The Maine Move - Possibility Eastport (Bangor, Brunswick: ski resort, insurance, house)

[slimlilly]

Hello everyone,

I've been reading your stories and got a wonderful glimpse into your lives. I got more and more curious about Eastport, Calais as well as the Midcoast. I hope you can answer some of my questions even if they seem old....
We ( my husband, son and I) are thinking about moving to Maine next summer. I am very intrigued by your lifestyle. It seems as though everything you do is done with a purpose. I miss the sense of community which you seem to have. Ever since I came to the US from Germany 7 years ago I've been looking and longing for 'real neighbors'. I haven't found them yet....
Anyway, I am really excited about the possibility of moving to Maine.
We would like to buy a house on the coast and Eastport seems right.
Our only concerns are the traffic in the winter, nearby doctors and the distance to grocery stores. Employment is not an issue for us.
Also, are there many young families in Eastport? Our son is one year old and we are in our late twenties and early thirties. We love the outdoors, especially the water. We love to have dinner and a cup of tea and great conversations. But we also need to get our shopping fix once in a while.
You all seem very happy and contend with your lifes. Do you think we can be just as successful?
Any info will help. I'd love to hear from you.

[AustinB]

Originally Posted by slimlilly

Hello everyone,

I've been reading your stories and got a wonderful glimpse into your lives. I got more and more curious about Eastport, Calais as well as the Midcoast. I hope you can answer some of my questions even if they seem old....
We ( my husband, son and I) are thinking about moving to Maine next summer. I am very intrigued by your lifestyle. It seems as though everything you do is done with a purpose. I miss the sense of community which you seem to have. Ever since I came to the US from Germany 7 years ago I've been looking and longing for 'real neighbors'. I haven't found them yet....
Anyway, I am really excited about the possibility of moving to Maine.
We would like to buy a house on the coast and Eastport seems right.
Our only concerns are the traffic in the winter, nearby doctors and the distance to grocery stores. Employment is not an issue for us.
Also, are there many young families in Eastport? Our son is one year old and we are in our late twenties and early thirties. We love the outdoors, especially the water. We love to have dinner and a cup of tea and great conversations. But we also need to get our shopping fix once in a while.
You all seem very happy and contend with your lifes. Do you think we can be just as successful?
Any info will help. I'd love to hear from you.

Eastport is a nice, beautiful area. There are young families in the town... it hasn't become a retirement community.

The shopping fix will depend on what you might crave. I'll probably get hit for this, but Eastport has 'somewhat limited' shopping. The next bigger area is Calais which has more stores, shops and restaurants. Next beyond that are St. John, New Brunswick or Bangor. Both are within an hour and a half, to two hours from Eastport.

As always come and check out any area that you are interested in living in.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Maine is famous for its winters and Caribou is often the coldest place in the nation. Kids go to school every day. People go to work and life goes on. Rarely is anybody "snowed in". You should have a sensible vehicle such as a Subaru Forester and sensible tires. A 2 wheel drive pickup is just about helpless in the snow. If I ever get another car it will be a Forester.

I need a pickup to haul my farm tractor. I have looked at owning a used Forester, but by the time I pay for the vehicle, excise tax insurance and maintenance the fuel savings won't cover the difference. I get 16 to 18 MPG in the pickup and the Subaru Forester gets around 26 MPG.

[slimlilly]

Thanks for your replies.
I can very well handle winters since we used to have long winters in Germany. People went about their business, kids went to school, and the season was enjoyable. The reason for my question was because I've had some frustrating experiences with snow while living here. And when we decide to move to another state where it snows, I'd like to know that winters will be smooth sailing. Just one quick experience to share: We currently live in Flagstaff which is a ski resort. Just last winter we had a few feet of snow here which resulted in Highway closures, School closures, not to mention the condition of residential areas. By the time a snowplow came through our area the day was over. By the time the winter was over we could not see our mailbox nor the water meter because of the snowplow. Don't get me wrong, we're not afraid to get our hands dirty and to some good snow shoveling ourselves, but I think there has to be a coordinated plan by the city or county as well.
It is nice to know that Maine has a plan and is capable of executing it.
Thank you for that info.
And about the cars...I think my husband will be fine but I drive a little Mazda 3. Don't laugh now but would that work with some winter tires and chains?

[Newdaawn]

Slimlilly - I'm sure 24 inches of snow at once would slow us down here in Maine too. Probably expect at least 2 days cancellation of schools while the roads are cleared and made drivable

[corgis]

I love living here in Eastport - so many outside activities, such a pretty place. I don't mind traveling to Calais for bulk shopping, it's an easy drive. I like going to Machias, the Blueberry Festival was there this past weekend.

There are several posters on this forum that live in or around Eastport, they do so by choice not because they have to, but I do suggest that you come here and spend at least a week looking around, there are several places to stay here in Eastport.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Your Mazda will be fine. Eastport on the ocean gets less snow than we get further inland. With today's tires, chains are not necessary on public roads.

[slimlilly]

We plan to visit. I'd love to make it happen this fall, but I'm not sure we can. It'll probably have to be in the spring.
We'd like to stay a few weeks to really get a feeling for the area and be certain that this is where we want to be for years to come.

[dano04631]

Originally Posted by slimlilly

We plan to visit. I'd love to make it happen this fall, but I'm not sure we can. It'll probably have to be in the spring.
We'd like to stay a few weeks to really get a feeling for the area and be certain that this is where we want to be for years to come.

After hearing wonderful things about Eastport here and elsewhere for the better part of a year we took a one week vacation there in the middle of this past July. It was everything we had imagined and more. We put a deposit on a house and once our house here in PA sells we'll be moving up. Right now we feel like we're prisoners waiting for our sentence to end so that we can go home.

[slimlilly]

My husband has family in PA who also which to move. But they are sick of the snow and can't stand small town living anymore.
Probably can't convince them to move with us to Maine...

I wish you all the best. Hopefully your house sells fast.