Thinking about moving to Maine from Alberta.

[firefighterjake]

As for hunting and fishing . . . it's hard to find a spot in Maine that doesn't offer decent hunting and fishing with a 20-45 minute drive . . . a lot depends on what you want to hunt and fish . . . if you're into moose up north and downeast is good, central Maine offers fantastic deer and turkey hunting . . . and then there is the salt water vs. fresh water fishing debate. Really . . . it's hard to not find a place where you can't find something to hunt or fish.

Schools . . . again, like anywhere there are good school systems and bad . . . I suspect most school systems do well enough. I know I graduated from a podunk small town school built in a former cow field where there were 11 towns that sent their kids to school . . . thought it was pretty hickish . . . until I went to college and realized that my education was actually quite good compared to many other freshmen in college.

So . . . back to your wife . . . what is she looking for . . . does she want to work at a larger hospital that may be a little more cutting edge (nothing is too cutting edge up here though) -- in this case, generally the further south and larger hospitals are your best bet. Does she want a slower pace and more of a community hospital experience -- a small city hospital may be the better choice.

Thanks Jake. Lots of great info you posted there.

I guess as far as schools go, I don't need private school for my girls. I just want the "typical" school for them to attend.
Hopefully a school that 6 year olds don't need to go through metal detectors at the front "gate."

Honestly, school violence can happen anywhere and I know many high schools now have law enforcement officers on site and most all schools are now locking their doors while school is in session . . . partly due to the whole Columbine and Columbine copycats and partly to keep whackadoodles (or angry separated parents) from wandering into the school and attempting an abduction. That said, I go to many schools in the area and I have yet to see any metal detectors.

Wife's work. She like's the action. She has worked adult but much prefers PICU and NICU. Children's Emergency would
be good too. Skateboards,snowboards and trampolines keep them busy!

I don't think any hospital has a dedicated children's ER . . . maybe Portland would. If she wants to work with children and the higher accuity you would want to stick with Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor or the hospitals in LA and Portland. Most other hospitals can work with children, but not at the same higher accuity and many do not have a dedicated floor just for children.

Me. Work will be me putting on the Mr. Mom hat. It will take a while before I can get a working visa. I am also having some
back issues. I am going for an MRI this week to hopefully find the cause of crippling sciatica that I have been going through
for the last 4 months. I am not able to work as a result and have no money coming in at present. I know that pain is just
weakness leaving the body but this is really taking a toll on me.

Could you tell what the employment situation is like in the area for a 40 year old guy with 20 years of shipping/receiving,
forklift operating experience? Is there much in the way of warehousing anywhere close to the area. If I had to drive 45
minutes to work,that would be fine.

As our new Inspector told me . . . "There is work here in Maine -- it just may not be what you used to do, it may not pay the same and you may end up traveling a bit further for the job." I suspect you would find there are some warehouse/forklift jobs available -- warehouses in some of the larger cities and in a few ports. How these jobs pay and how many jobs are available . . . I'm not sure.

Fishing/Hunting. I would basically love to hunt everything except bears. My preferred fishing is for Walleye. I also enjoy Bass
and pike fishing. I have only ever fished Saltwater for Salmon on guided trips but would love to learn to fish on my own for
whatever species there are.(I have absolutely no idea what a guy can catch in the area.)

Not a fisherman or hunter. I know many folks that fish freshwater go for bass, land-locked salmon, trout, etc. As for hunting -- turkey, blackbear, deer, partridge (aka grouse), moose (lottery) . . .

Overall,my ideal home would be located in an area where I can't hear my closest neighbours dog barking or diesel truck
idling. The home would be within 20 minutes of grocery shopping and various other ameneties. Kids playgrounds,community
pools etc. would be fairly close as well. I guess I want my cake and would like to eat it too!

Honestly, this is do-able . . . within reasons . . . I mean to say there are many spots that would fit into this requirement for being quiet, but close to the amenities -- both on the outskirts of some cities and in some bedroom communities to the cities.

 

[KTLM]

Please consider moving to Pennsylvania. And bring some money. We don't have any. Our elected officials spent it all on sports stadiums and gambling casinos. All that aside, I hope your move goes well and Maine is a truly beautiful place to live.

 

[kettensäge]

I vacationed once near Waterville. Week long fishing trip, stayed at a camp with authentic log cabins from the '20's. Awesome. Seemed like the people were so laid back in Maine that I thought I was in a different country.

You want to see really laid back you should head to the County . . . not lazy up there at all . . . but definitely a whole other breed of Mainiacs . . . they would give their shirt off a back to a stranger if they thought he needed it more than they did.

The County?

 

[peterc38]

I vacationed once near Waterville. Week long fishing trip, stayed at a camp with authentic log cabins from the '20's. Awesome. Seemed like the people were so laid back in Maine that I thought I was in a different country.

You want to see really laid back you should head to the County . . . not lazy up there at all . . . but definitely a whole other breed of Mainiacs . . . they would give their shirt off a back to a stranger if they thought he needed it more than they did.

The County?

Yeah, the county. If your from Maine, it needs no further explanation. For all others, "The County" is Aroostook County, largest county east of the Mississippi. My wife is from there. it's God's country, but there ain't a whole lot goin' on for work.

 

[Delta-T]

I suggest you start drinking Moxie now, that way you'll have built up a tolerance by the time you move to Maine.

 

[firefighterjake]

I vacationed once near Waterville. Week long fishing trip, stayed at a camp with authentic log cabins from the '20's. Awesome. Seemed like the people were so laid back in Maine that I thought I was in a different country.

You want to see really laid back you should head to the County . . . not lazy up there at all . . . but definitely a whole other breed of Mainiacs . . . they would give their shirt off a back to a stranger if they thought he needed it more than they did.

The County?

Yup . . . The County with a capital "C" . . . as stated . . . Aroostook County . . . the crown of Maine . . . and a whole other world.

 

[firefighterjake]

I suggest you start drinking Moxie now, that way you'll have built up a tolerance by the time you move to Maine.

HehHeh . . . Maine's official state soft drink . . . it's good . . . but an acquired taste . . . most folks say it tastes like a combination of Coca Cola and cough syrup.

 

[Delta-T]

I suggest you start drinking Moxie now, that way you'll have built up a tolerance by the time you move to Maine.

HehHeh . . . Maine's official state soft drink . . . it's good . . . but an acquired taste . . . most folks say it tastes like a combination of Coca Cola and cough syrup.

I say rusty nails, and I like it. Last week I used it as a marinade for ribs...deliciouso!

 

[Adios Pantalones]

I haven't had it since I was a kid. On purpose.

 

[Wallyworld]

I suggest you start drinking Moxie now, that way you'll have built up a tolerance by the time you move to Maine.

Moxie? Nobody drinks that stuff, Allens Coffee Brandy is Maines drink of choice

 

[okotoks guy]

I suggest you start drinking Moxie now, that way you'll have built up a tolerance by the time you move to Maine.

HehHeh . . . Maine's official state soft drink . . . it's good . . . but an acquired taste . . . most folks say it tastes like a combination of Coca Cola and cough syrup.

Sounds like Red Bull!

Wow, I'm getting lots of really great feedback. Thank You all,I truly appreciate it.

I am a member of an Outdoors Forum up here in Alberta and there is a lot of taunting,disrespect,bullying etc. There are lots of Threads that need to be locked by the Moderators. This forum is a breath of fresh air!

 

[kettensäge]

I vacationed once near Waterville. Week long fishing trip, stayed at a camp with authentic log cabins from the '20's. Awesome. Seemed like the people were so laid back in Maine that I thought I was in a different country.

You want to see really laid back you should head to the County . . . not lazy up there at all . . . but definitely a whole other breed of Mainiacs . . . they would give their shirt off a back to a stranger if they thought he needed it more than they did.

The County?

Yup . . . The County with a capital "C" . . . as stated . . . Aroostook County . . . the crown of Maine . . . and a whole other world.

Oh, Ok I might have been there as well since we went to Bar Harbor, Boothbay Harbor, Acadia, and a couple other places along the coast. The whole place was awesome.


Here in this area of PA, the County is the county lock up. Never been there.

 

[nate379]

Moxie.. YUK! I'd rather run my tongue on the brim of a Walmart toilet than drink that stuff. Seriously

No coast for Aroostook.. Bar Harbor and all that is WAY downstate.

Grew up in Keegan, ME if you are wondering. My folks still live there, sister in Eagle Lake and brother in Houlton.

Have to say living out here in AK is very much the same as what I grew up to. People are great (well outside of Anchorage anyhow), views... can't beat them... do wish we got more snow though, only get a couple feet a winter.

 

[firefighterjake]

I vacationed once near Waterville. Week long fishing trip, stayed at a camp with authentic log cabins from the '20's. Awesome. Seemed like the people were so laid back in Maine that I thought I was in a different country.

You want to see really laid back you should head to the County . . . not lazy up there at all . . . but definitely a whole other breed of Mainiacs . . . they would give their shirt off a back to a stranger if they thought he needed it more than they did.

The County?

Yup . . . The County with a capital "C" . . . as stated . . . Aroostook County . . . the crown of Maine . . . and a whole other world.

Oh, Ok I might have been there as well since we went to Bar Harbor, Boothbay Harbor, Acadia, and a couple other places along the coast. The whole place was awesome.


Here in this area of PA, the County is the county lock up. Never been there.

Nope . . . at least not if you were in the Bar Harbor area . . . County is way, way up there . . . go to far north and you're in a whole other country where they spell things funny.

 

[firefighterjake]

Moxie.. YUK! I'd rather run my tongue on the brim of a Walmart toilet than drink that stuff. Seriously

No coast for Aroostook.. Bar Harbor and all that is WAY downstate.

Grew up in Keegan, ME if you are wondering. My folks still live there, sister in Eagle Lake and brother in Houlton.

Have to say living out here in AK is very much the same as what I grew up to. People are great (well outside of Anchorage anyhow), views... can't beat them... do wish we got more snow though, only get a couple feet a winter.

Gotta move over to the Girdwood area for the snow . . . although my sister said this past year was an odd one with lots of rain for quite some time until the weather pattern shifted and then they got the normal snow.

Now as for Moxie . . . you sure you're from Maine? Next thing you know you'll be telling me that you dislike Fox or Humpty Dumpty salt and vinegar potato chips and hate whoopie pies.

 

[Adios Pantalones]

Whoopie pies are just inside out birthday cake. Anyone doesn't like them... not sure I'd trust someone like that. same people don't like dogs.