Maine, how would we fit in? (Bangor, Lincoln: sales, real estate market, apartment)

[OdinScot]

My wife and I are considering a move to new england (NH or ME). We currently live in SE Michigan and find the crime, boring scenery, and general overpopulation to be a but much to make plans to stay here the rest of our lives. We are both in our early thirties and college educated. My wife is small business owner and a real estate agent and I work in advertising. We love nature, prefer to be well away from our neighbors (I'm a bit of a curmudgeon), have no interest in "night life," and don't shrink from the cold (both of us are originally from the U.P.). My family took trips to New England often when I was younger and I fell in love with the rugged coasts and wild forests of the region. I would love to call it my home. It seems like Maine would be a good fit for us but I would love to hear what you guys think.

[mainegrl2011]

This comment is based on knowing little about you, but you seem like a good candidate to fit in...respect the privacy of others as well as wanting your own privacy. Be friendly...Know how to mind your own business....Don't even think about talking about changing anything about Maine!....Don't talk about how wonderful things are in some other state...

Jobs jobs jobs....that is the challenge. If your wife's business can be successful in Maine, that's a plus. If you are offered a job in advertising, grab it....might be years before you get another offer. Try living in Maine; you're young enough to change your mind and leave if Maine isn't what you envisioned/expected/wanted it to be. Have an exit plan in case you need one. There are a significant number of college-educated Mainers who can't find work in their field and are working for $10-$12 an hour....some with more than one job....

[Submariner]

Come to Maine. Shake some hands, network, find jobs.

Rent an apartment, once grounded in your new apartment, then you can explore Maine's various regions to find where you find the best 'fit'.

Then after a year, you will be in a much better situation to say exactly where in Maine you really want to be.



Welcome

[maineguy8888]

The winters wouldn't scare you. You would probably do well. As previously said, it's the job thing. You have to be flexible in Maine.

[namder1]

I've said this before...........don't come here for a job. Come here for the freedom, peacefulness and our way of life. Don't come here to recreate your old state.

[RMoore007]

Originally Posted by OdinScot

My wife and I are considering a move to new england (NH or ME). We currently live in SE Michigan and find the crime, boring scenery, and general overpopulation to be a but much to make plans to stay here the rest of our lives. We are both in our early thirties and college educated. My wife is small business owner and a real estate agent and I work in advertising. We love nature, prefer to be well away from our neighbors (I'm a bit of a curmudgeon), have no interest in "night life," and don't shrink from the cold (both of us are originally from the U.P.). My family took trips to New England often when I was younger and I fell in love with the rugged coasts and wild forests of the region. I would love to call it my home. It seems like Maine would be a good fit for us but I would love to hear what you guys think.

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Your own words speak for themselves. How can you go wrong?

[Derp-D-Derp]

Originally Posted by OdinScot

My wife and I are considering a move to new england (NH or ME). We currently live in SE Michigan and find the crime, boring scenery, and general overpopulation to be a but much to make plans to stay here the rest of our lives. We are both in our early thirties and college educated. My wife is small business owner and a real estate agent and I work in advertising. We love nature, prefer to be well away from our neighbors (I'm a bit of a curmudgeon), have no interest in "night life," and don't shrink from the cold (both of us are originally from the U.P.). My family took trips to New England often when I was younger and I fell in love with the rugged coasts and wild forests of the region. I would love to call it my home. It seems like Maine would be a good fit for us but I would love to hear what you guys think.

I just heard it takes at least $15/hour to live here to keep your head above water (I get $1150 / month)

You might want to explore different parts of Maine; it's a big state .... I'm in southern; it's a bit more normal here. The farther up north you go, the locations don't even have names, just map tangents (like Area 2, Ridge 4) ....

I've been here two years; for the most part, I really love it. Everyone****** has been incredibly kind to me, even though I was having a great deal of adjustment anxiety; I acquired new friends, new neighbors; everyone wanting me to feel safe, secure, and welcome.

[OdinScot]

I know the job situation will be the hardest part. Honestly I care more about my family and surroundings than what I do for a living. As long as we have enough to get by my wife and I are pretty flexible in the job area. Thank you all for your responses!

[Maineguy04654]

Maine well north of Bangor anyway is more of a everyone who want to part of our way is welcome and those who who wish to change are not.

[WhoFanMe]

Originally Posted by OdinScot

My wife and I are considering a move to new england (NH or ME). We currently live in SE Michigan and find the crime, boring scenery, and general overpopulation to be a but much to make plans to stay here the rest of our lives. We are both in our early thirties and college educated. My wife is small business owner and a real estate agent and I work in advertising. We love nature, prefer to be well away from our neighbors (I'm a bit of a curmudgeon), have no interest in "night life," and don't shrink from the cold (both of us are originally from the U.P.). My family took trips to New England often when I was younger and I fell in love with the rugged coasts and wild forests of the region. I would love to call it my home. It seems like Maine would be a good fit for us but I would love to hear what you guys think.

The real estate market has bounced back nicely in Maine. 2012 saw an increase in single family home sales of nearly 19%, with the median sales price up 6.25%. The following counties had double digit gains in sales, Androscoggin, Aroostook, Cumberland, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Penobscot, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Washington and York. Your wife has the opportunity to interview with a number of good agencies and pick one to hang her license in. Since she's already been through being new, she will know that it could take 6-12 months of work before her first paycheck, but if she works hard there is good opportunity down the road.