Retired looking for a final destination. Please help me decide. (Bangor: apartment, lease)

[folkguitarist555]

Originally Posted by Submariner

So far this season we have had a couple of light dustings, which melted away within a few days.

We finally got a couple of inches a few days ago, maybe this will stick. I try to pack down the first layer, to build a base. Then if that base holds any future snow storms we get and I can use my snowblower. Without a solid base of ice a snowblower will have a tendency to dig and toss gravel. I want my snowblower to glide across on a layer of ice and to only toss snow.

I’m having a bit of an issue finding affordable apts in Bangor and in Augusta. I’m surprised as I thought those areas were pretty cheap Until I started having a peek on craigslist. I don’t wanna pay more than 750 a month. Studio is fine. It seems like resources for apartments are very limited in those areas. I would really like to be close to a VA Medical Center in Augusta, but I’d like to have a city bus system and a little bit of a bigger area like Bangor so I’m kind of torn. Any suggestions on affordable apartment living I appreciate it

[jdhpa]

https://www.apartments.com/99-101-ce...nit-2/lhennpd/
https://www.apartments.com/bradford-...or-me/zx295xz/

I have no personal experience with either.

Good luck in your search!

[mainegrl2011]

I just looked on craigslist (Bangor). Here is one out of maybe three listed that are near your price range. This one says it includes heat. Always check to see what if any utilities are included in the rent. https://maine.craigslist.org/apa/d/8...409529684.html

Here is one (could be more) in Augusta says heat, snow removal, city water and sewer included. https://maine.craigslist.org/apa/d/a...428033840.html

Not to muddy the waters, but how do you feel about no laundry facilities onsite?

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by CARas2020

I grew up in Erie, PA We routinely got dumped on in the winter.

I doubt if the prevailing wind patterns really track along where men decided to build an interstate. But it makes sense to me that if you lived in Erie, of course, you experienced winters with huge dumps of snowfall.

Originally Posted by folkguitarist555

... Any suggestions on affordable apartment living I appreciate it

I do not have any further suggestions for you, sorry.

[nm9stheham]

Originally Posted by folkguitarist555

I’m having a bit of an issue finding affordable apts in Bangor and in Augusta. I’m surprised as I thought those areas were pretty cheap Until I started having a peek on craigslist. I don’t wanna pay more than 750 a month. Studio is fine. It seems like resources for apartments are very limited in those areas. I would really like to be close to a VA Medical Center in Augusta, but I’d like to have a city bus system and a little bit of a bigger area like Bangor so I’m kind of torn. Any suggestions on affordable apartment living I appreciate it

I think you are finding out the reality of that area..... small cities and there are not going to be a ton of choices for cheap... life in the whole NE USA is not the cheapest part of the US by any means.

If you are open to other options in the US, let me suggest Johnson City TN. It has a VA Center (Mountain Home) in town, and a fair number of apartments well within in your price range near to the VA, since a middle sized university (ETSU) is near to the VA Center. )get a lease now.... typical university area where the competition for the next school year's leases starts in the spring.) The university presence also drives the area to have a bus system. You're gonna find the people in the area to be quite friendly. You may have to deal with the college students, and the culture will be different from the NE, but this is the first spot that came to mind when I re-read your list of your likes/needs.

[folkguitarist555]

Originally Posted by nm9stheham

I think you are finding out the reality of that area..... small cities and there are not going to be a ton of choices for cheap... life in the whole NE USA is not the cheapest part of the US by any means.

If you are open to other options in the US, let me suggest Johnson City TN. It has a VA Center (Mountain Home) in town, and a fair number of apartments well within in your price range near to the VA, since a middle sized university (ETSU) is near to the VA Center. )get a lease now.... typical university area where the competition for the next school year's leases starts in the spring.) The university presence also drives the area to have a bus system. You're gonna find the people in the area to be quite friendly. You may have to deal with the college students, and the culture will be different from the NE, but this is the first spot that came to mind when I re-read your list of your likes/needs.

Interesting suggestion. I have considered the Tri-City area of Tennessee on and off for years. I’m well familiar with that area on paper at least. It’s a dog gone shame and northeasterner can’t come back home. But there definitely is upstate New York areas like Corning Rochester Plattsburgh and etc. along with Erie, Those are also strong possibilities. The Tri-Cities of Tennessee would be a fantastic area, but culturally speaking with my thick New York accent I don’t know if that would be a smart place to move to

[folkguitarist555]

Originally Posted by Submariner

I doubt if the prevailing wind patterns really track along where men decided to build an interstate. But it makes sense to me that if you lived in Erie, of course, you experienced winters with huge dumps of snowfall.





I do not have any further suggestions for you, sorry.

There was a time some years ago I remember seeing a number of mobile home parks somewhere around Augusta I think, and lot rents for dirt cheap. But I can’t find any of those anymore. I don’t know what happened to them. Has the possibility exists for me to purchase a older mobile home and I over 55 Park

[OutdoorLover]

Originally Posted by folkguitarist555

Interesting suggestion. I have considered the Tri-City area of Tennessee on and off for years. I’m well familiar with that area on paper at least. It’s a dog gone shame and northeasterner can’t come back home. But there definitely is upstate New York areas like Corning Rochester Plattsburgh and etc. along with Erie, Those are also strong possibilities. The Tri-Cities of Tennessee would be a fantastic area, but culturally speaking with my thick New York accent I don’t know if that would be a smart place to move to

I agree that upstate and western NY are definitely worth looking at. The region is somewhat economically depressed, but this has the consequence that housing costs are reasonable. There are VA hospitals in Albany, Syracuse and Buffalo. Both the Catskills and the Adirondacks are beautiful, rugged areas, and the Finger Lakes have their charms as well. The areas directly east of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario get massive snowfalls. Albany isn't too bad though and it lies between the Catskills and the Adirondacks, so lots of pretty country and small towns in the region. Corning is a nice town but it's not real near to any VA hospital so far as I know, Corning is kind of out there by itself. I don't know PA quite as well, but have been through enough to know that yes, there will be large areas of inexpensive housing. Erie, Wilkes Barre and Lebanon have VA hospitals.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by folkguitarist555

There was a time some years ago I remember seeing a number of mobile home parks somewhere around Augusta I think, and lot rents for dirt cheap. But I can’t find any of those anymore. I don’t know what happened to them. Has the possibility exists for me to purchase a older mobile home and I over 55 Park

There should be trailer parks around Augusta. I live a few hours away, so I am not very familiar with what all is there.

[mainegrl2011]

There may not be "many" apartments available in Augusta or Bangor for $750 or less; however, a person only needs one apartment. If one is available for $850 or $900 and includes heat and possibly additional utilities, could work out.

Regarding mobile home parks... I googled and found 16 mobile home parks in Augusta "area." This one is for people age 55+ ... I have no info on cost of lot rent there. I don't think "dirt cheap" exists in 2022 anywhere a person would want to live... just my opinion based on a bit of research. https://www.mhvillage.com/parks/14984

I contacted two people who live in mobile home parks. One is near Bath, ME and the lot rent (mobile home not included in price) is $365. The other is in the Ellsworth, ME area and the lot rent (mobile home not included in price) is $400. Just heard about a mobile home community near Bath with an HOA fee $500+ per month.