3 Tips for Moving to Maine

How to begin your relocation to “Vacationland”

Many regard Maine as an iconic vacation spot, ripe with lobsters and blueberries, rocky shores, sandy beaches and lighthouses, the occasional Steven King sighting, and bottles of Moxie, the quirky, vintage soda with a more…acquired taste. But what if the vacation didn’t have to end?

With diverse options for living and working in the state’s varied regions, these three tips will help hone in on what’s important to you and your family— and help you locate the Maine home you’ve been dreaming of.

First, know your regions

An hour drive in Maine, a relatively large state by New England standards, could mean the difference between an urban hotspot and sparsely-inhabited wilderness. Here’s a general overview, borrowed from liveandworkinmaine.com.

• Aroostook County is a patchwork of ponds and pines so vast, it’s known simply as “the county.” It’s a place big enough to let time travel both ways.
• Downeast and Acadia region boasts countless quaint coastal towns like Blue Hill and Winter Harbor, which carry the natural beauty of this region right in their names.
• Maine Lakes and Mountains has all the prey and powder outdoorsy folks love. Cast a line, stalk a stag, or set your sites on tamer targets—like a clear slope of fresh-fallen snow.
• Kennebec Valley encompasses a north-to-south journey through the valley’s 5,000 square miles and tells a story of recreation, culture, education and history that reveals a richly rewarding view around every river bend.
• Maine Highlands are home to Maine’s largest lake, tallest mountain, and the city that serves as the gateway to both.
• Midcoast Maine beats with the ebb and flow of the tides, to the delight of residents and visitors alike.
• Greater Portland and Casco Bay is where fishing port meets stylish, historic, bustling city, rich with academic and cultural attractions.
• Maine beaches are exactly what you’d picture “Vacationland” to be, full of charming coastal villages and shops, and soft white sandy beaches to explore.

Second: Winter essentials include snow tires and Subarus

Winters are cold, snowy, and can seem like they last forever (good news for skiers and snowboarders). The January-to-March stretch can especially wreak havoc on roads (good news for road repair crews come springtime), so you’ll see a lot of all-wheel drive vehicles, massive snow tires, and people who don’t bat an eye while driving through a foot of snow. The best part of moving to Maine, though, are the kindhearted Mainers who seem to appear out of nowhere, wearing their Bean boots, to help with anything you need. And then, realizing that winter is so, so, worth it come June when you’re enjoying a cup of tea on your deck overlooking the ocean.

Last: Moving to Maine is a good choice for families

Award-winning school systems and opportunities for culture and recreation make Maine a year-round gem for families and singles alike. Thrillist named Maine the second-best state in the country to live in, Today called Maine the seventh-best state to have a baby, and it was rated the fifth-safest state to live in from Movoto.

What’s most important to you will drive your search for homes in Maine, so when you begin looking at potential homes, be sure to use a tool that allows you to search by variables that are your top priority. View Maine homes for sale on Verani’s property search, and filter by school district, region, or many other criteria that define your perfect property.

Enjoy the relocation

Relocating to Maine (or anywhere) should be an exciting and positive experience. One way we help buyers enjoy the process is through Verani’s relocation services. A dedicated relocation specialist manages the moving checklist and many of the smaller details for you, so you can be as involved (or not) as you want.