Machiasport? (Bangor, Ellsworth, Eastport: violent crime, home, unemployment)

[Burrman77]

What is Machiasport and Machias like? I read the poverty level is high there.

[OutdoorLover]

So far as I know, Machias is the biggest town in Washington County. They have a community hospital there, a smaller campus of the University of Maine, plus a Hannaford supermarket and a Hammond Lumber home center, and a number of restaurants. The coastline is beautiful there - like most of Maine :-)

Even though it's coastal, and it's beautiful, Downeast Maine is fairly thinly settled and it doesn't get a lot of tourists. Historically, fishing and boatbuilding employed a lot of the people. They're still important, but harvests of most species have been on the decline - lobster is a notable exception.

All places are a compromise - if you like it quiet, love nature, can make your own fun - gardening, hiking, beachcombing, fishing, hunting, home projects, etc, and are looking for an affordable place to live, it might be perfect.

[dreamofwinter]

High compared to what? Washington County is not a wealthy area in any location. Having lived now in Eastport, Pembroke, and East Machias I would not say Machias or Machiasport are any worse, and as OutdoorLover pointed out, Machias is large enough to have some amenities.

It's a great area if you enjoy being self-sufficient to some degree but also want to be able to grab a pizza after a long day (in fact, I just got back from Pat's Pizza). You can't beat the scenery and the people are some of the kindest I've ever met. But like any area your experiences may vary.

[svband76]

Originally Posted by dreamofwinter

High compared to what? Washington County is not a wealthy area in any location. Having lived now in Eastport, Pembroke, and East Machias I would not say Machias or Machiasport are any worse, and as OutdoorLover pointed out, Machias is large enough to have some amenities.

It's a great area if you enjoy being self-sufficient to some degree but also want to be able to grab a pizza after a long day (in fact, I just got back from Pat's Pizza). You can't beat the scenery and the people are some of the kindest I've ever met. But like any area your experiences may vary.

Don't forget Helen's pies.

[Jellybean50]

In my Facebook feed i got an article recently letting me know the best counties to live in in Maine.

Washington County was at the very bottom as the worst. I live in East Machias

It claimed the poverty level and unemployment level was the highest. Also violent crime. Since we moved here five years ago there have been quite a few shootings - none were random, if that makes any difference.

The bad: yes it's a poor area, but i don't really find that so bad. The Winters are dismal, but we knew that before we moved here. There are not a lot of shopping or eating choices, IMO. You have to travel 1.5 hrs to get to Ellsworth and 2 hours to get to Bangor (larger "cities"). For specialists you have to travel to these cities. We are Seniors so we need to go there a few times a year for that alone.

The good: I think it's beautiful here, Machiasport is pretty - very small town and coastal, pretty quiet. We live on the water in East Machias and i love it here. Summer and Fall are gorgeous. Low population and traffic. The roads are taken care of quickly when it snows etc. (compared to where i moved from). We have good internet and Cable, even tho it's expensive. Hospital right in Machias, and most regular doctors are in town or within a half hour. Nice grocery store, organic fresh veggie/fruit market for local products in Machias, a couple decent restaurants, one fast food place, a couple Dollar stores, community activities.

No place has enough help - so i don't know how unemployment is so high. I get that some of the jobs are not high-paying so maybe that's it. But we also need nurses, doctors, vets, pharmacists and other good jobs. Everyone is always advertising that they're hiring. We also need all kinds of construction and trade people.

[LilyMae521]

Originally Posted by Jellybean50

In my Facebook feed i got an article recently letting me know the best counties to live in in Maine.

Washington County was at the very bottom as the worst. I live in East Machias

It claimed the poverty level and unemployment level was the highest. Also violent crime. Since we moved here five years ago there have been quite a few shootings - none were random, if that makes any difference.

The bad: yes it's a poor area, but i don't really find that so bad. The Winters are dismal, but we knew that before we moved here. There are not a lot of shopping or eating choices, IMO. You have to travel 1.5 hrs to get to Ellsworth and 2 hours to get to Bangor (larger "cities"). For specialists you have to travel to these cities. We are Seniors so we need to go there a few times a year for that alone.

The good: I think it's beautiful here, Machiasport is pretty - very small town and coastal, pretty quiet. We live on the water in East Machias and i love it here. Summer and Fall are gorgeous. Low population and traffic. The roads are taken care of quickly when it snows etc. (compared to where i moved from). We have good internet and Cable, even tho it's expensive. Hospital right in Machias, and most regular doctors are in town or within a half hour. Nice grocery store, organic fresh veggie/fruit market for local products in Machias, a couple decent restaurants, one fast food place, a couple Dollar stores, community activities.

No place has enough help - so i don't know how unemployment is so high. I get that some of the jobs are not high-paying so maybe that's it. But we also need nurses, doctors, vets, pharmacists and other good jobs. Everyone is always advertising that they're hiring. We also need all kinds of construction and trade people.

Sounds pretty good to me.. and worth everything just for Jasper Beach alone. You're a lucky person, Jb. :-)

[Jellybean50]

Originally Posted by LilyMae521

Sounds pretty good to me.. and worth everything just for Jasper Beach alone. You're a lucky person, Jb. :-)

Thank You. Yes I forgot about Jasper Beach. And another reason i chose here was to be able to drive to Acadia Park - when it's not so crowded. I love it there.

[svband76]

Originally Posted by Jellybean50

In my Facebook feed i got an article recently letting me know the best counties to live in in Maine.

Washington County was at the very bottom as the worst. I live in East Machias

It claimed the poverty level and unemployment level was the highest. Also violent crime. Since we moved here five years ago there have been quite a few shootings - none were random, if that makes any difference.

The bad: yes it's a poor area, but i don't really find that so bad. The Winters are dismal, but we knew that before we moved here. There are not a lot of shopping or eating choices, IMO. You have to travel 1.5 hrs to get to Ellsworth and 2 hours to get to Bangor (larger "cities"). For specialists you have to travel to these cities. We are Seniors so we need to go there a few times a year for that alone.

The good: I think it's beautiful here, Machiasport is pretty - very small town and coastal, pretty quiet. We live on the water in East Machias and i love it here. Summer and Fall are gorgeous. Low population and traffic. The roads are taken care of quickly when it snows etc. (compared to where i moved from). We have good internet and Cable, even tho it's expensive. Hospital right in Machias, and most regular doctors are in town or within a half hour. Nice grocery store, organic fresh veggie/fruit market for local products in Machias, a couple decent restaurants, one fast food place, a couple Dollar stores, community activities.

No place has enough help - so i don't know how unemployment is so high. I get that some of the jobs are not high-paying so maybe that's it. But we also need nurses, doctors, vets, pharmacists and other good jobs. Everyone is always advertising that they're hiring. We also need all kinds of construction and trade people.

They can name Washington County the worst county - I don't care. Keep people away and leave us alone in peace and quiet and all the beauty.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Bear in mind that Bangor is in the lower half of Maine. There used to be a sign at Alton Bog designating half way up in Maine. That is also exactly half way from the equator to the North Pole. Look at your GPS. That is exactly 45 degree north. If you stop there, 45.00000 degrees north; you can see the remains of the old sign post.