Why is Maine a poor state? (Bangor, Brunswick: low income, real estate, rent)

[woxyroxme]

Originally Posted by DavidoftheNorth

Elcarim's point is valid, also. Maine is a wealthy state assuming a person doesn't have to earn a living here.

That's the only reason that I am not moving to Eastport right away, ironically it is in Washington County which according to this map has the highest poverty rate.

[Elcarim]

Great news for us coming up from Texas! Maine's est income for 2005 was 42,801. In Texas, it was 42,139. That will help offset some of the living expenses that are higher, but I know some are lower than we have here. Property tax is a big one. Our "mill rate" for the home we have now is over $32 per $1000. We also have a state sales tax of 8.25% on all non-food items. Our hotel tax in this area is 16-17% and in Maine it was about 7% when we visited last month. That was a pleasant surprise. Our electric bill runs $200-400 per month throughout the year. That we will gladly replace with a heating bill.

Maine's poverty percentage is 12.6% and Texas was at 17.6%. WOW! I didn't realize. So, once again, can't wait to move to Maine!!!

[firespirit]

I don't think Maine is a poor State, it's beautiful, no one is rich and they work hard for what they get. I'm not rich but rich in other areas, like love and my children and helping other and that's what makes it special, so you see if you don't have money like me I'm very rich in everything else and that is what counts

[forest beekeeper]

'Rich', 'Poor',...

Both are very relative.

You can be earning $80k/year and consider yourself to be poor, or you can be earning $45k/year and consider yourself to be wealthy.

We read folks talking about how hard it is to survive and support their families on $100k/year.

During the last 2/3 of my career, I averaged around $65k/year. We were able to support a family and have some fun with them. We were very transient, moving to a new duty station every three years. We bought apartment buildings at most duty stations. We collected apartment buildings, as a hobby / investment vehicle.

Some folks can do wonderfully on $40k/year, while others will be starving on $150k/year.

Where we now live, most of the other properties in our township are 'camps'. 40 acre to 300 acre woodlots with seasonally occupied camps. As far as I know so far, they are all owned by Mainers. Folks in Maine who own homes, live and work somewhere in Maine; and yet who can afford to also own secondary properties for vacation homes.

Is that 'wealthy'?

[maineboy51]

One challenge to the Maine economy is, ironically, what also makes Maine special and unique: we are at the end of the line. Maine is the only state in the lower 48 that is bordered only by one other US state. This means that shipping costs and travel times are generally higher. It's no accident that the southern part of the state is where better jobs are: it's closer to the rest of the country.

I live in York County, which some people call "Maine-achusetts." The economy is strong here and many people in my town actually work in New Hampshire or even northern Massachusetts.

Another thing that holds much of Maine back is the transportation infrastructure. There is really only one major interstate (well, I suppose one and a half if you count 295) here and many towns in western and northern Maine are several hours over old, frost-heave-ridden roads away from it. There is passenger train service only into southernmost Maine, so you really need a car to get around most of the state.

Also, the harsh weather is a factor. Agriculture is a real challenge here due to the short cold growing season, and it costs more to heat buildings and maintain the roads through our long, rough winters. Equipment that is outdoors in Maine costs more to maintain than in a warmer, sunnier climate.

And then there is national politics. Having a small population, we don't always have the clout that more populous states do. And the Cold War, which once made Maine a strategic spot due to its proximity to Europe, is over. Maine used to have several military bases which are now closed: Loring AFB in Limestone; Dow AFB in Bangor, and Winter Harbor Naval Base in Winter Harbor. And soon, Brunswick Naval Air Station will be closing down, with most of its personnel being sent down south. None of this has been helpful to the local economies. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (which is in Kittery, Maine) recently came close to being closed, too, but PNS' reputation for better work at lower costs preserved it, at least for now.

You see, despite all of the foregoing, one thing Maine has going for it is... Mainers. We have a reputation for hard work and getting it done right. Life here has never been easy, and it has made us into one tough old breed...

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by maineboy51

... And then there is national politics. Having a small population, we don't always have the clout that more populous states do. And the Cold War, which once made Maine a strategic spot due to its proximity to Europe, is over. Maine used to have several military bases which are now closed: Loring AFB in Limestone; Dow AFB in Bangor, and Winter Harbor Naval Base in Winter Harbor. And soon, Brunswick Naval Air Station will be closing down, with most of its personnel being sent down south. None of this has been helpful to the local economies. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (which is in Kittery, Maine) recently came close to being closed, too, but PNS' reputation for better work at lower costs preserved it, at least for now.

Dont forget NCTAMS Cutler.

I always heard about NCTAMS Cutler Maine, being a submariner it is one of only two transmitters that we have capable of sending VLF / LF signals to subs down deep.

One of the first things that I did when shopping for land in Maine was I ran up to Cutler to see that base. It is still all there, though today it is ran entirely by civilians. Shutting down and dis-mantling nuc-power plants is difficult, combined with the fact that we still need a method of underwater communication, I doubt Cutler will shutdown anytime soon.

[ShaneOsborne]

I've been told that Maine is very liberal with its welfare and assistance programs. You can move into Maine and immediately receive welfare. This is just a rumour, but something that I've heard from several people. With this system comes high taxes. Few large corporations want to settle in Maine due to these high taxes. It is a vicious cycle that Maine can't seem to shake. As more young people leave the state to find work this cycle will only get worse.

I am a democrat but also a realist. I grew up in Maine and want to go back when I retire. Maine's high taxes are certainly not a draw. I don't mind paying taxes, but alarm bells should be going off in every Maine home when they are burdened with one of the highest overal tax burdens in the country.

If I am ever down on my luck, Maine is the first place I plan to go. It will support me....hmmmm.... tempting.

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by ShaneOsborne

... With this system comes high taxes. Few large corporations want to settle in Maine due to these high taxes. ... Maine's high taxes are certainly not a draw. ... one of the highest overal tax burdens in the country.

If you are so concerned about taxes, then stay away from areas that actually have high taxes.

Personally I love Maine, and it's low taxes.

I have lived in areas where they did have high taxes.

[missionhill]

I'd guess that Maine is only poor in comparison to its neighbors. States like Mass, NH, Conn, NY, NJ... all have or are close to big urban areas that generate a lot of wealth. Maine's economy is more like other primarily rural states. Maine seems poor becuase it's in a wealthy neighborhood.

[sfw1979]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

Dont forget NCTAMS Cutler.

I always heard about NCTAMS Cutler Maine, being a submariner it is one of only two transmitters that we have capable of sending VLF / LF signals to subs down deep.

One of the first things that I did when shopping for land in Maine was I ran up to Cutler to see that base. It is still all there, though today it is ran entirely by civilians. Shutting down and dis-mantling nuc-power plants is difficult, combined with the fact that we still need a method of underwater communication, I doubt Cutler will shutdown anytime soon.

Yes it is sad NAS Brunswick is closing down. Most people are being sent to NAS JAX. I recently read that the military base is Maine's 2nd largest employer? It is unfortunate that NAS Brunswick has to go.