So how about some places to avoid? (Portland, Lewiston: neighborhoods, high school)

[Elcarim]

I doubt there are any ugly places in the state, but are there any specific towns/areas that we should avoid, maybe due to more than average decline in economy, cleanliness or quality of life? Thank you thank you!!!

[chris]

Lewiston has always been "economically disadvantaged" since I can remember.

Unless you have a state/city/hospital/legal job or work at Country Kitchen (bread company), there isn't much available outside of retail or being self employed.

There is Bates college though which is sort of a shining gen amongst the rough but outside of that, you won't find a lot of reasons to live there.

The city also imported somalian refugees there (from Atlanta) about 5 years ago which hasn't helped the situation since there aren't any jobs to employ them with. They spend most of their days hanging around lisbon street and other areas complaining about how racist people are (which is probably true but that's not the point I'm trying to emphasize). It's that the city is not moving in a positive direction and it's one of the few areas in Maine that I would say is not worthy to live in. Coupled with high drug use and other problems, it can be ugly.

[truckmen]

Originally Posted by GAhighschoolC

I work as a call center manager and I would like to know which areas have these industries. I read that Bangor got a LL Bean and Waterville has T Mobile and there is one in Belfast for MBNA (?) Is it hard to get a job at any of these and are there other areas I'm missing. I would like my high schooler to be able to go to one of those private public type of schools that usually cost boarder 30K a year. She's really smart and in the gifted program and TIP (the duke university program) so that is a priority.

There is Microdyne (formerly known as EnvsioNet) in Orono. They do tech support for MSN and others.

Ralph M Bohm

Moderator cut: no advertising please

[Elcarim]

So, if you could live in any town in Maine, which would it be - considering proximity to work and affordable housing as well as great community relationships.

[tkx7]

Gorham, Cumberland, Yarmouth, Freeport... all great communities

[Elcarim]

It's very important for us to have some specific towns in mind to visit in March, as we'll be limited to 5 days to see them all, and we have a large area we'd like to cover. We are looking, of course, for a beautiful area somewhat near the coast. Small town - 7000 or less, preferrably, and within 45 min or so of the nearest city, probably Bangor. It seems the farther north you go in the state, the more untouched and pristine the land becomes. That appeals greatly to us.

After living outside Houston FOREVER, we're ready to be as far from urban concrete as possible. We love the pines - we have them here in our small town too, but our trees look like little baby trees compared to the towering pines we've seen in photos of Maine! We want a nice, family oriented, close to nature existence with lots of friends to eat and play with - for us and for our kids. We realize that no-where is perfect and will only ever be as good as we make it, but we'd like to get as close as possible!

Thanks!

[tkx7]

Elcarim- you really should not rule out looking around Portland. This is a small city, very rural compared to Houston. Even if you lived in downtown portland, you would be no more than 10 minutes away from nature hikes, rivers, canoeing, fort williams, etc. Maine is a very rural state in general. I recomened looking at the surrounding towns at least to get a feel. Maybe try looking at North Yarmouth, New Gloucester, Gorham. These are all rural areas yet still close to portland. These places are small towns- and some parts of them have neighborhoods.

[chris]

Elcarim, I think you've got the right area in mind. There are so many towns between the coast and Bangowaaaah, I think you'll just have to drive around until you find the right town.

Portland is not attractive to me for the same reasons. I need my country vibe and most of Maine has it north of Portland. Personally I wouldn't want to live near the ocean because of how cold it gets in the winter but being near it is great.

[Elcarim]

That's exactly the town feel we're looking for. I love the movies set in the 50s where the children ride their bikes down tree-lined sidewalks to school and play ball in the neighborhood field. The kind of town where neighbors actually stop and talk over the fence and look out for one another - not having to constantly look suspiciously AT one another as we do now.

It may be silly, but one of my favorite movies is Funny Farm starring Chevy Chase. The coulple leaves the "big city" and move upstate New York to settle in a gorgeous, tiny country town. Despite all the misgivings and comical adventure, they come to find the community folks the best thing that ever happens to them, and finally settle in and start a family. I know it sounds pretty idealistic and may be more dream than reality, but I believe it's still out there - somewhere.

I'm a free-lance writer and photographer. I don't think I'd ever run out of things to write about and photograph in Maine! I expect to be completely awed and inspired.

[tkx7]

Chris what are you talking about? living by the ocean in the winter is warmer than living inland. It's also cooler during the summer