Returning to Maine after 15 years away... (Portland, Oakland: house, job market, school)

[girl_sunnie]

Hi all!

I am a native Mainer in my early 30s, moving back to our beautiful state at the end of summer after having spent many years elsewhere for school and work (Chicago, NYC, Oakland). As a Mainer, I know I’m biased, but it’s my favorite place on earth, and I’m looking forward to reconnecting with my roots. No other place I’ve lived matches Maine’s humility or grace.

I’m a licensed social worker in California right now, and I’m a little nervous about what the social service/non-profit job market is like there, particularly in Cumberland County. Anyone have advice or insight here? I’ll be settling in the greater Portland area, where my family lives. I also saw that one stat that listed Maine as having the oldest residents (lol!). Can anyone share your experience about socializing in Maine as a young(ish) single person? It is my home, but after so much time away, I feel in many ways that it is new territory for me.

Thank you everyone for your time, so much!

[Northern Maine Land Man]

"I’m a little nervous about what the social service/non-profit job market is like there, particularly in Cumberland County."

Let not thy heart be troubled. Cumberland County and the surrounding area is ground zero for social services in Maine. Half of Maine's population lives within 50 miles of Congress Street in Portland and half of that is water! If you want to live rural, there are social services here also, but they involve long travel times.

[girl_sunnie]

Thanks for the reassurance, Northern Maine!

[2ner]

One of my parents' best friends (I used to babysit their kids) made a career in social work in Portland. He has had different positions and rose up the ranks in authority and pay. He and his wife have a nice house and have had a good life.

Portland is not an urban mecca on par with Boston and other major cities, but it does attract a fair number of young people from other areas. A friend of mine moved there from Burlington, VT about 5 years ago. It attracts some young professionals for its... outdoor opportunities, social and cultural opportunities within the city itself... and, of course, job opportunities. It probably does best in Maine at keeping its younger people at home. One reason Maine is considered the oldest in average age is that it receives very little international immigration... it may be the lowest among the states on this measure.

[WhoFanMe]

Originally Posted by girl_sunnie

Hi all!

I am a native Mainer in my early 30s, moving back to our beautiful state at the end of summer after having spent many years elsewhere for school and work (Chicago, NYC, Oakland). As a Mainer, I know I’m biased, but it’s my favorite place on earth, and I’m looking forward to reconnecting with my roots. No other place I’ve lived matches Maine’s humility or grace.

I’m a licensed social worker in California right now, and I’m a little nervous about what the social service/non-profit job market is like there, particularly in Cumberland County. Anyone have advice or insight here? I’ll be settling in the greater Portland area, where my family lives. I also saw that one stat that listed Maine as having the oldest residents (lol!). Can anyone share your experience about socializing in Maine as a young(ish) single person? It is my home, but after so much time away, I feel in many ways that it is new territory for me.

Thank you everyone for your time, so much!

You'll be fine socially and there are lots of jobs in that sector, although I know social work/non-profit is a woefully underpaid profession, especially in Maine. I'm sure you'll find the quality of life that you'll get and being close to family offsets the financial loss.

[girl_sunnie]

2ner and WhoFanMe — thanks to you both for your encouragement and wisdom.