Blue Hill - midcoast or downeast? (Bangor, Ellsworth: lease, closing, to live)

[britt_brt]

Silly question but - Is Blue Hill last for the midcoast, or is it downeast? Also, what are your favorite spots on the peninsula? We will be renting in East Blue Hill. I am so excited about exploring the area!

What are some Of the most isolated areas - where I can park, listen to the radio, have my coffee and enjoy the winter solitude? Power outages, internet speed, Verizon service, Blue Hill Consolidated, yearround restaurants, the people?

Also, I read some comments about the commute to Ellsworth in the winter is a challenge, and Bangor is almost
out of the question. It’s difficult to understand how a 20 or 50 minute drive isn’t doable in the winter. Driving in snow doesn’t bother me - maybe it’s ice, or unpredictable weather?

The lease is signed, deposit paid, no turning back now! And I’ve researched, read every post, newspaper article, travel blog, even watched YouTube videos to get a better feel. I’m still feeling a bit lost, and hoping for stories that will ease my stress. The good and bad, why you love it or don’t. Favorites and what to avoid. Tell me everything!

Thank you.

[britt_brt]

My guess is downeast, but I’m curious how locals view it.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Anything east of the Penobscot River is Down East. This includes All of coastal Hancock and Washington Counties within 20 miles of high tide. I used to live on Verona Island which is in Hancock County.

[AustinB]

There is no problem with driving to anywhere in the winter from Blue Hill. I have no idea who would tell you something like that.

[mainegrl2011]

Are you retired or working with the need to drive to a job several days a week? If you don't HAVE to be on the roads in a snowstorm, stay off them unless you want to add some potential excitement to your life. If you are going to drive in the snow (snowstorm) as opposed to waiting until the next day when the storm has passed and the roads have been cleared more completely, might want to get some studded snow tires for your vehicle. You can search the forum for lengthy discussions of what vehicle you should have and what snow tires you should buy. Some people obsess over snow, vehicles, and tires.

I have several friends and relatives who moved to Ellsworth from Washington County many years ago. They consider Washington County downeast and going to Washington County from Ellsworth going downeast. Compared to Belfast, Hancock County is downeast (directionally and attitudinally). To others, Hancock County is downeast just because they've decided to include it. Regardless, I definitely wouldn't put Blue Hill or East Blue Hill in the Midcoast category. https://downeast.com/origin/

Restaurants open year round? google restaurants in Blue Hill, Maine or choose another town or city. Surely you don't expect us to tell you everything and ruin your exploring adventures.

[britt_brt]

East of the Penobscot - that makes sense, thank you!

AustinB - thank you. I found it while searching for “Blue Hill” - it wasn’t a recent post. Maybe they meant another area on the peninsula. The first property, in West Brooksville, looked to be a much longer ride to Bangor. All of the research, maps, traveling around the Maine - but I’ll need to live it for awhile before I fully grasp its size.

[britt_brt]

Originally Posted by mainegrl2011

Are you retired or working with the need to drive to a job several days a week? If you don't HAVE to be on the roads in a snowstorm, stay off them unless you want to add some potential excitement to your life. If you are going to drive in the snow (snowstorm) as opposed to waiting until the next day when the storm has passed and the roads have been cleared more completely, might want to get some studded snow tires for your vehicle. You can search the forum for lengthy discussions of what vehicle you should have and what snow tires you should buy. Some people obsess over snow, vehicles, and tires.

I have several friends and relatives who moved to Ellsworth from Washington County many years ago. They consider Washington County downeast and going to Washington County from Ellsworth going downeast. Compared to Belfast, Hancock County is downeast (directionally and attitudinally). To others, Hancock County is downeast just because they've decided to include it. Regardless, I definitely wouldn't put Blue Hill or East Blue Hill in the Midcoast category. https://downeast.com/origin/

Restaurants open year round? google restaurants in Blue Hill, Maine or choose another town or city. Surely you don't expect us to tell you everything and ruin your exploring adventures.

Thanks. I’ve lived in small, seasonal towns so I understand closing for the season or limited hours. I should’ve said, what are a few favorite local places, open year round? Or, favorite spot that opens in the summer? My husband will commute to Ellsworth and Bangor, but I’m not sure the exact schedule yet. I’m looking forward to exploring the area!

[britt_brt]

Also - moving is stressful, especially when we are about 12 days out, still waiting on the yeoman for hard orders. And my time in the area was brief. I was hoping for some personal accounts to distract me from the stress.

My car is AWD, good in the snow. The same snow tire debates happen in CT, where you really don’t need them. I’ll need to do some more research on it.

[OutdoorLover]

I have only been to 1 restaurant in Blue Hill, and that was good and reasonably priced for dinner, and I believe they are open year round. Deepwater Brewing Co's brewpub, which is affiliated with the pricier Arborvine restaurant. The brewpub had good drinks and good food, well worth it, and it was right on the main street that goes past the harbor, just outside the center of town.
https://www.arborvine.com/deepwater-brew-pub/

[AustinB]

Originally Posted by mainegrl2011

Are you retired or working with the need to drive to a job several days a week? If you don't HAVE to be on the roads in a snowstorm, stay off them unless you want to add some potential excitement to your life. If you are going to drive in the snow (snowstorm) as opposed to waiting until the next day when the storm has passed and the roads have been cleared more completely, might want to get some studded snow tires for your vehicle. You can search the forum for lengthy discussions of what vehicle you should have and what snow tires you should buy. Some people obsess over snow, vehicles, and tires.

I have several friends and relatives who moved to Ellsworth from Washington County many years ago. They consider Washington County downeast and going to Washington County from Ellsworth going downeast. Compared to Belfast, Hancock County is downeast (directionally and attitudinally). To others, Hancock County is downeast just because they've decided to include it. Regardless, I definitely wouldn't put Blue Hill or East Blue Hill in the Midcoast category. https://downeast.com/origin/

Restaurants open year round? google restaurants in Blue Hill, Maine or choose another town or city. Surely you don't expect us to tell you everything and ruin your exploring adventures.

restaurants... Marlintinis, Thurstons, Sandys, Siam Thai, Barncastle, and Yannis

Barncastle and Yannis are pizza joints. barncastle has some more meal faire and live music on Wednesday evenings.