Portland, Maine or Juneau, Alaska? (appointed, home, taxes)

[expdxer]

Hello, in the past twenty years I've lived in San Francisco, Portland, Oregon and now NYC (because this is unfortunately my hometown). As you might guess, I want to move out of NYC and I am trying to decide where to move to. I visited Juneau, AK--it's beautiful and has a lot of job opportunities for someone like me who has a background working in government, publishing and administrative support. But my family is in NYC and it's obviously far. So, I'm thinking about Portland, Maine and will be visiting in two weeks. My main concern is my job prospects. Are there job opportunities in fields such as urban planning, public administration, nonprofit work? I also have a master's degree. Otherwise, Portland seems to have everything else I'm looking for, a small walkable city, liberal culture. I like cold weather. But I miss the laid-back culture of the West Coast too, and it also seems to be one of the few places on the East Coast where I can find that. Tell me if I'm wrong on that...thanks.

[Sunday1]

If you want or need to be on the east coast then I think Portland fits your needs. I used to live in Anchorage and traveled regularly to Juneau. If you don't need to be on the east coast, then I vote for Juneau given the other things you mentioned. Have sent you a DM with more details.

[Sunday1]

On the other hand, while I think career opportunities specific to your interests in Juneau along with its many other attributes give it a slight edge IMO -- it's a long way from your family. The commute from anywhere in AK to NYC is a full day's air travel plus the 3 hr time difference. I did it between Anchorage and DC several times a year and as you probably know, the expense is even bigger than the time commitment. If you're close to your family (emotionally), then I'd say Portland deserves the edge and trumps Juneau after all. You're going to be here during the best weather (I hope!) of the year--both of our relo trips here were in the fall months the last two years and it was gorgeous. Today is just that - gorgeous!

We've spent a lot of time walking around the Old Port recently, and it's really a nice, laid-back and comfortable town.

I'm not sure Portland is as liberal as people seem to think, although the culture definitely seems laid back. The newspaper (Portland Press Herald) has just been bought by a conservative and if you ask me if Portland is liberal just after I've read the morning editions this past week, I think I'd say no. (I'm a new subscriber but maybe not for long). I'll let those who know it better comment on the political demographics.

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by Sunday1

On the other hand, while I think career opportunities specific to your interests in Juneau along with its many other attributes give it a slight edge IMO -- it's a long way from your family. The commute from anywhere in AK to NYC is a full day's air travel plus the 3 hr time difference. I did it between Anchorage and DC several times a year and as you probably know, the expense is even bigger than the time commitment. If you're close to your family (emotionally), then I'd say Portland deserves the edge and trumps Juneau after all. You're going to be here during the best weather (I hope!) of the year--both of our relo trips here were in the fall months the last two years and it was gorgeous. Today is just that - gorgeous!

We've spent a lot of time walking around the Old Port recently, and it's really a nice, laid-back and comfortable town.

I'm not sure Portland is as liberal as people seem to think, although the culture definitely seems laid back. The newspaper (Portland Press Herald) has just been bought by a conservative and if you ask me if Portland is liberal just after I've read the morning editions this past week, I think I'd say no. (I'm a new subscriber but maybe not for long). I'll let those who know it better comment on the political demographics.

Dead on. I don't really have anything else to add (I have never liked the Press Herald and like it even less now). I agree that Portland is pretty laid back. It's laid back and tolerant which can give the image of liberal (there are plenty of super left wingers though), but it's still plenty conservative (by New England standards, anyway). It's a nice town, I hardly think you'd be disappointed with it. It's certainly a bit bigger than Juneau, but it's no megalopolis.

[YankeeTom]

Maine is not liberal the way one might find NYC liberal. In Maine you have a libertarian streak of individualism. You have many who complain about taxes, welfare and government in general. You also have good public access to remote places like lakes, mountain trails and waterfalls. Hunting and fishing are important to many people in Maine. You also have that WONDERFUL ABSENCE of bill boards! Those UGLY pieces of Garbage on the sides of roads you find in 48 states! I love Maine! It is a great place, although I love winter and I would think I would have a difficult time giving up Alaska, if there is a more beautiful place in Summer and Autumn then Maine, I am unaware of it.

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by expdxer

Hello, in the past twenty years I've lived in San Francisco, Portland, Oregon and now NYC (because this is unfortunately my hometown). As you might guess, I want to move out of NYC and I am trying to decide where to move to. I visited Juneau, AK--it's beautiful and has a lot of job opportunities for someone like me who has a background working in government, publishing and administrative support. But my family is in NYC and it's obviously far. So, I'm thinking about Portland, Maine and will be visiting in two weeks. My main concern is my job prospects. Are there job opportunities in fields such as urban planning, public administration, nonprofit work? I also have a master's degree. Otherwise, Portland seems to have everything else I'm looking for, a small walkable city, liberal culture. I like cold weather. But I miss the laid-back culture of the West Coast too, and it also seems to be one of the few places on the East Coast where I can find that. Tell me if I'm wrong on that...thanks.

My husband and I have lived in Alaska now for going on 9-years. He is a native New Yorker (Queens & L.I.). I've never been to Juneau but my husband has. He felt it was very pretty but didn't like it as far as living there. We are about 50 miles outside of Anchorage. You mentioned your family. My family is in Ohio and Conn. It's a 9 hr plane trip and expensive when I want to visit.

IMO if I was making that decision I quess I'd have to go with Maine. If I lived in Maine it would be a good 12 hr trip by car I quess to Ohio but I could also hop on a plane and be there in a couple hours which would be my choice of travel. In Alaska you don't just drive into another State. It's a long drive and you have to go through Canada. If you don't want to do that there's the ferry that takes about 7 days.

Alaska is beautiful but if you are family oriented it can make you feel very isolated. Several years ago my mother was very ill in Conn. I prayed with the long plane trip I'd make it before she passed. I did make it but she passed about a month later. These are the things you'll want to consider. You can only fly in and out of Juneau as you probably noted.

I've always wanted to live in Maine and if the economy ever picks up I may get my wish. Good luck in your decision and your move.

[expdxer]

Thanks, alaskapat. My father is ill now so I am putting off the move for now. But after visiting both Portland, Maine and Juneau, I personally would take Juneau. I don't drive so the fact that it's small and has a good bus system for a city its size would work perfectly for me. I made a few contacts from job interviews and liked the people, and got the sense that if I were physically there I'd have offers fairly quickly. But I'm also considering Olympia, WA, Seattle or Portland, Oregon (where I previously lived). I'm just drawn back to the West, and rain apparently!

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by expdxer

Thanks, alaskapat. My father is ill now so I am putting off the move for now. But after visiting both Portland, Maine and Juneau, I personally would take Juneau. I don't drive so the fact that it's small and has a good bus system for a city its size would work perfectly for me. I made a few contacts from job interviews and liked the people, and got the sense that if I were physically there I'd have offers fairly quickly. But I'm also considering Olympia, WA, Seattle or Portland, Oregon (where I previously lived). I'm just drawn back to the West, and rain apparently!

Your welcome and my best wishes for your father. Follow your heart and go with what feels best for you. Best of luck in your decision. Keep us posted.

[Maineah]

I have a friend who is from Maine and lived in Alaska twice for five year periods. He is an avid sports fisherman and just loved filling his freezer every fall with tons of salmon. I loved it too as he always sent me a cooler full of beautiful fresh and smoked salmon every Christmas and I sent him lobsters. More than a fair trade in my estimation. He finally came home for good about 6 years ago and is most likely back in Maine to stay. He said as bad as we think winter is here in Maine, quadruple that and you're coming close to how bad winter was in Anchorage. He just could not stand the 6 months of darkness and as nice as it was in the summer he said it was just not worth putting up with the winters.

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by Maineah

I have a friend who is from Maine and lived in Alaska twice for five year periods. He is an avid sports fisherman and just loved filling his freezer every fall with tons of salmon. I loved it too as he always sent me a cooler full of beautiful fresh and smoked salmon every Christmas and I sent him lobsters. More than a fair trade in my estimation. He finally came home for good about 6 years ago and is most likely back in Maine to stay. He said as bad as we think winter is here in Maine, quadruple that and you're coming close to how bad winter was in Anchorage. He just could not stand the 6 months of darkness and as nice as it was in the summer he said it was just not worth putting up with the winters.

Yes in the mid winter (for about close to 2 mos), it gets dark around 4 pm and doesnt get light until around 10 am the next morning; that is what I absolutely HATE. Currently it gets light in the mornings now around 7:30 am and gets dark about 7:30 pm or so. I don't know about the winters in Anchorage being worse then Maine since I've never lived in Maine (darn it).

We do get a good 6 mos of winter up here. Lots of snow on the mountains which means as it travels down..well lol. The ice under the snow up here doesn't melt all winter since temperatures rarely get low enough to melt it. I do love the summers up here; nice temperatures with no humidity but they are just tooooooooooo short. I also love the almost 24 hours of daylight we get during June. We live about 50 miles away from Anchorage; we did live in Anchorage for a year when we first came up.

And believe me, I do understand your friend saying as nice as the summers are, the winters just aren't worth putting up with. IF the economy "ever" picks up I definitely am considering Maine. I figure those noreasters can't be any worse.