Retiring to Maine?

[Mac]

Farmington

Drive times from Farmington:

Boston - 3.5 hours
Montreal - 5 hours
Pinkham Notch - 2 hours
Sunday River - 1 hour
Rangeley - 1 hour
Sugarloaf - 1 hour
Millinocket - 2 hours
Portland - 2 hours
New York - 7 hours

 

[peakbagger]

Long ago Belfast was close to the "armpit" of maine. It was the chicken processing capital of Maine and the river ran red with chicken blood sometimes. It stunk far worse than a pulp mill. No right minded person would want to live there. When the poultry industry collapsed, it took quite awhile until it got cleaned up. A banking firm (cant remember the name) built a lot of call centers in the area and developers moved in cleaning up the place. It is now a high end coastal community. RT 3 has been upgraded and the new bridge in Augusta now means that Belfast has direct connection to a highway that doesnt depend on route 1.

The weather is coastal maine which sometimes means heavy snow followed by rain in the winter but generally lower snow totals than inland. The area is influenced by sea breezes so there can be a bit of difference between right onthe coast versus 10 miles inland. There are plenty of small towns surrounding Rockland that are worth investigating. They still roll up the sidewalks in winter.

 

[spencer]

Real estate a short distance out of town doesn't seem very high priced? I'd like some acreage where I can let the dog out and not worry about the neighbors and be able to do some hunting. We can always drive into town for the stuff we need.

You are going to be pleasantly surprised how much of that there is in the Belfast area. Look at Brooks, Liberty, and Searsmont. You really have to come and drive a round to get the feel of the countryside. Most of those towns will have plenty of opportunities for acreage, will not have any significant downtown like you are used, will have unexpected communities of artists, and will have really beautiful newfangled spreads fit for a king next to tar paper shacks.

The last chicken operation closed last year but you'll still see many of them rotting back into the earth all around.

 

[Stash]

Did it. No regrets.

Mid-coast. Not retirement but telework is the next best thing. I had the option to live anywhere in the northeast 4 years ago. Could not be happier with my choice.

I live in Freeport. Home of LL Bean and thousands of tourists year round and you'd never know it. A well designed town gives you the privacy you look for but the tax base from the tourists that makes living reasonable.

I'm 5 minutes from 295. 15 from Portland. 5 minutes from Bean. And have 1/3 the mil rate I had in CT. Income tax is about the same. Courtesy actually exists.

An hour and a half to North Conway.

...and this is what I see when I walk the dogs in the evening.

 

[Hillwalker]

A retired guy's story

Little Rickey, As you recall, I wanted to respond to your question immediately, but am glad that I waited. There is a lot of good information offered and my view will be from a retiree who only hikes, backpacks, and fly fishes. As a few members of this site are aware, I used to own a mountainside home in Wentworth NH, a mile from the AT and loved it. Three years ago a guy stopped by the house and offered me almost twice the market price if I would sell. I had been toying with the idea of selling, buying a travel trailer and traveling around the country as I had done 20 some years ago. So, I jumped on the opportunity, sold my house and headed West. After traveling for about two years I decided to buy another house in the NE since my daughter and a grandchild lived in NH it would be in ME, NH, or VT.

While en route home I spent considerable time on the MLS websites and looked for a remote, small house with at least 20 acres in ME, NH, & VT. As it turned out, Maine had the greatest number of possibilities, and by far the best prices.

I chose a beautiful little house up on a ridge line near the Jay/East Dixfield line.

http://www.trulia.com/property/3053743575-291-Rollins-Ridge-Road-Dixfield-ME-04224

After reading all the comments I must say that my situation is only possible because I am retired therefore commuting and work is not a concern anymore. I hereby vote for Farmington, Maine or it's environs.

 

[PamW]

My parents retired to mid-coast Maine 10 years ago and love it. They live in the Damariscotta area, down on the peninsula coast in New Harbor (actually Chamberlaine, but that is just a post office). It's pretty far off the beaten path but they find it to be very friendly, family-oriented, gorgeous, with lots of activities. Many people retire or move here for the quality of life. They are not hikers so distance to the mountains is not an issue. Good luck with your search!

 

[RoySwkr]

Many years ago a man I knew retired to Georgetown, he found that tidal property dropped 50% in price once you got across the Bath bridge (bridge now widened so may not be as true anymore). He found it very quiet in the off-season and too far away for his many friends from NH to visit as often as he'd hoped. His first wife had died of cancer, and a few years later he had married a much younger woman who still wanted a career and found it hard to get suitable jobs after the move. Ultimately this led to a divorce but he stayed on the property till he died.

 

[Hillwalker]

Georgetown and Five Islands

Many years ago a man I knew retired to Georgetown, he found that tidal property dropped 50% in price once you got across the Bath bridge (bridge now widened so may not be as true anymore). He found it very quiet in the off-season and too far away for his many friends from NH to visit as often as he'd hoped. His first wife had died of cancer, and a few years later he had married a much younger woman who still wanted a career and found it hard to get suitable jobs after the move. Ultimately this led to a divorce but he stayed on the property till he died.

Our family's summer home was on Georgetown (Five Islands) from the 1920s to 1956 when my grandparents passed away. No one in the family could afford to keep the place so it was sold for $5000. It was located on its own cove about 250 yards north from the Five Islands Dock. Two years ago the current owner, who knew our family, had an offer of $1,500,000 for the property, and didn't sell. When I looked in Maine for real estate last summer I never even considered the seacoast knowing that the prices were a wee bit high.

 

[Little Rickie]

Thank you all.

My wife thinks it time for us to go for a drive mid coast for a few days next summer.

 

[peakbagger]

Far more important is to take a drive over there for a few days in January or February!.

 

[Chip]

Far more important is to take a drive over there for a few days in January or February!.

I had a couple job interviews one summer after college in Virginia Beach/Norfolk and went back to finalize an offer in October . Turned down the offer and drove back to CT.

So, yeah. I agree with the advice to visit during the off season. Also, we realized a back road away from town and a long driveway might be great during the summer, but could render the property inaccessible in winter.

 

[marty]

Thank you all.

My wife thinks it time for us to go for a drive mid coast for a few days next summer.

Since you will be driving Midcoast, you might as well check out Brunswick (as previously mentioned), Wiscasset and the Boothbay area. Boothbay Harbor gets very touristy, but some of the neighboring towns, such as Southport Island and the areas around Linekin Bay are quieter and very nice. Not sure about their economy these days, though.

Marty

 

[Little Rickie]

I had a couple job interviews one summer after college in Virginia Beach/Norfolk and went back to finalize an offer in October . Turned down the offer and drove back to CT.

So, yeah. I agree with the advice to visit during the off season. Also, we realized a back road away from town and a long driveway might be great during the summer, but could render the property inaccessible in winter.

You've gotten some snow in CT lately. With global warming and the gulf current things could turn out quite plesentMid Coast Maine.

Far more important is to take a drive over there for a few days in January or February!.

Good ideas, proably will vacation a few times, a little snow doesn't bother us much, we live with lake effect now and have no problem hunkering down for a few days.

I'm thinking now of up to a ten mile radius of Belfast or in Belfast with a camp farther inland, depends on prices. It's a few years off right now, 3 of four parents are still doing well.

We'd rent for a year too so we wouldn't have to rush into a property. What's the rush, it's retirement, may even start a new biz, who knows.

 

[Breeze]

Belfast is a place we pass through frequently on our way from Western Maine to Hancock where we have family and a shared summer vacation property.

Belfast's downtown area is in transformation from the near-dead. As in all things, some of it is wonderful, creative and tasty. There is commercial sprawl, and waterfront development to become a part of smaller-line coastal cruse ship tourism. Belfast in itself has most of what anyone might need, and in addition is not far from Augusta or Waterville or Bangor if you want/need a city fix.

" Within ten miles" of downtown Belfast would include a lot of the best Maine has to offer, which ever direction or route you might chose. I've perused and perambulated pretty much every road and route between Belfast and Waterville, Belfast and Augusta, Belfast and Bangor. Yes there are bedroom towns for commuters, but there is still lots of agragrian enterprise. Small family farms, with or without critters... some of the very vocal " local food" folks in that general area.

The Route 1 corridor IS a sticky wicket from Memorial Day to Columbus Day, but Belfast isn't nearly the worst offender in that regard. When you live there, especially as retired, you plan your errands around what you know and go about your business accordingly. You aren't locked into doing your grocery/town run on the busiest days of the week.

Health care needs to be scrutinized and might be a downer. Belfast is kind of an outlying community and any specialist appointments are going to mean some serious travel time; you need to evaluate according to your risk factors.

I love that area of Maine. As many years as I've traveled to and from DownEast from various places in New England, I still have a soft place in my heart for the Ridge-Road/Coastal Route ( Route 3 from Augusta to Belfast, then US 1 North.). Some of the views from Route 3 are just a tease for what lies in your soul.

Some many years ago D H and I got drawn into a discussion over the " quickest" way for all and sundry family from other places to get to " Camp" from I 95...... did they take 95 north to Bangor and divert from Bangor, or get off in 95 in Augusta and divert to the coastal route.

DH and I left in separate vehicles from our house at the same time. His route was from Bethel to Rumford, Farmington, Norridgewock, Fairfield, Bangor and Ellsworth. My route was Bethel to West Paris, a lot of XC meandering to Winthrop, then 202 into Augusta, 2 roundabouts in Augusta to 3 to Belfast and then north.

We arrived at the mututal destination point within 90 seconds of each other, and called it even.

The Belfast environment has you within a short drive to Acadia ( Bar Harbor edition ) a little longer drive to Acadia ( the Schoodic Edition) and Camden Hills ( the State edition) . Never mind the local scenic and wonderful places you might learn about when you get there.

You aren't crazy to consider that part of Maine.

Breeze

 

[FreightTrain]

I will be retiring in Maine within two years. I moved to NH in 1983 from CT to get away from the crowds. I have loved living in NH the whole time. I will be moving to Maine to once again avoid the crowds. I have fallen in love with downeast Maine. Washington county is the poorest in Maine and do not go there expecting to find employment but the benefits are far to great to list here. I own 25 acres on rt1 in Pembroke Maine and a house 13 miles away in Eastport. My camp in Pembroke provides the land, solitude and relaxation I enjoy. Eastport provides the in town living that is attractive in retirement. Eastport or Moose Island is 4.5 miles long and 1.5 miles wide. so everything is in walking distance. Old home days boasts the best 4th of July celebration in Maine. Things are slower in the off season but a few good beers (including long trail draft), fresh scallops and lobster can be found at The Happy Crab all year round. The locals make happy hour special. Check out places like Cobscook state park, reversing falls, moosehorn wildlife refuge, quoddy state park, old sow. You can pick up ahouse real cheap also, bought mine for $32K

 

[maineguy]

Retire in Maine...

I just read one of those lists of the best/worst places to retire. Maine was one of the worst places, and 3 of the states were in New England.

If you don't mind paying ridiculous taxes, including taxes on pensions, lousy weather and being overrun with hordes of tourists during the summer, then Maine is for you. If you insist on this general area, NH is much better.

Personally, we can't wait to leave when we retire.

ps. Lived here 30 years, but not a native. Not by a long shot.

 

[Little Rickie]

I just read one of those lists of the best/worst places to retire. Maine was one of the worst places, and 3 of the states were in New England.

If you don't mind paying ridiculous taxes, including taxes on pensions, lousy weather and being overrun with hordes of tourists during the summer, then Maine is for you. If you insist on this general area, NH is much better.

Personally, we can't wait to leave when we retire.

ps. Lived here 30 years, but not a native. Not by a long shot.

Where do you live?

 

[maineguy]

I live in Eliot. Just over the border from NH. I commute to MA.

www.rugged-rob.smugmug.com

 

[Little Rickie]

I just read one of those lists of the best/worst places to retire. Maine was one of the worst places, and 3 of the states were in New England.

If you don't mind paying ridiculous taxes, including taxes on pensions, lousy weather ot.

Sounds like New York state? Maine would be a step up.

I think retiring to Maine would be different than working in Maine. Eliot is too far south and it looks like real estate is more expensive there. Thanks for the info. Not everyone has to love Maine that lives there and it is good to hear from them too.

 

[RoySwkr]

Eastport provides the in town living that is attractive in retirement. Eastport or Moose Island is 4.5 miles long and 1.5 miles wide. so everything is in walking distance.

The only problem with living in Eastport is your house always needs repairs and people keep getting murdered, at least if you believe Sarah Graves mystery novels

Was in Calais a few years ago and gas prices were exactly the same everywhere in town, and well above those a few towns over, maybe designed to sting Canadians but zaps the locals too