RN jobs in Portland Maine? (South Portland, Gorham: crime, houses, schools)

[mahn001]

Hello! I am new to this website...I've been perusing the site looking for any info I can find on the Portland, Maine area. My husband and I currently live in Baltimore, Maryland. Right now we live in the city and are desperately seeking a change of scenery due to all the crime here. We have been researching the Portland area and think it might be just the place for us, though we are looking to live outside the city in a more rural area. We'd like to be close to what the city has to offer (restaurants, shopping, museums etc) but would love to own a home with a decent sized yard (we have three dogs and are looking to start a family). My husband currently works in a city hospital ER, so he is used to lots of craziness in his job, which he likes! My questions are:
1) Is the demand for RNs high in the Portland area?
2) What are the major hospitals in the area and do they service the entire Portland/surrounding areas? My husband worries he'll miss the action of an urban city hospital.
3) What towns are within a 30-40 minute commute to Portland that offer peace and quiet along with houses with yards and access to outdoor activities (hiking, biking, beaches etc?) Can a house be found for under 265K? The prices in the Baltimore/Washington area are very expensive for very little house. Any info provided would be much appreciated!

[Northern Maine Land Man]

1. The demand for RNs is huge.
2. Maine Medical is the biggest and it's very dynamic.
3. Portland is on the ocean so the radius to accommodate suburbs spreads further. You can get a very nice home for under $265k if you get more than 10 miles from Portland and more than 2 miles from the coast.

(Read this soon before somebody moves it to the Portland forum.)

[mahn001]

Thank you for your comments! Is Maine Medical the biggest in the state? It seems unbelievable to me that affordable housing can be found anywhere near the ocean, since in this area it's out of the question (very $$$$$$). I keep wondering what the catch is? Do you have any particular towns you recommend checking out?

[Dirk Bonner]

You will love the area.

Portland, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, Falmouth Foreside, Cumberland and Cumberland Foreside, Gorham.....most every one of the surrounding communities offer fine housing and fine schools.

Winters are long and cold...understand that..and fuel oil is like gold these days.

Come on up and check out the place. September and October have some of the best days to explore...sunny, warm, no bugs, and few tourists. Have a lobstah and a plate of fried clams, some beeah, and a piece of blueberry pie.