the Volvo line.... (Fairfield, Randolph: rent, to live in, estate)

[CT2MEwoodnutt]

Originally Posted by RMoore007

Here is another find about The Volvo Line.

Maine Heritage Policy Center Blog: Why I'm Here in the First Place! (broken link)

Or just read this quote from the Blog:

"That there are two Maine economies cannot be in doubt by any honest person traveling above the State Volvo Line - a straight line running from the Town of Upton on Maine’s western border, through the City of Bangor, and over to the Town of South Trescott on Maine’s eastern border. In practice, the Volvo Line (a term aptly coined by MHPC Advisor Prof. Jon Reisman) is an imaginary line separating urban and rural Maine."

I plan on moving back soon. I'll be living above the Volvo line in the Dover area. Or is that the Prius line.

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Hi RMoore007,

I hope that you don't mind me asking you some questions about this older Post?

My Wife & I want to retire to Maine, and I have been researching possible areas, that would be a good 'fit' for us.
I am a 'fit' 62 years old, and my Wife is 67, but somewhat disabled.
I run a small firewood business here in New Fairfield, CT, and would like to continue doing it in Maine.
We would both pretty much be living on Social Security, and small Pensions, so we're NOT rich...

I just Love the outdoors, nature and cutting/splitting wood, as it keeps me going/in shape!
I recently came upon this (old) Thread/Topic, about the 'Volvo-Line'.
In the old quote from above, you mention the little town of Upton, on the NH/Maine border.
I kind thought that that would be an ideal place for us, as I would like to live up in the Mountains, near Lakes.
And I wouldn't mind being close to New Hampshire, as I love Mt Washington, and Lake Winnipesaukee.
-However after seeing some Realtors brochures from around the beautiful Rangeley Lakes area, we couldn't possibly afford anything around there. (I didn't realize that there were $1 Million homes there, and so many)!!!
Are you saying that Upton, would be an expensive place to live?
- What OTHER areas/towns would be up IN the Maine Mountains, and near Lakes, but not so expensive of an area?
We would probably have to rent a house, but I would like it to be very rural, with some Land & a barn!

I've been in touch with a few other senior (knowledgeable) members of the Forum (Northern Maine Land Man, Maine Writer, Submariner, Maine Broker Man, etc).

*What is "MHPC", by the way? A College??

Could I ask you for some good information as to the areas/towns that I mentioned above!

Thank You, and have a Good Sunday/Mothers Day!

CTwoodnutt.......Irv, in CT

[Northern Maine Land Man]

MHPC is the Maine Heritage Policy Center. They advocate for free enterprise and lower government spending. They do not get into social issues much and when they do they make serious errors.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by CTwoodnutt

************************************************** ***************************
Hi RMoore007,

I hope that you don't mind me asking you some questions about this older Post?

My Wife & I want to retire to Maine, and I have been researching possible areas, that would be a good 'fit' for us.
I am a 'fit' 62 years old, and my Wife is 67, but somewhat disabled.
I run a small firewood business here in New Fairfield, CT, and would like to continue doing it in Maine.
We would both pretty much be living on Social Security, and small Pensions, so we're NOT rich...

I just Love the outdoors, nature and cutting/splitting wood, as it keeps me going/in shape!
I recently came upon this (old) Thread/Topic, about the 'Volvo-Line'.
In the old quote from above, you mention the little town of Upton, on the NH/Maine border.
I kind thought that that would be an ideal place for us, as I would like to live up in the Mountains, near Lakes.
And I wouldn't mind being close to New Hampshire, as I love Mt Washington, and Lake Winnipesaukee.
-However after seeing some Realtors brochures from around the beautiful Rangeley Lakes area, we couldn't possibly afford anything around there. (I didn't realize that there were $1 Million homes there, and so many)!!!
Are you saying that Upton, would be an expensive place to live?
- What OTHER areas/towns would be up IN the Maine Mountains, and near Lakes, but not so expensive of an area?
We would probably have to rent a house, but I would like it to be very rural, with some Land & a barn!

I've been in touch with a few other senior (knowledgeable) members of the Forum (Northern Maine Land Man, Maine Writer, Submariner, Maine Broker Man, etc).

*What is "MHPC", by the way? A College??

Could I ask you for some good information as to the areas/towns that I mentioned above!

Thank You, and have a Good Sunday/Mothers Day!

CTwoodnutt.......Irv, in CT

Upton, is by Umbagog Lake... You could look at Errol, NH- on the other side of the border. Nice area, and prices away from the lake are less.. LOW property taxes as well. A bit isolated with the larger towns being Berlin and North Conway to the south. It is a NICE peaceful area and definitely part of the North Country. SHORT growing season. Frost and freeze can occasionally occur in late May to early June depending on the year. First frost or freeze is often in early September. You are in between two notch areas. Dixville Notch and Grafton Notch.

[mainebrokerman]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

Upton, is by Umbagog Lake... You could look at Errol, NH- on the other side of the border. Nice area, and prices away from the lake are less.. LOW property taxes as well. A bit isolated with the larger towns being Berlin and North Conway to the south. It is a NICE peaceful area and definitely part of the North Country. SHORT growing season. Frost and freeze can occasionally occur in late May to early June depending on the year. First frost or freeze is often in early September. You are in between two notch areas. Dixville Notch and Grafton Notch.

I drive this once a month- rte 26 from newry to colebrook n.h.

one of the prettiest, scenic rides..

if i won the lottery, id want a place in this area....quiet, peaceful, and clean air- plenty of wildlife all around

[Northern Maine Land Man]

When you go up over the peak to the south from The Balsams in winter you want to go over the top slowly. The sun warms the snow and the melt water refreezes on the road. There are several very sharp and abrupt 90 degree turns before you get down to Screw Auger Falls. The mist from the falls can also coat the road with ice.

As winding as Route 2 is, you will be happy to reach it after your trip down through Grafton Notch in winter.

[CT2MEwoodnutt]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

Upton, is by Umbagog Lake... You could look at Errol, NH- on the other side of the border. Nice area, and prices away from the lake are less.. LOW property taxes as well. A bit isolated with the larger towns being Berlin and North Conway to the south. It is a NICE peaceful area and definitely part of the North Country. SHORT growing season. Frost and freeze can occasionally occur in late May to early June depending on the year. First frost or freeze is often in early September. You are in between two notch areas. Dixville Notch and Grafton Notch.

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Hello GraniteStater,

Well, that all sounds good to me!

- I thought that New Hampshire was more expensive of a state to live in, as opposed to Maine(?).
Am I wrong here?
How is NH with 'Seniors'? (I read that Maine is very Senior Friendly).
Does NH tax Social Security Income? How about small Pensions?
You say that there would be low property taxes too, huh!
I definitely would like to be UP in the Mountains, and near Lakes, to go boating!
(I'd actually like to live on Top of a hill or mountain)!
Where we currently live (New Fairfield, CT, we're at the top of an 800' hill, which at least gives me nice sunset views!
We would probably have to rent a house, especially to start.
Would that be possible up in the Errol area???

Thanks for all of your good information here, and I'll definitely check into it!

CTwoodnutt.....aka Irv.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

The old timers built in valleys just above the flood line. It was sheltered from the wind and easier on the horses. Nobody built homes on hilltops. Just churches were built on hilltops where the sound of the bells carried far.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by CTwoodnutt

- I thought that New Hampshire was more expensive of a state to live in, as opposed to Maine(?).
Am I wrong here?
How is NH with 'Seniors'? (I read that Maine is very Senior Friendly).
Does NH tax Social Security Income? How about small Pensions?
You say that there would be low property taxes too, huh!
I definitely would like to be UP in the Mountains, and near Lakes, to go boating!
(I'd actually like to live on Top of a hill or mountain)!
Where we currently live (New Fairfield, CT, we're at the top of an 800' hill, which at least gives me nice sunset views!
We would probably have to rent a house, especially to start.
Would that be possible up in the Errol area???

Thanks for all of your good information here, and I'll definitely check into it!

CTwoodnutt.....aka Irv.

Keep in mind that it is not so much whether Social Security income is 'taxable', but does it exceed your Personal Exemptions and Deductions to become taxed.

The same goes for pensions.

I have a pension. My pension is fully taxable. However my pension is not large, it does not exceed my Personal Exemptions and Deductions. So my pension is taxable, but it is not taxed.

You need a seriously big pension to be taxed here.

[CT2MEwoodnutt]

Well, we won't have to worry about that then, 'cuz it's really not very much.

[Submariner]

The low cost-of-living, low price of land / homes, low taxes, minimal government intrusion, when combined with Maine's rural character and forests that go for miles and miles, are big factors in why so many retirees migrate to Maine.




The lack of high paying jobs lures young adults away; while these others things lure older folks here.

Two different ends of a spectrum.