My partner and I live in Florida, and enjoy fantasizing about all the different places we can retire to in about ten years. Maine has been on our minds lately. We love Portland, and I had a great impression of the Rangely Lakes area when I was there a few years ago.

What are the pros and cons? I remember reading that taxes are high in Maine, but would this effect retirees much? Also, as Floridians, are we underestimating the misery of a Maine winter? We both love seasons (are tired of the monotonous Florida sun) and figure that, if we don't have to get up in the a.m. to get to work, that snow and bitter cold couldn't be too terrible. Right or wrong? Thanks for any advice!

We live in southern NH (no sales or income taxes) and actually prefer a long winter to a long summer. But, I lived in Maine for five years and the winters can be truly dreary. It helps if you have a fireplace, hot tub, and beautiful view. If it were me, I'd think about buying a small second home in Maine and spending a part of the dead of the winter there to see what you think. A lot of people own "winter homes". Might be an excellent investment.

Maine has a state income tax, NH does not. Maine has more sales taxes than NH but NH probably has higher property taxes. It may cost a lot more to buy a car in Maine than in NH, for example.
This winter may be a good example of "misery". For those of us in the north, we finally got a lot of snow after Feb 1. In the last couple of storms however, southern New England got rain/sleet on top of snow providing much worse driving conditions and harder to clean up. Much easier to shovel snow than ice topped snow. Mud season has just started but that's only a problem for those who live on and/or travel on dirt roads. If you garden, black fly season might drive you crazy for a couple of weeks in late spring. As a native, they don't bother me half as much as they bother someone who isn't used to them. (Some of the European camp staff at the summer camp where my sister works have horrible reactions to mosquito bites.) You might find winter very enjoyable if you take up cross country skiing or snow shoeing or simply enjoy the change. BUT for retirees I would highly suggest choosing an area that doesn't require long drives to the grocery store and doctor's office. Where I live there is no senior citizen center and very few activities compared to nearby towns which have very active social programs for seniors. A friend in another town enjoys monthly bus trips for senior citizens to interesting places. Our library is only open 2 1/2 days a week. I saw my MIL get lonelier and lonelier as friends moved to Florida. Lack of public transportation increases the problem for seniors. To me, winter means less chores without the yard and garden to maintain but by the time good weather is here I'm anxious to work in the dirt again. I have a flexible job so I can stay home if the driving is bad so yes, I think it makes a difference if you don't have to go out on bad weather days. One of my favorite stories was about how someone in town complained that his road wasn't sanded in time for him to go to work. It was raining on top of icy road. The roads were so icy that the town's sand truck was unable to get up his hill even backing up as they dumped sand. The rain just washed it away. The selectman who took the complaint said "sometimes you just have to stay home". However, I always get a kick seeing a farmer out manuring fields during a blizzard. I've seen people from warmer climates clear out after the first winter. I think bodies get used to the cold gradually so by Jan/Feb it doesn't bother as much, but it's really nice to have a heated garage in the basement so you never have to get into a cold car in the morning!

Thanks to both of you! I suppose we're the only people in the history of the planet who are thinking of retiring FROM Florida TO Maine. We'll both be young (in our 50's) and very active and outdoorsy. So senior centers aren't going to appeal to us for a LONG time.

The 2nd home idea would be a good one, except that we already have a 2nd home in the Georgia mountains. It's a place we've also considered retiring to--it's just a bit politically conservative for us to be there full time.

We were in Portland in December one year, and it was painfully cold. But it seems like all the really progressive small cities are in the north (go figure).

Anyway, just like you kind of have to embrace the awfulness of a Florida August (I go running at 2 in the afternoon!), it seems like you'd have to do the same with a Maine winter. Get out in the snow shoes, etc.

I would strongly suggest you try out a winter there by renting before making a decision on moving permanently!

I grew up in New England, specifically the Berkshires of western MA where winters are longer and colder than the rest of the state. I was an avid skier so was OK with winter...sort of, but even then, the slush and gray days were tedious.

After college I lived first in VA Beach, then New Orleans, before my husband was transferred to Boston. I'd spent 7 years below the Mason Dixon line enjoying mild winters before our transfer back, and boy did winter ever come as a shock to my system. You do sort of get used to cold, and you can dress for it, but more than anything, it was the looooonnnng stretches of gray dark days, of sun setting around 4:30, of being cooped up, of gray snow banks and icy slush in parking lots after a snow that really got to us both. Ice on the roads and ice on the sidewalks. Driveways that needed plowing. Cold floors and months of forced hot air heat. Ick

Having also lived in FL for 8.5 years, I know how so much sunshine can get monotonous, but trust me, when you don't have it, when you have more than 3 days in a row of gray weather, it begins to get to you too. As nice as it is to see a cloudy day in FL, you will not enjoy the long stretches of them in New England. Maine is a beautiful beautiful state but I'd have no desire what-so-ever to live there in the winter. So, my advice...try it before you buy it!!

PS...we moved from Tampa to where we live now, San Antonio, not exactly the Yukon, but still, I have really really felt the winters here. (My husband too.) My husband and I are seriously thinking of getting a place in FL for winters when he retires in a couple of years. Granted, our son-in-law has just accepted a job in St Pete so that's a factor, but I realized when he did, how much more exciting that made our retirement prospects.

FL is a terrific way of life. We were outside all the time, summer and winter. I too ran, but tried to be out by 9 in the summer. We boated and our boat is still there....waiting, waiting.

Anyway, just wanted to say, this isn't exactly the north, but winter was way colder and drearier than we wanted! Do be careful!

I have a friend living outside of Bangor and he is always complaining about the cost of fuel oil. His water was frozen for two months this winter because of the lack of snow. Normally they get snow that stays and helps keep the ground warm, but this year they had cold without the snow cover. He drives miles to work and to another state for alcohol. He says Maine has very high taxes, but I'm not sure if he was talking about income or property.
http://www.retirementliving.com/RLstate2.html

I've seen several of your posts about retirement options. I think it's very different to visit a place and actually live there. Spend a winter in Maine before you buy.

Portland is an up and coming area...lol..and full of great attractions.. Many from MA are moving to the York-Wells area... near the water it would be much warmer and hopefully less snow. I do have a dear friend in Wells who would tell you about the Ogonguit, kennebunk area which you might find more to your liking. One thing is for sure... You would be able to zip down to Boston in a heartbeat..from the Wells/York/
Kittery area.. If you want to talk to somebody who is living year round..I'll put you in contact with a dear friend.. write to me at [email protected]

Snow is considered poor man's insulation. Snowless winter problems are probably a good thing to point out esp if someone gets the idea they want to restore an old house. We have a comfortable basement thanks to wood heat but the next house is going to have radiant heat in the floor of a garage workshop. I doubt if I could take Florida's heat a good portion of the year. Some of us northerners prefer 60-70 degree weather. I bet it's a lot more fun being outdoorsy in New England where we have some nice mountains than other parts of the country. We can snowmobile or cross country ski from our door. Ski areas offer senior citizen discounts and has someone pointed out, Boston isn't far away at all. Kayaking has become very popular in New England. We'll probably see some sailboats out on Lake Winnipesaukee (NH) as soon as ice is out.

My retired parents are "snowbirds" splitting their time between Southern Maine and Northern FL. Definitely look into the both the income and estate tax consequences. They make sure to spend more than half the year in FL.

Maine is lovely, but as others said rent be fore you buy - spring can be a long time coming (say May) after a dreary winter-