Sooooo confused....about where to live. (Portland, Bangor: apartment, rentals, houses)

[irishmom]

Currently my husband has been offered a job in Westbrook/Portland area...we orinally wanted to live north of there because houses are less, taxes are less and the commute is supposed to be easier (traffic wise) than living south of Portland. But after looking into the schools we are convinced we will have to live in York County or Coastal Cumberland county in order to use the public schools. In order to get a house that is comprable to the house we have now it will cost us almost the same as our house here will sell for, and the income taxes and property taxes will be double what we pay now. That said, how do people live in Maine with small children and not go broke if they only make around $25,000 a year? I don't get it.

My husband's job will pay him $85k a year, which I hear is great in Maine...but it's still $35K less than he's making now. After running numbers it's evident that I will have to work full time (I am a RN so I know I can get a job easily up there but nurses are making way less in Maine than here in MD also) if we want to live in an area that has good schools...the school scenario in Maine is seriously dissapointing.

Please tell me I'm freaking out over nothing and it really is worth it to move there. And where should one live if they have young kids for those kids to have activities to do?

Thanks so much for your help. I'm incredibly stressed out over this move and this board has both freaked me out more and given me much need information too. Thanks.

[mollysmiles]

Try looking into the Bangor area....Eastern Maine Med is there and so is St Joseph's as far as hospitals, as well as many health care providers. The University at Orono is 15 minutes away from there. Not sure what your husband does for work, but the area is very kid friendly and personally I like the schools. I'm a mom of 4. We don't live there now (we're on the coast) but loved it when we did! I feel personally, that southern Maine doesn't feel as much like Maine as the rest of the state. It's very populated and most areas have lost the small town charm they used to have. Bangor still maintains some of that charm, and the many outlying towns certainly provide the feel you may be looking for. OH....property is cheaper in this area.

[irishmom]

I'm sure Bangor is lovely, but it's over 2 hours away from Portland, which is where his job is. I don't think he will find another IT job in Bangor so quickly...there don't seem to be many compainies based there. So if he is to accept this job, and the only reason to accept it is to move up north, then it needs to be commutable to Portland.

I'm starting to lose hope that we can live up there and continue to maintain a lifestyle we have become accustomed to...*sigh*

[mainebrokerman]

i agree with molly,

my son has gone up thru the public school system in augusta, and no matter what the rankings of the schools are,,,i've liked and appreciated all his teachers, theyve done an outstanding job!
tho i've heard the same teachers being ripped apart my other parents, all ill say on that,,is that schools are there for an education, not for raising your child,,a parent has to be involved, and set a good example,
i guess what im getting at,,,,i believe most of our school systems,,are very good,,if you are an active parent in your childs education.
rn's are always in high demand,,,many openings with sign on bonuses,,believe they make 25-45 an hr, which is extremely good in maine!

there are many smaller towns,,,around portland,,,to look at, concerning housing, etc.
its best to do alot of research on the internet,,,,housing, neighborhoods, etc,

maine is a beautiful state and a great (safe) state to raise a family,,
good luck!

[irishmom]

We are coming to the conclusion that the Maine we want to live in is more north than we are able to go if my husband works in Portland. But we are going to keep plugging away and figure this out. I really like the Boothbay area as well as the Bangor area. Hopefully he will receive a job offer that is within better commuting distance to one of those places. Until then I will keep looking. Hopefully we can still be out of here before the new school year starts...I really don't want to have to move the kids mid year. Nurses in Maine only make around $25 dollars an hour...I've gotten quotes from several hospitals and I'm in a specialty area of nursing. I know we can't afford to live only on my salary so moving prior to my husband gets a job is not an option. Travel nurses are closer to the $45 range...but that's assuming they renew your contract at the end of your tour.

Mainbrokerman....which realtor do you work with? Are you a buyer agent? We are interested in contracting the services of a buyer agent, any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by irishmom

We are coming to the conclusion that the Maine we want to live in is more north than we are able to go if my husband works in Portland. ...

May I recommend that you go to Portland, and get an apartment.

From there you can make weekend trips North, and apply in person to hospitals, as well as find exactly which area you like the most.

Consider Portland to be a temporary [one year] location for you.

[irishmom]

Unfortunately we can't rent because we have 4 dogs. I do rescue work and although I've successfully fostered and placed 23 dogs from my home this year...we also fell in love with three of them and already had one so we are up to four now. Even if we could find a pet friendly rental no one will rent to us with that many dogs...and leaving them is not an option, they are my furry babies.

[warpedg]

Not sure what the price point would be, but you could consider renting a home which might allow you to have your dogs.....just a thought.

[irishmom]

Originally Posted by warpedg

Not sure what the price point would be, but you could consider renting a home which might allow you to have your dogs.....just a thought.

If you find one let me know. Everyplace I've looked for rentals is either no dogs allowed or 1 small dog allowed. My 100lb lab does not qualify for small...LOL And the other three range from 30 to 50 lbs each.

[Toria]

Originally Posted by irishmom

Nurses in Maine only make around $25 dollars an hour...

there are a lot of people in Maine who would consider that to be a very good salary....