firefighterjake said:
As for hunting and fishing . . . it's hard to find a spot in Maine that doesn't offer decent hunting and fishing with a 20-45 minute drive . . . a lot depends on what you want to hunt and fish . . . if you're into moose up north and downeast is good, central Maine offers fantastic deer and turkey hunting . . . and then there is the salt water vs. fresh water fishing debate. Really . . . it's hard to not find a place where you can't find something to hunt or fish.
Schools . . . again, like anywhere there are good school systems and bad . . . I suspect most school systems do well enough. I know I graduated from a podunk small town school built in a former cow field where there were 11 towns that sent their kids to school . . . thought it was pretty hickish . . . until I went to college and realized that my education was actually quite good compared to many other freshmen in college.
So . . . back to your wife . . . what is she looking for . . . does she want to work at a larger hospital that may be a little more cutting edge (nothing is too cutting edge up here though) -- in this case, generally the further south and larger hospitals are your best bet. Does she want a slower pace and more of a community hospital experience -- a small city hospital may be the better choice.
Thanks Jake. Lots of great info you posted there.
I guess as far as schools go, I don't need private school for my girls. I just want the "typical" school for them to attend.
Hopefully a school that 6 year olds don't need to go through metal detectors at the front "gate."
Honestly, school violence can happen anywhere and I know many high schools now have law enforcement officers on site and most all schools are now locking their doors while school is in session . . . partly due to the whole Columbine and Columbine copycats and partly to keep whackadoodles (or angry separated parents) from wandering into the school and attempting an abduction. That said, I go to many schools in the area and I have yet to see any metal detectors.
Wife's work. She like's the action. She has worked adult but much prefers PICU and NICU. Children's Emergency would
be good too. Skateboards,snowboards and trampolines keep them busy!
I don't think any hospital has a dedicated children's ER . . . maybe Portland would. If she wants to work with children and the higher accuity you would want to stick with Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor or the hospitals in LA and Portland. Most other hospitals can work with children, but not at the same higher accuity and many do not have a dedicated floor just for children.
Me. Work will be me putting on the Mr. Mom hat. It will take a while before I can get a working visa. I am also having some
back issues. I am going for an MRI this week to hopefully find the cause of crippling sciatica that I have been going through
for the last 4 months. I am not able to work as a result and have no money coming in at present. I know that pain is just
weakness leaving the body but this is really taking a toll on me.
Could you tell what the employment situation is like in the area for a 40 year old guy with 20 years of shipping/receiving,
forklift operating experience? Is there much in the way of warehousing anywhere close to the area. If I had to drive 45
minutes to work,that would be fine.
As our new Inspector told me . . . "There is work here in Maine -- it just may not be what you used to do, it may not pay the same and you may end up traveling a bit further for the job." I suspect you would find there are some warehouse/forklift jobs available -- warehouses in some of the larger cities and in a few ports. How these jobs pay and how many jobs are available . . . I'm not sure.
Fishing/Hunting. I would basically love to hunt everything except bears. My preferred fishing is for Walleye. I also enjoy Bass
and pike fishing. I have only ever fished Saltwater for Salmon on guided trips but would love to learn to fish on my own for
whatever species there are.(I have absolutely no idea what a guy can catch in the area.)
Not a fisherman or hunter. I know many folks that fish freshwater go for bass, land-locked salmon, trout, etc. As for hunting -- turkey, blackbear, deer, partridge (aka grouse), moose (lottery) . . .
Overall,my ideal home would be located in an area where I can't hear my closest neighbours dog barking or diesel truck
idling. The home would be within 20 minutes of grocery shopping and various other ameneties. Kids playgrounds,community
pools etc. would be fairly close as well. I guess I want my cake and would like to eat it too!
Honestly, this is do-able . . . within reasons . . . I mean to say there are many spots that would fit into this requirement for being quiet, but close to the amenities -- both on the outskirts of some cities and in some bedroom communities to the cities.
Next thing you know you'll be telling me that you dislike Fox or Humpty Dumpty salt and vinegar potato chips and hate whoopie pies. 
