My sister & I are visiting Maine next month to check out possibly relocating, where should we look?

Question

Maine has peaked our interest as possible places to relocate so we are coming to check it out. We like the jobs in Portland & the homes in Bangor & Rumford areas, but have no idea where all we would want to look as far as where is desirable & where is ghetto. We could use some help & information as best places to check out country living within close proximity to jobs & I see most homes have electric wall heat. Is there no natural gas out there? High speed internet is going to be a must as well so I guess we can't go too rural. HELP! Thanks.

Answer 1

I live in the Rumford area. I wouldn't go to Rumford, it smells awful because of the New Page paper mill and is kinda sketchy too. The surrounding towns are nice. However you have to drive 30 minutes just to find anything (groceries, movies, clothes etc.) The best place near Rumford is Bethel. It has the Sunday River Ski Resort and is just a great town. It's a little more expensive to live there (not as much as near Portland) but the school system is great as they just hired a new principal who is amazing. Don't worry about internet and oil heating there. Maine has a little more than its reputation may lead you to believe. We have high-speed internet, oil heating, and HDTV. I personally love it here in Maine and I hope you have a nice experience here!

PLUS: The scenery in Bethel is beautiful! It is also close to the best place in the state to see moose in Rangeley!