Why do some say Maine is an expensive state.... (Brunswick: apartment, condo)

[RMoore007]

My problem is really simple. It's a failure to be rich. So I think it's expensive to live everywhere.

I plan to break ground on my lot on my family property next October in Dover. I'll be starting with a small cabin, then a garage and another cabin later to follow. All the while living and working out here in the west to be able to pay for it. I plan on being a coast to coaster when I retire in a few years. I will not be a burden to Maine and hope to bring in money from people I know out here in the west. Unless of course I burden people with my overall presents. I can be a psychic drain to some when I get excited or nervous.

[Maine Writer]

Originally Posted by RMoore007;27580048[B

]I plan to break ground on my lot on my family property next October in Dover.[/b] I'll be starting with a small cabin, then a garage and another cabin later to follow. All the while living and working out here in the west to be able to pay for it. I plan on being a coast to coaster when I retire in a few years. I will not be a burden to Maine and hope to bring in money from people I know out here in the west. Unless of course I burden people with my overall presents. I can be a psychic drain to some when I get excited or nervous.

DIBS! I call dibs on dinner!

[chaosX5]

Originally Posted by southernNE

Along with taxes and insurance being high, and property taxes and housing being relatively low. I think that the people are some times referring to what the cost of living is to invest in Winter items that are expensive...for example someone moving here from a state with little snow...may think you could get by with one shovel. The list is long and plenty of what you need, and what you need to spend money on....many of Mainers already have these items, and will last them year after year, and some things will wear out and need to be replaced annually. Besides shovels many people in Maine may own a snowblower, a generator, ice scrapers, gloves/expensive warm jackets/winter wear (even snowshoes/skiesother gear) boots, showpants etc, winter tires, a roof rack, extension cords, an ax, + many tools, a shed or garage to keep them all in--with given weather... I could really go on and on...and all of that can add up quite a bit compared to other states that all you need is a little bug spray and to borough a neighbors shovel 4 times a year! It also comes down to a lot of hours of your time to do these things. Removing the snow in your driveway is a task that has 3 choices-shoveling it yourself, using a snowblower, or using a plow (you own one, or you hire some one). All 3 take time, your time, or time to work to pay someone else to do it.

Also there can be lot of expenses in house/barn/shed repair, roof/shingles may not last as long and have leaking, vehicles some times rust out faster with the climate esp the underside and mufflers etc, if sand and salt is used on the roads also, and if they live near salty bodies of water too. There are normally trees town with each Winter, and that could mean owning a chainsaw, or hiring someone to cut the remainder of the tree-off your lawn/car/house..or just off of your driveway. (however I found it easy to get fire permits in Maine compared to other states! Fweeh!) Water tables can be high in areas for many months and that can cause constant sub-pump activity (electricity). Heating cost are high, especially in older less insulated houses or homes with leaky windows.

Yes, there are many who chop and own and burn their own wood. Many people who I have spoken to myself (from out of the area) do not realize how much WORK goes into chopping, cutting, splitting and seasoning their own wood. Then you still have to stack it and bring in what you will use that day. You don't just cut down a tree and magically throw a log into the fire! Depending on the type of wood, some have to dry and season for a whole year or more and most of that has to be stored or covered somewhere, even after you get it. My folks have half of their garage lined with shelves to stack the wood in, then they bring in several split logs and kindling each day to pile and warm by the fire-cold wood won't catch as fast as room temp wood.

Also the commutes in Maine can be long, esp if someone lives in a rural area, and has many miles to get to work. Pay scale in Maine is not high for average jobs. This equates to more gas money and cost of mileage on your car. There are very few places with public transportation, subways etc to get to work. Few people can walk to work.

This is also what keep 'others' away. You have to be hardy and some what self sufficient and strong to live in Maine. And that is what I love about it! I swear, living in PA for the past few years, people think I am super women down here, just because I can mow a lawn, change a tire, and carry a spider out of the house! That's just how I was born and raised! A lot of living in Maine, is just long and slow and steady work. It is work to live there, but that is just a part of life there! And where many find peace and solitude as well.

This is great info, very helpful post.

The expense of getting ready for winter for the first time was high for us, we had no snow shovels, no snow blower, no real snow boots etc......we have them now Everything should last us awhile, except the kids snow boots, it seems their feet grow two sizes overnight!


We are heating with wood, and it is work.............at the moment we have free labor in the form of teenagers, when they're gone who knows how it'll go. We did have and will have expenses related to heating with wood....wood stoves, wood splitter, better chainsaws, chaps. We should start seeing a payback in two to three years. I do know that we're warmer here in the winter than we were in NC, we love that! We keep it as warm as we want. We already have wood for next year....it's a big pile... We'll see how it goes............

The electricity it much higher here, we do a lot to conserve............we did know this before we moved here, this is not a complaint, just a fact.

Yes, home and car insurance is cheaper...........health insurance is not.

Food is about the same price as NC but no food tax in Maine.

We paid tax on our cars in NC so no difference there.

It really comes down to this, Maine is just different.............if it's what you want then it will work out. Just do the research so there won't be unpleasant surprises.

[Radio Flyer]

Originally Posted by Maine Writer

DIBS! I call dibs on dinner!

This guy really knows how to make a good impression. He gives presents too.

[AustinB]

Originally Posted by Radio Flyer

This guy really knows how to make a good impression. He gives presents too.

He has great presents!

[Radio Flyer]

He'll make a fine addition to the state.

All fun aside, I am being serious. I like his attitude.

[Maine Writer]

Originally Posted by Radio Flyer

This guy really knows how to make a good impression. He gives presents too.

lol We've met. He's a great guy! He has great stories. Very interesting man. And now that others have mentioned it, what kind of presents are you bringing us? I would love some sunshine and 25*.

[RMoore007]

My sister from Dover visited over Xmas and is now home. It was pretty cold out here the whole time she visited. It's 30 degrees outside this morning. Only up in the low 50's during the daytime. I have to scrape the windshield every morning. And I have to wear gloves because the steering wheel is so cold. It's cold I tell ya. Cold!

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by RMoore007

My sister from Dover visited over Xmas and is now home. It was pretty cold out here the whole time she visited. It's 30 degrees outside this morning. Only up in the low 50's during the daytime. I have to scrape the windshield every morning. And I have to wear gloves because the steering wheel is so cold. It's cold I tell ya. Cold!

Now that is funny right there.

[Radio Flyer]

007, do you go to Tahoe at all?

I lived in the SF Bay Area for 20 something years and while there were many things I bitched about, Tahoe wasn't one of them.

So friggin' beautiful up there. It's one of those places that takes your breath away the first time you see it.