Thinking about moving to Maine (Portland, Lewiston: transfer, good schools, wages)

[Johnda]

Hi again,

This is a very interesting thread, and getting better all the time. Right now we still live out on the end of Long Island, NY, but we think that someday we might be moving northward. Long Island is becoming a snakepit, just watch the local news. We are in an oasis of beauty, Southold, but who knows how things can change down the road. If we leave this area we will not be going south, but will be going north and either New Hampshire or Maine could be our destination. Being senior citizens, we do have concerns about health care and the quality of doctors. Could you tell us what towns have good medical services? I saw Bangor mentioned as having a good hospital. Do any of you folks have recommendations along that line? If you do, I'd love to hear them. Ahhhh, fall's coming. Our favorite season.

[ruthere04976]

Bangor's EMMC hospital has a great repution. My fiance's parent's just moved to the area for that reason. Bangor is getting to be quite a retirement community. They found a cute apt. in a nice complex just minutes off the highway. It's pricey (by Maine standards) because of the growing desirability and the housing crunch caused by the University of Orono right up the road, but compared to NY prices, I"m sure you'll find it affordable. You'd be close to Acadia National Park, the Bangor Mall and a fine hospital - it's a pretty good package!

[mollysmiles]

I agree, Bangor's a great option! A good friend of ours who lives here in Washington County has parents that moved to Glenburn, just outside of Bangor, a year or two ago. They are in their 60s, and lived in an urban area all their lives. They wanted something more quiet, and rural, but not as far away from a larger city as Calais is....they love it in Glenburn. It's quiet, rural where they are, good people, and yet 15 minutes from great healthcare and, as my 17 year old says, "civilization"! (meaning "Mall"! although after 7 years down here she is getting better!)

[msina]

Bangor also has St. Josephs hospital.

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by msina

Bangor also has St. Josephs hospital.

Right, my wife recently had another heart attack, she drove herself to St. Josephs. She really prefers the treatment there.

Unfortunately they do not have: the test equipment, diagnostic equipment, nor the specialists to be capable of cardiac treatment. So after a few days, she was transfer to EMMC for diagnostic, treatment and surgery.

EMMC being a teaching facility appears to be much larger, has much more up-to-date equipment, and a much wider selection of specialists.

My wife really prefers Saint Josephs hospital.

[msina]

So do I Forest, IMO they seem to focus more on the patient there as a person.

[DavidoftheNorth]

The primary "industry" of Bangor is healthcare. (It used to be lumber.)
There are two hospitals: EMMC (Eastern Maine Medical Center) which is a non-sectarian, high-tech facility; St. Joseph Hospital has a slight sectarian slant in that it is operated by a Catholic order of nuns. It has very good care, and is only slightly less high-tech equipped than EMMC. Medical specialists in private practices abound in the Bangor area.

[Johnda]

Thanks for the information, I really appreciate it. I'll be keeping my eye on the Bangor area as a possible destination if things go south here. I once spent a few summers at a farm in Bridgton and loved it up there!

Thanks again!

[sismiller1342]

I lived in Camden for 5 months in an in-town boat house. I loved it. I walked everyday, joined a book club at the library & met the friendliest people. In fact, the day after I arrived, I walked into the shops & introduced myself, letting them know my name & that I had just moved from Florida. We talked awhile. The next day, as I walked through town, the shop owners came to the windows & knocked to get my attention & smiled & waved. Since it was the first Thanksgiving without any family, the sweet people of Chestnut Street Baptist Church wouldn't hear of me spending Thanksgiving alone & I spent it with 16 wonderful people. Peyton Place was filmed in Camden & you can rent the movie & see what Camden looks like...it hasn't changed much. It's the only place I've lived (43 moves) that I have missed when I left & still do!

[mollysmiles]

nice post sismiller! do you get back to visit?