Contemplating move to Maine... from Texas (Portland, Bangor: new house, employment, buy)

[Spenceball]

Hello everyone,

My wife and I are native Texans, though we've lived all over the world. Neither of us has ever been to Maine, but are amazed with the pictures, cost of living, and quality of education.

We have a son who just turned 2 and are hoping to expand the family soon. She has 2 university (B.S.) degrees and currently works for the state, I have a BS and Masters degree in Library science. What are the little things we should consider when thinking about relocating (yes, we will visit first, don't worry) possibly to the Bangor area. We currently live in DFW, but have lived in small towns.

I know top is the weather, but I figure if I can do a month of 100+ degree days, I can do cold weather. We both prefer cold weather to hot anyway. In cost of living comparisons, it seems to be pretty even. And even though I've heard tales of the mosquitoes, I have braved the blood suckers of Houston, so I would guess I'm prepared.

Anyway, what else should we know about? Thanks in advance for all your help.

[Casper1212]

Oh, my God! The state of Texas is evacuating to Maine! We moved here in March, about a month after Elcarim and family. That's just two of us who moved to this town, and I think there are more. And that doesn't include the Texans who have since moved to other parts of Maine.
Your biggest challenge in relocating to Maine is going to finding work, even with good qualifications. Cost of living, as compared to DFW, yeah, maybe even cheaper. For us, it was a higher cost because we came from the border. You'll love the price of houses, but keep in mind that you have to be careful what you buy because of heating costs.
Mosquitoes? Yeah. But they're nothing compared to the black flies. They attack, and you don't know it until you see the blood where you've been bitten.
Bangor is a great area. We're about two hours from there, and two hours in any direction from Bangor will take you to all kinds of places--the coast, the mountains, wildlife areas or even Canada. If you fly up for your visit, be warned. You have to make several stops. We took four planes up and three back. But at least it doesn't take us 14 hours to get to the state line anymore.
Feel free to send DM's with questions about things in particular. I can help with the newbee stuff. Others on here will give you lots of very helpful info about how to survive in Maine. I don't know what we would have done without their help.

[msina]

Welcome to the forum. TxMom also moved here from Texas, to Old Town, Maine.

[Casper1212]

I knew there were others, but I lost track of some of them. Moving 3000 miles will do that. Still loving the new house, msina?

[txmom]

We are actually moving back to Texas for good next week (to be close to family). I will always treasure my time in Maine. Spence, good luck to you! I'm sure you will receive a lot of good advice on this forum. I sure am going to miss this ultra-fresh air! In the middle of packing, I find myself going outside just to inhale the fir and pine-infused goodness. I'm stocking up on Maine balsam pillows to take back to Texas!

Again, best wishes to you - hope you find all of the information that you need from the great people here on CD.

[^Eagle^]

Take a closer look at the Portland area, it's easier for everything from entertainment to jobs than anywhere else in the state.

[Casper1212]

TxMom, we'll miss you....Wait, no we won't, cause you'll still be on the forum after you go back to Texas, right?
Eagle, the "V" word has been banned.
(I keep forgetting, I have to let some people know when I'm kidding. Can you say "sarcasm?")

[Spenceball]

I think I'd much rather be in Bangor. I'm actually sending my resume in for a good paying job with U of Maine in Orono to see if anything will come of it.

Right now I have an hour commute (with traffic being the real reason) and was also wondering what traffic was like up there? I know it's much less dense than down here, but I can't imagine what it would be like there.

[starwalker]

Originally Posted by Spenceball

I think I'd much rather be in Bangor. I'm actually sending my resume in for a good paying job with U of Maine in Orono to see if anything will come of it.

Right now I have an hour commute (with traffic being the real reason) and was also wondering what traffic was like up there? I know it's much less dense than down here, but I can't imagine what it would be like there.

Rush hour traffic is when I am doing the speed limit, coming out of Bangor on Union St. headed north and I have a parade of more than 4 cars following me. Usually I doesn't last long because one of them gets crazy and passes 2 or three (including me) and is out of site before we crest the next hill.

If the impatient one gets REALLY crazy, s/he does it against the solid yellow line, and through an intersection where a cop is sitting waiting to turn. (Sometimes there IS a cop where you need one!)

[forest beekeeper]

The Bangor area is great!

Come on up, tour the region and see for yourself.

Good luck with the employment thing.

If you need any help let us know.