Moving to Maine without jobs!! (Caribou, Belfast: school, college, salary) - (ME) - Page 5 - City-Data Forum

Jpurvis · 11-27-2007, 11:09 AM

Hello All,
I am a newbie here and would like to get some information on moving to Maine. My sister moved there with her son and his family last year. They live in the Augusta area. I have been up there twice from South Florida which is where I have lived all my life. I HATE IT HERE and want to go elsewhere. To be honest, I really didn't think of Maine ever becoming my home, but I fell in love with it.
My question is, I am divorced and would be moving either by myself or with my other sister. We would be renting for a while anyway. Our concerns are finding work. I have tried to apply on line at places, but I am sure because I am from florida, they would rather hire someone local than taking the time to get me there. My nephew was lucky, he was hired and then moved. He is with the Police dept.
I am just scared about going all that way with no job. And from some of the things I read, with taxes, high costs on things, and no work. I am just wondering what is the reality of finding a decent place to live and a job? Also, health care? Is it real expensive too? Someone said it was. Any help would be greatly appreciated. We are wanting to go within the next couple of months.
Thanks so much....

msina · 11-27-2007, 11:15 AM

As you have family here, you can use their address as a return address when applying for jobs. Have your nephew and sister keep an "eye out" for job opportunities for you as well. I have no idea what type of employment you're looking for but read the local newspapers (on-line) for an idea of what is available.

Jpurvis · 11-27-2007, 11:25 AM

Thanks for the info Msina, that is good advice. I have been checking the kennebec journal for the job listings and have also found some places to rent.
I guess not everyone is going to think Maine is great, but like I said, just seeing some of the posts was a little scary. I do realize I will have to take a pay cut but am willing to do this. I do accounting work, but have also done banking and insurance too. It is just a matter of taking the plunge and I am so ready. Oh well, like they say, ya only live once, might as well go for it.

tlb71 · 11-27-2007, 12:40 PM

Hi All, I am a new member to the forum but have been reading these threads for months and never felt the need to post until reading Northeast Yankees comments on Bath.
We moved to Bath 2 1/2 years ago when my husband was making the transition from active duty Navy to civilian employment. He was offered a salaried engineering position with BIW and while he does not work at "The Yard" but at a facility in Brunswick, we bought a house in Bath. I understand from locals that Bath was once a pretty rough place rampant with drugs and alcohol back in the 70's, but that does not seem to be the case today. It is very safe here and the only interactions we have with the "angry alcoholics yard folks" Northeast Yankee referred to is when they speed up our street at 3:30p.m. The reason they are doing so is because the majority, if not all of them, do not live in Bath and are scattering to various other towns at the end of their shifts.
As far as the schools go, they are not the best in the country(my son has been to schools in CA,LA,and VA) but they aren't the worst either. He started the 5th grade here and was bored that year as the VA school had advance placement classes and divided the children according to their learning abilities- that is not the case here. He is now in the 7th grade, which is better, but apparently laptops are more important to have in Maine schools than text books, as my son doesn't have ANY books.
You can walk to the post office, Brackett's Market, the library etc. which is nice with gas prices the way they are. On the south end, where we live, there is a new park on the river that has become somewhat of an unofficial dog park that we frequent everyday.
That being said, our house is currently for sale, and has been for 3 months now and we expect it will be for awhile in this market. While Maine has some things to offer in the low crime and lack of traffic - the socialist politics, outrageous spending, tree hugging at the expense of an economy and jobs, just aren't a good fit for us. So, my advice to new comers is to rent. Try it before you buy it as there are tons of rentals now because the market is so slow. Every where you go has its pros and cons, you just have to decide what is more important to you.

AlisonL · 11-27-2007, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlb71

So, my advice to new comers is to rent. Try it before you buy it as there are tons of rentals now because the market is so slow. Every where you go has its pros and cons, you just have to decide what is more important to you.

This should hold true to anyone moving. We plan to rent for a year when we move to TN. We also will not go without a job lined up.
If one is independently wealthy, then it really doesn't matter. However, that is not our case.

dmyankee · 11-27-2007, 05:52 PM

Try, try, try to get a job with a reasonable health plan. Otherwise it can cost $8k-$18K per year. No joke! Apply to all surrounding municipalities, schools and hospitals, as well as the Capitol.

Jpurvis · 11-27-2007, 06:04 PM

OMG, you have got to be kidding me????? I have medical insurance where I work now and don't pay anything. It is just me, my kids are grown, so I only have me to worry about. YIKES!!!!

mainebrokerman · 11-27-2007, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlb71

Hi All, I am a new member to the forum but have been reading these threads for months and never felt the need to post until reading Northeast Yankees comments on Bath.
We moved to Bath 2 1/2 years ago when my husband was making the transition from active duty Navy to civilian employment. He was offered a salaried engineering position with BIW and while he does not work at "The Yard" but at a facility in Brunswick, we bought a house in Bath. I understand from locals that Bath was once a pretty rough place rampant with drugs and alcohol back in the 70's, but that does not seem to be the case today. It is very safe here and the only interactions we have with the "angry alcoholics yard folks" Northeast Yankee referred to is when they speed up our street at 3:30p.m. The reason they are doing so is because the majority, if not all of them, do not live in Bath and are scattering to various other towns at the end of their shifts.
As far as the schools go, they are not the best in the country(my son has been to schools in CA,LA,and VA) but they aren't the worst either. He started the 5th grade here and was bored that year as the VA school had advance placement classes and divided the children according to their learning abilities- that is not the case here. He is now in the 7th grade, which is better, but apparently laptops are more important to have in Maine schools than text books, as my son doesn't have ANY books.
You can walk to the post office, Brackett's Market, the library etc. which is nice with gas prices the way they are. On the south end, where we live, there is a new park on the river that has become somewhat of an unofficial dog park that we frequent everyday.
That being said, our house is currently for sale, and has been for 3 months now and we expect it will be for awhile in this market. While Maine has some things to offer in the low crime and lack of traffic - the socialist politics, outrageous spending, tree hugging at the expense of an economy and jobs, just aren't a good fit for us. So, my advice to new comers is to rent. Try it before you buy it as there are tons of rentals now because the market is so slow. Every where you go has its pros and cons, you just have to decide what is more important to you.

i wish some of the liberal-socialist politicians of the state would read this post!! its too bad, some folks are leaving the state because of the reasons mentioned above

genmomto5 · 11-28-2007, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmyankee

Try, try, try to get a job with a reasonable health plan. Otherwise it can cost $8k-$18K per year. No joke! Apply to all surrounding municipalities, schools and hospitals, as well as the Capitol.

Not kidding. We are doing Cobra for a bit.... $1400 a month. Ouch!

Jpurvis · 11-28-2007, 06:20 AM

I guess it has not been an issue with me except for maybe a short period of time. Most places I have worked do provide coverage for the employee.
I am assuming that there are those that will provide it and those that won't.
WOW.... Thanks for the heads up. Now I will know something else to look for. I have been reading the different threads on here and they are so interesting. About living there, with the firewood, money saving tips, language, etc.... Some things I just don't have to deal with down here so they are coming in quite handy.
Again, thanks to all the very helpful info.