Coastal Maine Relocation Questions (Portland, Bangor: real estate market, how much, house)

[pnwcatlady]

Hello,

I am researching the possibility of moving to Maine and I have some questions.

I am a single woman in my late 30s. I am a freelance graphic designer and I live in the Pacific Northwest. I have a crazy dream of finding a historic house and renovating in a blog. I am targeting the coastal part of Maine before I want to be near the ocean.

I am looking for a seaside village with a low population, but amenities like a grocery store. It would be great if shopping (home reno store, clothing, etc) was within a 45-minute drive. I would like to be near some artsy stuff because I am also an artist and would like to try for local galleries, art shows, etc.

Here’s my questions:
1. Are the opportunities for me to make friends? I’m not a bar hopper, but I like to go to community theater, libraries, historical societies, craft groups, and volunteer with animal welfare/rescues.

2. How much traffic is there along Highway 1? I’m sure it varies by location, but it is super duper crowded, crowded, or light crowds?

3. Where are some community that fit the seaside village with a low population but some amenities?

4. How is the real estate market? The Seattle region is insane, so anything will be be better than here.

5. Who are the internet and cellphone companies? I have Verizon and I’m hoping I won’t have to switch. I do require high speed internet.

6. How often is there major weather events? Like a super blizzard, hurricane, or drought?

7. What if I don’t like lobster? Will I be allowed over the Maine border?

Thanks!

[mainegrl2011]

Pretty much everyone thinking of moving to Maine wants to be on or near the ocean! Many--possibly all of your questions have been covered on the forum. Please take some time and search the forum; see what pops up. To have a friend, you must be a friend. I certainly wouldn't make a habit of letting people know you don't like lobster.

[kellysmith]

I'd suggest looking at Eastport. There is a vibrant arts community there. Lots of property available that would be just what you are looking at. Here's an example of a project house. $59,900 is a steal.

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-37961#photo19

[AustinB]

Look into the Blue Hill area. Home Depot 20 minutes away.

[svband76]

Originally Posted by kellysmith

I'd suggest looking at Eastport. There is a vibrant arts community there. Lots of property available that would be just what you are looking at. Here's an example of a project house. $59,900 is a steal.

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-37961#photo19

Eastport is just so far far out of the way. Neat little downtown but it was all closed and buttoned up by 4:30 pm on a sunny day last August. If you're used to Seattle prices look closer to towns near Portland. You'll pay a lot more but it will be more your speed I suspect.

[corgis]

I second Eastport.

[AustinB]

Eastport is 2-1/2 hours from a Home Depot or Lowes. There are very nice hardware stores closer, but for some major purchases, enjoy the drive.

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by pnwcatlady

I am looking for a seaside village with a low population, but amenities like a grocery store. It would be great if shopping (home reno store, clothing, etc) was within a 45-minute drive. I would like to be near some artsy stuff because I am also an artist and would like to try for local galleries, art shows, etc.

Portland is the last “big city” in coastal Maine (Bangor, Augusta, and L/A are not on the coast).

North of Portland you have sizeable towns like Falmouth, Yarmouth, and Brunswick. After that, you’re into smaller towns and villages. There is a Lowe’s in Brunswick, as well as several hardware/lumber stores. There is a Home Depot in Topsham. There are several hardware stores in the Woolwich / Wiscasset area. Even smaller towns like Rockland, Belfast, and Ellsworth are going to have hardware stores.

My advice: Do some research on what you’re looking for, then come for a visit. It’s the best way to find what you’re looking for. Books and the Internet can give you the stats, but none of them compare to actual experience.

Originally Posted by pnwcatlady

1. Are the opportunities for me to make friends? I’m not a bar hopper, but I like to go to community theater, libraries, historical societies, craft groups, and volunteer with animal welfare/rescues.

Yup. Just keep in mind that the more you gravitate toward “village” and farther from “town,” the fewer opportunities like that you’ll have.

Originally Posted by pnwcatlady

2. How much traffic is there along Highway 1? I’m sure it varies by location, but it is super duper crowded, crowded, or light crowds?

Heavy in summer. Especially in and around Portland, but even Wiscasset gets really gnarly on summer weekends. In the off season, it’s no problem at all.

Originally Posted by pnwcatlady

3. Where are some community that fit the seaside village with a low population but some amenities?

See above. Just keep in mind: More “village” = fewer amenities. More “town” or “city” = more amenities.

Originally Posted by pnwcatlady

4. How is the real estate market? The Seattle region is insane, so anything will be be better than here.

MUCH more affordable than Seattle. The downside: Wages are much lower.

A friend of mine often says, “Maine is a great place to live. It is a hard place to make a living.” That is true.

Originally Posted by pnwcatlady

5. Who are the internet and cellphone companies? I have Verizon and I’m hoping I won’t have to switch. I do require high speed internet.

It varies from town to town, but Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, and all the usual suspects are in Maine. We even have electricity and satellite TV now.

Originally Posted by pnwcatlady

6. How often is there major weather events? Like a super blizzard, hurricane, or drought?

Unlike Seattle, Maine has a real winter. You know how when it snows two inches in Seattle, all the hipsters think Armageddon hath come and the entire city shuts down for three days? When it snows two inches in Maine, people don’t even slow down on the highway. Winter generally hits with the first major snowfall in late November or early December and sticks around until March. We generally get two or three good blizzards each season. Sometimes more. Sometimes none.

Hurricanes hit Maine every decade or so but rarely do significant damage.

Drought happens sometimes. But it isn’t chronic. At least not yet.

You'll spend more time worrying over ticks and mosquitoes than severe weather.

Originally Posted by pnwcatlady

7. What if I don’t like lobster? Will I be allowed over the Maine border?

Lots of people in Maine don’t like lobster. Just don’t broadcast it.

[Brodels]

I agree with those who say that given your criteria, Eastport might be too far out of the way for you. You will have to visit to know for sure, but understand that it is relatively isolated, and if you have a desire for even a small city fix at some point, you will be driving quite a distance.

I suggest taking a look at Rockport. It is small, quaint, seaside, and it has some art galleries. Rockland and Camden are nearby for groceries, shopping, restaurants, etc. You would be in between Portland and Bangor, too, so you would have some options if you wanted to visit bigger places without too much hassle. The mid coast has a lot going for it.

You may also want to look at Boothbay Harbor and Belfast, as well as the small coastal towns south of Portland.

[OutdoorLover]

Originally Posted by Brodels

I agree with those who say that given your criteria, Eastport might be too far out of the way for you. You will have to visit to know for sure, but understand that it is relatively isolated, and if you have a desire for even a small city fix at some point, you will be driving quite a distance.

I suggest taking a look at Rockport. It is small, quaint, seaside, and it has some art galleries. Rockland and Camden are nearby for groceries, shopping, restaurants, etc. You would be in between Portland and Bangor, too, so you would have some options if you wanted to visit bigger places without too much hassle. The mid coast has a lot going for it.

You may also want to look at Boothbay Harbor and Belfast, as well as the small coastal towns south of Portland.

Yep, and Rockland, while a little rough around the edges, is just 10 minutes down the road from Rockport, and it has some fine art galleries, plus a lot of musical artists and speakers come to town - principally to the Strand Theatre, and they also have the Lobster Fest and the North Atlantic Blues Fest events in Rockland. There are also Windjammer events in Camden and Rockland each year, and Camden's small but beautiful Opera House hosts artists weekly as well.