Random questions about our upcoming move...

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Banks:
Bangor Savings and Machias Savings are Maine Based Banks as is Merrill. See if the local branch is open on Saturdays. That's important if you live in Rural Maine. I also highly recommend credit unions. They usually have the best interest rates.

Car insurance:
Go with USAA if you are eligible. They are the best in maine and the best in the nation.

Phone service:
Good luck. We have some just plain awful phone companies in Maine. You have a choice for long distance. You have no choice as to who brings in your land line which you will need for DSL.

[woolwiTch]

Depending on where you are in midcoast Maine, if you want to bundle your phone with your cable, you may be in Comcast land rather than Time Warner. If you're not bundling, then you may be stuck with the dreadful FairPoint. Another option if you can get DSL is to go with gwi.net. I have heard great things about them and I just haven't gotten around to talking to them myself.

On a side note, are you going to be in a part of the midcoast that has cable TV? Quite a few of the peninsula areas don't have cable or any wired broadband access. If so, and you want more TV than antenna, then you can go with DirecTV, which we've been happy with. I'm personally not a fan of Dish Network. I hope you'll have wired broadband access, since it would be painful to go back to dial-up and satellite internet is pricey and not all that good.

Again, depending on where you are in the midcoast, Five Counties Credit Union may be an option for your banking. There are quite a few Bank of America branches in the midcoast, but I am also not a fan. I fell into being one of their customers after they acquired Fleet Bank, but I'm considering leaving just a little bit of money with them so that I'll have good ATM options when traveling and moving the rest of our money to Five Counties or a Maine bank.

[lovemaine]

Thanks so much everyone! Lots of great info.! We had our Nationwide agent here in NC check on rates in Maine. The increase isn't huge, but it's enough to make us want to shop around. We'll just hang on to our B of A account until we get settled. It'll be one less thing to worry about right off the bat. Sounds like phone and internet might be a challenge. Once we find a rental, I'll get right on that too.

Thanks again! You guys are the best!

[gcberry]

didn't hear anyone mention Norway Savings Bank. Any opinions?

Also, does anyone have a recommendation for a Maine-based bank for construction loans?

[GarlicGuy]

Bangor Savings Bank but don't forget Maine Credit Unions.. all over

as for insurance... I've been getting much better rates from a local independent insurance company. They beat all the big guys....

[msina]

Camden National Bank is also a good one.