Relocating 2011 is Bangor right for us?

[princetonfl]

We are on our way to Bangor to interview for jobs. We have spent a lot of time in the Portland area but never in Bangor. Have lived in Vermont, so we are familiar with the winters. We love Maine but are not yet sure that Bangor is the city for us. Our son is in middle school and we are looking for an outstanding high school. Does anyone have any info about middle/high schools in the Bangor area? either private or public? What is life like on a daily basis? We are university profs and looking for an active intellectual community. Thanks!

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by princetonfl

We are on our way to Bangor to interview for jobs. We have spent a lot of time in the Portland area but never in Bangor. Have lived in Vermont, so we are familiar with the winters. We love Maine but are not yet sure that Bangor is the city for us. Our son is in middle school and we are looking for an outstanding high school. Does anyone have any info about middle/high schools in the Bangor area? either private or public? What is life like on a daily basis? We are university profs and looking for an active intellectual community. Thanks!

Our youngest attended highschool in Old Town.

We were very much surprised at the school system here. It is much better than what we had experienced in previous states.

He was very happy attending here. We have no complaints about Old Town Highschool.

[princetonfl]

Thanks for the post. Is Old Town near Orono? If so, are there lots of
university professor's kids that attend this high school?

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by princetonfl

Thanks for the post. Is Old Town near Orono? If so, are there lots of university professor's kids that attend this high school?

Orono adjoins Old Town. They are both located on a shared island called: 'Marsh Island'.

The two towns are very much joined at the hip, one has the highschool swim-team coach on payroll, while the other has the highschool pool. The two both have bloated PD's to focus on harassing the UM - Orono students.

[cebdark]

Historically, Orono and Old Town have had somewhat of a contentious (if-you-will, for lack of a better term) relationship which stems from the very old days of "Mill Town vs. College Town."

It is still to some (although lesser) extent (IMO) that way today. The State of Maine has recently mandated school consolidation and Orono chose to go with Glenburn and Veazie (suburbs of Bangor) rather than Old Town. This has made some happy and others infuriated, but what's done is done.

Those who weren't happy were looking forward to working with Old Town to build a new "state-of-the-art" high school with Orono (both need new facilities) and they were hoping for a partnership of some sort with the University of Maine. Others were looking more for a joint venture with towns that embraced close to the same educational "philosophy" that they had. 'Philosophy" ultimately won out in the debate.

Either way, from what I have heard about both schools (I have friends/relatives who work in both) they are both good schools (IMO).

[Newdaawn]

And keep in mind for a week-end getaway Boston is only 4 hours to our south.