Want to move from CT to Maine (Portland, Bangor: for rent, home)

[tommos34]

Hey guys, I'm from Connecticut and would like to move to Maine. I currently work as a custodian and have for the past three years and am in school for medical billing and coding until May. I am looking for suggestions on what the best way to do this would be(move to Maine from CT). How is the job market there for these fields?

Additional facts about me: I am 22 single male with only a car payment, and couple thousand in savings. Looking to do this as smartly as possible. Was thinking about renting a studio but don't want to commit to long term.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

There are many skilled and semi-retired people in Maine who have custodian jobs. Medical billing and coding might be a better course for you. Many Maine people have multiple and seasonal jobs. There are fewer full time jobs with benefits all the time. New laws discourage hiring.

I have been in this business for nearly a quarter of a century and have never seen a studio for rent. However, there could be one in Portland.

Your plan is well thought out. Come and visit a few times before burning any bridges in CT. You can get by with your typical CT car, but your next one should be an economical 4WD like a Subaru or Toyota Rav-4.

Maine needs people. We left Maine for seven years to save up enough money to come back.

[tommos34]

Thanks for the insight, Northern Maine Land Maine. what do you suggest the best way to get a job there while living here? as this is the focus of this thread. I would like to point out to everyone I do not know anyone in Maine so asking to temporarily live with a friend or relative in the area is not an option. What is the next possible way to go about this?

[tommos34]

sorry I got your name wrong Northern Maine Land Man. It's a play on similar words. You mentioned visiting Maine a couple times. I have already done this many times, and really feel at home when I'm there despite everyone trying to talk me against it. I've driven as far north as Bangor, so I got a feel for the whole state. of course I couldn't resist going to Acadia, since it is not far from there.

Do you guys think using a fake address is a good idea to use on my resume so that when applying to jobs in Maine, I don't need to explain that I live in CT? or do you guys have other ideas that require little or no money? thanks in advance...

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by tommos34

Want to move from CT to Maine

Hey guys, I'm from Connecticut and would like to move to Maine.

We were living in Ct, before we moved to Maine.

Welcome to the forum

In Ct we had a friend who was in school for "medical billing and coding" but she ended up working as a dispatcher.

... I would like to point out to everyone I do not know anyone in Maine so asking to temporarily live with a friend or relative in the area is not an option. What is the next possible way to go about this?

You may need to be living local to get hired anywhere. At the same time, you really should have a job in Maine before you move to Maine.

... really feel at home when I'm there despite everyone trying to talk me against it

Many people are afraid of adventure.

... I've driven as far north as Bangor, so I got a feel for the whole state

I live North of Bangor, though I am still in the Southern half of Maine.

If you stay in the Southern portion of Maine, you can not possibly have a 'feel' for Northern Maine.

... Do you guys think using a fake address is a good idea to use on my resume so that when applying to jobs in Maine, I don't need to explain that I live in CT? or do you guys have other ideas that require little or no money?

Mis-representing yourself might not be the best way to make a good impression.

[KEVIN_224]

I'm a Connecticut native who has lived in Maine twice already (Wells first and then Old Orchard Beach). I sure would love to live there again...but in Portland proper, where there's actually city life and things to do. Wells is too quiet once west of I-95. Old Orchard Beach is dead as a door nail in the winter.

[IHeartMaine]

What does "city life" entail? Sirens? Traffic noise? People bumping into you? This is a serious question.

[maureenb]

Hi to the OP from CT.

Search "hospitals in Maine." Then check out the individual hospital's employment opportunities. I have noticed a couple of medical billing jobs in my area recently. I think you should be able to find work!

Just a thought, but maybe it would be easier to find work outside of your desired field. Any job that gave you a liveable wage (now there's a loaded statement) and allowed you to establish residency here, I.e., give you a REAL local address. Maybe a roommate situation - you rent a room in a house. Search local papers in areas of interest.

I only know my area - the greater Rockland area. Lots of young professional folks around here. Studio apts. do appear for rent in town on occasion.

Good luck!

[tommos34]

Originally Posted by Submariner

We were living in Ct, before we moved to Maine.











Mis-representing yourself might not be the best way to make a good impression.

yes, you are right about that. My logic for the fake address idea is it's better to make one up or provide something than going to an interview and presenting your address as CT when I am trying to get a job in Maine. Right

So, this obviously is the last resort but what else can I do?

[Northern Maine Land Man]

No, this is your first resort. You are just beginning this adventure. Your training will be applicable to other fields than medical billing. Look in the help wanted pages of large papers and weekly papers in Maine. Many companies, large and small still use print media to find good people.

Using a fake address. Will bring questions about that area. If you don't know the answers they will write you off in a heartbeat. Just don't do it.