Why is Maine a poor state? (Portland, Cooper: loan, purchase, deductible)

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by lewimaech235

I'm not saying Maine is a poor state,

'Poor' in lifestyle? Poor in natural resources? Poor fishing, hunting, trapping or foraging?

... and I don't really know the entire dynamic of Maine, but from what I know, upstate Maine can be extremely rural, and essentially very far from any major cities, in which decent paying jobs would be available.

'Upstate Maine' is a phrase rarely ever heard. Northern Maine is a more common phrase. Though I live in the Southern half of Maine. It is my understanding that much of Northern Maine is fairly rural. Some parts of the Southern half of Maine are also fairly rural.

High paying jobs become rare once you leave the Boston bedroom community of Portland.

... From other things I've read from Maine, some places are extremely rural up there, and many of them are living off of the government. I don't know, but that could be a participating factor.

According to: Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed

Maine ranks at #35 in terms of Total Welfare recipients. Behind these states: California, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Washington, Indiana, Georgia, Florida, Arizona, Missouri, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, Maryland, Louisiana, Iowa, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Mississippi, Alabama, Oregon, Connecticut, District of Columbia, New Mexico, West Virginia, and Kansas.

[lewimaech235]

Originally Posted by Submariner

'Poor' in lifestyle? Poor in natural resources? Poor fishing, hunting, trapping or foraging?

Poor in regards to the lifestyle, and possibly living. In regards to vacation, resources, and country-oriented activites, no...

I apologize. I should have been more specific.

[maineguy8888]

I live in northern Maine, and yes it's relatively poor by the numbers. I know that on a logical level. But I see many, many big, expensive cars and trucks around here, and I wonder, "who is buying all of these??" I just don't get it.

Just a clarification for what it's worth: half of northern Maine (the northwest part) is EXTREMELY rural; it's the biggest semi-wilderness east of the Mississippi. But the northeast part is not like that. There are well over 100,000 people within an hour's drive of my house. (This includes right across the border).

[lewimaech235]

Originally Posted by maineguy8888

I live in northern Maine, and yes it's relatively poor by the numbers. I know that on a logical level. But I see many, many big, expensive cars and trucks around here, and I wonder, "who is buying all of these??" I just don't get it.

Just a clarification for what it's worth: half of northern Maine (the northwest part) is EXTREMELY rural; it's the biggest semi-wilderness east of the Mississippi. But the northeast part is not like that. There are well over 100,000 people within an hour's drive of my house. (This includes right across the border).

I thought so. Yeah, about the expensive stuff, I think quite a few wealthy individuals like extremely rural areas to get away for a few weeks, or so. I would doubt that it would be a local's item.

[maineguy8888]

I can generally tell when the cars and trucks belong to out of staters. These are almost all local folks. And they're driving $30,000-$50,000 vehicles. Maybe they are doing it with incredible debt, I don't know.

[lewimaech235]

Originally Posted by maineguy8888

I can generally tell when the cars and trucks belong to out of staters. These are almost all local folks. And they're driving $30,000-$50,000 vehicles. Maybe they are doing it with incredible debt, I don't know.

It's just going to get repossessed. That, or the vehicle is just registered in-state because the wealthy outsider has a valid address in the state of Maine.

[Maine Writer]

Originally Posted by lewimaech235

Poor in regards to the lifestyle, and possibly living. In regards to vacation, resources, and country-oriented activites, no...

I apologize. I should have been more specific.

Originally Posted by lewimaech235

I thought so. Yeah, about the expensive stuff, I think quite a few wealthy individuals like extremely rural areas to get away for a few weeks, or so. I would doubt that it would be a local's item.

Originally Posted by lewimaech235

It's just going to get repossessed. That, or the vehicle is just registered in-state because the wealthy outsider has a valid address in the state of Maine.

Have you ever been here?

[lewimaech235]

Originally Posted by Maine Writer

Have you ever been here?

Yes. I have been all the the way to the upstate region, too. I don't know Maine's demographics very well, however.

[beltrams]

I sometimes see a very nice truck and/or large, newish, travel trailer parked in yards of homes in northern Maine that many might consider somewhat run down, but those are the choices some people make. It wouldn't necessarily be my choice to put $20K into a travel trailer versus fixing up a house, but their life is not my life, so what do I know about their situation? Not much.

[lewimaech235]

Originally Posted by beltrams

I sometimes see a very nice truck and/or large, newish, travel trailer parked in yards of homes in northern Maine that many might consider somewhat run down, but those are the choices some people make. It wouldn't necessarily be my choice to put $20K into a travel trailer versus fixing up a house, but their life is not my life, so what do I know about their situation? Not much.

Philosophies can be relatively skewed in areas, such as rural Maine. Just take Alaska as an example.