Maine winters--how much snow?

JPine · Feb 14, 2006

Attention all Mainers: I'm considering moving to Maine this summer (as a traveler and possibly to relocate pemanently) and I'd like to know a bit of what to expect. I have been deprived of snow and real "Christmas card experiences" most of my life and think that Maine may have what I'm looking for. I'm currently in Washington state but don't like having to commute to the snow. I want it to fall frequently in the city where I live. I want to XC ski right where I live. Can I expect this in Portland? I undestand that your winters are long and I'll just have to see how I do with that when I live there. I never think winter here is long enough! Please give me some advice and experiences. Oh, and do you get fireflies in the summer? Oh, and how about gardening? Will I be able to garden there or is the season too short? Thanks for any input!

We welcome you to the most heavily taxed state in the country! Get ready for some of the lowest nursing pay rates to cost of living ratios in the country!! Portland's housing pricing are beyond riduculous. A tiny piece of poo is gonna cost at least 250,000 to 300,000 dollars and you'll pay about 3,000 to 4,000 in property taxes , but you won't be making more than 26 or 27 an hour.

Like much of the east coast, Maine has extreme temperatures; really cold in the winter and the summers can be hot and humid in relation to Washington. Lots of people come here from other parts of the country to stay a while, but then soon leave when they realize this state isn't worth the cost of living and there are a bunch of better places to live - like Washington.

Gardening? The weather is fine, but to have a piece of land in the Portland area? - I don't know about that. Your gardening might be limited to window boxes.

XC skiing in Portland? It's located on the coast, so you'll commute to XC skiing areas. Fireflies? Almost never in Portland.

Have you ever been to Portland? It's funny, 'cause it seems that our tourism board does a great job of selling the state and then people get here and they say, "um, this isn't really what I thought Maine would be like..." It is nice in the summer, but I think it may be A LOT different from what you're thinking. Burlington, Vermont might be the outdoor picture perfect place to look into. Other places, Bend, Oregon... Boulder, Colorado... Ketchem, Idaho... Flagstaff, Arizona... or even Upstate New York. I actually know a bunch of people who relocated from Maine to Bellingham, Washington and they love it - it's cheaper than Portland.

If you still decide to come here, I do hope that you have a good time. The people here are decent and friendly.

snowchaser1 · Feb 15, 2006

We welcome you to the most heavily taxed state in the country! Get ready for some of the lowest nursing pay rates to cost of living ratios in the country!! Portland's housing pricing are beyond riduculous. A tiny piece of poo is gonna cost at least 250,000 to 300,000 dollars and you'll pay about 3,000 to 4,000 in property taxes , but you won't be making more than 26 or 27 an hour.
Like much of the east coast, Maine has extreme temperatures; really cold in the winter and the summers can be hot and humid in relation to Washington. Lots of people come here from other parts of the country to stay a while, but then soon leave when they realize this state isn't worth the cost of living and there are a bunch of better places to live - like Washington.
Gardening? The weather is fine, but to have a piece of land in the Portland area? - I don't know about that. Your gardening might be limited to window boxes.
XC skiing in Portland? It's located on the coast, so you'll commute to XC skiing areas. Fireflies? Almost never in Portland.
Have you ever been to Portland? It's funny, 'cause it seems that our tourism board does a great job of selling the state and then people get here and they say, "um, this isn't really what I thought Maine would be like..." It is nice in the summer, but I think it may be A LOT different from what you're thinking. Burlington, Vermont might be the outdoor picture perfect place to look into. Other places, Bend, Oregon... Boulder, Colorado... Ketchem, Idaho... Flagstaff, Arizona... or even Upstate New York. I actually know a bunch of people who relocated from Maine to Bellingham, Washington and they love it - it's cheaper than Portland.
If you still decide to come here, I do hope that you have a good time. The people here are decent and friendly.

Hey, thanks for your honesty! Are you from Maine? Do you still live there? I only mentioned Portland because I figured they'd have the most travel nursing positions available. I've never been to Maine. Bend, OR-too dry in summer, Boulder--talk about expensive!!!!and waaaay crowded, Never been to Ketchem, ID. Been to Flagstaff but don't remember much and I have family in Rochester, NY. Thanks for the suggestions. Bellingham is lovely, but not enough snow for my taste--once again. Did go to Burlington last fall but only a few days. Maybe I should go back and check it out with my bicycle. Anyway, Any other towns in Maine that might meet my needs? I don't care if they're coastal.

JPine · Feb 15, 2006

Hello again! Yes, I'm from Maine, born and raised. I do live here now. The travel nursing positions in Maine are few and far between right now. You're best luck is probably at Maine Med in Portland, however, the travel nursing opportunities there are not what they used to be. One small hospital on the coast where I did a clinical rotation was boasting that they only had to have ONE travel nurse in the past six months 'cause they're so well staffed. Maine isn't really experiencing a shortage, in fact a friend of mine can't even get the overtime she used to as a regular employee. Many new grads do find employement here, but it's getting tighter every year. Last year a few of my friend were searching for a few months for jobs when 3 years ago everyone had a job six months before they graduated. But, I know a lot of people want summer vacations at Maine Med, so I can imagine that experienced travel nurses would come in handy.

Again, I'm completely baffled as to why some people want to move here. Many people don't realize that there's nothing "Norman Rockwell" about Maine (except for Freeport... L.L. Bean). Actually parts of Maine are basically Alabama on ice! :chuckle We do have Ford and Chevy gangs here too! If you want picture-postcard New England, you'll find that in Vermont (along with much better skiing!).

NephroBSN, BSN, RN · Mar 2, 2006

Attention all Mainers: I'm considering moving to Maine this summer (as a traveler and possibly to relocate pemanently) and I'd like to know a bit of what to expect. I have been deprived of snow and real "Christmas card experiences" most of my life and think that Maine may have what I'm looking for. I'm currently in Washington state but don't like having to commute to the snow. I want it to fall frequently in the city where I live. I want to XC ski right where I live. Can I expect this in Portland? I undestand that your winters are long and I'll just have to see how I do with that when I live there. I never think winter here is long enough! Please give me some advice and experiences. Oh, and do you get fireflies in the summer? Oh, and how about gardening? Will I be able to garden there or is the season too short? Thanks for any input!

I have to agree with the other poster here.

LOL I am a native. Mainah. Ayuh.. And I have to travel out of state in order to "live" in Maine..LOLL I've traveled for 4 years. Every year I've traveled I've had state taxes taken out where ever I was. Every year I haven't had enough taken out to make Maine happy so I've paid them. In other words every other state in the union has lower income taxes.

There are only two jobs in Maine. Health care worker and Wal Mart greeter. I jest some there.

I am making $35/hr as a traveler. Could probably go home and make $26 if I'm lucky.

You won't be XC skiing much in Southern Maine and certainly not in Portland . For two reasons. Densly populated and no snow. The Big Pond aka Atlantic Ocean buffers the coast and So Maine doesn't get a reliable amount of snow to XC ski.. Even many of the areas outside of Portland have very spotty XC skiing options. Some winters great others NOTHING.

As the other poster stated it's the highest taxed state in the union. per capita. You won't be able to make a decent living there. Not as a nurse.

They have a state system that graduates alot of nurses and several excellent private colleges that graduate many nurses.

Just not a shortage there.. The technical colleges are busy and many of the local hospitals have paid for all nursing school for it's LPN's and CNA's to go back so they have an inhouse source of RN's.

Good luck if you decide to move. I'd love to go home I just don't see it happening anytime soon.

lvs2nrs3535 · Mar 22, 2006

In defense of Maine, the seasons are wonderful, I love fall the best. As far as winters go and what to expect, well, you never know. It doesnt seem like we have had much snow at all this winter, but last year was brutal!! Commuting in the snow isnt all that bad, take it slow and easy, four wheel drive and/or snow tires help. Portland isnt the only place to live, either. Yes we are horribly and ridiculously taxed. I cant defend that for a second. Having lived in Tucson AZ and Massachesetts, all I can say is, I wouldnt raise my children any other place. It isnt that we dont have crime, but compared to what I saw in Tucson and Mass, we got nothing on them!! My own personal theory is that gangs need somewhere to hang out, and in Maine, there is noplace outside in the winter that works! :lol2:

There are small towns in Maine where you can find nice places to rent/buy, like any other place there are good and bad areas in all the towns. Old Orchard Beach, for example, has nice neighborhoods, and seedy honky-tonk areas, and it is a tourist town in the summer. It also has 7 miles of beach 10 minutes away from whereever you live there. Saco is another town that is nice and still close to the beach. As far as skiing goes, you have to drive to get to it, depending on which mountain you choose, can be 45 minutes or a 2 hour drive. I have friends with season passes that go every weekend, no matter what the weather. If there isnt enough snow, they make their own. It depends on the winter, we didnt have much snow this year, I dont think. I agree with the previous poster about our pay rates, but I dont have enough experience to say much more than that. (I graduate in May)

New Hampshire is supposed to have low tax rates, maybe you should check that out. All I know is, I love Maine, and will be staying till my children graduate from school, then I want to be a travel nurse and see America.

Oh, yeah, and I have a garden every year. There are some things that we cant grow as easy, but I have my tomatoes, cukes, sunflowers and daisies every year, and it makes me SO happy.

Good luck in your search!

IV-PUSH · Apr 4, 2006

everything you are looking for exists mostly from bangor north, housing/land is dirt cheap to further north you go, but there is a trade off....nothing even remotley exciting happening. If you are looking for a settled quite life than this is were you want to head, lots of nursing jobs up that way because people are migrating to the southern portion of the state.

and lots and lots of snow..:-(

LTCRN4LIFE · Apr 5, 2006

As a proud Mainah I am curious....did these gals steer you away or spark your interest even more.

I have to say I agree with the statement from the person who says you need to go north to Bangor. There in the little outlying towns you will find what you are looking for. It is a wonderful state. There are jobs.

NephroBSN, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2006

As a proud Mainah I am curious....did these gals steer you away or spark your interest even more.
I have to say I agree with the statement from the person who says you need to go north to Bangor. There in the little outlying towns you will find what you are looking for. It is a wonderful state. There are jobs.

As a Mainah I am proud of the state also.. I'm proud that as a Mainah I can be honest about the situation to an outsider too. That's a true Mainah. Someone who tells it like it is. I'm proud of that fact.

I am honest about the tax situation there. And the lack of snow in the So part of the state. After all I was born there and have lived there for nigh on 55 years.

BTW they take the same amount of taxes out of Nothern Mainahs as they do us Southern folk.

LTCRN4LIFE · Apr 5, 2006

I too am a real Mainah and yes I agree our taxes are high but in comparison I don't believe our cost of living is that high. In TN groceries is taxed at 7%. Ours is not taxed. You don't want to pay taxes on merchandise...take a day trip to NH. Buy it tax free.

Nothing to do in Maine.....gee...get out and enjoy the great outdoors...Acadia National Park is one of the countrys 10 top vacation spots! Its beautiful. Go kayaking on Maine's pristine lakes and ponds. Swim in lakes you don't have to fear contain poisionous snakes and alligators. Camp where you don't fear you will be killed as your lying in the great outdoors. Lay out under the stars without the fear you'll be stung by scorpians or bit by snakes or spiders.

Never fear a tornado or flood....earthquake or any natural disaster.

Ski any of the great resorts...they also make snow and are open faithfully all winter. Snowmobile up North every day on hundreds and hundreds of trails....like to garden....yes we garden and farm....Maine raises most of the countrys potatoes and ~ 95% of the blueberries too.

Go to a festival, a fair, different towns have bicentenial days and a hot summer evening you can sit out and enjoy a country auction and a church suppah for $5!

Personally, I could do without wintah...I hate snow....and while we didn't have alot this year....I did hold my breath all winter knowing that the norm is to be "dumped on".

indigo girl · Apr 5, 2006

My favorite thing about Maine is the bargain shopping experience. I have found amazing things in their Good Will Stores. LL BEAN donates directly to them apparently because the tags were still on. As for driving in the snow, well the roads are usually handled very well. During a blizzard not long ago, we drove from Maine to RI. As soon as we hit the Mass line, the road clearing was terrible. Maine and NH are experts on snow clearing. I spent 4 years in the Saco, Sanford, Biddeford area, and took classes in Portland. I did not have 4 wheel drive. Expect to spend alot of time driving. If you are being paid a travel rate that's one thing, but taking a local job pays poorly. Working inland, away from Rt 95, your salary drops precipitously. I commuted to Freeport, 1 hour and 15 minutes from Sanford where they were paying under $20/hr four years ago. We left Maine due to the poor pay rates.

The people are nice, and the scenery in some areas is beautiful. But, as one post commented it is not always beautiful. I can't tell you how many car parts, and cars up on blocks I saw in the rural areas. Oh, and the mosquitoes in some places will eat you alive. We had a summer camp up in the Belgrade Lake area. You couldn't ask for a more beautiful place. I also loved the beaches in the Wells area.

But, as some folks like to say, "If you want a well paying job in Maine, you've got to take it with you".

NephroBSN, BSN, RN · Apr 6, 2006

I too am a real Mainah and yes I agree our taxes are high but in comparison I don't believe our cost of living is that high. In TN groceries is taxed at 7%. Ours is not taxed. You don't want to pay taxes on merchandise...take a day trip to NH. Buy it tax free.
Nothing to do in Maine.....gee...get out and enjoy the great outdoors...Acadia National Park is one of the countrys 10 top vacation spots! Its beautiful. Go kayaking on Maine's pristine lakes and ponds. Swim in lakes you don't have to fear contain poisionous snakes and alligators. Camp where you don't fear you will be killed as your lying in the great outdoors. Lay out under the stars without the fear you'll be stung by scorpians or bit by snakes or spiders.
Never fear a tornado or flood....earthquake or any natural disaster.
Ski any of the great resorts...they also make snow and are open faithfully all winter. Snowmobile up North every day on hundreds and hundreds of trails....like to garden....yes we garden and farm....Maine raises most of the countrys potatoes and ~ 95% of the blueberries too.
Go to a festival, a fair, different towns have bicentenial days and a hot summer evening you can sit out and enjoy a country auction and a church suppah for $5!
Personally, I could do without wintah...I hate snow....and while we didn't have alot this year....I did hold my breath all winter knowing that the norm is to be "dumped on".

IN TN they have no income tax. Maine has a snack tax and taxes toilet paper but not magazines. I don't think many go to NH from Downeast. Sort of a futile trip what with the price of gas.

A new home in TN 3 bedrooms 2.5 baths costs around $91,000-$101,000. I don't believe you'll find a new home anywhere in Maine that size.

Sure get out and enjoy the black flies and no see ems..

Augusta floods most every spring, As for tornadoes and earthquakes Maine has had both. Yes, not as frequently or as bad as other places but one can't out rule them.

There have been several years in recent memory when they snowmobile trails lacked snow.

As for skiing plan to spend around $75 a day and that's not counting the gas to get there.

The OP was asking about Portland not the county.

Yes Maine is a great place but it wouldn't be so great if a person wasn't warned appropriately.

BTW is the state still losing most of it's young people. Is it still in a negative growth position population wise.