Retired prof looking at Bangor/Orono (Bucksport, Hope: sales, apartment, rent)

[writprof]

I am early retired from active teaching (grad/undergrad) and now traveling and writing. Have seen lots of the country (NY, CA, the south) and the world (Europe, Asia, South Am.), and am ready to live in retirement in Maine.

Why Bangor/Orono? Because I've always enjoyed the Northeast, am used to the snow and cold, and like to be socially in a university town atmosphere with some intellectual atmosphere.

Am looking for feedback from people who have lived there a while, instead of the "sales pitch."

Would you recommend the area for a mentally active, but retired, single (male) person?

While jobs and kids' schools, etc. are not important, some questions are.

Is transport readily available, since I don't plan to have a car?

Could I really find a reasonable, secluded, quiet place that would cater to me and a cat? (Prefer a small house, but would settle for an apartment).

Many thanks!

[Submariner]

The Orono campus and community does have a higher percentage of foreign students, professors and visitors [mostly European].

I see them every week at the Farmer's Market.

[writprof]

Sounds as if I can probably find decent fresh food at the Farmer's market. So far I'm getting positive reinforcement! Thanks.

[Submariner]

Your welcome, I just can't really comment much on public transportation in Orono.

I just do not know.

I drive there for the market, and I drive home.

I have seen folks come to the market via kayak, and others via bicycle, and some via foot. Most obviously drive their cars.

There are a few homes in the area with horses, though I have never seen anyone riding horseback in Orono.

One of my customers lives in a boarding house where they are really into 'permacultures'. Their design and function. He lives right in downtown Orono.

Another customer moved to Orono last spring. She is in her late 50's, a recent widow. She tells me that the walking trails in Orono that connect everything are fantastic. Bike paths and jogging are big. She has lost a lot of weight this summer, and seems very active. she also seems 're-awakened' to her desires for male company. If you wear a beard, be warned that she likes to grab men by their beard while she rubs against a guy's person.

[writprof]

No kidding, I DO have a small beard (I'm pretty skinny). There seem to be posts for cabs and even some buses, which sound o.k. So do the various Yellow Pages. It's interesting getting this info from so far away (I'm currently traveling in S.A.). Hope some realtors also post regularly and provide some real non-sales facts. (If you are, beekeeper, I'll take back my sales comments, and we can correspond re my normal e-mail) prior to coming in early '08.

[moughie]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

" seems very active. she also seems 're-awakened' to her desires for male company. If you wear a beard, be warned that she likes to grab men by their beard while she rubs against a guy's person.

LOL
Sounds dangerous............
Forest, you better wear full armour next time you encounter her.....or shave off your beard!!!

[Elcarim]

LMAO!! Oh, Forest! Do we need to buy you a chastity belt to protect your "person"???

[Submariner]

I am telling you guys, this lady has no personal boundaries when she starts talking to a man.

She wants to put her fingers in my beard, pulling her fingers through my beard; and rubbing herself against me.

In public!

I back away from her, and explain that I am married, and ...

[writprof]

Gee...sounds like Argentina, instead of Maine! Should I beware, especially in mid-winter...? Sounds awesome.

What other things do I need to look out for? When do the Maine flies start, or are they usually closer to the ocean?

And what would be a nice, but moderate (winter rates) hotel in which I might settle for two weeks or so in Orono in January while I find a permanent homestead?

Ideas? Any suggestions welcome.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Funny how everybody asks about our state bird, the black fly. They are a real nuisance around the first 3 weeks of June. They are poor aviators and can't fly when it's windy. They dry out and can't fly when the humidity is low. However, when we have high humidity and calm winds in early June it's time to refinish furniture, read a good book or rent a good video.

Black flies need clean cold fresh water. They are much less numerous near the ocean. They are particularly bad near Orono which is why I would recommend the Bucksport area for you. There are a number of retired professors in and around Bucksport.

For fine lodging in January I recommend Springfield Tyme. It's a bed and breakfast and their food is magnificent. Winter rates are quite low. (No, I don't own the place.)

They now have wireless DSL internet service.

Maine Office of Tourism - Springfield Tyme Bed & Breakfast