Another American Enlightned City To Avoid - So, where to go...?? Forget Albany, NY, unless you are uLtRa DiVeRsE and ready to turn any/all Cleaver Family people into the passive terrorist Station Chief if you're not uLtRa DiVeRsE and PeeSee -- so to be allowed, for example, to have a job. No joke. No Hyperbole. This kind of filthy devolved anti-American city_behavior is beneath shameful, disgusting and the perps should be brought up on hate crime charges. Why the comment about being single? You left us hanging there.
Auguste | Albany, NY | Report Abuse

I would have to agree with you as far as the social aspect of living in Maine! My husband and I have lived here our whole lives, and still do live here on the outskirts of town about a half hour outside of Portland. We have had very little to no social life since getting married and moving out to the country. I am a VERY social person and we have talked about moving out of state for years. I don't know if it is much better elsewhere either? We've heard about the southern hospitality of the "South", but then why are people moving up here from the South?? I've heard many good things about Southern living, but there are lots of things here in Maine that the south doesn't have;so we sacrifice the social life we desire for a pretty safe place to live and raise our kids(reletively low crime rate) and the beautiful outdoor nature of Maine (4 beautiful seasons)and having the ocean so close by! The air is clean and the people reasonably nice? We love it here except for the fact that no one wants to get to know you too much in depth? There is a surfacey convenience to friendships made here and if you can find one good friend you can trust, you have struck GOLD! I don't know if the grass is greener anywhere else though??
Bp | Buxton, ME | Report Abuse

One thing we have noticed about Maine is the high cost of living and low pay scales. People are definitely not getting paid cost of living here in Maine!It's very difficult to raise a family here, especially on one income. I am a stay at home mom and my husband has to work two jobs just to pay the bills and that isn't leaving any left over for the "wants" in life! Housing cost is out of touch with the traditional American family income and people cannot afford to buy the "Amercian Dream" home these days with the cost of food and everyday living expenses. Taxes are HIGH to say the least and the state "overall" is very liberal (politically) in it's views, so those are some of the downsides to living here! My guess is there is no utopia anywhere in the U.S. If there is, please someone speak up??
Bp | Buxton, ME | Report Abuse

Bp from Dallas: it's not about race -- Mainers do not trust people from away and even other Mainers they do not already know, aren't related to, with whom don't have mutual friends, etc. It may seem to be all about race to you, but trust me, it's not. There is a deeply anti-social ("good fences makes good neighbors") mentality here -- regardless of race.
William | Ogden, UT | Report Abuse

Bp from Dallas: it's not about race -- Mainers do not trust people from away and even other Mainers they do not already know, aren't related to, with whom don't have mutual friends, etc. It may seem to be all about race to you, but trust me, it's not. There is a deeply anti-social ("good fences makes good neighbors") mentality here -- regardless of race.
William | Ogden, UT | Report Abuse

As a Dallasonian from a diverse city, I found it amazing how disingenuous Mainers are. Yes, it is beautiful. Love the seafood and attractions the city has. However, no matter how friendly or educated you are, diversity is just not accepted very well, socially speaking. Living in Portland, ME, I find that Mainers act friendly to your face, but dislike you, even hate you, when your back is turned if you do not are not the same race of the greater populace there. Even worse, if you are looking for a job. All they have for their citizens are service jobs. That is what I encounter, regardless of my education and experience. If you are not white, their culture doesn't readily accept you in any part of their society. If you are open-minded and expanded, that is not the mindset the people of Maine wants you to bring to their towns. Keep your head down low, don't ask questions or even look in their direction. Critical thinking not allowed. It is expensive to live there....high taxes, high cost of living everywhere you turn, from groceries, gas, utilities, etc. They want sheeple for citizens---not pioneering thinkers with an entrepreneur spirit, which is what is needed since good jobs are sub-zero or negligible.
Bp | Portland, ME | Report Abuse