My opinion: Leaving greater Portland Maine... (sales, insurance, crime)

[Red mane]

With the increase in sales tax from 5 per cents to5.5 and an outrageous meals and lodging to Eight percent I have finally had enough of this state.

I can understand why this state attracts people with the clean air and beautiful summer and no crime but the greater portland area feels like a year round tourist trap. I have been here 7 years and the best food deals are Susan's and subway. That's it. I saw a two lobster dinner for 25$. Lobster is 2.99 off the boat...

I can't afford the high cost of living combined with anemic economy.

I moved here because I have heard about the great art and music scene.

I can't afford it here anymore. Good luck everyone.

[inthetrees]

So you can't afford to go out to eat all the time for seafood? Do you expect to go out to eat daily and live affordably? Because it doesn't really matter where you live, if you eat out all the time, its going to be expensive.

Maine is alot cheaper to live in than southern New England.

[KEVIN_224]

CT Sales tax is 6.35%. We used to do that tax on the newspapers here, too. Didn't go over very well, as one would imagine.

[TerryDactyls]

On a $100 purchase, the 1/2 cent increase in sales tax will cost you 50 cents. That's enough to drive you out of Maine? Where did you go when gasoline went up 50 cents a gallon?

[atrixwolfe]

where are you going to find under 5.5 cents sales tax? The sales tax in Alabama where I moved here from was 8 cents and that was even on food items!
The point is prices and taxes have gone up everywhere....but best of luck finding a place that makes you happy.

[mainegrl2011]

Buy the lobsters off the boat and cook 'em yourself. Other posters are correct. There are plenty of other states with a 7+% sales tax....some municipalities add to the state sales tax rate Download State Sales Tax Rates | TaxRates.com

Daily Fuel Gauge Report--national, state and local average prices for gasoline, diesel and E-85.

One of the other threads mentions how poor Maine is with MD, PA, and VA being so much richer. I have friends in MD and I would seriously advise you to do your cost-of-living homework before moving there. I think you are like so many other wanna move to Maine people. They don't do enough research in advance, they are caught up in the romanticism of the seaside villages, the gorgeous summer, they don't visit during all four seasons, and they have unrealistic expectations--fantasy expectations in many cases.

[JoulesMSU]

While many of you are right, that Maine's sales tax is generally lower than other states (although only slightly, most states are 6%, so really not much of a difference), don't forget that Maine does have one of the highest income taxes in the country. Combined sales + income = Maine is one of the worst states for taxes (again, mostly due to income tax), so I think the OP has a right to complain about taxes going up even further.

Although, I'm curious about the 8% he mentions for "food / lodging". I thought it was 10%...??

[mainegrl2011]

Originally Posted by JoulesMSU

While many of you are right, that Maine's sales tax is generally lower than other states (although only slightly, most states are 6%, so really not much of a difference), don't forget that Maine does have one of the highest income taxes in the country. Combined sales + income = Maine is one of the worst states for taxes (again, mostly due to income tax), so I think the OP has a right to complain about taxes going up even further.

Although, I'm curious about the 8% he mentions for "food / lodging". I thought it was 10%...??

"...a right to complain?" Sure anyone can complain about anything, but what good will it do? If you want change, there must be action. Write to the lawmakers if you think it will change anything for the better (or run for office). My thought was why is the OP eating out so much and staying in a motel and then complaining about the taxes. Gotta weigh your individual likes and dislikes and set priorities. Maine isn't a one size fits all kinda place...oh yeah I almost forgot to complain about property taxes going up....and homeowners' insurance going up....and..... and ......

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxe...our-state.aspx

http://www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/ind_inc.pdf