Waterville - What's the real scoop? (Bangor, Augusta: coop, credit, unemployment)

[freshtracks]

Due to a new job, I am strongly considering a relocation to Waterville from Belfast, where I have lived quite happily for two years. In the short time I have spent in Waterville, it seems to me to be a pretty pleasant place to live. There is a walkable downtown with lots of occupied storefronts, and Colby College is there to anchor it in a lot of nice ways, even if it is somewhat aloof. All the amenities seem to be present and I see signs of culture here and there.

But when I ask around about Waterville, I get a lot of bad reviews. People really dump on it, saying it's drab and ugly, there's nothing to do there, and it's full of sketchy and/or boring people. I have a suspicion that Waterville went through a pretty rough patch 15-25 years ago, and that this perception has stuck despite many improvements to the city.

Can anyone give me any real impressions of Waterville as it is today? I am mid-30's, no kids, not married, and I love to play outside. I don't mind a town with some rough edges, as long as my life and property are not at immediate risk. I like to have some fun rainy-day activities, a few casual but quality places to eat/drink/watch the game/have conversation, and some people around who are forward-thinking and motivated to get out and do stuff. I would prefer to live near "downtown", so I could walk or bike to everything.

Thanks!

[tatans]

on google maps up the Main Street, nice old buildings (some being renovated) could turn the whole downtown area into a classic main street, lots of jewelry stores (poor people don't buy jewelry), population 15,800, a good size, if the economy ever starts upgrading this would be the town to be in, jobs- - - well, that's another story, I have sure seen places that make Waterville looks like a true paradise.

[bangorme]

Well, Waterville is a college town, with a mill-town feeling. The downtown isn't much to speak of, but it's close to Augusta, which has all the mall type stuff. It has Walmart, and some other big box stores. It also has a nice movie theater (I think it's still there) and a Gifford's Ice Cream stand! There are many nice neighborhoods in Waterville, and some nice areas surrounding it. I guess I don't understand what's bad about it, except it isn't one of Maine's bigger cities. I certainly isn't as seedy as Belfast, but it is a college town...

[maineguy8888]

I never liked Waterville much, which was more out of preconceptions. Then I spent a little time there a couple years ago, and it changed my mind. It has a lot going for it. I like it much better than Bangor or Augusta.

[IHeartMaine]

Originally Posted by maineguy8888

I never liked Waterville much, which was more out of preconceptions. Then I spent a little time there a couple years ago, and it changed my mind. It has a lot going for it. I like it much better than Bangor or Augusta.

Agreed. Waterville over Augusta or Bangor anyday of the week.

[Newdaawn]

bangorme - I beg to differ with the comment
about Belfast being seedy - It is anything but. They have a great waterfront and quaint downtown which certainly cannot be said about Waterville. When was the last time you were actually in Belfast?

I will give credit to Waterville for having a great summertime farmer's mkt and it also has the Railroad Cinema and the film festival there in mid summer.

Of course I think Bangor has more to offer these days than Waterville, with our new Cross Center offering big name events, the concerts on the river in the summer, the Hollywood Casino, the American Folk Festival in August, the Mall, and many more restaurants than Waterville. We also have live Theater "Penobscot Theater Co." and the Bangor Campus of the University of Maine Augusta, Husson College, Eastern Maine Medical Center and St. Joseph's Hospital. The State Museum of the University of Maine is right in the center as well.

IHeartMaine - I would love to know what it is that you like about Waterville better than Bangor. Perhaps you had a bad experience here that has tinted your view.

[bangorme]

Originally Posted by Newdaawn

bangorme - I beg to differ with the comment
about Belfast being seedy - It is anything but. They have a great waterfront and quaint downtown which certainly cannot be said about Waterville. When was the last time you were actually in Belfast?

I'm not using the word "seedy" in the same way you are. Let me use a better word...hippyish. I go to Belfast all the time, and worked on and off out of Belfast for 20 years. I'd love to live in Belfast if it weren't so out of the way. I love shopping at the coop in town, and walking all around downtown. It really does have a Mayberry feel about it, just a Mayberry full of hippies. Is that better?

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Some people don't get around much. Several of the disparaging remarks above could have been written two decades ago and been correct at that time.

Then an enthusiastic pro-business guy named Paul LePage was elected as mayor in Waterville. Things turned around. Paul had the vision to see beyond the existing situation and Waterville thrived. He was reelected as Mayor.

Then he was elected governor. Unemployment went down. Hospitals got paid. Taxes went down. It was good while it lasted. Now we need to take it to the next level. We need to reelect Paul LePage as governor, so go to Waterville and ride the tide of improving economic activity. Don't listen to the old stories about economic decline. We know how to prosper. Just get government out of the way as they do in NH.

[bangorme]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

Some people don't get around much. Several of the disparaging remarks above could have been written two decades ago and been correct at that time.

Then an enthusiastic pro-business guy named Paul LePage was elected as mayor in Waterville. Things turned around. Paul had the vision to see beyond the existing situation and Waterville thrived. He was reelected as Mayor.

Then he was elected governor. Unemployment went down. Hospitals got paid. Taxes went down. It was good while it lasted. Now we need to take it to the next level. We need to reelect Paul LePage as governor, so go to Waterville and ride the tide of improving economic activity. Don't listen to the old stories about economic decline. We know how to prosper. Just get government out of the way as they do in NH.

What the heck are you talking about? Nobody said anything disparaging about Waterville. Ever taken the glass half-full, half-empty test?????

[IHeartMaine]

Originally Posted by Newdaawn

bangorme - I beg to differ with the comment
about Belfast being seedy - It is anything but. They have a great waterfront and quaint downtown which certainly cannot be said about Waterville. When was the last time you were actually in Belfast?

I will give credit to Waterville for having a great summertime farmer's mkt and it also has the Railroad Cinema and the film festival there in mid summer.

Of course I think Bangor has more to offer these days than Waterville, with our new Cross Center offering big name events, the concerts on the river in the summer, the Hollywood Casino, the American Folk Festival in August, the Mall, and many more restaurants than Waterville. We also have live Theater "Penobscot Theater Co." and the Bangor Campus of the University of Maine Augusta, Husson College, Eastern Maine Medical Center and St. Joseph's Hospital. The State Museum of the University of Maine is right in the center as well.

IHeartMaine - I would love to know what it is that you like about Waterville better than Bangor. Perhaps you had a bad experience here that has tinted your view.

The people and the customer service are 2 of my main complaints regarding Greater Bangor. There is a distinct difference (IMO) when comparing the Augusta/Waterville area with the Bangor area. Now as far as things to do.......I agree that Bangor has more offerings.