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Since we’re talking regions here and not specific cities, I’ll try not to get too specific with the criteria. In general, which of these 2 would you prefer, given these criteria?
Amenities:
Safety:
Scenery:
Outdoor Recreation:
Weather:
Cost of Living:
Things to Do:
Economy:
Coastal Maine. I don't really care about the ocean, but I wouldn't want to live somewhere surrounded closely by mountains on all sides, with no major cities anywhere nearby --- would feel very isolated. Also coastal Maine isn't as poor and has more tourists coming through, so the towns probably have more amenities than would expected for their size.
I'm more interested in visiting Appalachia though.
Probably Coastal Maine. The scenery is stunningly diverse, with no shortage of options to take it in, from Acadia National Park to Camden Hills and everything in between. Maine's cities and towns are very livable, fairly prosperous, benefiting from tourism dollars, largely walkable and historic. The food is excellent with plentiful independently owned restaurants overshadowing the chains. Although living there would be more expensive, Maine is in a unique position in that there is really nothing else like it in the U.S.
The Blue Ridge Mountains are quite beautiful, but more remote. There are definitely some great communities like Winchester and Staunton scattered throughout the Shenandoah Valley, plus DC is nearby. I just think it falls short as a desirable place to live due to the region's isolation and relative lack of amenities.
Blue Ridge. More affordable, great residents, much better climate, and the Roanoke area offers no fewer amenities than Portland. The Harrisonburg/Staunton area is no slouch either. I've lived n New England and really do love Maine. I've traveled through and visited that area of VA too many times to count over my life. I just think VA's Blue Ridge along the I-81 corridor offers more overall. Easy choice for me.
This is sort of a "do you prefer mountains or ocean" type of question. Different strokes for different folks. That being said...
Personally, I love the ocean. But if my choice is coastal Maine versus the Blue Ridge, it's going to be Virginia every day.
New England weather is just awful and I think the Blue Ridge is gorgeous. Despite the fact that it's farther from the ocean, the Blue Ridge area of Virginia offers plenty of recreational opportunities while also in proximity to major metro areas. Cost of living is good and the economy is humming along.
I like both areas, but for me Coastal Maine was an easy choice. It is simply one of my favorite places on the planet. In my opinion, the most beautiful part of the East Coast, great restaurant/beer scene in Portland and nice towns up and down the coastline.
I voted despite the dreary weather from Nov - Apr. But the summer and fall are glorious. We've left NYC during summer when it was 90 and humid and 6 hours later on the coast of Maine it was in the low 70's during the day and 50's at night.
Live in Blue Ridge Virginia.... annual vacations in Coastal Maine.
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