. My figures do not include the copays/out of pocket..

[Sunday1]

How did this happen? A single insurance company in the entire state. What did Maine do -- essentially authorize a violation of anti-trust law(s)? I'm going to have to spend some time researching and understanding this. I'm a freelance mgt. consultant whose family wants to be in Portland. But now I'm getting concerned. If anything God forbid happened to my DH, I am uninsurable as it is. Sounds like Maine might not be a safe place for me to live. Yikes.