Minorities in Machias, ME (Portland, Lewiston: 2014, crimes, middle school)

[citystars2014]

Hi everyone,

My family and I are thinking of moving to Maine. Machias is first on our list and I have a specific question about it. First a little bit about ourselves:

-Originally from Mexico City. Transplanted to Cambridge, MA over 17 years ago. Two kids, one elementary, one middle school. Educator and software engineer, both can work from home, or tend to create their own opportunities.
-LOVE Maine Have camped there year after year. love nature, kayaking, seals, bald eagles, hinking, forests, bold coast......Maine, to us, especially having grown up in Mexico City, is a paradise. We want our children to grow up with nature because we believe that it is self empowering and a source of peace.

Visited Machias last year and loved it. Love the idea of a small community. have seen some properties online that we would love. Have dreamed about opening up our own coffee shop, bookshop, toy store, or something along the lines.

The question is: How receptive is the community in Machias to minorities and to small businesses owned by minorities?

Thanks a lot!!!

[AustinB]

Originally Posted by citystars2014

Hi everyone,

My family and I are thinking of moving to Maine. Machias is first on our list and I have a specific question about it. First a little bit about ourselves:

-Originally from Mexico City. Transplanted to Cambridge, MA over 17 years ago. Two kids, one elementary, one middle school. Educator and software engineer, both can work from home, or tend to create their own opportunities.
-LOVE Maine Have camped there year after year. love nature, kayaking, seals, bald eagles, hinking, forests, bold coast......Maine, to us, especially having grown up in Mexico City, is a paradise. We want our children to grow up with nature because we believe that it is self empowering and a source of peace.

Visited Machias last year and loved it. Love the idea of a small community. have seen some properties online that we would love. Have dreamed about opening up our own coffee shop, bookshop, toy store, or something along the lines.

The question is: How receptive is the community in Machias to minorities and to small businesses owned by minorities?

Thanks a lot!!!

I don't live in Machais,but it should be alright for minorities. It is a small college town and there is a sizeable minority presence in the Cherryfield area.

[maineguy8888]

It's about your attitude in Maine, not your skin color.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Mine youths used to rake blueberries and plant trees. They are less inclined to work hard than their parents and grandparents were so Maine needs migrant labor. Fifteen years ago there were no Mexican restaurants in Washington County. Today there are lots of them and they are authentic!

I agree completely with Maineguy8888. Maine is the whitest state. It is not because we don't welcome new people. Our largest Minority is our four tribes; Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Micmac and Maliseet. I think next is black, then Asian and last is Hispanic. I don't think Maine people regard our French speakers as a minority. I know I don't.

[Brodels]

I think you'll be well received. As others have said, generally speaking, Mainers don't seem to be all that concerned about a person's minority status. There are some people in some parts of Maine who may show some attitude towards outsiders, but when this occurs, it's because a person is not from Maine and doesn't have anything to do with race, ethnicity, etc.

There are always exceptions, just as you would find anywhere else.

I think another thing to consider is your own comfort level with living in a place with very little diversity. It's just a different place than your used to, and living there may require an adjustment.

That having been said, it seems like Machias may be a good choice for you. If you end up making the move, best of luck - the quality of life can be quite good depending on what you value.

[IHeartMaine]

I agree that it is all about attitude and how you live your life. It's funny because I think that the media headlines in Maine have been much kinder to Hispanics than Blacks over the past decade.......but that's because there have been many crimes (some violent) committed by blacks while most of the headlines about Hispanics involve the opening of restaurants or the agricultural work that they do in the state.

Unfortunately, it seems like many blacks have come here to sell drugs and knock up women to collect welfare payments.......while many Hispanics have come here to earn money and start new lives for their families.

I hope that people aren't offended by this post as their are many blacks who have come here for work, college, to raise families, and in some cases.....escape horrific living conditions in their native countries as well.

[gf2020]

I'm curious what other towns are on your list if Machias is number 1?

I would not be too concerned about attitudes towards ethnicity. I would be concerned about the local economy and its ability to support a small business like the ones you envision. For that reason there may be better choices than Machias.

[maineguy8888]

We certainly would welcome you, Rhapsodie (if you have a halfway decent attitude, which it seems you do). Believe me: many, many people in the Lewiston and Portland areas are concerned what mass, sponsored immigration is doing to their communities. I would avoid those two areas if I were you. Bangor is slowly getting the same way, it seems.

[Rhapsodie2014]

Originally Posted by maineguy8888

We certainly would welcome you, Rhapsodie (if you have a halfway decent attitude, which it seems you do). Believe me: many, many people in the Lewiston and Portland areas are concerned what mass, sponsored immigration is doing to their communities. I would avoid those two areas if I were you. Bangor is slowly getting the same way, it seems.

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Thanks.....I am not as bad as they are making it seem.....but yes, I would like to not see my own culture taken over...
I do not care what these people say, I have read that the people of Lewiston are quite upset!!

[Maineguy04654]

We do not care what color you are. We care WHO you are. Rhap is one of the few running around with his white sheet that for whatever reason blames everybody for his problems. His type is the minority in Maine!!