Is Maine the right place? (Portland, Falmouth: best cities, real estate market, house)
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Hi! My husband and I live in Washington DC. We just had a baby and are in need of more space but cannot afford the city. We don't want to move to any of the suburbs in VA or MD. We have been thinking about moving to Maine and changing our city life style to small town life style. We love to be in a place with a sense of community, where people know you (that's how it is for us in our neighborhood in DuPont Circle). Does any one have any recommendations on best cities/towns to live in ME? Best places for my husband to get a job (he used to work in the government and now works as a consultant), best places to raise a kid? Thanks!
Maine's a great place to raise a family, particularly if you enjoy the great outdoors, peace and quiet and a native population that's mostly reserved but friendly and helpful.
Winters can be nippy, wages are generally low unless you're a high-end professional or entrepreneur/self employed.
Portland, being the largest city, tends to have the most employment opportunities for the average clock puncher.
This should give you an idea about jobs in Maine: MaineJobs.com
My husband works for a major consulting firm doing government consulting. He used to work for the government before moving to the private sector. He does a lot of strategic planing, budgeting, pricing, etc.
Why Maine? We have both been there and loved it. Loved the scenery, we actually (or I do) hate summers as I hate hot weather. Granted, I have never been in a winter in Maine, but it is my favorite time of the year. We are also looking for a change in lifestyle, something more slow paced, less stressful. We have also been looking at the Real Estate market and we can get a really cute house where we can grow old in!
Maine has many different life styles to offer. Coastal, Mountains Nothern vs southern ect. Portland Maine is a wonderfull city. You might find going to a place like Portland will still afford you the opportunity for a change but still bring with you some of the things you liked about DC. Portland has the most restaurants per sq mile other than San Francisco,the most employment opportunities, has a great city on the bay feel but still very livable. It also has some really nice bedroom communities outside of it. Falmouth, Yarmouth, Cape Elizabeth and more.
My husband works for a major consulting firm doing government consulting. He used to work for the government before moving to the private sector. He does a lot of strategic planing, budgeting, pricing, etc.
Why Maine? We have both been there and loved it. Loved the scenery, we actually (or I do) hate summers as I hate hot weather. Granted, I have never been in a winter in Maine, but it is my favorite time of the year. We are also looking for a change in lifestyle, something more slow paced, less stressful. We have also been looking at the Real Estate market and we can get a really cute house where we can grow old in!
I second the sentiment on the heat! There are only 2-3 months out of the year in Texas that we venture outdoors for activity. The rest of the year, we're stove up indoors because I don't breathe well in the heat. I get heat sickness, too, so it makes for a miserable and boring life for me being stuck indoors all the time. Last week, for instance, our heat index was 103 for several days. I never stepped outside. Sad for someone who LOVES outdoors. I can't wait to move outside in Maine! I honestly think I'd pitch a tent to live in if we didn't have kids!!
My husband works for a major consulting firm doing government consulting. He used to work for the government before moving to the private sector. He does a lot of strategic planing, budgeting, pricing, etc.
It sounds like you don't really know what your husband does, so we can probably safely assume that he works for the CIA. So all he would need is an airport - we have some. And rumor has it that there are alot of retired CIA folks here, especially along the coast. You'd fit right in so come on up!
You may get bored at some times up here, but you will appreciate the slower pace of life. The only thing I wish I could change was the mindset that nobody can make a difference up here for all the poor folks who depend on welfare. That has clenched itself into a fear of restructuring taxes and keeping the 'black sheep' away from the onlookers.
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It will be fine for you here.
