Tried VT and it was horrible, now I want to try Maine....is this a mistake? (Portland: sales, real estate)

[leedspaddy]

Ok folks,
my family and I moved from PA to VT 2 years ago and in reality its been a disaster since day one. Apart from the horrendous real estate taxes, low salaries and few jobs, the biggest issue we have had has been the medical care my wife has received. My wife has fibromyalgia which is similiar to Rheumatoid arthritis and for the last 3 years after trying many different drugs it was determined by her doctor in PA that the only pain killers that worked was oxycotin or oxycodene. So when we got to VT 2 years ago, with full medical records in tow, she expected her treatment to just continue........boy were we wrong.....she was accused of being a drug addict by the first doctor she saw, then her next doctor despite believing that she needed the pain killers decided not to prescribe it despite being recommended by the specialist they refered her to......obviously Vermont has been burnt in the past by the few and so VT doctors are unwilling to help the truely needy such as my wife...........as to the reason of my post, I want to move to Maine but my wife wants to move back to PA so she can go back to the doctor who treated her well and who never gave her any of the problems she has received here in VT. She is afraid if we move to Maine or anywhere else in New England that she will be treated just as bad so I need to somehow convince her that Maine is a completely different ballgame from the weirdos in VT

Now I have read many posts, spoken to a few people and the consensus I am getting is that Maine is a great state but again similar to vermont in terms of Jobs and cost of living. I have been to Portland many times and I love the place and what would be perfect for me would be to live in North Windham or even Naples and commute to Portland. However, is Maine going to be the same as vermont whereby the cost of living is outrageous, and salaries are low. Now Portland is a lot bigger than the main job center here in VT which is burlington which gives me hope I can find a good enough job to live ok unlike here. Any comments from Maine natives and residents about what it is like to live and work in Maine and the cost of likving would be very much appreciated...................one last thing, NEVER MOVE TO VERMONT

[Georgia]

Originally Posted by leedspaddy

Ok folks,
my family and I moved from PA to VT 2 years ago and in reality its been a disaster since day one. Apart from the horrendous real estate taxes, low salaries and few jobs, the biggest issue we have had has been the medical care my wife has received. My wife has fibromyalgia which is similiar to Rheumatoid arthritis and for the last 3 years after trying many different drugs it was determined by her doctor in PA that the only pain killers that worked was oxycotin or oxycodene. So when we got to VT 2 years ago, with full medical records in tow, she expected her treatment to just continue........boy were we wrong.....she was accused of being a drug addict by the first doctor she saw, then her next doctor despite believing that she needed the pain killers decided not to prescribe it despite being recommended by the specialist they refered her to......obviously Vermont has been burnt in the past by the few and so VT doctors are unwilling to help the truely needy such as my wife...........as to the reason of my post, I want to move to Maine but my wife wants to move back to PA so she can go back to the doctor who treated her well and who never gave her any of the problems she has received here in VT. She is afraid if we move to Maine or anywhere else in New England that she will be treated just as bad so I need to somehow convince her that Maine is a completely different ballgame from the weirdos in VT

Now I have read many posts, spoken to a few people and the consensus I am getting is that Maine is a great state but again similar to vermont in terms of Jobs and cost of living. I have been to Portland many times and I love the place and what would be perfect for me would be to live in North Windham or even Naples and commute to Portland. However, is Maine going to be the same as vermont whereby the cost of living is outrageous, and salaries are low. Now Portland is a lot bigger than the main job center here in VT which is burlington which gives me hope I can find a good enough job to live ok unlike here. Any comments from Maine natives and residents about what it is like to live and work in Maine and the cost of likving would be very much appreciated...................one last thing, NEVER MOVE TO VERMONT

A quick FYI. Maine is number 1 in the nation in Taxation.
Beats out New York, California, and even... Vermont.

[pinkpalace]

I lived in Maine for two years before fleeing to Athens GA. Georgia's right -- Maine is consistently ranked #1 (or darn near #1) every year. I know it was ranked #1 in 2005.

Anyway, what about New Hampshire? NH is consistently ranked among the lowest taxed states. I love Portland, but I love Manchester too! (Watch out for property taxes and vehicle registration taxes though.. I hear they're higher than normal... probably to make up for no sales tax and lower fees elsewhere.)

[leedspaddy]

Originally Posted by pinkpalace

I lived in Maine for two years before fleeing to Athens GA. Georgia's right -- Maine is consistently ranked #1 (or darn near #1) every year. I know it was ranked #1 in 2005.

Anyway, what about New Hampshire? NH is consistently ranked among the lowest taxed states. I love Portland, but I love Manchester too! (Watch out for property taxes and vehicle registration taxes though.. I hear they're higher than normal... probably to make up for no sales tax and lower fees elsewhere.)

Well we did consider NH before moving to VT but found out that their prescription laws were even worse than VT's So folks the conclusion I have to draw is that if I am miserable in VT because of the taxes and job situation, I will be even more miserable in Maine because it is far worse there........am I right?

[vter]

If you don't like Vermont, you're not going to like Maine. Go on back to PA.

[leedspaddy]

Originally Posted by vter

If you don't like Vermont, you're not going to like Maine. Go on back to PA.

Well you are the last person I would take that sort of advice from. I actually love Vermont the state but the people, the jobs and the cost of living suck big time. At least most of the people I have met in other New England states are normal

[tkx7]

that's funny, I would have expected vermont to be more outgoing in terms of drug use. It's much more liberal than other states and I'm surprised to hear they accused your wife of being a drug addict. This is probably more of an issue with finding a new doctor than it is with state values.

[vter]

Originally Posted by leedspaddy

Well you are the last person I would take that sort of advice from. I actually love Vermont the state but the people, the jobs and the cost of living suck big time. At least most of the people I have met in other New England states are normal

I guess I didnt word my post clearly. What I meant was, if your wife was getting good care in PA, then maybe thats where you should be?

Sorry you had a bad experience in Vermont. Everyone is different...some people love living here, some people don't.

[chris]

I'd agree with the post about trying NH (southern part near MA). While I'm no VT expert, I haven't heard much that would indicate it's that different from Maine. NH's economy is stronger and with close proximity to metro Boston, there is a lot more opportunity for healthcare choices and employment.

I also wanted to post to the poster who said his wife had Rheumatoid arthritis. Does she have a lot of dental work? My mom had near cripling "Rheumatoid arthritis" as she was diagnosed with and after years of frustration, had all her dental work replaced. Within a few years all her symtoms were gone - nearly completely and quite amazing to some extent. Just something to look into if she has a mouthfull of amalgum (sp?) silver fillings.

[LI Gal]

If you are so concerned about your wife and her need for these very powerful and very addictive drugs for her pain take her where she has the best of care. Home!!!! To good doctors and the best of every thing.
You know there is no Nervana in the woods for someone who needs care.