Looking into relocating-any help appreciated (Portland, Lewiston: how much, neighborhoods, buyers)

[Kenowheregirl]

Hello, all! This is my first post, and I wanted to comment on how much fun it has been to read all of your posts-I have learned so much about Maine! My husband and I are from SE Wisconsin. He will be graduating in December with an MBA, and after that, we will hopefully be relocating within a year or so. Maine is one of the places we are tentatively looking into.We spent a week in Maine(Bar Harbor and Portland) on our honeymoon 3 years ago, and we loved it! Such beautiful country, and such clean air. Great food, too! I have a few questions, though-any answers would be greatly appreciated! 1)while in Portland, we had a very difficult time getting around. There seemed to be an amazing lack of street signs! Were we imagining things, or is that how the portland area is? 2)There might, just might be a job for my husband in Freeport. We are definitely looking for more of a country setting(2+ acres) for our little family(one 10 month old boy), but would like to be within a 20-25 minute drive to Freeport. Any suggestions? 3) I am a piano instructor-would I be able to find work? Thank you for taking the time to read this, and thank you for any info.

kenowheregirl

[mollysmiles]

Hi! Welcome to the board

I don't live in the southern part of the state, but my experience with street signs in Portland is very similar--it seems that if you're not looking in just the right place at the right time, you miss it!

There are some great towns around Freeport MaineBrokerMan, Flycessna, and MRVphotog among others will be good resources for you.

My guess would be that you can find work as a piano instructor

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by Kenowheregirl

1)while in Portland, we had a very difficult time getting around. There seemed to be an amazing lack of street signs! Were we imagining things, or is that how the portland area is?

You weren't imagining things, and it wasn't just Portland. Lots of Maine towns have that same problem. We were going through Lisbon the other day. Coming to a cross street, one street would have a street sign, the other wouldn't. It does make finding an address a real adventure at times.

Originally Posted by Kenowheregirl

2)There might, just might be a job for my husband in Freeport. We are definitely looking for more of a country setting(2+ acres) for our little family(one 10 month old boy), but would like to be within a 20-25 minute drive to Freeport. Any suggestions?

About 15 minutes north of Freeport you run into a Brunswick, which is mostly a college/military town. It hugs up against Bath and Topsham. Once you leave these towns, you can be in VERY rural settings.

Freeport and Brunswick are definitely some of the more expensive areas in Maine. But both towns are on the interstate, so you can live quite a ways away and still be within easy commuting distance. Freeport gets REALLY busy in the summer months.

Before you pull up stakes and move, be sure to come for a visit. Towns I love, you may hate and vice versa. I think Brunswick and Topsham are both very nice towns, as is Freeport, but there is a lack of affordable housing in the area -- especially if you're wanting acreage. Unless money is no object, but then the sky's the limit, eh?

Bath and West Bath are okay. Definitely more working class, but coming from Washington state, if there is a "dangerous 'hood" in Bath, I ain't found it yet.

Lisbon is also a nice working class town. I've heard mixed things about the schools though.

Augusta has some very nice areas. It also has a few scary areas. The suburb of Hallowell is really nice, and the nearby town of Gardiner is also great.

I've heard that there are some nice neighborhoods in Auburn and Lewiston, but I haven't found them yet. But keep in mind that I have an inherent dislike of cities. The countryside around both towns is quite lovely though.

Originally Posted by Kenowheregirl

3) I am a piano instructor-would I be able to find work?

Wow. No clue there. Sorry. There's definitely a big arts/music/theater vibe around Brunswick.

[flycessna]

Street signs in Portland: I do not think it is isolated to just Portland. But to be honest I haven't really noticed it before.

Freeport itself is a nice town with plenty of opportunities to live in the country. The only problem I can see is navigating the downtown summer and holiday traffic. Live on the same side of town you work

I would also consider Yarmouth, Cumberland, and Falmouth. All located between Freeport and Portland. At this point I would would research the schools and then decide which is best. You do not necissarily have to look a at a large number of areas. Those would be my choices. Cost of living goes down the further NE you go. GOOD LUCK

[Highlanderme]

Also I dont know how the street signs are setup in Wisconsin but here in Maine as you are driving down a road and you are looking for your turn you almost have to stop to see the road name because the signs are all backwards!!! If you are coming to a street the name you see is the road you are on!! Totally backwards from any other state I have ever been in. Other than this Maine is a great place to live! As far as finding work if you want to work you will.

[WhoFanMe]

I agree, Maine is a very difficult place to get around in if you don't know exactly where you're going. I would recommend a GPS system which I use religiously when I travel around with buyers, it identifies all of the streets and enables you to find the best route from one place to another. Just like my Sirius Satellite Radio, I can't believe I ever drove without it!

[AlisonL]

You may also want to check out the town of Durham.

[Kenowheregirl]

Wow-such quick replies! I really appreciate it; now I've got a little something to work with. Thank you all!!

[mainebrokerman]

Originally Posted by Kenowheregirl

Hello, all! This is my first post, and I wanted to comment on how much fun it has been to read all of your posts-I have learned so much about Maine! My husband and I are from SE Wisconsin. He will be graduating in December with an MBA, and after that, we will hopefully be relocating within a year or so. Maine is one of the places we are tentatively looking into.We spent a week in Maine(Bar Harbor and Portland) on our honeymoon 3 years ago, and we loved it! Such beautiful country, and such clean air. Great food, too! I have a few questions, though-any answers would be greatly appreciated! 1)while in Portland, we had a very difficult time getting around. There seemed to be an amazing lack of street signs! Were we imagining things, or is that how the portland area is? 2)There might, just might be a job for my husband in Freeport. We are definitely looking for more of a country setting(2+ acres) for our little family(one 10 month old boy), but would like to be within a 20-25 minute drive to Freeport. Any suggestions? 3) I am a piano instructor-would I be able to find work? Thank you for taking the time to read this, and thank you for any info.

kenowheregirl

hiya kenow,,,ive lived in maine my whole life,,and the one place i dislike driving,,is portland,, ,,thats about the only place tho,,most other places are much better,,
if you are targeting portland,,,,to work, and looking for a home,,be sure to look at the towns of gray, poland, new gloucester, auburn (near the turnpike exit area, nice area!)
durham, is nice too, all these places are approx. 30 minutes to portland,,,
standish, windham, naples, raymond, are all very nice areas too,,a bit more pricey, but it is a buyers market!

[Kenowheregirl]

About how long of a drive is Durham to Freeport?