Yarmouth to Fairfield Question (Portland, Lewiston: home, depreciation, construction)

[NewEnglandNewcomer]

We are wanting to move to the New England area next Summer and are trying narrow down our choices. I have certain colleges that I will have to apply to (only specific ones offer my program) so this makes it a little tricky with where we should live. I want great schools for my two young children so we have talked about certain areas in MA and also Yarmouth, Cape Elizabeth and Falmouth. The problem is, my program is only offered at a school in Fairfield. I looked at Mapquest and it says that the drive would be right under and hour and a half.....does this sound correct?

[WhoFanMe]

Originally Posted by NewEnglandNewcomer

We are wanting to move to the New England area next Summer and are trying narrow down our choices. I have certain colleges that I will have to apply to (only specific ones offer my program) so this makes it a little tricky with where we should live. I want great schools for my two young children so we have talked about certain areas in MA and also Yarmouth, Cape Elizabeth and Falmouth. The problem is, my program is only offered at a school in Fairfield. I looked at Mapquest and it says that the drive would be right under and hour and a half.....does this sound correct?

Welcome to the forum, yes that's about right from Portland during the day with normal traffic/construction. Falmouth and Yarmouth would be quicker, as you've already passed through Portland and Cape Elizabeth longer as you have to navigate through South Portland and Portland to get onto the highway to go north.

[NewEnglandNewcomer]

Originally Posted by WhoFanMe

Welcome to the forum, yes that's about right from Portland during the day with normal traffic/construction. Falmouth and Yarmouth would be quicker, as you've already passed through Portland and Cape Elizabeth longer as you have to navigate through South Portland and Portland to get onto the highway to go north.

Thanks for letting me know! So, do you think that Yarmouth would be the closest of the areas that I listed? Would the commute be mainly hwy?

[WhoFanMe]

Originally Posted by NewEnglandNewcomer

Thanks for letting me know! So, do you think that Yarmouth would be the closest of the areas that I listed? Would the commute be mainly hwy?

Yes to both.

[mainegrl2011]

Don't forget about winter storms in your driving calculations. Some will say the interstate is kept in better condition than other roads during a storm....I've seen cars off the road on the interstate during a winter storm.

When you talk about applying to a college that has your program--is this to be a student or an instructor/professor?

[NewEnglandNewcomer]

Originally Posted by mainegrl2011

Don't forget about winter storms in your driving calculations. Some will say the interstate is kept in better condition than other roads during a storm....I've seen cars off the road on the interstate during a winter storm.

When you talk about applying to a college that has your program--is this to be a student or an instructor/professor?

I had thought (and worried) about driving this distance in Winter. If I want my children in specific schools and I need to be at a certain college and we do end up moving there, I won't be able to avoid driving. Luckily, my commute won't be permenant.

[Uptacamp]

Portland to Fairfield is a LONG commute. How often would you be doing the commute? While I *might* consider it maybe twice a week, if it's every day, thats just too far. In the winter that could be a 3+ hour ride home in the snow.

[mainegrl2011]

Originally Posted by Uptacamp

Portland to Fairfield is a LONG commute. How often would you be doing the commute? While I *might* consider it maybe twice a week, if it's every day, thats just too far. In the winter that could be a 3+ hour ride home in the snow.

Excellent point! If there's a bad snow storm, might want to spend the night in Waterville as opposed to a potential 3 hr. drive.

[Coaster]

There are other good school systems outside the Portland metro region, you know. We have friends in Waterville who were very happy with their children's experience in the local schools, for example, (Winslow across the river, not so much). Brunswick has an excellent system, as does Camden if you're interested in the coast. I can't recommend Lewiston, but I've heard good things about Auburn.

And from the other direction have you considered Bangor? Excellent schools, and John Bapst High School in particular is highly thought of. Just south of Bangor, Hampden Academy is another good school.

A 90-minute commute in the winter, even on Interstate-grade highways, is a recipe for disaster and burnout. I did a 60-minute commute for far too long and have since regretted it mightily. That doesn't even take into account the expense of gas, tires, depreciation, wear and tear on a vehicle, etc.

BTW, what's your area of study, assuming you would be a student at, I presume, KVCC in Fairfield? UMaine-Augusta has many of the same courses and is closer.