I haven't read the Stratigic Locations book yet, but have been thinking about moving to Maine. Anyone out there with any thoughts on this?
I would go to Maine ONLY (and I mean ONLY) if you can do it without exposure to the powers/govt. I'll never forget one man who brought his two daughters to a VERY remote cabin in the woods there, and was PROMPTLY (within a month) surrounded by FBI over a custody dispute in Florida. HE never exposed himself to the authorities, stores, local/state gvt, etc. So, be carefull. They look at people like us as CRAZY and dangerous!
I lived in mid-coastal Maine during the 70s. Coastal Maine is a big vacation destination in the summer and fall. This drives up land and housing prices and creates a seasonal economy catering to the "summer complaints". Southern Maine is probably too close to Boston for strategic location purposes.
Once you go upcountry and get away from the coast, you find yourself in the north woods. Large areas of forest are owned by paper companies. Generally, there is very little employment.
As in most of New England, the soil is very rocky and acidic, not particularly fertile. Mosquitos and especially black flies are a real problem. If you aren't familiar with black flies, you need to find out, because they come in clouds and will chase you indoors during the spring and early summer.
Winters on the coast are moderated by the ocean, and the climate compares to that in upstate New York. Further inland, you get -30 and -40 degree temperatures and deep snow - a serious winter. Summers are short, hot and buggy.
It has a certain beauty, and lots of rugged individuals and old-timers, but I think there are many better places to go.
My family is from New Brunswick and I grew up near Boston, spent a couple of summers in Maine as a kid and spent lots of time vacationing and hunting in Maine besides driving thru between New Brusnwick and Boston until the 70s. I love it, but have to concurr with Alonzo Wight, that there are better places. My impression is there are still some pretty self-sufficient folks there, but also too much liberal overflow from Boston. Look at the voting records of their senators and representives.
Thanks for all the input!
I presently work for U.S. Customs and will be in the Houlton area for a two week temporary duty assignment from 2/4-2/17/2001. My wife is an elementary school teacher here in Queens, NY. She wants to relocate to Maine to get away from New York. I want to leave too. I am concerned about her being able to find a job if I end up working in one of the remote areas of northern Maine. Any suggestions from you great people of Maine? I have heard a little about the black flies but I need more info. How do you deal with them? Also, any fellow Masons in Maine?
Thanks,
Mike Kirkpatrick
Mike -
See my message about Louisville. I lived in Maine for 8 years in the seventies. Of the two places, I would easily choose Louisville, where I now live.
Blackflies: Alot like gnats, but they come in thick swarms and their bites draw blood. You won't enjoy being outdoors when they are thick no matter what you do. Wear long clothes and a headnet if you must go out. Stay indoors during fly season and during the worst part of the day - late afternoon. You just get used to battling them. Bug spray is some help, at least it keeps the cloud a few inches away and reduces the number of bites. Some people are allergic to the bites and find that they swell and get infected easily. For others, the bite rapidly vanishes. They are bad in the late spring and early summer, then they taper off.
Alonzo