Hello:

Posted this on Countryside, and I'll post it here:

We live in northern Minnesota, which is pretty quiet. We have a homestead in the country on 10 acres.

Believe it or not, we are starting to feel like the sidewalks are encroaching. We're 1/4 mile down a dirt road from a paved two lane which used to go nowhere. But a road extension was put through and now that road is busy, particulary with summer tourists and casino traffic and logging trucks and commercial trucks and the road now is the main connection between two small towns. We DO NOT like the increased noise. It's sporadic, but when it's there it's bothersome and stressful. (this from a former city person -- me -- that probably once endured all kinds of noise.)

We could get further from the sidewalks here (and may) but have also toyed with the idea of Maine. We love New England, have seen a little of Maine and much of NH and VT and have family there on my husband's side. I've been told that Maine is much like MN with the fierce winters, bugs, landscape, etc. From preliminary looking, prices are low like they are where we live now so we wouldn't have to go into sticker shock if we moved. My husband feels the pull of New England (I think all New Englanders do). I love it out there for the variety of landscapes (mountains, hills, ocean, wilderness).

So..a real general question for Mainers or those who know Maine or Maine and MN both (and I know these are general...but)

what is Maine like? What are the people like? Is it possible to find lots of land for quiet (very very very quiet) and reasonable prices? Can any of you compare Mn and Maine? Can you suggest a section (s) of the state to focus on or avoid? Obviously we would avoid living on the coast..it seems expensive and crowded. Western Maine seems like a possibility because it's not too far from family in VT and NH..is it possible to get remote and quiet there? How is the gardening? Where we live now, we are almost in Zone 2 (pretty darned close). Is it a tolerant state? Are outsiders who are willing to pitch in and get along and be good neighbors accepted, even if values and beliefs vary?

How are the rural phone lines there for internet access? (this is for my home business)

Again, I know these are tough questions and may have no answers. But I'm trying to get a sense for the state. It's a tough decision. We know MN, know where to go if we need more quiet. But New England pulls at us too. I've never totally gotten used to the flatlands here...I'm originally from PA.

Thanks for the input! I may have more questions.

-- Cathy in MN (logholm@rangenet.com), August 20, 2001

Answers

My brother backpacked through GA, NC, TN, VA, WV, PA, NY, NJ, MA, CT, VT, NH, ME on the Appalachian Trail, so he saw lots. Maine was his favorite as far as the wilderness and the meeting strangers part. I have another friend who attended Trinity College up there and she said the state is depressed economically. Look at how Stephen King was raised, not all that uncommon up there. ..Lots of rural poor. Bad black fly season. On top Cadillac Mountain, in Acadia National Park, is where you stand to be the first person in the nation to see the sun rise. On the east coast, Maine and Virginia are my favorite states, for many of the same reasons you are looking for.

-- julie the barbarian (applebucket@yahoo.com), August 21, 2001.

blackberries are better than blueberries, for sure.

-- julie the barbarian (applebucket@yahoo.com), August 21, 2001.

Cathy, I'm sorry I didn't respond earlier. Saw your request and didn't have time to write anything. Anyway, my best advice to you would be to check out some Maine newspapers on the web -- Portland Press Herald, Bangor Daily News, Lewiston Sun Journal will get you started. If you're looking at western Maine and still want to get a decent growing season, I would recommend Farmington-Fryeburg-South Paris. (Stay north of Sebago Lake to avoid the high prices.) Also, the region west of Bangor and up toward Greenville.

If you're looking for a lot of farmable land for a little money, go way north into Aroostook County. There's still a farm economy operating up there (potatoes) if that infrastructure is important to you. On a map, you're looking at Sherman Mills north. BTW, there's a reason the whole western half of northern Maine lacks public roads -- it's all private forestland owned by major paper companies. The ag areas are the eastern part of the county between Route 11 and the Canadian border. Not sure how much farmland goes for where you are, but $50,000 for 40-60 acres with home and barns and sometimes equipment isn't out of the question. Good soil, short growing season, altho I know people there who grow cantalopes every year.

You might contact Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (www.mofga.org) and ask for their list of certified organic growers in whatever area you're interested in. They're usually good people who can offer some good advice -- assuming you're of like mind, of course.

-- Cash (Cash@andcarry.com), September 10, 2001.