Other than how to pronounce Passagassawaukeag…
So you’re thinking about moving. To Maine, of all places. And why not?!
It’s not known as “Vacationland” for nothing. From industrial to farmland, creative and artistic communities abound and the camaraderie between folks is palpable. There’s plenty to do, inside and out….. unless you’ve chosen a remote area of the state to, uh, plant your roots.
While any Real Estate Agent worth their salt would be able to break down the specifics of balancing work with location… there’s a few things you should know from “The Locals”. We’re gonna help you out a little bit, ok?
1. Do not expect “Vacationland” living year round.
It’s just not how it is. Certainly, there are times of the year which are more busy than others… but it’s just not boppin 24/7.
Besides, when you trade being a tourist for becoming a resident, life sorta slows down. Not in a bad way, mind you, it just becomes a nice easy pace of living. You figure out the best times to head places and get supplies, rather than venturing out when the tourist traffic is at its peak.
Shore dinners become more of an occasional thing, but finding local gems like the best little-known hiking trail, a private locals beach, or a secluded spot where you can just breathe and not be trampled by an out-of-towner… that’s going to become priceless.
2. Learn to Love Winter
Now, you know this had to come up sooner or later… and we’d like to address it head on… Because winter can be a long, long season up here in the North Country. It’s not unheard of to have flakes flying at the end of October, and to still be frozen well through March… and sometimes even April.
As much as it stinks to have to shovel after it snows, then salt/sand… the scenery alone is absolutely gorgeous. To be able to venture out and peek over a wide open field with no tracks illuminated by a full moon, to catch sunrise and the impossibly clear blue the sky is after a storm- there truly are no words to describe the beauty Maine landscapes hold. The holidays are also breathtaking- where else can you enjoy festive decorations, lighted trees, and fresh snowfall?!
That’s Maine.
Our personal advice – invest in a good snowblower or small tractor if you can. At the very least, remember to pick up your shovel before the snow hits… because once it does, inevitably they run out of stock… and you literally don’t wanna be out in the snow without a shovel.
2. Embrace the Rural Lifestyle
Be careful where you choose to live in Maine, because unlike some bigger areas… we just don’t have a plethora of things to always choose from.
Libraries, Police Departments, Fire Departments and Schools are often combined regionally- which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s just something to be aware of when you decide to make your move. Plus, with the pandemic having hit and resulting in higher work-at-home jobs and home-schooling, you do want to make sure you have a good broadband connection.
Not all areas have top speed access, like say Boston or New York City, but infrastructure has just been approved to begin expanding access across the state. Do your homework- it’s easier to walk to a cafe to get faster access, than to drive in bad weather to get there. Right?! Point is, make sure you research your options before making the choice, rather than finding out after the fact that you cannot get the service you were looking for. The price of being more rural can be the tradeoff in some cases!
4. Get to Know Old Houses (& Old Traditions)
Believe it or not, Maine has some of the oldest housing stock in the US.
With that, comes the inevitable realization you may take on a fixer-upper which needs more fixing than a more modern home.
Unique to these homes are things like replacing knob-and-tube wiring, centuries old sewage lines, asbestos insulation and more. In fact, it just might be to your benefit to take a well heeled expert in fixing these issues along on your search for a home. Lucky for you, because of these unique issues, Maine has a lot of contractors who are familiar with fixing these types of things.
On the flip side, you’re also going to want to find out if you’re part of (or near) a network of snowmobile trails (sound travels!) or local hunting grounds.
Why?
Because we Mainers love our traditions. And don’t like change.
If it’s been established over the past 200 years, we’re likely to keep that tradition going for the next 200…
5. Yankee Hospitality is Legendary
And not in the sort of “Southern Hospitality” kind of way.
But don’t let that fool you… when decent people move in, who both respect our traditions and way of life, you’ll find yourself welcomed into the fold of our friendship fairly quickly. (wow, say that ten times fast!)
Mainers have a reputation to keep, of being chilly both in weather and in persona.
But deep down… we’re really just like everyone else. Quick witted, dry humor is often mistaken for being unfriendly.
We keep watch over our neighbors, to make sure you’re ok. If you’ve just moved in, we’re likely to bring a platter of baked goods and some funny witticisms you’re going to scratch your head at.
Every so often we’re going to talk in a weird dialect you’re not going to be used to, and it’s done on purpose. So later on tonight, when you’re just about to go to sleep… you go “OH! THAT’S what s/he said!!!”
Why?
Because we can.
(it means we like you)