Moving from Fairbanks, Alaska to Portland, Maine (Kittery: rent, how much)

[Hyakurin]

Originally Posted by lrfox

Welcome to the Maine forum. I'm sure you'll find everyone here to be quite helpful.

I think Portland sounds like a good move for you. At the very least, its a good jumping off point.

With regards to the economy, I think its going to be tough just about anywhere. I did note that you mentioned that Massachusetts and New York were "out" due to the economy being worse than Maine's. While it's bad everywhere, New York and Massachusetts' economies are in far better shape than Maine's. Massachusetts in particular has been labeled by many as one of the best places to ride out the recession. This is due to an incredibly high concentration of Higher Ed, Medical/Healthcare, and High-Tech industries, all of which are known to weather down times better than many industries. While cost of living in Massachusetts will be much higher than just about anywhere in Maine, you would probably have better luck there in terms of finding a job. Unemployment in Massachusetts if lower than it is in most other places including Maine.

I really hope you enjoy Maine and I hope it works out for you, but I do believe that picking Maine for economic reasons is a relatively dangerous prospect. If you're heart is set on Maine, you can probably make it work, but please don't make the mistake of thinking that job prospects are better in Maine than in the rest of the Northeast because that's more than likely not the case.

Good luck leaving Alaska... I hope you find what you're looking for.

Hi! Thanks a lot for your input, it definitely bears consideration. What I do like about the idea of moving to Maine is that at least New York and Massachusetts are right there (coming from Alaska everything is 'right there') and you're right, if Portland turns out to be difficult, it will be easier to scope out those other places for jobs.

The reason that I'm considering Maine right now, is not primarily the economy but the cost of living. I expect it will be difficult to find a job anywhere but what I do like is that Maine is so much cheaper than New York or Boston. My expectation (and hopefully I'm wrong on this but I doubt that I am) is that I will have to find a job, initially, that doesn't pay very well until I have time to settle and search/wait for something else to open up. Because of that and the low cost of living in Maine, I am drawn there.

However, I have read in some forums that some people have commuted daily to Boston 2.5 hours each way. I've decided to start looking for jobs in Boston as well, and just eating the commute time if I have to. Is that a completely ridiculous notion or is it feasible to consider?

Thank you again for the heads up about Massachusetts. I'd read a few things to the contrary but perhaps I should look more into that. Right now though, yes, my heart is set on Maine.

[elston]

Originally Posted by Hyakurin

However, I have read in some forums that some people have commuted daily to Boston 2.5 hours each way. I've decided to start looking for jobs in Boston as well, and just eating the commute time if I have to. Is that a completely ridiculous notion or is it feasible to consider?

That would be an exhausting and expensive commute....if you really were considering that type of commute...I would suggest you get closer to MA .... like Portsmouth NH, or perhaps, Saco Maine...which has train service to Boston....but it will be expensive and use up all the time you could be enjoying your life in Maine.....I would give Maine a try....especially since you are willing to be flexible and creative...in your job search.

On a more pessimistic note....I do have a friend who moved to Old Orchard Beach Maine from Pennsylvania at least 8 months ago and she is still unemployed. Her field is marketing. (I don't even know for sure what that entails.) She has started volunteering at community agencies etc.....to network...and to have some current activity in her resume.

[Hyakurin]

I thought it would be very expensive to commute that far. I would only consider it if there were no other option in Maine- or it was some special kind of job. I am willing to ride it out in Maine though!

It's too bad about your friend. I can't say I know exactly what marketing entails either- except that it's always sounded interesting. It sounds like she's doing a good thing by volunteering. Networking is essential these days, as I do believe most people get their jobs by knowing somebody. Speaking of which, does anyone know where I might be able to start networking in Maine? Or is the only option to wait until I get there?

I would definitely be willing to volunteer. I am not expecting to find anything in my fields, at least not right off the bat. Thanks for your candor.

I am optimistic about the move but realistic in knowing how very difficult it will be. I've never been given anything, had to fight for it all. The story of my life! Things never fall into place for me but it just makes me stronger and try harder, in the end.

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by Hyakurin

However, I have read in some forums that some people have commuted daily to Boston 2.5 hours each way. I've decided to start looking for jobs in Boston as well, and just eating the commute time if I have to. Is that a completely ridiculous notion or is it feasible to consider?

Like elston said, it would be exhausting and expensive. If you drove, you'd have to deal with tolls ($4.25 each way if you DON'T take the Tobin Bridge in Boston which is an additional $3 on the South Bound commute), gas, traffic (which is BAD in Boston during rush hours), etc. Parking is another issue. It would cost you at least $30-$40 per day to park in a garage near work in Boston.

The train would cost around $60 round trip each day from Portland (though I think you can buy frequent rider discounts) and you'd still have to get from North Station to wherever you worked which could range from a 5 minute walk to a 25 minute subway or bus ride (even more sometimes). It's worth mentioning that the Downeaster is given 3rd priority to local Boston trains and freight rail on local rails which means that a 2.5 hour train ride generally turns into 3+ hours each way as the Downeaster often has to stop to allow other trains to pass.

The Bus is cheaper but it's at the mercy of highway traffic which, again, is terrible during the day. You'd also have to find your way from South Station to wherever you work.

Again, it's not impossible, but I can't imagine wanting to do that daily.

You're well aware that the current economic crisis is terrible everywhere so no matter where you go, it's going to be difficult. I would advise looking for a job and getting some offers before you consider moving. If your heart is set on Maine, and it seems like you'd be a great fit, then that's the best way to go about finding a job and ensuring you'll have employment when you get here.

Maine is certainly cheaper (in terms of Cost of Living) than Massachusetts or NY, but it doesn't help if you can't work! I do hope it works for you as it really seems like you would enjoy Maine.

For kicks, here's a link to current unemployment rates for each state as of February 2009: The Employment Situation: February 2009

[Hyakurin]

Originally Posted by lrfox

You're well aware that the current economic crisis is terrible everywhere so no matter where you go, it's going to be difficult. I would advise looking for a job and getting some offers before you consider moving. If your heart is set on Maine, and it seems like you'd be a great fit, then that's the best way to go about finding a job and ensuring you'll have employment when you get here.

Maine is certainly cheaper (in terms of Cost of Living) than Massachusetts or NY, but it doesn't help if you can't work! I do hope it works for you as it really seems like you would enjoy Maine.

For kicks, here's a link to current unemployment rates for each state as of February 2009: The Employment Situation: February 2009

Hello, thanks! Yeah, I've been keeping a pretty close look on the numbers (I'm a news junkie) but thanks for that additional link. It looks like Maine is slightly better off than Alaska if nothing else (especially if you consider the number of the people here as opposed to Maine).

I do agree that it would be best to have a job lined up before I get there. The problem for me is that I -am- so far away and I cant go down there ahead of time. Does anyone know if anyone moving to Maine has had any particular luck lining up a job in advance? Or lining up an apartment ahead of time?

From my understanding of my reading in the forums it's generally very hard to do- especially, it seems, in Maine where a lot of the jobs aren't listed on line? I have seen a few jobs I'd be qualified to do but they ask that you drop your resume off in person, which is obviously impossible for a variety of reasons.

Another problem with staying here until I got a job lined up there is that I'd completely eat up through my savings here in two or three months, as opposed to in Maine where I'd be able to last a while longer. You're right that it doesn't help if it's cheaper if you don't have a job but there's no guarantee I'd be able to get a job here any quicker (I'm just a student who has saved here) and again, it's far more expensive. I don't have any support group or family here that would be able to help me out in hard times. I'm sort of SOL in that respect so Maine wouldn't be particularly different in that regard.

I've mostly been a professional student with some student jobs under my belt and some other rather irrelevant jobs that have nothing to do with my degrees. It would be hard for me to land a professional job in advance like some others might because I don't have years of experience under my belt. My education is good but my work experience doesn't match up to it. Also I'll have to have an address to even get employed, I'm sure. I don't know how I'd go about convincing anyone that I am moving there and that this isn't only a whim.

I'm aware that there are other states with better employment rates but quite honestly, they are places that resemble other places I have lived in before and I think would make me greatly unhappy.

I am all for a place for a place like Massachusetts if it were a better fit (financially) for me than Maine but I don't think it really is.

Does anyone have advice on lining up a job ahead of time? A lot of times people will want to interview you, at least in person and I simply can't afford to do that. The distance in Alaska, the expense of Alaska is almost impossible to explain if you have not lived here. It isn't worth it here.

[elston]

The only people I have seen who had a job all lined on the forum ..... have been Elcarim's husband. who as a fire fighter and first responder.....has an immediately marketable skill and the other day a person in the Portland sub forum, who has a job teaching pharmacology at a local college....again a specialty skill set.

In your case, with a BA degree in psychology/sociology.....(I started out with a similar background)....I wonder about any state jobs in Social Work type capacity.....there must be a link for civil service positions....but I dont know where....I bet you can find it tho.....If you knew where you could get employment....you would know where to look for an apartment....it might not be Portland.

[Hyakurin]

I don't hold any great ambitions for the sociology /psychology degrees helping me land a great job. It hasn't helped here and it didn't help in Portland, Oregon either. I do hope that having my IT Specialist degree might help my job/financial situation some but again not holding my breath.

I'm not going to Maine knowing/hoping that I will land a dream job or anything in my field straight off. I know in this economy, given my distance, given others who have some networking connections or might have more education will make it highly competitive.

I would love to do social work and I've looked at some nonprofits and social work stuff that's available but again, all face to face stuff that I can't swing right now. I would take a job at dunkin' donuts or a sandwich place right now, or waitressing. Those would all be fine jobs. As I've said, I'm not going to be too picky.

Is it anyone's experience that those jobs are particularly hard to land? I have read that they're only good for a few months usually, until tourist season is over.

[elston]

My son moved to maine with a degree in natural science.....he worked selling aluminum siding.....in a laboratory.....waiting tables.....tending bar before landing a job in human services. He was seldom without a job someplace.....his wife with a degree also worked in resturants....until she got a job in an educational setting..administrative assistant. They have made it work for them.

It sounds as if you are intent on making it work for you......it may take all of that.....

I am long since retired....I remember my father telling me his experience during the depression....when he got out of HS......he said...there is always a job if you are willing to do it.....he would laugh and say....he could go out and find 3 jobs......any day.....there is always a job so mean and dirty and if you are willing to do it....you can have it.....he said he would get 3 jobs...take the best and work it until he found something better.....he said he was never out of work.

I dont know if that still works.......I wish you the best.

[Hyakurin]

Thank you very much. Actually, that's very encouraging. As I've said, I'm willing to work just about anything right now. In this economy one can't afford to be picky. If there is a job available I will work it. I've worked miserable jobs before. Sometimes you just have to buckle down and do it. Waitressing, bartending, and anything in between and on the edges I am willing to do. I will also have someone coming along with me willing to do the same.

As I've said, I'm not trying to land the best job in the world. That can wait a few years, and I'm pretty sure that it will have to. The sad truth is that I don't have any better shot of landing a great job here than I do there, so. Thank you about the story about your son and his wife. It makes the entire prospect a little less scary, though by no means should anyone think I don't find the entire situation terrifying. Im too much of a realist to think it will be easy.

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by Hyakurin

Thank you very much. Actually, that's very encouraging. As I've said, I'm willing to work just about anything right now. In this economy one can't afford to be picky. If there is a job available I will work it. I've worked miserable jobs before. Sometimes you just have to buckle down and do it. Waitressing, bartending, and anything in between and on the edges I am willing to do. I will also have someone coming along with me willing to do the same.

As I've said, I'm not trying to land the best job in the world. That can wait a few years, and I'm pretty sure that it will have to. The sad truth is that I don't have any better shot of landing a great job here than I do there, so. Thank you about the story about your son and his wife. It makes the entire prospect a little less scary, though by no means should anyone think I don't find the entire situation terrifying. Im too much of a realist to think it will be easy.

Elston and irfox are giving you good info, but one thing that neither has mentioned is that Portland shines a weary eye on newcomers seeking employment. Portland has a relatively large transitional population (people from smaller towns around the state move to Portland to get a better paying job and then use it as a spring board to move on to another state or incoming people use Portland as the testing grounds to see if they like Maine or not). Be prepared to hear, "How long do you expect to live here?" type of questions. A lot. One thing, though, is that tourist season is almost upon us and if you can get here by the end of May, start of June, you could probably land a seasonal job rather easily.