Considering a move to Portland, ME--would love advice from those who know the area

[Anonymous]

Why do you want 1-4 acres? Thats a huge change from a DC row house.

[Anonymous]

What does "welcoming" mean? Will people be civil and helpful in the event of extreme weather? Yes.

But New England is not known for being a place to make friends in adulthood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, how old are your DCs? No teen wants to live on 1-4 acres with no Uber or public transit. They'll wonder why you ripped them out of their rowhouse.

As someone who knows teens in rural New England, you have no idea what you're saying.

That's fascinating. What do these teens like to do in the rural Maine?
-NP

[Anonymous]

New Englanders are cold people. The food is bland. The weather is awful in winter (though lovely in summer). I would stay in DC.

-Wife of a New Englander

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, how old are your DCs? No teen wants to live on 1-4 acres with no Uber or public transit. They'll wonder why you ripped them out of their rowhouse.

As someone who knows teens in rural New England, you have no idea what you're saying.

That's fascinating. What do these teens like to do in the rural Maine?
-NP

School, sports, friends, what did you expect? It's not really any different from suburban DC for a lot of these kids. Then you have the kids who really embrace the outdoors lifestyle, in addition to outdoor activities it's also helping their parents take care of their multiple acres, mowing, gardening, even some livestock. My cousin in NH keeps chickens and her teen daughter is the one who takes care of the chickens and has her own vegetable plot. Her son is on a traveling soccer team that plays in statewide competitions and in looking at colleges very much wants to be at a rural LAC, no interest in cities.

If you think it's a bunch of bored kids on meth, then let me introduce you to poor urban DC before you start making sweeping generalizations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New Englanders are cold people. The food is bland. The weather is awful in winter (though lovely in summer). I would stay in DC.

-Wife of a New Englander

None of this is accurate, although if you hate winter then don't move here.

-Native New Englander who lives in MidCoast Maine

[Anonymous]

^^^ ... but it is true that summers are glorious, as is the fall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New Englanders are cold people. The food is bland. The weather is awful in winter (though lovely in summer). I would stay in DC.

-Wife of a New Englander

None of this is accurate, although if you hate winter then don't move here.

-Native New Englander who lives in MidCoast Maine

LOVED living in Portland. That was when the Old Port was still a little gritty with large number of bars and fishermen letting off steam. Now, I'm older and the Old Port has matured into lounges, wine bars, and some excellent restaurants (Fore Street).
I'd check out the usual suburbs mentioned earlier. Enjoy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New Englanders are cold people. The food is bland. The weather is awful in winter (though lovely in summer). I would stay in DC.

-Wife of a New Englander

You're wrong about the food. https://wblm.com/portland-maine-best-foodie-cities-usa/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New Englanders are cold people. The food is bland. The weather is awful in winter (though lovely in summer). I would stay in DC.

-Wife of a New Englander

None of this is accurate, although if you hate winter then don't move here.

-Native New Englander who lives in MidCoast Maine

I think Maine differs from the rest of New England. I have found Maine people to be down to earth, practical and friendly. They lack the superiority complex the Massachusetts & uppity parts of NE have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New Englanders are cold people. The food is bland. The weather is awful in winter (though lovely in summer). I would stay in DC.

-Wife of a New Englander

None of this is accurate, although if you hate winter then don't move here.

-Native New Englander who lives in MidCoast Maine

I think Maine differs from the rest of New England. I have found Maine people to be down to earth, practical and friendly. They lack the superiority complex the Massachusetts & uppity parts of NE have.

New Englander PP here and I agree. It's been very easy to become part of our local community.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the suggestions! We can afford to put more into a house, but we also are low-key people and figured we'd at least start looking in not-quite-as-expensive areas. And those who pointed out that we don't need quite that much land are right--we want trees and a yard, but will travel for hiking, biking and other outdoor fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New Englanders are cold people. The food is bland. The weather is awful in winter (though lovely in summer). I would stay in DC.

-Wife of a New Englander

+1
They also look down their noses at anyone born in other areas of the country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New Englanders are cold people. The food is bland. The weather is awful in winter (though lovely in summer). I would stay in DC.

-Wife of a New Englander

None of this is accurate, although if you hate winter then don't move here.

-Native New Englander who lives in MidCoast Maine

I think Maine differs from the rest of New England. I have found Maine people to be down to earth, practical and friendly. They lack the superiority complex the Massachusetts & uppity parts of NE have.

The word you're looking for is Mainers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the suggestions! We can afford to put more into a house, but we also are low-key people and figured we'd at least start looking in not-quite-as-expensive areas. And those who pointed out that we don't need quite that much land are right--we want trees and a yard, but will travel for hiking, biking and other outdoor fun.

If you are OK with a smaller plot, you should be able to find a house you like in the suburbs you mentioned. You're not moving to Falmouth Foreside, but not many of us are.