Thinking about living in Maine? If so, you’re in good hands.
I’ve lived in the Pine Tree State for the past 8 years and have definitely learned a thing or two about the honest pros and cons of living in Maine.
Home to a population of nearly 1.4 million residents, Maine is one of the least populated states in the country.
A state best known for self-sufficient residents, natural beauty, blistering winters and Maine Lobsters — there’s so much to love (and not love) about calling this pretty place home.
But I don’t want to get ahead of myself, so let’s cover everything you need to know about moving to Maine based on firsthand experience. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions, I’m here to help!
Largest Cities in Maine
The largest cities in Maine are Portland, Lewiston and Bangor.
Portland
- Population: 68,300
- Average Salary: $60,000
- Median Home Price: $500K
Lewiston
- Population: 36,600
- Average Salary: $56,000
- Median Home Price: $255K
Bangor
- Population: 32,000
- Average Salary: $57,000
- Median Home Price: $250K
Living in Maine (Forum)
Table of Contents: Living in Maine
First, the Pros of Moving to Maine
1. Easy-Going New England Vibe
One of my favorite things about living in Maine is the easy-going vibe New England culture is best known for. I associate New England living with self-sufficient locals, charming small towns, large swaths of rural areas and locals that will warm up to you after a generation or two.
Jokes aside, New Englanders have a reputation for being more reserved, but as an introvert I barely mind. I find the folks here rather charming and hospitable, sharing a common understanding on the importance of good manners and courtesy.
You won’t mistake locals for southerners by any stretch of the imagination, but you also won’t mistake them for the extra-reserved Pacific Northwest type either. Maine locals seem to fall perfectly between the two — easygoing and relaxed, no gossip.
2. Top Notch Air Quality
Something I didn’t realize before moving to Maine is the top-notch air quality the state is known for. This is especially true in the northern regions of Maine, especially Bangor (which often ranks as one of the cleanest air city in the country).
3. Maine Summers Can’t Be Beat
The Pine Tree State is known for brutal winter (a well-warranted reputation, I assure you) but the trade off is perfect summers that can’t be beat. The average highs in the summer range between 78°F (daytime) and 66°F (evening). Between the cooler temperatures and lack of humidity, you won’t have need for an A/C while living in Maine (which brings down the electricity bill substantially).
Imagine living in a place where you can enjoy the great outdoors without needing to run inside for AC every five minutes? Or jumping into the shower whenever you come home because of the humidity. It’s a good thing that summers in Maine are so perfect because there’s plenty to explore outdoors — which brings me to my next point.
4. Maine Is A Beautiful State
Something folks don’t realize until moving to Maine is how rural most of the state truly is. In fact, 90% of the state is forested! Most of the beauty in Maine (in my opinion) is reserved for the breathtaking lakes, coastline and forests.
We have a handful of mountains as well, but with the tallest peak capping out at nearly 5,600 feet, you can’t mistake us for a mountainous state. However, what we lack in mountains, we make up for in breathtaking coastline.
Maine has the fourth most coastline of any state in the country. Spanning nearly 3,500 miles, the state boasts more than 4,600 islands (imagine!). There’s never a shortage of dramatic cliffsides to explore, epic hikes to be had and panoramic sunset views while living in Maine.
And because most of the state is rural, crowds aren’t that common (outside of Acadia National Park, of course). Indeed, one of the perks of living in Maine is being able to find solitude in nature and thankfully, there’s plenty of it.
5. Great Local Cuisine
The local cuisine is arguably one of the best things about living in Maine. Fishing culture is huge here and locals can’t help buy benefit — our seafood is some of the best in the nation. But our cuisine doesn’t stop at the sea, not at all.
Maine is known for sustainable farming practices that produce local and fresh vegetables seasonally. Pay a visit to Portland, Maine and see what all the fuss is about (those restaurants can hold their own against bigger cities like New York and Boston).
My friends like to joke that the perk of living in Maine is having access to fine dinning food and regular-people prices and I can’t say I disagree. Seafood is always expensive, but the prices in Maine seem par for the course when considering quality.
Oh, and don’t even get me started on real maple syrup, you can’t go back to the other stuff afterwards.
Good to Know About Living in Maine: It’s all about the lobstah
Lobster (locally pronounced lobstah) is an important part of Maine’s economy. In fact, 90% of the nation’s lobster supply comes from Maine — this comes out to roughly 40 million pounds per year.
6. Maine Has One of the Lowest Crime Rates In the Country
Here’s yet another huge perk of living in Maine — it’s one of the safest states in the country. The low crime rates span the gamut — everything from low property crimes to low violent crimes helps Maine keep its reputation as one of the safest places in America.
When I ended up moving to Maine with my family in tow, the biggest selling point was hearing neighbors mention they didn’t lock their doors sometimes. I was sold.
Cons of Living in Maine
1. The Job Market Sucks
One thing you won’t see often is folks moving to Maine for the stellar job market (because it doesn’t exist). Indeed, outside of Portland the state is rather rural so corporate jobs are non-existent. What’s interesting about moving to Maine is the low unemployment rate, but that doesn’t translate into job opportunities.
But don’t just take my word for it. Maine is considered one of the 10 worst states to start a career post college graduation. Yep, we’re second only to West Virginia for the title — not cool.
What’s more, most of the jobs that are available tend to lean towards blue collar work, otherwise you’re stuck earning minimum wage (which is unlivable). And as you already know, upward mobility is damn near impossible in that line of work, which in turn makes living in Maine unaffordable for many.
2. Winters Are Brutal
Ah, so here’s something both lifelong locals and recent transplants can agree on: winters in Maine will have you clawing at the wall. The entire state gets frozen over during the winter months (although the cold starts arriving in earnest in October). It doesn’t matter if you live in Maine’s northern reaches, Central Maine or near the bay — brace for wicked cold winters.
The average daily highs in December flirt with 15°F in the north to 25°F in the southernmost region of the state. Not warm by any stretch of the imagination. I dreaded the winter months while living in Maine. My driveway was constantly snowed it and my car was always getting stuck in the snow so running errands became a full-day event. And before anyone asks — I had 4WD.
One way to get around the winters is to embrace the cold season fully. Take up skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing to make the season pass faster otherwise it will feel never-ending.
3. Lack of Things To Do While Living in Maine
Here’s a statement that’s sure to ruffle some feathers (but feels true to me): Maine gets kind of boring after a while, especially for millennials.
I ended up moving to Maine for a job and lasted 6 years before feeling like I was wasting my youth (does mid-40’s still count as young?) and moving to New Jersey. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the experience of living in Maine, but after a while there just wasn’t enough around to keep me entertained.
I had a hell of a time fishing, hiking (Acadia National Park is stunning), drinking at local dive bars and eating my weight in seafood. But after 6 years I had my fill and decided to move on. Some folks love the rural vibe, but it just wasn’t working for me long-term.
It’s funny, shortly after moving to Maine one of my new neighbors made a joke congratulating me on “early retirement.” Intrigued, I asked him to elaborate and he told me that living in Maine feels like living in a retirement community. How right he was.
Interesting fact about living in Maine: Only 63% of residents believe they do something interesting every day, putting Maine in the top 10 states where folks has a weak sense of purpose.
4. Maine Lacks Diversity
Here’s a surprising fact about living in Maine: It’s the least diverse state in America. Yep, you read that right. Around 90% of residents identify as white, meaning you won’t see much ethnic diversity after moving to Maine.
It feels to me that the lack of diversity keeps everything stuck in the past. Everyone looks the same, thinks the same and does the same things day in and day out. There doesn’t seem to be an interest in different cultures or cuisines, so you’ll find little respite in those departments while living in Maine.
In fact, you won’t see much innovation after moving to Maine. In many ways, it feels like Maine is stuck in the past. There’s definitely something charming about the simple way of living in Maine (don’t get me wrong), but it loses its excitement rather quickly.
The exception to the rule is Portland, Maine. There’s definitely a lot going on in that city, but because of the harsh winters, you can only enjoy Portland like 3 months of the year.
Retiring in Maine FAQs
Is Maine a good place to live?
If you’re the self-sufficient type that doesn’t mind hard winters and a rural lifestyle, you may find living in Maine enjoyable. If you’re a city-dweller, look elsewhere because Portland may not satisfy you long term.
Is Maine a good place to retire?
If you’re set on retiring in Maine, you’ll find yourself among like-minded individuals. The median age in Maine is 44.8 years old, the second highest in the nation (second to the US Virgin Islands). However, between the brutal winters and rural way of life, I’d say retiring in Maine wouldn’t be my top choice. I need the sunshine (and preferably a state without income tax!).
Compare the Pros vs the Cons of Living in Maine
| Pros of Living in Maine | Cons of Moving to Maine |
|---|---|
| Easy-going New England vibe | The job market sucks |
| Top notch air quality | Winters are brutal |
| Maine summers can’t be beat | Lack of things to do while living in Maine |
| Great local cuisine | Maine lacks diversity |
| Maine is a beautiful state | |
| Maine has one of the lowest crime rates in the country |
Pros & Cons of Living in Maine (Post Summary)
In sum, here’s a quick roundup of the pros and cons of moving to Maine
- Easy-going New England vibe
- Top notch air quality
- Maine summers can’t be beat
- Great local cuisine
- Maine is a beautiful state
- Maine has one of the lowest crime rates in the country
- The job market sucks
- Winters are brutal
- Lack of things to do while living in Maine
- Maine lacks diversity
Cheers!
Map of Maine
Helpful Related Links
Living in Portland Maine: 15 Honest Pros & Cons of Living in Portland, Maine
Living in Massachusetts: 15 Honest Pros & Cons of Living in Massachusetts
Living in Vermont: 15 Honest Pros & Cons of Living in Vermont
Living in New Jersey: 18 Honest Pros & Cons of Living in New Jersey
Living in Pennsylvania: 15 Honest Pros & Cons of Living in Pennsylvania
Living in Rhode Island: 15 Honest Pros & Cons of Living in Rhode Island
Living in Connecticut: 15 Honest Pros & Cons of Living in Connecticut
Living in New York State: 15 Honest Pros & Cons of Living in New York State
You listed lack of diversity as a con. Its a pro. Only someone whos never lived in a diverse area would say its a pro. There goes the neighborhood isnt just a funny saying.
ditto I was just going to say that.
I came to Maine Oct. 2018, complicated situations took early retirement and looking for housing. With the help of people from wiscasset and Brunswick, I got into low income housing and have hated ever since. I was and still am looked upon as, you took an apt. that a local should get. Not to mention dropped by a supposed friend 3 times. Time to get out of dodge
I was raised in a family with a dozen or more DNA lines that have been in Maine for almost 400 years. Most of the comments are realistic. I grew up hearing “if your family was in Maine when it became a state, you are related by blood or marriage to everyone who was in Maine when Maine became a state.” Also grew up hearing, “No one retires in Maine, one just quits their day job and volunteers.” So volunteer-churches and local non-profits always need help. Because we are rural and depend on family to socialize, we have learned to entertain ourselves – we don’t need others to do it for us. Want to know “Maine Humor”? rent a Bob Marley DVD! Read a John Gould Book. My favorite is “There Goes Maine!” Reading is very entertaining for many of us in the winter, along with making quilts, knitting blankets, building book cases in the “shop” etc. Maine has survived by being a state of small entrepreneurs. You find a town that needs a product or service and then learn to produce it and open up for business – usually in a shed or barn. Its called being self- reliant.. in 1790 97% of Maine families owned 10 acres or more- enough to provide for a 6 member family all the basic necessities of life plus enough to barter for what wasn’t available. We invented recycling and yard sales! Another Maine axiom- you don’t NEED 2 pair of shoes- you can only wear one pair at a time- you WANT two pairs of shoes. You don’t always get what you want, deal with it! If it aint broke- don’t fix it. Diversity without tolerance is counterproductive and one doesn’t usually walk into a stranger’s home then start being critical and try to change things without being told- get out.
Why do you think Maine is safe? The answer is in your article which you list it as a con.
Are you trying to imply that Maine is safe because it has low diversity? Real life doesn’t work out that way. Not every state with low diversity is safe. Alaska has the third highest rate of violent crime in the entire country and it isn’t because of its high diversity. When you look at the numbers, things are much more complicated than what news pundits will tell ya.
Transplanted to Maine 31 years ago. The best way I can describe life in Maine’s Somerset county is, “Serenity”!!!
I moved out of Maine in September 2003, I visited sporadically every few years, but went roughly 8 years straight without visiting until October 2022 when I hadn’t been back to Maine… Nothing I miss more than being in home…
My husband and I retired to Maine about 23 years ago a the ages of 51 and 57. We loved it for a while, but it grew boring, boring, boing. Also, you need to pay attention to how far north east you go in Maine because everything is fine up to the mid-coast area (Camden and Belfast) where there are a lot of transplants from elsewhere, but once you go farther northeast into what is known as “downeast” Maine, it’s not so much fun, uninteresting and downright UNFRIENDLY and there is absolutely nothing to do and the food is awful – no good restaurants, etc. Yes, it’s pretty, but that’s about it. We make the mistake of moving from midcoast to downeast quite a few years ago and have regretted that decision and are finally considering moving out of the state – maybe south were people are known to be friendlier. On the other hand, Portland is a great place, very diverse, great restaurants and a lot to do. I would suggest that anyone considering relocating to anywhere in Maine, rent a place before purchasing a home. Try it out for a year or so before committing to purchasing, and be sure to stay south of Downeast!
According to my personal experiences and perception people in the USA who come across as being outwardly social “FRIENDLY”( and smiling and all that ) are only superficial. There is nothing behind it,it’s shallow,it doesn’t run deep,it means absolutely nothing.
Some of them don’t even like you. Some of them can’t stand you.
I always think it’s really best to be reserved with other people and I also really don’t like SMILING if I really don’t feel like smiling. I think that’s what Europeans tend to be like, like Russians consider it to be idiotic to be smiling when you have no good reason to do so. Maybe Mainers are like Europeans ?
True unfriendliness to me is UNHELPFULLNESS.
I came to Maine Oct. 2018, complicated situations took early retirement and looking for housing. With the help of people from wiscasset and Brunswick, I got into low income housing and have hated ever since. I was and still am looked upon as, you took an apt. that a local should get. Not to mention dropped by a supposed friend 3 times. Time to get out of dodge
Downeast review is spot on … and “they’d” appreciate the feedback so they can keep the status quo, so no flatlander – or “from aways” come to live here. I’ve lived here for 2 years, and have been visiting family for 10 years.
I’ve never found anyplace I’ve lived (and I’ve moved a lot) the least hospitable. People are “friendly” but they won’t let you into their local circle. They often ask who are you related to … or what family you come from – it’s a very 20 – 30-year-old small-town mentality (grew up in MA). And don’t let the “charm” fool you – gossip central! As I’ve now learned it’s best to avoid the “circle” – but life is boring and lonely because of it. The other challenge is traveling if you’re Downeast, the coworkers I’d like to socialize with (who have been awesome – mostly because they are “from away”) live outside an hour one-way, which makes it tough to “hang out” without looking for an overnight stay in some locations (deer are very prevalent in Downeast and can make driving dangerous – as can the winter months, which is darker than dark due to Maines lighting manual and pollution ordinances).
It’s been challenging to find a job – not many professional opportunities and poor pay – which barely pays rent, and don’t get me started about finding rentals – it’s AirBnB baby in Maine! And why wouldn’t it be – you can make so much more money – they don’t give much thought about growing their communities but shuffling tourists in and out for a hefty dollar.
Lots of drinking (and weed shops every 10 feet (exaggerating, but it often feels like there is 1 every 2 miles) there’s nothing much else to do – especially during the winter months. Can someone say “Road Soda?”
Internet, electricity, and cell are spotty in many areas, and unreliable, especially in the winter. Health care is not very good at all – and I’ve kept most of my drs and my dentist in MA (I pay out-of-pocket). The local urgent care is great, but again – most staff members are contract out-of-state employees.
One of my younger coworkers who moved here about 10 years ago sums up living in Downeast ME, “We are here to age and die, I feel that’s all we’re doing here.” There is a part of me that wishes a huge influx of “from aways” relocate here to shake things up … but it won’t happen. One, the labor market is tough – it’s not easy to renovate or build a home in Downeast, and supplies are short and expensive. In either direction of my location, 1 hour travel time, you get 2 Walmarts, 1 Home Depot, and over 20 Dollar Stores (???).
I have found going further north towards Canada much friendlier – Calais, or Lubec – on the border and quaint.
ME is great to visit – a week, month, or 3, but that’s about it. If you are considering moving – consider the source of encouragement to move (what are their experiences, expectations, and wealth). At 53, it’s been challenging to start over here.
Ms Howell; your comments were a bit vague about what interactions you took with the locals. Did you attend a church? Volunteer at a local non-profit like the local historical society, the local food pantry, go to the bingo games that support veterans? Join a quilting circle? play cards- bridge or pinochle? Support the local schools- they always need adults with a variety of business skills and life skills to chaperone field trips or coach athletic games. Attend or volunteer for the various pot luck dinner events that support the community services? All those things are important in any small community regardless of the location. Even to seek a local office- planning boards, school boards, libraries all need people to assist and a willingness to be a part of the community is always appreciated. If there isnt a “welcome Wagon” Organization- start one; show the locals how to be friendlier. We all need a swift nudge now and again.
This was a great review. We are Floridians and have been in NC 10 years. A friend of ours moved back to Maine and constantly inquires for our interest to move there. Our friend is really my husband’s friend, and his marriage isn’t the most stable. Thus I would be much more on my own. At 67 I don’t know that I want to start over and with those long harsh winters.You never mention the subject but my personal biggest draw is pot is legal. But now I am sure it’s not enough to compensate for the winters and the time it will take to b up uld relationships. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.
My advice, DON’T DO IT. See my post above. We relocated here 23 years ago. You will grow old here very fast because all there is to do is sit around and complain about the long winters which are gray and dismal. We are planning to relocate south. We’re on the coast, so winters aren’t quite as bad as in the western part of the state, but they’re still brutally cold.
Born and bred Maine gal and can’t imagine living anywhere else! The winters are hard yes but you can learn to love them with time!! You just need to find snow sports and wear good quality clothes.
Moving to Maine was one of the best things I ever did. I was tired of the rat race and wanted to find some peace in nature. I live an hour from Portland, Maine and like that I can go to town whenever I need to scratch the itch without having any of the down sides like crowds.
Maine is beautiful and I love that people know how to rely on themselves. Wish I would have moved here earlier.
What do you do for a living? Do you rent/own? Do you live near the Coast? Small town?
Thanks
I live in a quiet suburb in North Carolina, which feels more like a retirement community. It’s safe, but I never imagined living here. My family moved from Fort Drum, NY, many years ago because my father retired from the U.S. Army and got a job here in NC. Unfortunately, ever since we moved, I’ve struggled with my mental health and feel like I’m living a nightmare. I suspect I’m dealing with trauma, anxiety, and other chronic issues, but I haven’t been able to find the help I need. I live like a recluse and haven’t been able to work or get on disability because I can’t afford the mental health care I desperately need.
I often feel overwhelmed, asking myself why my life turned out this way. My living situation is chaotic, and I haven’t been able to keep my space in order, which only adds to my stress. I don’t enjoy the heat and humidity here, which makes me miss the cooler climates of my previous homes, like Fort Drum and Germany, where I spent most of my childhood.
I’m also frustrated by the lack of understanding and support I’ve encountered. It’s difficult for me to pursue opportunities, like training to be a CNA, because I’m anxious about the environments I would have to work in. I’ve considered moving to another state, like Maine, where I might find better opportunities, but I’m concerned about the challenges that come with that, such as dealing with cold weather.
The hardest part of living here is feeling like I’m on my own with no real help in sight. I’m forced to be self-reliant, even when I don’t feel capable of handling everything on my own.