Where to raise a family in Maine? (Portland, Bangor: real estate, house)

[flamingosmiles]

My family (husband and three young children) are looking at looking to Maine in the next year. We're familiar with the area and travel there about once a year, typically to southern Maine. We're looking for good schools, a more "country" feel (we'd like to have at least 3 acres and not be on top of neighbors) and affordable housing. (affordable to us is a 3 plus bedroom house over 1500 sq ft for around $170k ish). I've been doing some research, but I'd love to hear thoughts!! My husband works high end construction and is currently job hunting in various areas of the state.
Thanks so much!!

[Submariner]

Find a job. Then move to wherever the job is.

If you select a town first and move to it, then there is no telling if you will find any opening in that career field near by.

If you find work at all, it may likely be in a different field.

Good luck

[bangorme]

Submariner is right. Looking at what you want, and your price range. I think you should be looking for work in a fairly rural part of the state. Unfortunately, those are some of our more economically depressed areas so I think you have an uphill battle in front of you. But, there are some jobs out there, and I certainly wouldn't discourage anyone from trying.

[Newdaawn]

I agree with the above posters that it would be a challenge to find a 3 bedroom with a couple acres for $170K especially in the southern tier of the state. Check out the smaller towns within 5 or 10 miles of Bangor. Having the job before you move is a must.

[flamingosmiles]

Thanks. We definitely intend to have the job first, wouldn't do it any other way. The price range seems doable, I've been looking into Wells, Winslow, Saco and a few others. I'm thinking we'd have to stay southern for work, but that's why we're starting to do out research now. Thanks so much

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by flamingosmiles

Thanks. We definitely intend to have the job first, wouldn't do it any other way. The price range seems doable, I've been looking into Wells, Winslow, Saco and a few others. I'm thinking we'd have to stay southern for work, but that's why we're starting to do out research now. Thanks so much

It really depends on what you do for work. There are certainly jobs throughout the state, especially in the medical and education fields, but jobs are more plentiful south. But real estate prices, congestion, etc. also are higher in the south.

Speaking only from my own experience, I don't really feel like I'm in Maine until I hit Portland and points northward. All the towns south of Portland, while certainly nice in many respects, feel like northern New Hampshire to me. Nice towns, plenty of services, but you're never really out of town. You just go from town to suburb to suburb to town.

The best thing you can do: Do all the research you can beforehand, make a list of possible sites, then come for a visit. Nothing beats personal experience.

[bangorme]

Assuming you find a job in one of these locations, I think the Bangor area has the combination of some of the best schools and some of the other things you want. I loved living in Aroostook County. Property is cheap up there, the bigger schools are pretty good, very little crime, and the communities are friendly. Actually, some of the little schools aren't bad now that I think about it. Washburn has a pretty good reputation I think. Be a little careful though, as some of the more rural areas (all over the state) have a surprising amount of drug problems, so you'll have to research it.