Maine Places With Real Downtowns (Portland, Brunswick: real estate, lofts, buying a home)

[CoastalMaine]

What type of art do you work with NEG?

[newenglandgirl]

Originally Posted by CoastalMaine

What type of art do you work with NEG?

Drawing, pastels (impressionist, abstract expressionist), pen&ink, printmaking (landscapes - monoprints). I've led workshops in drawing and graphic design (my profession). I'm also a writer and writing coach. As I start to retire, would like to concentrate more on these.

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by newenglandgirl

Wow, thanks! Since you posted your reply, I edited my post, giving 1 point to each preference to make it easier. Framington looks like a nice bet. I'm also interested in Bath, Belfast and Saco.

Do you live in Maine now, and if not, did you leave b/c you didn't like certain aspects?

No problem! Glad you like it.

To answer your question, no, I do not live in Maine now. I lived in Maine for just over 4 years and left about 2 months ago to be back here in Boston (I'm originally from Massachusetts).

It's tough to describe why I left. In short, it was a great place, just not one for me. I'm 23 and enjoy living in a walkable, dense, active (and large) city and there was nowhere in Maine that could offer me that. I spent my first 2 years in Farmington (above the Liquid Sunshine store) and my last few in Portland. While I really like where I lived in Maine, I never stopped missing the bustle and activity of the city and realized that's where I needed to be. It wasn't that I didn't like certain aspects (though there are a few things that bothered me; but that's no different than anywhere else); in fact, I love a lot about Maine. It's just not where I wanted to be at this stage in my life.

The reason I suggested Farmington (as well as other places) is that your needs (approaching retirement) are inherently different than my needs (in the early stages of a carreer/ graduate school). Farmington was a wonderful town. I didn't leave because I didn't like it; I left because it didn't have what I was looking for in a community. It may not have been perfect for me, but I can absolutely see the draw to Farmington and I know many people who find that it fits them well.

Despite my leaving Maine, I feel I'm better for my experience there. I certainly love visiting (my girlfriend is from the Portland area and my family has a vacation home in Bethel) and I absolutely see what draws those who DO love living in Maine to the state.

As a result of reading your criteria, I think you're making a wonderful decision in looking at Maine and I'm willing to be you'll fall in love with whichever one of these towns you choose.

[newenglandgirl]

Originally Posted by lrfox

No problem! Glad you like it.

To answer your question, no, I do not live in Maine now. I lived in Maine for just over 4 years and left about 2 months ago to be back here in Boston (I'm originally from Massachusetts).

It's tough to describe why I left. In short, it was a great place, just not one for me. I'm 23 and enjoy living in a walkable, dense, active (and large) city and there was nowhere in Maine that could offer me that. I spent my first 2 years in Farmington (above the Liquid Sunshine store) and my last few in Portland. While I really like where I lived in Maine, I never stopped missing the bustle and activity of the city and realized that's where I needed to be. It wasn't that I didn't like certain aspects (though there are a few things that bothered me; but that's no different than anywhere else); in fact, I love a lot about Maine. It's just not where I wanted to be at this stage in my life.

The reason I suggested Farmington (as well as other places) is that your needs (approaching retirement) are inherently different than my needs (in the early stages of a carreer/ graduate school). Farmington was a wonderful town. I didn't leave because I didn't like it; I left because it didn't have what I was looking for in a community. It may not have been perfect for me, but I can absolutely see the draw to Farmington and I know many people who find that it fits them well.

Despite my leaving Maine, I feel I'm better for my experience there. I certainly love visiting (my girlfriend is from the Portland area and my family has a vacation home in Bethel) and I absolutely see what draws those who DO love living in Maine to the state.

As a result of reading your criteria, I think you're making a wonderful decision in looking at Maine and I'm willing to be you'll fall in love with whichever one of these towns you choose.

Thank you for the generous advice and comments. For being age 23, you seem to be a wise and articulate person~I did my undergrad work in Boston and think of it as "my hometown." My Italian side is from Boston, Wakefield, Charlston, etc, I always went to Haymarket there, and if I could afford it I would love to be in Boston (got married there, lived in Roxbury and Brookline in those huge old apt. buildings)....I'm glad you made the move back there, it's a great place when you're young.

[CoastalMaine]

Originally Posted by newenglandgirl

Drawing, pastels (impressionist, abstract expressionist), pen&ink, printmaking (landscapes - monoprints). I've led workshops in drawing and graphic design (my profession). I'm also a writer and writing coach. As I start to retire, would like to concentrate more on these.

Belfast has a nice artsy community feel going on NEG. Don't know how much or how busy you'd care to be, so I don't know if there's enough population to feed your pursuits. Good luck!

[newenglandgirl]

Originally Posted by CoastalMaine

Belfast has a nice artsy community feel going on NEG. Don't know how much or how busy you'd care to be, so I don't know if there's enough population to feed your pursuits. Good luck!

Belfast is near the top of my list to check out. Thanks for the encouragement!

[Deborah Caldwell]

Hey. Everybody forgot Winthrop. Winthrop is so cute and complete and artsy and busy and has water and everything like a drugstore and a grocery store and too many lawyers. But I do think that Farmington is better. We will all wait to hear what you decide.

[newenglandgirl]

Originally Posted by Deborah Caldwell

Hey. Everybody forgot Winthrop. Winthrop is so cute and complete and artsy and busy and has water and everything like a drugstore and a grocery store and too many lawyers. But I do think that Farmington is better. We will all wait to hear what you decide.

Where is Winthrop and what's the closest city or large town?

[island mermaid]

Originally Posted by newenglandgirl

Where is Winthrop and what's the closest city or large town?

It's just east of Augusta.

[island mermaid]

Originally Posted by island mermaid

It's just east of Augusta.

I was directionally challenged this morning.... it's just west of Augusta!