How bad is working a min wage job up in northern Maine (1 person) (living, cost of living)

[mainegrl2011]

Originally Posted by maineguy8888

Both Belgrade and Bangor would be more expensive than many other smaller towns in Maine. You can rent an apartment in many towns for $400-450 a month, heat included (1 bedroom).

...so give the OP some links to rentals with the criteria you mention...

[mainegrl2011]

Originally Posted by wolfhelm

off topic alittle, but is there any demand up there for jobs in the computer/IT field? or are they hard to find?

If you are qualified, give it a look see; what do you have to lose? Technology Jobs | TechMaine

Maine.gov: Employment: Job Opportunities

[TheKezarWoodsman]

hey, rentals up in maine are cheap compared to the one other state im looking at, Alaska. I guess you should be able to tell why im debating those two states....





hint: Both are outdoorsmens paradise, Alaska might have more wilderness, but Maine has enough jobs to keep one alive, especially someone with a medical issue like me that requires alot of money.



@mainegirl, wow, i tried looking for some to see what the market is like, and let me say that first link has alot, seems like IT might actually be a good field up there for central maine, which if located in a right spot, i could be near n. maine, and not commute to long hopefully.

[maineborzoi]

I am sorry but I fail to see why Maine would even remotely be like Alaska...
As off handed, I have studied that massive state, and by far- talk about remote??? Move to Alaska.. that is unless you live in one of the cities then prices for anything ( especially food and supplies) are through the roof. Even gas is well over 5.00 a gallon or more....

Another thing that baffles me is why looking for a 'min. wage job'. Not one mother ever said " I hope my child makes a min wage.'
Min. Wage was set up originally to off set the poor pay received back almost a century ago, and also to dissolve the unions as stating a paid rate for labor.

I do not know your situation, but unless you are looking to making your sole choice of income say at a 'wal-mart' type deal, you might want to reconsider this move at the present time. If nothing else- than for any medical that might be needed. ( ie- stay with your doctor...)

[mainebrokerman]

Originally Posted by maineborzoi

I am sorry but I fail to see why Maine would even remotely be like Alaska...
As off handed, I have studied that massive state, and by far- talk about remote??? Move to Alaska.. that is unless you live in one of the cities then prices for anything ( especially food and supplies) are through the roof. Even gas is well over 5.00 a gallon or more....

Another thing that baffles me is why looking for a 'min. wage job'. Not one mother ever said " I hope my child makes a min wage.'
Min. Wage was set up originally to off set the poor pay received back almost a century ago, and also to dissolve the unions as stating a paid rate for labor.

I do not know your situation, but unless you are looking to making your sole choice of income say at a 'wal-mart' type deal, you might want to reconsider this move at the present time. If nothing else- than for any medical that might be needed. ( ie- stay with your doctor...)

good post..

minimum wage is not a living wage,,,its a foot in the door, then you get raises based on merit and performance..

minimum wage should be called "starting wage"

I wouldn't move anywhere and depend on minimum wage to live

unless you have no debt,,,then maybe

[Nor'Eastah]

I would discourage this.

Inevitably, a lot of the "wanna-be-Mainers" are unhappy where they live because they are mired in debt, have numerous medical issues, need welfare/food stamps/Section 8, and have been working minimum wage (or close to it) where they live now...and wonder why they are unhappy.

The place you live now is not the problem. The problem is what you see in the mirror. If you bring that person up to Maine, the problem will follow you. And then Maine will be just one more place where you are unahppy. Just sayin'.

[TheKezarWoodsman]

As ive stated, i dont plan to make min wage, i just wanted to know how bad most likely worse case scenario would be, as total unemployment is very very unlikely for any long rate of time. Down here in ma, min wage=death, so i was mainly wondering how bad off it would be up there compared to down here.

[mainegrl2011]

Originally Posted by wolfhelm

hey, rentals up in maine are cheap compared to the one other state im looking at, Alaska. I guess you should be able to tell why im debating those two states....





hint: Both are outdoorsmens paradise, Alaska might have more wilderness, but Maine has enough jobs to keep one alive, especially someone with a medical issue like me that requires alot of money.



@mainegirl, wow, i tried looking for some to see what the market is like, and let me say that first link has alot, seems like IT might actually be a good field up there for central maine, which if located in a right spot, i could be near n. maine, and not commute to long hopefully.

There are computers pretty much everywhere...even in Maine School systems also hire tech people but usually pay is higher in the private sector. btw, if you choose to work at Wal-Mart, you might not have to settle for minimum wage--might get $10 an hour--not much of an improvement. Hannaford was hiring--$9 an hour. IMO it's pretty common for someone to drive 30 to 60 minutes (or more) to work.... lots of excitement and a longer drive in a snow storm. Be careful not to move in the summer and fall into a seasonal job that will leave you looking for another job at the end of the season. If you do this, go in with your eyes wide open. I am concerned by your posts where you talk about minimum wage, then you talk about having a medical issue that requires a lot of money (???)

[mainegrl2011]

Originally Posted by maineborzoi

I am sorry but I fail to see why Maine would even remotely be like Alaska...
As off handed, I have studied that massive state, and by far- talk about remote??? Move to Alaska.. that is unless you live in one of the cities then prices for anything ( especially food and supplies) are through the roof. Even gas is well over 5.00 a gallon or more....

This isn't the first time I've heard Alaska compared to Maine and vice versa....cold, snow, long winters, gorgeous summers, outdoorsy kind of place, majestic scenery, boats, loved by hunters, borders the ocean, fishing industry, population of native people, tourism industry, snow mobiles, etc. I realize Alaska is a much bigger state than Maine. Been watching Alaska State Troopers some; some towns and villages are extremely remote. Have you ever read the book about the lady from Addison, Maine who was a missionary in Alaska? sorry, can't remember the name of it at the moment... There used to be a minister in Gouldsboro whose family had been missionaries in Barrow, Alaska. Funny, he used to say he could see the end of the world out his kitchen window from his home in Winter Harbor. I never heard him say that about Barrow.

[jeremywolf81]

Originally Posted by maineborzoi

I am sorry but I fail to see why Maine would even remotely be like Alaska...
As off handed, I have studied that massive state

Umm... really? You fail to see why? Perhaps the reason is the word I've bolded. I've been and spent time all over the US (and overseas too but that's different) and yes Alaska is basically Maine with the ocean to the West instead of the East.