Living in Southern Maine with children

[Radio Flyer]

Originally Posted by elizalamar

@nmader1: You sigh a lot!!

@ Radioflyer: I didn't know about the Manchester, NH airport. Thanks for the tip!

You're welcome.

I think.

[moosehunter]

Originally Posted by namder1

Thanks for "putting me(and certain others) in our place". I feel soooo much better about having you call Maine home now.....sigh.......

nice the flat landers are keeping us straight...LOL
AND~~~~~~
property values go UP ....
and our QUALITY of neighbors go down...

[birdinmigration]

It doesn't matter where you live, and I personally have lived in a lot of places besides Maine, and brought up my own kids and worked with plenty of children not my own. Still, I always find it funny (and also kinda sad) when parents overbook their tiny children.

Here's what mine did when they were four: they went to preschool part-time and they played. They made forts and had tea parties, they read picture books and ran around outside waving sticks and digging holes and drawing with sidewalk chalk.

...and then they went on to be advanced in reading, math, science, and languages, were always in G & T programs, took rigorous IB and AP schedules, did independent research, graduated at the top of their classes, and went to the most prestigious Ivy League and tech schools in the country. All of my kids did.

But please, proceed. I'm not giving advice except this: there are no do-overs with children. They only get one shot at childhood.

Good luck with your move, OP

[namder1]

Yes, Eliz, you seem to bring out sighs and frustration in many of us..........you seem so "full" of yourself.......
Please, move where ever you wish and have a happy life.........

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by elizalamar

Have you taken the Downeaster? If so, how long is the ride?

From Brunswick to Boston is a 2-3 hours. It's not that far, but there are a lot of stops along the way.

It can be MUCH longer in the winter. Not so much because of snow, but because once the temperature dips low enough, they have a hard time switching the rails. I've never had the train cancelled because of delays, but I hae seen them running hours late.

[psychRNfromMaine]

I have lived in Arundel for 30 years and it is desirable. The elementary school (M.L. Day) is TOP NOTCH and one of the reasons that many families move here is the choice of high school. RSU 21 school district is wonderful. The community is quaint and the neighbors are friendly. The big box shopping is approx 6 - 15 mins away depending on which side of town you live. Easily commutable. The amtrak Downeaster train stations are close (Wells and Saco). Maine is fairly expensive to live (cost of living) but overall a great place to live. If you have specific questions, I'd be happy to try to answer those.

[Newdaawn]

I have only taken the Downeaster from Dover, NH to North Station in Boston and it is a little over an hour - but so nice not to have to take a car into Boston. Also coffee, snacks and drinks are available. We last rode it the beginning of May to attend gdaughter's graduation from Northeastern. Got off - and there we were at TD Garden right at North Station. A GREAT DAY for sure. Lunch at a nice Italian restaurant (table for 10) just a few steps from the Public Garden where we took lots of pictures the graduate and her boyfriend and another graduate and her family visiting from NY to attend.

[tlammyb]

@elizalamar

This is an older string, and I hope this reaches you. Our young family is considering the southern Maine area, and we share the same concerns you had prior to moving, spot on. How did it all work out?