pgr Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 Any thoughts? We're looking for a place to put down roots, and to raise out three littles (ages 8, 5, and 2). DH has a good job offer, but we're hearing mixed things about Bangor. Leaving this vague at this point, as to allow free commentary :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bocky Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 We are also looking at a move to Maine - Portland area for us. I too would love to hear about local resources nad life in Maine. Here's a link I found to Homeschoolers of Maine http://www.homeschoolersofmaine.org/ . It would be a big change for us as we're coming from the West Coast. Any advice, Mainers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 You might PM Parrothead, who I believe, lives in Maine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bocky Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 Thanks for the tip, Jean. I am so squeaky-new round here, it will be my first PM. Hmmm, what does it mean Resistance is futile...you will be assimilated... wait a minute... :-) Sorry for the hijack, OP. Hope you hear about Bangor soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgr Posted September 19, 2013 Author Share Posted September 19, 2013 No worries about hijacking - thanks for the bump! ;) I actually did PM Parrothead when I originally posted the question - she's up north of Bangor. We visited in late Aug and really liked Portland :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nomadgirl Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 We are considering moving to Maine. Did any of you get any information? We are looking near Houlton we found a great homestead there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSinNH Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 I actually live in northern NH, but Maine is 900 feet out my back door and if my kids were in PS, they would go to school in Maine, not NH. The Bangor area is run down with not much to do, unless you like to snowmobile. We closer to Western Maine and the lakes and mountains...a truly beautiful area. However, Portland is wonderful and I would love to live there if it were not in Maine, LOL. The city itself is clean with a great waterfront area, a nice retail area, and beautiful beaches. However, just an FYI that Maine has one of the highest state income taxes in the country and there are more people on welfare in Maine than there are workers. It is a tough economy. As for homeschooling, both areas have active HS communities and homeschooling is fairly easy in Maine. Good luck in your search! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgr Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 We are considering moving to Maine. Did any of you get any information? We are looking near Houlton we found a great homestead there. It seems there's a fairly active homeschool community around Bangor - I don't know anything about northern areas such as Houlton. I'll share the picture we've gotten, but must preface that we're currently still in Pittsburgh, so this may or may not be accurate... Overall, the general impression we've gotten is in agreement with Krista. It appears that many people have a romanticized picture of Maine - "vacationland", though it seems the reality is that it can be a bit rough. High poverty and prescription drug abuse, scarce jobs, high taxes. Though real estate is relatively less expensive. On the positive, seems the nature is just gorgeous, and the people are both laid back and tolerant. If you've got a job and like winter, it seems life can be good in Maine :). My husband's current position has now been terminated, and the position in Bangor was the only one that is remotely like what we're looking for, so we'll be moving to Bangor in early 2014. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saddlemomma Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 We are considering moving to Maine. Did any of you get any information? We are looking near Houlton we found a great homestead there. We live about 10 miles north of Houlton. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nomadgirl Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 We live about 10 miles north of Houlton. Wow, that is amazing! Is there an active homeschool group in the area? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sahamamama Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 www.fixwelfare.com www.fixwelfare.com/2010/10/pph-welfare-well-meaning-well-funded-well-done/ www.fixwelfare.com/the-problem/ FYI. HTH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgr Posted November 16, 2013 Author Share Posted November 16, 2013 www.fixwelfare.com www.fixwelfare.com/2010/10/pph-welfare-well-meaning-well-funded-well-done/ www.fixwelfare.com/the-problem/ FYI. HTH. Yikes. Thank you for the info, though.:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalmia Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 I am from Maine and can't wait to be moving back to western Maine in 2014. Bangor is much less "downtrodden" than it was when I was growing up in the 70s and 80s. There is a wonderful Children's Museum, a fantastic folk music festival, a University with an art museum, and all sorts of performances and attractions, plenty of shops, galleries and restaurants, and a wonderful town nature park that houses a "National Unique Area" called the Orono Bog. Bangor has playgrounds, a good farmer's market, and great baseball (thanks to Stephen King). I wouldn't worry too much about the "stats" mentioned in some posts above. I am sure you will chose to live in a very family-oriented area. Mainers are down-to-earth, and a bit reserved, so while you won't be smothered with southern hospitality, you also won't feel any pressure to keep up with the Joneses. I am sure it will be different from what you are used to, but there will be plenty to keep you occupied. Plus you have Baxter State Park within easy reach to the north and Acadia National Park nearby to the south. The mountains and the sea. What more do you need? http://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org http://www.americanfolkfestival.com http://www.oronobogwalk.org http://www.collinscenterforthearts.com/season.php http://www.umma.umaine.edu http://www.bangormaine.gov/feed.php?num=6&news_id=255&feed_id=59 http://www.baxterstateparkauthority.com/index.htm http://www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 We are in the midcoast area. Portland is a fantastic little city, but if you want to live further out there are many beautiful and interesting villages not far away. Bangor is more remote, it's pretty much the last outpost before the North. It seems to be on the upswing though, and there are some progressive places opening up downtown. Homeschooling is Maine is very easy--just let your district and the state know, then take a standardized test or have a portfolio evaluated each year by any certified teacher. Easy peasy. There are lots of homeschoolers throughout the state of every philosophy; Mainers in general are very live and let live, independent types, so the lifestyle fits in well. It can be a challenge to find like minded homeschoolers though, especially in more rural areas, but I guess that's true most places. We've always been welcomed everywhere, and everyone we meet is enthusiastic about homeschooling (that, or they just don't say otherwise!). Housing is generally inexpensive, but winters can be brutal. I guess you already know that about Maine, though! :) We've lived all over the country (I grew up in northern California), but Maine is definitely home for us. Every single day I am grateful to have the opportunity to live here. Best of luck! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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