Southern Maine - (w/in 30 minutes of Portland) (Brunswick, Topsham: home, middle school)

[houseinme]

We live in New Gloucester and love this community. We have two homes here - one that we live in and one that we have for sale. We really enjoy the Historic Village setting - this is a beautiful area of large historic homes and zoning is such that you don't see the "sprawl" that some other areas are experiencing. North Yarmouth and Pownal are also very nice. They have a country feel yet still close to Portland.

[Parrotpaul]

What's wrong with Portland? Great 'little' city.

[Maineorbust!]

Originally Posted by houseinme

We live in New Gloucester and love this community. We have two homes here - one that we live in and one that we have for sale. We really enjoy the Historic Village setting - this is a beautiful area of large historic homes and zoning is such that you don't see the "sprawl" that some other areas are experiencing. North Yarmouth and Pownal are also very nice. They have a country feel yet still close to Portland.

Could you give the details of the house you have for sale? Just curious because what you are describing sounds like what we have been looking for along with great school systems. Thanks

[futurecruiser]

Originally Posted by raygabs

Hey , I've heard Cary, N.C. is nice..

Please visit Cary before you move there. My sister-in-law's family moved
there a few years ago. Although Cary stands for 'Containment Area for
Relocated Yankees' we don't like it there at all. It's filled with nauseating cookie cutter developments (even every mailbox is identical by covenants)
and the place has no character. They love it there, but if you are real new englander you might not like it.

[Newdaawn]

Casco comes to mind, althought it might be a bit more than a 30 minute drive to Portland. It is on Sabago Lake and, my opinion, a pretty little town. Windham would be your shopping area.

[Newdaawn]

My brother in law moved to Raleigh area almost 2 years ago after being in Ohio and they are New Englanders. She teaches in Smithfield and they live in a small town called Clayton. They find the cost of living to be better than New England but are finding the summers HOT. Good luck

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by Minettom

What about the Bath/Freeport/Cumberland/Brunswick area?

We just moved to Brunswick, and we love it. Great schools. Very welcoming community. A good blend of working-class people, college and "artsy" folks, and military personnel from BNAS. Great downtown area. Great beaches nearby. Quiet, safe community.

Bath is nice, too. Much more working-class though.

Wiscasset (across the bridge from Bath) is also quite nice.

Freeport is not bad, but it's a bit too touristy for me. Things are definitely quieter now, but in the summer, it's constantly busy in Freeport, and half the people in town are from Massachusetts, New York, etc. Not that that is a bad thing. Just too busy for my tastes.

I've done no more than drive through Cumberland and Yarmouth, but I have heard nice things about both.

[Vera206]

I am just replying to your username: "floridahater".......I should change my name to "Californiahater". Just thought that was cute, but I am sure that you are just as serious as me.

[Vera206]

Originally Posted by Mark S.

We just moved to Brunswick, and we love it. Great schools. Very welcoming community. A good blend of working-class people, college and "artsy" folks, and military personnel from BNAS. Great downtown area. Great beaches nearby. Quiet, safe community.

Bath is nice, too. Much more working-class though.

Wiscasset (across the bridge from Bath) is also quite nice.

Freeport is not bad, but it's a bit too touristy for me. Things are definitely quieter now, but in the summer, it's constantly busy in Freeport, and half the people in town are from Massachusetts, New York, etc. Not that that is a bad thing. Just too busy for my tastes.

I've done no more than drive through Cumberland and Yarmouth, but I have heard nice things about both.

You just answered my question inquiring about towns north and south of Portland........Brunswick was rated #12 out of 100 best places to live, I think a Yahoo pole.

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by Vera206

You just answered my question inquiring about towns north and south of Portland........Brunswick was rated #12 out of 100 best places to live, I think a Yahoo pole.

It should be higher!!

I want to know who beat us. Who were 1-11?

And yes, Harpswell is also a great place. Very quiet and friendly. And absolutely gorgeous. I think Harpswell schools only go up to 5th grade. From 6-12, I think Harpswell kids go into Brunswick.