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Re: Need Advice-Floridian
Posted by Lexi on 11/04/07
On 9/13/07, Tasha wrote:
> Hello Maine,
>
> I am very new to this chat board. As a matter of fact I
> live in Florida and have never been to Maine in my life.
> However, I have always wanted to experience something new
> and different. I do not know my way in Maine, safe areas to
> live and work, least expensive,etc. Just to let you know I
> have my masters degree in School Guidance and Counseling. I
> am a black single female. I am very flexible and open to
> moving to new places. I just do not know where to begin.
> Maine is so big but I just want to know where the safest
> places to live are. I am very interested in trying out this
> state. Any advice would be appreciated. I know Maine has
> so many counties and areas but I just want some advice. Oh,
> I am also 31 years of age. I really enjoy suburban
> neighborhoods. I do not mind working in the city but I
> would want to come home to a quiet place. I just need some
> guidance for myself right now. Thanks for all of your help
> and please fill me up with some great advice, areas,
> certification, salary-teacher, etc. You all are great!!!!
>
> Tasha
>
> Hey Tasha! I'm a recent grad school grad about to begin a
teacher cert program in Maine (I grew up here but have been in
TX and CA for last ten years). I don't have any teaching
advice, but wanted to offer some relocation suggestions.
Maine is lovely and huge and VERY rugged and rural (compared
to FLA) once you get away from Southern and Coastal areas.
It's also old-school villages and towns and not a lot of the
suburban arrangement you see in the south. Portland is the
biggest city @ around 65,000 people so the towns and cities
are prob on a much smaller scale than you are used to. I
personally would recommend trying out southern ME (York County
is lovely, lots of nice little towns with clapboard and brick
and leafy trees), close to beaches and major airports and an
hour or so from Boston. Portland is a great, manageable,
artsy, clean, safe city if you want a little urban vibe (about
2 hours north of Boston). If you go anywhere in inland,
northern ME you will probably be v. isolated, cold and in for
major culture shock. Also, as a black woman, bear in mind
that Maine and most of New England in general is
overwhelmingly white. The vibe here is usually liberal and
accepting and urban areas have more flavor but it ain't
Florida. A lot of people here just haven't been exposed to
people of color. Moving back from Houston which was about 40%
white to ME which is 95% white or something was an adjustment.
That said, I would say the culture here is very positive and
welcoming, just sometimes ignorant (often innocently). Good
Luck to you! I hope you find your spot!
-Lexi
>
>
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