Does it Have Sense to Relocate from Warm to a Cold climate

[Swede in CA]

Guys, are log homes doing well in Maine? Where to buy a not so big home, but on 4-5 acres? (given that my work in in South Portland)

[DreamworksSKG]

Also wouldn't the general cost of homes in Maine be cheaper than California? So you would save there too?

--jeff--
Winchester, MA

[diablogun]

Originally Posted by Swede in CA

Guys, thanks for all of you for advice. Yes, sure I understand that the job is the first priority. I am a mother of two, and I am a responsible parent and person. I will transfer to Portland, ME (if we decide to go to Maine) and my salary in Maine is about $103,000. I believe it would be plenty. I make more in Cali, but I do not want to live here. My husband and I both grew up in 4 season climate, near forest and lakes. I grew up in a large city, but had houses outside and spent a lot of time outside the city life. My husband spent his youth in a smaller town 2 hours away from Stockholm (Sweden). IF we move, his salary will be significantly lower than here (about $50-60,000)

We visited once, and like it. We miss fall season, we miss trees, sense of community, simple friendly people, when neighbors come and have tea with us not bc of party or invitation, but simply bc it is nice and warm or cold, or Sunday, or whatever. We tired from traffic, high prices, taxes, high gasoline, people everywhere. It take me 15 min to find parking on weekend at the local shopping plaza, another 30-40 to get what I need, and another 20 to pay, than another 20 to get the f...out of the parking lot.

In what city in Sweden did he grow up?

Also, as I've been looking around me much of the area around me looks a lot like Sweden, which reminds me that I need to visit there very soon...

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by Swede in CA

Guys, are log homes doing well in Maine? Where to buy a not so big home, but on 4-5 acres? (given that my work in in South Portland)

There are a few log home manufacturers in the area.

I have had one guy coming on my land to cut logs for a cord-wood house he is building.

Log homes are very pretty.

They are known for having a low R-value. and they require a high level of annual maintenance as the logs tend to shrink and the chinking falls loose.

There are many other options of home style, which are less expensive, and which provide far higher insulation.

[woolwiTch]

Log homes are definitely available in Maine. Does your question mean you may be looking to buy land and build? If so, here's what caught my eye recently:

Timber Frame Homes, Pre-Fab Homes by Bensonwood USA

These are timberframed houses with super-insulated panels, very well designed. I've been following these guys for many years, since I first saw them on This Old House many years ago. Of course, these houses are not cheap.

You had also asked about natural gas. If you will be in Portland or very close, gas is available. However, it is not available in a lot of Maine, including a lot of towns within just half an hour of Portland. Most people in Maine still heat with #2 heating oil, but we're trying to move away from that. In more rural areas, wood-burning outdoor boilers are popular. Heating the house interior all or in part with wood or wood pellet stoves is pretty common, too.

Some of the heating systems you're probably familiar with from Sweden and elsewhere in Europe are not as common here as you might think, but they are becoming more popular. Massive thermal mass masonry fireplaces, like those from Tulikivi, are not common, but can be found here. In fact, there is a guy from Norridgewock who builts these heaters. See: Masonry Heaters and Wood Fired Ovens - Maine Wood Heat Co. I'm sure there are others as well.

Last year, a guy named Les Otten started Maine Energy Systems (Maine Energy Systems : Home), which installs Bosch wood pellet boilers, delivers wood pellets and arranges financing for installing a wood pellet boiler system. The wood pellet and pellet boiler industries are in their infancy in Maine. It will be interesting to see how they work out. If you do build, it's worth looking into.

You can live as much as 40 miles from Portland and still have a manageable commute. Rush hour in the Portland area is a breeze compared to San Diego. So if you would prefer to have more acreage and maybe build a house, you can draw a pretty big circle for your property search.

Best of luck with your relocation plans.

[Swede in CA]

My husband was born in Karlstad and lived there until 7, and then in Stockholm. I am 50/50 Russian/Swede born in Russia, but lived in Stockholm and some other towns.

[diablogun]

Originally Posted by Swede in CA

My husband was born in Karlstad and lived there until 7, and then in Stockholm. I am 50/50 Russian/Swede born in Russia, but lived in Stockholm and some other towns.

My best friend has family in Karlstad and they now live in Uppsala. It is a beautiful area. Also, my wife is 100% Russian, so you have a good heritage :-)

As to this area, I am looking for a new/newer house, and there is a lot to choose from. If you are in South Portland you may like the Saco/Biddeford area, and as others have mentioned, there are many nice places to live, but this area is definitely not cheap :-)

[happyfamily1912d]

Once in a while you come across something that is so simple and so obvious, yet seems to elude common thought.

RetiredTinBender said:

"Our folks have done it before us with a helluva lot less and we can too"


My lord what fitting statement for our times. With all the talk about economic turmoil, how much of it is really classic "hard times", and how much is just an over-indulged population having to come to grips with the fact that not everyone can own a $700k home with a sports bar built into their basement?

[maja]

Originally Posted by Swede in CA

Guys, thanks for all of you for advice. Yes, sure I understand that the job is the first priority. I am a mother of two, and I am a responsible parent and person. I will transfer to Portland, ME (if we decide to go to Maine) and my salary in Maine is about $103,000. I believe it would be plenty. I make more in Cali, but I do not want to live here. My husband and I both grew up in 4 season climate, near forest and lakes. I grew up in a large city, but had houses outside and spent a lot of time outside the city life. My husband spent his youth in a smaller town 2 hours away from Stockholm (Sweden). IF we move, his salary will be significantly lower than here (about $50-60,000)

We visited once, and like it. We miss fall season, we miss trees, sense of community, simple friendly people, when neighbors come and have tea with us not bc of party or invitation, but simply bc it is nice and warm or cold, or Sunday, or whatever. We tired from traffic, high prices, taxes, high gasoline, people everywhere. It take me 15 min to find parking on weekend at the local shopping plaza, another 30-40 to get what I need, and another 20 to pay, than another 20 to get the f...out of the parking lot.

We too are stuck in CA. I know what you mean about missing someone just stopping by for a cup of tea/coffee. It just doesn't seem to happen here. Parties? Good Lord - Yes! Poker parties. Bunco parties. Southern Living parties...You name it, we have parties. But nobody gets together one on one for a little neighborly chat. When we first moved to our neighborhood & my kids were babies/toddlers, I would try and invite a neighbor to meet at the park, but she would then turn it into a huge party at the park. I tried stopping in at my neighbor's on the way home from a walk, when I saw her kids out and door open but then they installed a big locked gate at the end of their driveway. No more stops. I tried inviting a neighbor and her child over to visit but nobody wants that; instead they all want to drop their child off for free babysitting - Okay sometimes; but where is the friendship between the moms??? I really don't like it here. People are friendly in a very superficial way. Even though you are surrounded by people (way too many people), its lonely! If I'm gonna be by myself, I'd rather be alone! Anyway, good luck with your move; we hope to make the move this summer, if the realestate market cooperates!