So how about some places to avoid? (Portland, Lewiston: to rent, home)

[dturin]

Hi Eclarim-

In your search for the perfect place in Maine, I cannot recommend more highly the town of Cape Elizabeth. I grew up there (and am now in college in MD), and I wish I had found somewhere so great now! If you are thinking about your family, look no farther. The school system, having just recently graduated, is phenomenal. Certainly the best public school in the state, and comparable to the private schools in the state as well. The teachers are better and more informed than most college professors I have encountered. The town itself is beautiful. Only about 5-10 minutes from portland, but also with some of the most beautiful properties and neighborhoods in the state. I'll warn you, pull out your wallet before you look at the housing prices there... but it's worth it in the long run!

[coffeebean29]

Lewiston...stay far away!

[Nekuda]

call Karen at coastal cotage Rentals in Blue Hill Maine, she handles over 200 vacation rentals in remote areas and on the water.

[postmyusernamehere]

Originally Posted by pinkpalace

That's up near Dexter, isn't it? Dexter is a dump.

My place in Newport sold in two weeks, I was ASTOUNDED.

Dexter is a dump???

I guess without a Walmart Superstore OR McDonalds we must seem like neanderthals to the good folks in Newport.

[Petertherock]

Originally Posted by chris

Elcarim, I think you've got the right area in mind. There are so many towns between the coast and Bangowaaaah, I think you'll just have to drive around until you find the right town.

Portland is not attractive to me for the same reasons. I need my country vibe and most of Maine has it north of Portland. Personally I wouldn't want to live near the ocean because of how cold it gets in the winter but being near it is great.

Actually, the ocean usually keeps it warmer in the winter. Inland averages about 5-10 degrees colder than the coast. During the spring and summer it stays cooler at the coast.

[Petertherock]

Originally Posted by dturin

Hi Eclarim-

In your search for the perfect place in Maine, I cannot recommend more highly the town of Cape Elizabeth. I grew up there (and am now in college in MD), and I wish I had found somewhere so great now! If you are thinking about your family, look no farther. The school system, having just recently graduated, is phenomenal. Certainly the best public school in the state, and comparable to the private schools in the state as well. The teachers are better and more informed than most college professors I have encountered. The town itself is beautiful. Only about 5-10 minutes from portland, but also with some of the most beautiful properties and neighborhoods in the state. I'll warn you, pull out your wallet before you look at the housing prices there... but it's worth it in the long run!

You ain't kidding about getting out your wallet. But it's getting like that throughout the state. Between the cost of homes and taxes this state is going to be home to only rich people, retired, and vacationers and people who work regular blue collar jobs will be extinct.

I live in the Portland area and "good" wages around here are $8-$10 an hour. I don't know how you are supposed to live on that when even to rent in dumps around here is around $1000 a month for a 2 BR.

[Elcarim]

Originally Posted by Petertherock

Actually, the ocean usually keeps it warmer in the winter. Inland averages about 5-10 degrees colder than the coast. During the spring and summer it stays cooler at the coast.

I'd much rather be in a place that is not quite as frigid in the winter and cool in the summer. The summertime temps are SO much more important to me!

[deerislesmile]

Folks, I live on one of the islands, and have for my whole life. I say.. it is always a few degrees warmer around the coast than it it on the mainland in the winter- this is why we always get slush when you all get snow. Having driven the 2 hours inland to Bangor in just about very kind of weather imaginable, I can also tell you that our snow along the coast seems to melt more quickly, too.
And in the summer, the reverse is true- it is usually 10 degrees (or more) cooler along the coast than inland.

[Floridahater]

Originally Posted by MsJL

Actually, I had given up years ago on finding this kind of life. I thought it was something you see only on old TV shows. It's that small town thing, a place with values that other places don't have anymore.

It's a trade off. Most people won't get rich (with money) here - by definition, you trade off the natural beauty and the solid values when you want industry, higher salaries, and subdivisions. I wanted a simpler life, with time to actually enjoy living. I'll never go back to suburbia and all the crime, traffic, pollution, and perpetual strangers next door.

But you're right, it's a matter of perspective, of commiting to the kind of life that each person finds appropriate for themselves.

This area appears to be exactly what I have been looking for. Any need for a community college, college or high school English/Humanities/Liberal Studies instructor?

[elston]

There was an independant movie called "The Spitfire Grill" about a city family that wins a little cafe in a northern maine town and their adventures and misadventures in adjusting to the move. I havent seen it for years but dispite being a bit contrived, I really liked it.