Augusta or Lewiston? (Portland, Auburn, Brunswick: school, college, taxes)

[Blackshirts34]

Hi all, I am getting close to the end of a string of interviews to work for the State of Maine (social worker) and there are critical vacancies in Augusta and Lewiston so I have a good chance at being offered a job in both of these cities. What are the main differences between them? We live just outside of Seattle now, so it will be a big move. We also have an 11 year old and my wife will be going to nursing school.

Although my very large extended family lives in New England, I know very little about Maine, so I'm trying to learn all I can from the forums. Thanks in advance.

[bangorme]

I'd chose Augusta. Property values are better there and they've added a lot of shopping to the area. The Lewiston-Auburn area is an old mill town that has had some issues.

[Lior Arel]

August has more going on a looks a bit nicer throughout the city than Lewiston.

[mainebrokerman]

both cities have nice surrounding towns,, id lean towards augusta... area

augusta has about 18k population, lewiston has somewhere around 33,000

both cities have high taxes-id be looking at surrounding towns,,
towns around augusta

manchester, hallowell, chelsea, vassalboro, farmingdale, gardiner, winthrop, windsor



lewiston-surrounding towns

sabattus, wales, greene, leeds, turner, lisbon

auburn- but auburn has high taxes

[Mark S.]

Chiming in for Augusta. Though honestly, if I were working in Augusta, I'd probably rather live in Gardiner or Hallowell.

Lewiston's reputation for ickiness is often overstated, but it isn't entirely undeserved either.

[IHeartMaine]

Augusta........if you don't mind living 30 minutes-ish away........look at Albion, Palermo, China for property. Definitely Augusta over Lewiston though........Augusta will have the nicest hospital in the state opening on Nov. 19. Lots of shopping and eats (Hallowell!).

[inthetrees]

Has your wife already been admitted/accepted to nursing school here? If not the wait is YEARS!
Source: my wife is trying to go to nursing school.

Edit: to the original question though, Id choose Lewiston over Augusta any day of the week.... I wouldnt live in either town, however 15-25 mins away is some really nice country.

[HighTechRocker]

Lewiston/Auburn has a downtown that is making a comeback with great restaurants and local shops whereas Augusta is solidly in the big box any town "shopping plaza" realm with a dead downtown. Lewiston also has Bates College which adds some academic flair to the community.

Lewiston/Auburn is also fairly centrally located being equidistant to areas like Brunswick/Bath, Portland, and Augusta - so job opportunities are greater.

[maineguy8888]

It's only fair to tell you that for decades Lewiston has had the reputation as the armpit of Maine.
Augusta has been referred to for decades as Disgusta. It might be slightly better, but not much.

[bangorme]

Originally Posted by maineguy8888

It's only fair to tell you that for decades Lewiston has had the reputation as the armpit of Maine.
Augusta has been referred to for decades as Disgusta. It might be slightly better, but not much.

This is true, but Augusta is on the way up, and I really can't say that for the Lewiston/Auburn area. Honestly, I'd live in one of the neighboring towns anyway, and those around Augusta are very nice.