Is 62 too old to move to Portland by yourself? (Lincoln: fit in, condos)

[movintime]

Originally Posted by mainegrl2011

Movintime... things don't always work as hoped or planned. That's why i suggested an exit plan in case one is needed. You don't seem very courageous or adventurous... and you are not required to be either. The best vacation I ever had was by myself. I think if there is a problem, it will be more about a from away attitude rather than a lack of people within a particular age group. There are MANY seniors in Maine and not all of them are native to Maine. Senior colleges seem to be great for some. https://www.maineseniorcollege.org

Involvement in a church could be another option, dancing and dance classes, adult education courses, community events, volunteer work, jobs for seniors. Believe it or not, some businesses prefer hiring older workers and often part-time is an option.

Here is a link to a senior organization in Ellsworth as an example. Friends in Action - Friends in Action

My post simply refers to my personal feelings re this move for OP. But I'm miffed as to why you are directing snarky comments toward me, as in 'you don't seem very adventurous or courageous' as a slight. There's adventure & courage -- when needed & appropriate -- but recall; curiosity for the sake of curiosity killed the cat.

Erroing on the side of caution or prudence should not be, IMHO, looked down or frowned upon but t rather a virtue of thought & maturity & perhaps, sensibility. Life isn't one big Carnival Cruise daily is it? Reality creeps in somehere does it not, all too often??

In no way do I relate to this description but somehow you aimed it at me. I again stated my thoughts & if you disagree, that is your perogative. But pulling me into a situation that has zero to do w/ me is unwarranted. Please refrain kindly from somehow interjecting or projecting your feelings re what I said, to be meant at me as some kind of a not so subtle knock on me personally. TY.

[mainegrl2011]

Originally Posted by OutdoorLover

Regarding being accepted as an outsider, a newcomer, one thing I'd suggest is moving to a town with lots of other newcomers, people "from away". That would be mostly southern and mid-coast Maine, plus a few bigger cities.

Good advice. The OP wants to move to Portland; don't you think Portland meets the criteria of which you post? The OP didnt mention an interest in moving to a town or small town. There could be more social opportunities/events, more people in the OPs age group in Portland as is usually true about larger cities. Again, there is no guarantee that everything will be perfect or that the OP will be happy with a move so have a Plan B and even a Plan C. Rent instead of buy so you can easily move if desired. https://www.portlandmaine.gov/653/Senior-Activities

[ByeByeSanDiego]

I've heard that Maine can be tough for "outsiders," but maybe that's rural Maine?

OP, you provided so little information that it's hard to respond.

If you have enough money, you'll probably fine. You will be able to afford a nice place to live, activities, etc. And, if you are hetero, statistically there are more older women out there to meet.

Some things that have worked for me:

**find a popular cause (ie major local festival, event, nonprofit) and volunteer. Even if it's just occasionally.

**Join a local Rotary Club - progressive one if possible - and you'll meet a lot of people.

**You can also look for alumni groups, fans of certain sports teams (there has been a Vikings fan group in every place I've lived that gets together to hang out and watch games).

**Meetups don't seem to work well in my town, but it's worth checking.

It is rarely easy to pick up and move to a new place alone. And it can be harder as we age. But it can be done. It usually depends more on you than the actual place.

[mainegrl2011]

Originally Posted by movintime

My post simply refers to my personal feelings re this move for OP. But I'm miffed as to why you are directing snarky comments toward me, as in 'you don't seem very adventurous or courageous' as a slight. There's adventure & courage -- when needed & appropriate -- but recall; curiosity for the sake of curiosity killed the cat.

Erroing on the side of caution or prudence should not be, IMHO, looked down or frowned upon but t rather a virtue of thought & maturity & perhaps, sensibility. Life isn't one big Carnival Cruise daily is it? Reality creeps in somehere does it not, all too often??

In no way do I relate to this description but somehow you aimed it at me. I again stated my thoughts & if you disagree, that is your perogative. But pulling me into a situation that has zero to do w/ me is unwarranted. Please refrain kindly from somehow interjecting or projecting your feelings re what I said, to be meant at me as some kind of a not so subtle knock on me personally. TY.

If i had meant the comment as snarky or a slight, I WOULDN'T have said you are NOT REQUIRED to be either.

That cat you mention obviously didn't have a Plan B--no exit plan. You have no way of knowing whether a move to Maine is the right choice for the OP and I don't either. How will the OP know unless they give it a shot. Maybe courage and a spirit of adventure is "needed and appropriate" for the OP at this age (62) and time in life. A move could go either way--good or bad, happy or sad.... remember... exit plan, just in case. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Why try to discourage the OP from giving it a try. This has nothing to do with a Carnival Cruise and from what I've heard they definitely are not always a good thing. If you don't want to move to a new location, that is your perogative. You see your opinion as a "virtue of thought, maturity and perhaps sensibility" and that is your perogative. ... could be you have a fear of the unknown or prefer to stay put. You are entitled to your opinion as are we all. I've known people who never traveled more than 25 miles from home. That was their perogative but not my cup of tea.

Reality IMHO is that none of us are going to live forever. The OP is 62 and if he (?) Wants to try living in a new place, I say go for it before it is no longer an option due to old age and potentially poor health, wheelchair bound, bedridden, or nursing home. Personally, I don't care whether the OP moves to Maine or not, but I'm not going to be a voice of discouragement. Life, at least to some extent, is what you make it.

Not sure what situation you think i am pulling you into. It seems to me that you entered the situation when you chose to post on this thread.

[movintime]

Originally Posted by mainegrl2011

If i had meant the comment as snarky or a slight, I WOULDN'T have said you are NOT REQUIRED to be either.

That cat you mention obviously didn't have a Plan B--no exit plan. You have no way of knowing whether a move to Maine is the right choice for the OP and I don't either. How will the OP know unless they give it a shot. Maybe courage and a spirit of adventure is "needed and appropriate" for the OP at this age (62) and time in life. A move could go either way--good or bad, happy or sad.... remember... exit plan, just in case. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Why try to discourage the OP from giving it a try. This has nothing to do with a Carnival Cruise and from what I've heard they definitely are not always a good thing. If you don't want to move to a new location, that is your perogative. You see your opinion as a "virtue of thought, maturity and perhaps sensibility" and that is your perogative. ... could be you have a fear of the unknown or prefer to stay put. You are entitled to your opinion as are we all. I've known people who never traveled more than 25 miles from home. That was their perogative but not my cup of tea.

Reality IMHO is that none of us are going to live forever. The OP is 62 and if he (?) Wants to try living in a new place, I say go for it before it is no longer an option due to old age and potentially poor health, wheelchair bound, bedridden, or nursing home. Personally, I don't care whether the OP moves to Maine or not, but I'm not going to be a voice of discouragement. Life, at least to some extent, is what you make it.

Not sure what situation you think i am pulling you into. It seems to me that you entered the situation when you chose to post on this thread.

At this point I prefer to cease and desist and will further refrain from commenting re anything involving your posts and opinions and the like. TY for your kind consideration to my request.

Again, to the OP, sorry to derail and affect your thread w/ this derogatory unneeded banter.

[ipaper]

Your age is not an issue, move wherever you like.

[OutdoorLover]

Originally Posted by mainegrl2011

Good advice. The OP wants to move to Portland; don't you think Portland meets the criteria of which you post? The OP didnt mention an interest in moving to a town or small town. There could be more social opportunities/events, more people in the OPs age group in Portland as is usually true about larger cities. Again, there is no guarantee that everything will be perfect or that the OP will be happy with a move so have a Plan B and even a Plan C. Rent instead of buy so you can easily move if desired. https://www.portlandmaine.gov/653/Senior-Activities

Absolutely, Portland as well as Brunswick would fit the bill. I lived outside of DC in Germantown, MD for 2 years early in my career. It's a great area, lots to do, but DC does have absolutely horrendous traffic and some significant violent crime issues, plus it's very pricey. Portland has all the trappings of a city, but compared to DC, it's smaller and more manageable, with less traffic and lower violent crime, and is less expensive to boot. Everything I just said about Portland, goes double for Brunswick, just up the road about 30 minutes.

P.S. and if the OP is interested in volunteering, there is a Habitat for Humanity in Portland and I am sure many other worthy organizations

[angelo129]

The OP doesn't tell us where his more specific concerns lie, so it's hard to know. In general, Maine is an "old" state, in many ways geared to the preferences of older people. Portland, on the other hand, is increasingly geared toward the young and might not be the best choice for someone who already has reservations about age. Not knowing more, I'd suggest that the OP might want to consider a condominium community that is welcoming to older people. If Keith will tell us more, and ask more specific questions, I think we can be more helpful.

[miamian in nc]

This thread caught my attention because I'm 62 like the OP and I, too, am wondering about Portland as a place to move to. Last night I applied for an AmeriCorps service opportunity there. I've been all over the place on City Data looking at different places - Tucson, Toledo, Albuquerque, Asheville, and possibly going back to Cleveland where I lived before coming to North Carolina 18 years ago.

For me, I wonder about the weather in Portland, but at the same time I have always liked the idea of the landscape there. I visited Kennebunkport and Bar Harbor when I was a lot younger. I love coastal cities since I'm originally from Miami.

I've never really found my people here in North Carolina, and by that I mean close friends or a group to belong to. I've tried Meetups here, church too, and I've thought it could be having come here being older already. It is harder to make friends as we get older but I've also thought that some places are more accepting of newcomers than others. So that's how I interpreted the OP's posting. I wonder if he's made the move by now and how he's doing.

ByeByeSanDiego, I hope you're doing well! Long time no hear.

[LXEX55]

At age 66 my wife and I relocated from NYC to Florida after spending our entire lives in NYC. Our only regret is not doing it much sooner. I am sure you will feel the same way if you relocate. You asked for a reason, go act on it. Make it work.