Life's Bucket List Portland To Bangor (crime, motorhome, buy)

[DesM]

I'm still researching which area would be the best fit, though remain flexible and will no doubt work it out once we're here. Just some things I'm considering and interested in feedback - preferably minus the overly pessimistic sort. Objectivity is preferred

1. Halloween - what's a typical Halloween like in Maine parts? Back to the south and southwest Halloween has basically faded into oblivion. The only people doing much are school kids til 5pm (what? What? Daylight trick or treating is a sin. Seriously), or various bar parties. We still love Halloween and would like to be in or reasonably close to an area where Halloween is loved and celebrated with lots of spooky awesomeness.

2. Swimming - I probably won't like this answer but have to ask for the record. I figure swimming anywhere in Maine any time of year is like jumping into an ice bath. In the south, lake and pond swimming is a regular way of life. In Az, swimming areas are few and far between and the farther north, the colder the water. Lake Powell is awesome but it usually doesn't get comfortably warm until the end of August, for like 4 hours before September hits and it's cold as all get out again. Are there any places for swimming, tanning, hanging out athe lake/beach, and being able to get in the water without A] freezing to death B] being eaten by sharks or C] snakebit?

3. Snakes - are there any or not? I've seen various comments but wasn't sure if it was tongue in cheek or serious. Spiders, snakes, other icky creatures. Anything to look out for and if so where?

4. Wildlife - what are the usual wildlife threats on and off the beaten trail? Are there any areas to be more cautious about?

5. Personal Safety - Are there any areas a single female or younger kid should probably not venture into alone, at any time of day or night? What sort of crime might be the result of doing so? If I park my car somewhere to run into a store, get groceries, buy shoes etc. would my car still be there when I come back, even if I left the door unlocked? Can you *really* leave your doors unlocked in Maine and still feel safe? I doubt I ever would, I've not experienced that since jr high, but I'd genuinely put up with the harsh winter if there really truly is a place there I don't have to constantly bolt myself in or lock everything down. Just to breathe.

6. Winter - From the south/southwest winters happen but *snort*. I am most concerned about this. I watched a bunch of videos on YT about winters in Maine and they all about made my heart stop, sliding all over the iced over roads...or in others, ice and snow everywhere and you people standing out on the highway with cars zipping by, even while pulling one out of a ditch. Is there a "local" resource that guides new people through prepper steps in advance for those of us who wouldn't know what to do?

7. RV - Undecided but kicking around purchasing a motorhome (here). Are there options for year round parks in Maine and if so where would I find those? Anyone experienced with 'winterizing' an RV and living in one through a winter? Not sure I'm up for it but at least in theory I'm looking at the possibility it'll come up. I am more seriously considering full time RV at some point so anyone who's doing the off grid thing, especially in the RV/tiny home - please chime in!

8. Scenes - various places have their own "scenes" so I was curious what kind of clique scenes are the norm in Maine, in various areas.

9. Clam Digging - I asked about this in another thread with other stuff but will include it here. I've never ever done this, but was reading some on it and watched some vids on YT and it looked interesting. Not sure what's appealing to me, surely it's not constantly bending over...but it might be digging in the dirt is bringing back mudpie flashbacks Is there a local resource that shows (new) people the ropes on clamming and other recreational sorts of (sea)food foraging? What's the difference between clams, scallops and mussels? Can you eat those? I've seen mussels (I'm assuming it's the same thing) in lakes all over the south/southwest but never considered trying to eat one because ewww. I never knew they were edible anyway. Lots to learn.

10. Sharks - what are the odds of finding a nice boatman shark fisherman sort who does shark fishing tours? I'd love to go out with one and see how it works. Oh, not go out as in date, but go out as in on the water.

Thanks!

[Brodels]

1. My experience with Halloween in Maine is similar to what you experienced in the south/southwest. Kids go trick or treating early in the evening, young adults dress up in ridiculous costumes and go to bars, and there may be one or two things happening in the community. It's pretty tame.

2. The ocean will be cold all summer, but it can be refreshing on one of the three to five really hot days we have. Many people choose to swim in lakes instead, which are generally quite a bit warmer. You won't find many lakes with a true beach-like experience, but there are some lakes with smaller beaches and swimming options. There isn't anything in water that will hurt you. You might have to pull a blood sucker off of your skin.

3. There are small, non-threatening snakes in Maine. Nothing poisonous. Nothing scary. Nothing to worry about.

4. We don't have mountain lions. There really aren't any large animals in the woods that will hurt you. Sure, if you get between a momma bear and her cub or a moose and her offspring, you may get a reaction. But that's exceptionally rare. As long as you use common sense, there isn't much to worry about. Except for deer ticks that spread Lyme disease. That's much scarier than bear, moose, etc.

5. Use common sense. In rural areas, people do still leave their cars and homes unlocked. I would not recommend that approach in downtown Portland. Practice good safety habits as you would anywhere else and you won't have any trouble. Maine's about as safe as it gets.

6. Winters can suck here, especially as you go north. I don't know of any specific resources, but you should get your vehicle serviced, have good tires (possibly snow tires), carry a shovel and maybe some sand, leave plenty of time to get to your destination, drive slowly when it's storming, etc.

On another note, if you move here, you'll do better if you embrace the fun things you can do during the winter like snowshoeing, ice skating, skiing, etc. If you don't find something you enjoy, I imagine winter can be a bit soul crushing to someone who isn't used to it.

7. Although I'm sure it's possible, I think that living in an RV during your first winter in Maine would be a very bad idea for many reasons. It can be done, but I believe the chances of you adapting to Maine, falling in love with the state, and planning a long-term future here would be small if you go this route. This would make for a tough winter.

8. Not sure about "scenes." Portland has some hipsters and the like, but Maine is too small to have well developed cultural scenes in most of the state. There are pockets of similar people, and you can find what you're looking for if you try hard enough.

I'll leave 9 and 10 to others who have more experience with those things.