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The thing that used to make me stay clear of new comers to Maine was this: I lived in a small town. We of course had our yearly town meeting where everything is voted on by the town residents. Never would it fail that someone new moved into town from "away" and would fight locals on issues. Now of course everyone has their right to their opinion and a right to voice it. The problem would be that these people moved to Maine because they supposedly loved the slower pace and simpler life style. Then they would start to slowly and vocally try to change what they said they loved to make it the way it was where they had come from. Why come here and try to change it? Some would try to convince us that if we could only understand how much better off we would be if we changed our town and ourselves. Maybe the reason we live here is because we like it this way! It is not that we are dumb or uneducated. It is not that we have not been to other places or perhaps lived in other areas. We are Mainers. We are smart, educated and very self sufficient. Join us, become part of the community, be friendly, join our churches, committees and local government. Just don't try to change us.
Ever since the rest of America decided that Maine is populated by idiots, many newcomers to Maine have felt the need to "help" Mainers from harming themselves. Sort of like how the U.S. tried to help save Vietnam from the Vietnamese. Not surprisingly, most Mainers do not perceive ourselves as idiots and do not feel we need to be saved by a Peace Corps of mostly well-meaning "outsiders". We know that we're not all rocket scientists, but we get by, somehow. After all, it wasn't our ancestors that created New Jersey and we really don't want Maine to become like NJ, no offense intended to N. Jerseyites. In fact, it's people from places like NJ who seem to be most concerned when they arrive in Maine that Maine is aimlessly headed in a NJ direction and they must use their experience to help Maine prevent that. This is when the problems between "outsiders" and Mainers start to happen. As other posters have suggested, the remedy is to wait a bit and learn about "the lay of the land" and its people before launching into a full-fledged panic to help save Maine from Mainers, well-intentioned as it may be. Then, gradually start to integrate into the community, offer your talent, and chances are you will be well received.
There are two Maines and I can guarantee that in the Portland and possibly Lewiston/Auburn with maybe Orono (because of the college) areas that being from away is not going to be much of hassle because many people who live in these areas are from somewhere else.
And Maine is basically all rural (if Portland was in any other state except Wyoming, Montana, South/North Dakota, Alaska and Nevada it would be considered a small town). Now, ruralism and provincialism go hand in hand no matter what state you live in. I am well familiar with towns in both California and Minnesota that where if you were not born there nor have at least one relative buried in the local cemetery then you are not, nor ever will be, from that town. Even when I was living in a big city like Sacramento, if you were not born there then you will never be from there no matter how long you have lived there. I know a few people who moved to Sacramento when they were like three or four. Ten, fifteen, twenty years later and they were still known as Mike from New York or Jill from Chicago. And if you ever seen Dogtown and Z Boys; all of that stuff about not surfing on someone else's turf was the truth: Locals Only. I only mention that to point out that you will find that stuff everywhere. Why Maine is particularly known for it is open to speculation on my part. The way I see it goes like this: Maine is a beautiful state that for one reason or another has yet to see the development that plagues other states; and Mainers want to keep it that way. Anyone is welcome to move here as long as you respect the state and it's people for what and who they are.
That was the nice version.
There are also other factors at work and this may **** a lot of people off, but Maine is also Vactionland and has been ever since the 1800's; not only for the typical tourists, but for Americas rich. People who do not live here flood into the state and while they are spending money they also poke and prod the locals. Maybe that is not the correct analogy, but it seems close enough as that is the name of the tourism game everywhere. There is a(n) (inside) joke around here that Mainers celebrate the closing of tourist season. The reason; they now have the state to themselves once again.
Then you have the affluent people who come to this state and buy up property and land. Not that there is anything really wrong with that; except that these folks then tell those who once used that land (in some cases for generations) what they now can or cannot do on it. I have read a few accounts of clam diggers who, even though they have been using a certain spot for years upon years are all of sudden not allowed to dig there anymore because the new owners will not allow it. In other cases clam diggers where not allowed to access there spots because in order to do so they would have to cross someone's (newly aquired) land who doesn't allow tresspassing.
So you can see where there would be some resentment towards outsiders.
You can dig clams anywhere you want to if you have a State license. The State of Maine owns the land below the mean (average) high water mark.
You may have to walk around someone's yard who denies access but as soon as you reach the high water mark they cannot tell you to leave.
Many clammers or worm diggers use a boat for access so as to not cross unfriendly folks' land. Every year out of staters call the cops for someone digging in "their" flats. Every year cops tell them they can't stop them by law.
It's just something you have to tolerate if you live on the water.
Like the sound of lobster boats every morning at 5:00 am six days a week. Police hear that complaint a lot from newbies and renters every summer. You either learn to sleep through the noise or move. We don't sleep at our camp that much because of the number of lobster boats in the area in the summer. The sound carries across the still water for miles. I don't like listening to boats at 5:00 AM.
Its' much quieter at the house.
when you get right down to it mainers are a hard working breed.and we have workd hard to keep maine the way it is.but it seems the more people that come to maine for its beauty.want to change it to what they are use to .from fast food joints to big box stores.i like mom n pop stores my self.i can go in and buy a length of stove pipe and get a bite to eat while im at it.dont take ofence its just we would like maine to stay maine.
so come to maine settle down but just remember once you cross the big green bridge forget every thing you have ever learnd about your former state and start learning the maine way of life.good luck
Ever since the rest of America decided that Maine is populated by idiots, many newcomers to Maine have felt the need to "help" Mainers from harming themselves. Sort of like how the U.S. tried to help save Vietnam from the Vietnamese. Not surprisingly, most Mainers do not perceive ourselves as idiots and do not feel we need to be saved by a Peace Corps of mostly well-meaning "outsiders". We know that we're not all rocket scientists, but we get by, somehow. After all, it wasn't our ancestors that created New Jersey and we really don't want Maine to become like NJ, no offense intended to N. Jerseyites. In fact, it's people from places like NJ who seem to be most concerned when they arrive in Maine that Maine is aimlessly headed in a NJ direction and they must use their experience to help Maine prevent that. This is when the problems between "outsiders" and Mainers start to happen. As other posters have suggested, the remedy is to wait a bit and learn about "the lay of the land" and its people before launching into a full-fledged panic to help save Maine from Mainers, well-intentioned as it may be. Then, gradually start to integrate into the community, offer your talent, and chances are you will be well received.
Would you like me to help you clarify what you meant in your post?
Ever since the rest of America decided that Maine is populated by idiots, many newcomers to Maine have felt the need to "help" Mainers from harming themselves. Sort of like how the U.S. tried to help save Vietnam from the Vietnamese. Not surprisingly, most Mainers do not perceive ourselves as idiots and do not feel we need to be saved by a Peace Corps of mostly well-meaning "outsiders". We know that we're not all rocket scientists, but we get by, somehow. After all, it wasn't our ancestors that created New Jersey and we really don't want Maine to become like NJ, no offense intended to N. Jerseyites. In fact, it's people from places like NJ who seem to be most concerned when they arrive in Maine that Maine is aimlessly headed in a NJ direction and they must use their experience to help Maine prevent that. This is when the problems between "outsiders" and Mainers start to happen. As other posters have suggested, the remedy is to wait a bit and learn about "the lay of the land" and its people before launching into a full-fledged panic to help save Maine from Mainers, well-intentioned as it may be. Then, gradually start to integrate into the community, offer your talent, and chances are you will be well received.
This is the same problem that Alaska has when the transplants from the lower 48 move up here. They say they move up here because it's beautiful, and unlike anything they've ever had before. Then next thing you know they want malls, they need this, they need that and start whining how it was where they left. They try to make Alaska just like the place they left. And then they wonder why residents here get disgusted with them moving up here to satisfy their so called "dream place."
Now, I lived in a part of maine that I would never ever tell anyone to live in.
((*since we are a maine group of people, I will not tell you where it was... out of respect, but I get teary everytime I think of it because it was the worst nightmare I had ever LIVED))
But here goes...
My husband is from Ottawa, so he is from away. I was born in Maine and raised since a young child. My husband applied for a job in this area and he got it. He traveled for a month and because it was a long ride we decided I would pack up and move with him there.
When we moved in, I noticed they were treating him like he was a job stealer and surprisingly I was shocked at it, because it also was a state job.
I was outcasted by the local women and my children were shunned. As soon as our rental agreement for our house was up by the realitor we moved away.
That year I lived there, I didn't go out side, I traved 80 miles each week for groceries and if we ran out of milk, DH would chance it to the store. I would make loaves of bread so I wouldn't have to run to the store. I stayed home and I gained 40 lbs. It was the worst.
He had threats and I was scared someone would break in and hurt us somehow. It was terrible.
I am only sharing a freak thing. Maine is generally the most wonderful place that I could be in. This little part was so unlike maine. I thought I should call Stephen King and have him write something up on it. CREEPY PLACE.
So0o.. we put out an ad and we were contacted by the people we bought our home from. There home was there summer home and they were looking for a good family to rent it. After a year they asked if we would like to buy it, and we said yes. Wonderful people.
We are surrounded by a modest amount of people from away and those who have been here for generations.
I can see your fear. But honestly, most of maine is of wonderful people from here and afar. Somebody has to be first....
Most of the time people that move here are looking for what we have not to turn in into a city or something.
Tami~peachie
Last edited by peachie_in_maine; 05-26-2008 at 08:41 AM..
Reason: added some
You can dig clams anywhere you want to if you have a State license. The State of Maine owns the land below the mean (average) high water mark.
You may have to walk around someone's yard who denies access but as soon as you reach the high water mark they cannot tell you to leave.
Many clammers or worm diggers use a boat for access so as to not cross unfriendly folks' land. Every year out of staters call the cops for someone digging in "their" flats. Every year cops tell them they can't stop them by law.
It's just something you have to tolerate if you live on the water.
Like the sound of lobster boats every morning at 5:00 am six days a week. Police hear that complaint a lot from newbies and renters every summer. You either learn to sleep through the noise or move. We don't sleep at our camp that much because of the number of lobster boats in the area in the summer. The sound carries across the still water for miles. I don't like listening to boats at 5:00 AM.Its' much quieter at the house.
That is one complaint I will never understand. I love the sound of the lobster boats out on the water in the early morning. Especially when it's foggy. I would happily pay to hear that sound. If I hear the boats, I know I'm home.
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Same here...
It's unlikely.. but it can happen
