Decent place to live.
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1/4/2018
I moved to Bangor 3 years ago from the west coast and have mixed feelings. Here are some things I like and dislike about Bangor.
LIKES:
1. It's clean. The city as a whole does a good job of making everything look nice. There aren't any real rundown or filthy areas and there isn't much litter around as a whole.
2. There are a lot of trees and lakes in the area. We also have the Kenduskeag Stream which runs through the city. You also have the Penobscot River which is nice.
3. Crime isn't a real issue here. The murder rate is extremely low, and there aren't any real "bad" areas. There are a couple areas of town that have a higher concentration of homeless and people on drugs, but nothing to be afraid of. If you're from a bigger city, Bangor is far from dangerous.
4. Bangor is close to a lot of natural beauty. From the coast of Maine, Acadia National Park, and the woods of the County, you have a plentiful option of things to do.
Bad
1. JOBS. There are not a lot of jobs around here, and that is noticeable. Pay as a whole is extremely low and is causing many people to leave the state. Many jobs are in the service industry and they pay the bare minimum. If you have a degree, options for higher paying jobs are not prevalent, creating an income issue for a lot of people.
2. Expensive. Rent is quite pricey depending. In Bangor, average 1 bedrooms run about 700-800 per month. Two bedrooms are normally 1000-1500. You can certainly find something a bit cheaper, but it won't be nice or that great. A lot of buildings are older and aren't that well kept. Home prices aren't that bad though, as seems to be the trend around the U.S. nowadays. Apartments run high, but houses not so much.
3. Transportation is lacking horribly. The public bus system here as a whole, is a joke. The buses run once per hour, from about 5am until 6pm or so. There is no bus service on Sunday and there are only a handful of routes. Flying out Bangor International is expensive and a hassle. Flights are constantly delayed or cancelled, and it is extremely EXPENSIVE to fly in or out of here. Many people drive 2 hours south to Portland or 3 1/2 hours to Boston for MUCH lower prices.
4. I have found a mix when it comes to the friendliness of people from Maine. Anything north of Portland is more rural and the attitudes tend to reflect that. Mainers are not an open people, and it takes time to wiggle your way in. They can come off as rude or what have you, but it takes time. Be aware that many people anywhere north of Portland usually run republican, so if that's an issue for you, be aware of that.
5. THE DRIVERS: This state has some of the worst drivers I have ever experienced. I learned to drive in Arizona and never had a problem. Here, I have been in 2 accidents, both caused by drunk drivers or people on cell phones. People drive extremely fast here, constantly going well over the speed limit. Texting and driving is a big issue here, as I see people doing it ALL THE TIME. Tailgating is common here, so if that makes you uncomfortable, get used to it. It's one of my biggest complaints and it drives me nuts. Also, be careful of the drunk drivers. Maine has a high percentage of drunk driving issues, and I have seen many people drunk behind the wheel.
All in all, Maine is a decent place. It's not for everyone, especially myself. I am proud to have lived here, although my time is limited.
daniel | Tucson, AZ