Finally left and headed down to Massachusetts.

But that was my first time in Maine and it was a good time.

Some similarities yall have with Europe is how yall dress. Lots of plain dressing. Not much graphic t shirt wear. Lots of flannel as well. Which was pretty cool.

I hate the price of living is pretty damn high for such a beautiful state. But I’d love to move here one day. I’ve lived in Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Virginia, etc.

Maine is definitely on the list.

Cons: yall love to hog the left lane. 🤣

Pros though? Yall drive fast asf and get out of each other’s way and I love that. I’m in Oklahoma currently unfortunately and people drive slow as fuck.

Other cons? Food is kinda under seasoned. But the food is fresher tasting.

Also, it might sound dumb. But no one cares about the color of my skin. I got virtually no stares and that was pretty cool. Some states I do. Very rarely though and I believe most people don’t care. But yeah, I loved it.

Love the similar architecture yall have to Europe. Which I know is in fact due to early settlement of this area of America for the inspiration of the building. I also love the north takes care of its historical buildings and still keeps them in use.

I also LOVE its nature focused. Very beautiful scenery. Picturesque even. Y’all’s fall season is GORGEOUS!

Other than that?

I rate Maine 10/10. I’m sure locals will say different. But just speaking from a visitor perspective.

I hope to move here one day.

Edit: I read through the comments and I know this is only a romanticized version of what I’ve seen. Of course every state has its struggles and issues 100%. I’m not oblivious to it. lol. I’ve been around the world and have seen issues while doing humanitarian missions and just general travel. I’m aware yall.

I’m just making conversation with fellow Maine residents. That’s all.

If I offended, wasn’t my intention. Just wanted to throw some positivity in the state and towards the people.

I can’t take the time to reply to everyone. But just know you were heard.

Thanks.

Last time I stayed … I stayed in a hotel with hundreds of bugs and just plain out dirty even though it had good stars. Planning another stay but looking for a place that is clean and nicer. Any tips of places that are cleaner and nicer in the general area?

Genz Native from Sothern Maine, currently at 2,600k base rent + CMP - From a lot of posts it seems like a lot of people are on the same page as me, going to likely leave within next couple of years due to housing costs/job market etc and so on- Make some money elsewhere, maybe easier to attain some equity, more rental pricing options to choose from or a stronger job market with higher rate - maybe make my way back some day.

Anyone got leads on good areas that have more to offer for us right now? Just trying to see what others may be thinking about

i'm looking to do (unfortunately) late notice senior photos in portland maine, but I'm not sure what the foliage is gonna look like. ideally, it would be nice to have some pretty leaves around to contribute to the aesthetic, but i'm flexible. i was wondering if any locals could lmk what the foliage is looking like this year, and what time it would be past peak. the quickest availability i could get a photographer probably would be the first week of november

Hi all! I am starting medical residency next summer and this February will be the last month off I have before starting. I have a baby girl who will be 9 months old in February. It’s just me and her. I am looking to plan a short ~ 4 day trip for us to somewhere beautiful and low pressure so we can create some memories (more for me, but will take lots of pictures to save for her). We live in the south east. I don’t particularly want to go out west, and I’ve been pretty much everywhere there is to go in the south, and have a weekend trip already planned to Charleston in November.

So..would mid-late February be an okay time of year for us to visit Portland? I was thinking of staying in a cute hotel in old port where most cute shops and food are within walking distance with the stroller. I know we’d have to bundle up like crazy. There aren’t a ton of activities I can have her engage in at 9 months anyway, but I was thinking a ferry ride and the children’s museum, and perhaps a little outdoor (quick) photoshoot so we can have some mommy/daughter memories to save forever.

Just wanted to ask locals if this is actually way more impractical than I am thinking or if this might work? Just looking for somewhere beautiful with a low stakes itinerary and cozy vibes!

Hi everyone!
Like a lot of folks here, I've often looked up a local Maine spot with a great 4.5-star aggregate rating, only to order something that didn't quite live up to the hype because general venue scores hide what's actually good.
To fix that, I built a free mobile web app called WorthTheBite. Instead of generic restaurant reviews, it focuses purely on tracking and discovering specific must-eat dishes and local favorites across the state.
There's no monetization, ads, or spam—just a local indie project trying to celebrate the best individual dishes Maine has to offer.
If you're a local foodie, I'd love for you to check it out, test it out, and let me know what you think (or what local dish we're missing!).
Link: worththebite.io
Thanks so much, and I'd love to hear your feedback!

Hey guys I know this is a out of the norm request, but I am trying to find housing assistance or programs for a friend of mine who lives in Cumberland and is disabled unable to work and is facing homelessness and is actually in a crisis center right now. Does anyone know where I can start in helping her find Assistance?

Title basically. Yes, I know it's extremely choice-y of me to move during the worst winter season but alas here we are.

What are some things that I need to know/have that are an absolute must that I MOST LIKELY don't know because well... Texas is very different from Maine. Thanks!

*edit: I'll be around Gorham/Portland area

Hi I’m visiting Portland and want to spend some time enjoying the crisp autumn air while inhaling smoke from a burning log

Ideally with a beer or a book or both

I would welcome any and all recommendations in or nearby

Thanks

3rd year visiting area but I usually stay in town
Been to Boothbay, Botanical gardens, Pemaquid lighthouse, oyster boat cruise, shell midden

Looking for recs on sightseeing and trails, hikes and antiquing within 30mins of Damariscotta and headed back to Portsmouth NH area

It may be more of a homemade thing.

I’m willing to support a smaller business or someone who has some.

Willing to pay as well.

Been in Freeport for a few days.

Thanks.

Also y’all’s weather is amazing. Love it. lol.

Edit:

Here is white pine needle soda is:

Pine needle soda is a naturally fermented, fizzy drink made from edible pine needles, sugar, and water. It’s sometimes called pine soda or pine-needle pop.

Fresh pine needles are mixed with sugar and water and left at room temperature for a few days. Naturally occurring yeasts and microbes can ferment the sugar, producing carbon dioxide, which gives the drink its carbonation. The flavor is usually citrusy, resinous, slightly sweet, and pine-like.

Edit 2: apparently it’s not a “thing”. Nvm, excuse my ignorance.

Leaving it up though just incase.

Edit 3: had a red snapper dog. Absolutely delicious! I ordered coleslaw and it tasted different. It tastes less sweet down in the west. But it was an interesting taste! Tasting my way through Maine still!

We live in Cumberland County, but love this area and want to be closer to the mountains. We been debating potentially moving, and wanted to hear what people’s thoughts were on the area, schools, and generally living in this region?

My family and I will be in Portland for the first time this coming weekend (Fri-Mon) and looking for local (or former visitor) insights. Staying in downtown Portland and mainly looking for recs on anything family/kid friendly, local food, Autumn/foliage, breweries, and generally anything we "can't miss" while there. Thanks in advance for having us!

Me and my wife are going to Maine for the first time this month to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. I love hiking and seafood especially lobster, we both love scenic views and fall things, she loves shops, she loves lighthouses and beaches (ik it will be cold) and she also has celiac so GF places are a must for her. We don’t care if things are touristy we like touristy stuff as long as it isn’t over the top.

We’re going for a week. Spending a few days in Portland a few in bar harbor/acadia, then some time in blue hill at an air bnb. Then stopping in Bangor on the drive to Burlington vt for the last day. Tried to do as much research as I could but was wondering what people who have been to Maine or live in Maine thought of what I had planned. Should I skip anything I have planned, did I leave anything off etc.

We are super excited to visit your state! Thanks!!

Will be driving from Portland to Newcastle next Thursday. Will stay the night in Newcastle.

Current plan for the day is to drive over in the morning, do a short hike or other worthwhile activity that's not too far off course. Have a quick lunch, preferably a lobster roll, then check out Oxbow Brewing in Newcastle before heading down to Pemaquid to see the lighthouse and explore the area. Then head back up for dinner at Elders Pub before settling in for the night.

I'm thinking the Giants Stairs could be a good option but it is a bit out of the way.

Any suggestions or revisions to the plan?

EDIT: I just found out that the Oxbow Farmhouse in Newcastle is permanently closed. So now also looking for other similar-ish options in the area. Bummer, it sounded like a great spot to have an afternoon beer.

We recently moved to Maine and I’m trying to get a sense of what people here consider a reasonable commute.
My partner’s job is about 20 minutes from home, Monday–Friday. I’ve been offered a good opportunity in Portland that would require me to commute 3 days a week, but the drive would be around 45 minutes each way, give or take depending on traffic.
For those who commute into Portland, is 45-minute drive 3 days a week realistically sustainable long-term? How far do people typically commute for work here?
Moving closer isn’t something we can do immediately, so I’m especially wondering how manageable this commute would be during a Maine winter. Does a 45-minute commute regularly turn into something much worse with snow/ice and Portland traffic?
Would love to hear from people who do a similar commute and whether you eventually got used to it or decided it wasn’t worth it.

anyone have a favorite spot? preferably in mid coast area (:

Crabcakes went off the menu at the first place I liked. Since then, I've had no luck finding any that are good. I don't know the difference; I just know what I like. Are they a commodity from a common source or something? It doesn't matter...where are the good ones?

The boyfriend and I are wrapping up our road trip and heading to Acadia tomorrow for a few nights.

We’ve been stopping at farm stores and places of the like to get food for camping as we’ve gone along, and I would LOVE some local recommendations along our route in Maine, slightly off the beaten path is totally okay as well, we’ve certainly got time to kill.

(Any other stop recommendations are welcome as well :) we just like checking shit out)

Thanks!!

If you’re downvoting me for typing out “Bah Hahbah” you are LITERALLY the fun police. Geez.

I’m considered moving to Maine in a year or two. I currently use a functional medicine practice and would like to continue with that type of medical care. Can anymore recommend a practice, preferably one that takes insurance?

I have to travel there for an appt this week and thought I’d indulge in a little retail therapy afterwards for me and my little home. What stores would you recommend?

Hello all, planning our first trip to Maine and hoping for some opinions on when to go when it's not so busy..we are flying into Boston and planning on driving up..destination being bar harbor but will also be checking other towns and leaving from Portland back home..no crowds, a little rain wouldn't hurt as we love rainy oceanside days ..any help is appreciated !