Best place to live within 50 miles of Ellsworth (Bangor, Orono: real estate, transfer to)

[Ranger1983]

Hello,
I may have the opportunity to transfer to a new job in Ellsworth, Maine and I was hoping for some recommendations. I'm required to live within 50 miles of work and have family in southern Maine. I was thinking it would be nice to live somewhere close to 95 to make visiting family faster/easier. I have a wife and a son that's about to turn 5. My wife is the type that needs the convenience of civilized amenities if you catch my drift. So, a Walmart nearby is kind of a big deal. We are in our mid-thirties and also like being able to walk around downtown areas with restaurants and shops. And like most, I'm sure, we like "feeling" safe. I've heard some not-so-great things about Bangor, but haven't spent a lot of time there myself. My wife and I went to the Casino there a few years ago. I recall some areas to be hit or miss on the sketchy scale. How's Brewer? Any different than Bangor? How about Hampden? If anyone has any advice, I would be very grateful!

[suezeekay1]

I would say 50 miles is too far away on a two-lane road, especially in the winter. I have driven from Machias to Ellsworth and in a blizzard you can't see the road at all. Bangor has the amenities but I wouldn't live there. It's on the 10 worst Maine cities list. And getting from Ellsworth to Rt95 involves a lot of traffic. I worked in Ellsworth a few years back and it seemed okay to me. I would start there. There is a super Walmart in Ellsworth. The best thing is to take a trip yourself and check out the areas and take pictures. Research on the internet of course. But NOTHING replaces seeing it in person. I don't know anything about the schools. A good question with a child about to enter school. There are a LOT of drugs in maine and the main reason some cities are on the worst list.

[Ranger1983]

Thanks! I should have mentioned, my job doesn't require me to drive to the office in Ellsworth often. I am required to drive to various points on the Seacoast on a daily basis, but it's in a company vehicle and my day starts when I get in the car. So, as far as commute distances, at least I don't have to worry about being late for work. I plan on visiting Acadia NP this weekend for a few days, and I'm hoping to drive around some of the towns while I'm up there. Thanks again for your advice!

[deerislesmile]

If you are looking for a town with a downtown area with shops and restaurants that are open for more than 5 months out of the year.. Bangor, Ellsworth, and maybe Belfast are the ones that fit the bill (But Belfast would not have a Walmart or nearby access to I95). Most other places either do not have that downtown element or the downtown is quite seasonal. Blue Hill is a nice little town relatively close to Ellsworth, but again, quite removed from I95.

Neither Hampden or Brewer have the walkable downtown, but are close to Bangor's downtown so that may suffice...

[Brodels]

Consider Orono, which is a suburb of Bangor and has a walkable downtown. It is a college town, so you would have to be ok with that, but it is safe, has an interesting downtown, and is close to Bangor. The downtown area has three brew pubs, a variety of restaurants, and some shops.

Ellsworth is also a pretty good option, as is Bangor. If you live in downtown Bangor, you will avoid most of the sketchiness found in a few other nearby neighborhoods. You will have access to good food, good beer, music, art, etc. If you are coming from an urban or semi-urban area, it may be the best choice because although Bangor is small, it is big enough to provide you at least some of what you would need to avoid culture shock.

[slyfox2]

Yeah.... what's wrong with living in or outside of Ellsworth? I think Ellsworth is a delightful place and I go into town at least once a week or two weeks.

I live out on the island and I think that might be too far away from what you want, but it is kind of addicting.

[Ranger1983]

Thanks for the thoughtful responses. I drove through Brewer and Hampden and found that Brewer didn't look too bad. It had all the stores that we like to have nearby. We also drove through Hampden, which seemed a little rural for us. I've not considered Ellsworth. I usually drive through Ellsworth every time I go to Acadia NP, and have just assumed it was too sleepy. I will look into it some more, as well as Orono, Belfast and downtown Bangor. I used to go to a baseball camp in Orono when I was younger, and I enjoy many of the characteristics of college towns, so it may be a decent possibility. Thanks again for your help!

[slyfox2]

Mount Desert Island. However, in the summer, you won't want to be driving to 95 from anywhere south of Bangor on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, if you can help it.

[GreenGene]

We really enjoy visiting Belfast - on the water, nice downtown with good/very good restaurants and shops, and there's always signs of life. It's roughly 40 miles from Ellsworth. No Walmart in Belfast, although I believe there's one in Ellsworth. From Belfast, taking route 3 west, you're about an hour from 95.

[Maineac]

Less than that if you go Winterport and 69 to I-95. Belfast has limited real estate inventory these days, with prices that don't reflect what I grew up with. OP, hmmm. Hampden is fine, taxy. Hermon, right next door, is about 1/2 the taxes of Hampden or Bangor. Dedham used to have pretty good taxes. Holden is high. Dedham is convenient to Ellsworth. Belfast is a bit of a hump up around the corner to get to Ellsworth. Walmart is down in Rockland, closer than Ellsworth from Belfast. But not much.

Dedham. Go get 'er. Just get a ways off 1A. The summer traffic is incessant.