Maine for a family from the UK?

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by Alix Bainger-Davis

My little boy has a peanut allergy and every year we get two new elipens and he goes for tests and of course it's free...we've even lost an elipen a couple of times and had another within the hour - again, at no charge of course.

They're called epi-pens in the US, and peanut allergies are common here as well. In our experience, schools and churches and other organizations do a VERY good job in watching out for allergies. Snacks are labeled for nut-related allergies. My daughter's Sunday School class even has kids use sani-wipes before coming in to the classroom because one of the kids has a peanut allergy.

But no, there is nothing free in the US healthcare system.

It depends on your insurance coverage, of course, but it is very unlikely that you'll get two free allergy tests per year. Likely you'll first have to go to your Primary Care Provider, for which you'll have a co-pay. That doctor will then refer you to a specialist. You may have to wait for months for an appointment. Once you go see the allergist, you'll pay again a base co-pay for the visit, and will likely have to pay additional for any testing, depending on your insurance deductible. If the doctor recommends any additional testing that is not on your insurance company's "approved" list, you'll either have to fight your insurance company or pay for the whole thing out of your own pocket, which can sometimes run into the thousands of dollars.

[OnwardToMaine]

Originally Posted by Alix Bainger-Davis

Thank you so much - that's great to hear. I actually looked at Cape Elizabeth but it just seemed more homes were available in North Yarmouth (I guess as it's more inland). I've read quite a bit that both areas are very good for schools, (best in the state), so it's great to hear someone with experience say how good it is educationally wise.

We live on the coast now in the UK, (pebbly beaches where we are but 40 minutes west or east and there's some beautiful sandy beaches). I have to admit I'm a coastal girl. I love the ocean. So although I could live 30 or so minutes inland, I know I would be happiest right on the coast. At the time, (which will be in a year to 18 months if we go ahead with the move), I guess it will come down to what houses are available and what schools have places for our children. But I don't think I could be more than half an hour from the ocean.

It's lovely to hear that there's lots to do. Although we like to live in quite a quiet place, we do like to be within reach of things to do and places to meet up with friends, (hence us looking for a semi rural location but near a city). Kind of like we are now. Also, my husband lives for baseball, (he manages and coaches the UK's number one baseball team), and although he wouldn't be able to do that kind of thing in the US, (as obviously baseball in America is on a whoooole other level), I know he would want to be close to where he could regularly take our boys to games. I actually met my husband at a Portland Sea Dogs game although if I remember right they're not called that any more.

Anyway, thank you so much for your help. If there's anything else you can think of please do let me know! Do you know if there's a Scouts group in the area? My little boy has just started Beavers, (I don't know if you call the younger group of scouts beavers or have a different name for them), and this is something he'd love to continue. Although by then he'd be a Scout as he's 7 this year.

Again, thank you very much for your help and time It's really very much appreciated

It is very hard to find a house in Cape as the inventory tends to be sparse and more expensive. For us it is worth it as we love this little community so much but it will all come down to what your priorities are. In terms of having room in the schools for your children, don't worry! These are public schools so you just inform the town once you've moved and your children will be able to enroll.

[OnwardToMaine]

Originally Posted by Alix Bainger-Davis

While I think of it, do you mind me just asking about guns and your children playing at their friends' houses? Obviously it's something here that we never have to think about as nobody has guns but if we were to move to the US I know I'd want to know if their friends' parents had guns and whether they were locked securely away out of the reach of children. But I'd certainly not want to offend anyone by asking :-/ Is that something you feel you ever need to consider/ask about? And if so, what's the best way to do it? I feel that by asking it would almost be like I was assuming the parents didn't know or have respect for gun safety around children but I'd really want to make sure for my own peace of mind. I don't want to be that "outsider" who appears judgemental though as that's not the case. Many thanks again

I actually do ask about guns. None of the parent's have had one but it's hard to guess. Asking has never been an issue or resulted in any awkwardness. If it did, I honestly wouldn't mind as the safety of my children comes before a bit of social awkwardness. Guns are certainly an issue here in the US. You will see lots of stories on gun violence in the news. That being said, in my day to day life I don't feel constrained by fear of guns.

[50states]

Originally Posted by Alix Bainger-Davis

That's amazing, thank you! Wholesom fun is exactly what we're looking for. Just good old, active/get your hands dirty/no frills fun and meet-ups. We are outdoorsy people too so Maine sounds like a great place. Seems like a good area to raise the children - thank you!

Regarding the great outdoors in Maine, see if you can find any threads on CD about the tick problem. You might be able to find an online site that discusses the situation. It's really bad at this point. Never had a problem when I was a kid growing up in the state. But that was long ago and things change.

If you google or bing search ' tick problem in Maine ' you'll find some recent news articles. tick bourne diseases
are nothing to laugh about.

Good luck to you.

[jdhpa]

Originally Posted by 50states

Regarding the great outdoors in Maine, see if you can find any threads on CD about the tick problem. You might be able to find an online site that discusses the situation. It's really bad at this point. Never had a problem when I was a kid growing up in the state. But that was long ago and things change.

If you google or bing search ' tick problem in Maine ' you'll find some recent news articles. tick bourne diseases
are nothing to laugh about.

Good luck to you.

Lyme disease (Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome). Though I don't have any first hand knowledge of how common it is.

[quietnights]

For information about Lyme Disease and Anaplasmosis, and any other health topics for Maine, go to the state's CDC website here: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/ and click on the Health Topics link or the Disease-Specific Information link. You can also find a link to the Maine Tracking Network for Lyme Disease and other diseases.

Maine just recently had its first confirmed case of Measles in 20 years, so that's also a health concern.

Maine CDC is also on social media, and there's links on its page.

Hope that helps.