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r/Aroostook•
jpp91

Repost from r/Maine: Question about relocating to Caribou/Presque Isle area

I originally posted this question in the r/Maine subreddit, but thought I would repost it here for additional insight. Thanks to all in advance.

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My wife and I are thinking of relocating to northern Maine, specifically the Caribou/Presque Isle area. I have a work opportunity up there. We are planning on visiting at the end of the month to get a feel for the place, but ahead of the visit I wanted to reach out to some local Mainers to inquire about the general community of northern Maine.

My wife is originally from Bangor, and while we both would like to move to the country, even she has reservations about moving so far out into the country. Her biggest concern is our ability to make friends with other young people with children (although the kids part isn't exactly necessary). We're fairly introverted as it is, but of course we don't want to move to a place where we have no prospects of finding friends. What sorts of community events (festivals, holidays, etc.) are there in Caribou/Presque Isle that we can take advantage of to make friends? Is the county generally full of old timers and short on young people?

In general, I'm looking for someone to describe the community of the Caribou/Presque Isle area with an eye toward a young couple with kids wanting to make a life there for themselves. Would love to hear from someone from the area natively, or a long time transplant. Thanks in advance.

Posted Jul 11, 2022, 1:39 AM UTC

824
sintixerr•

Hey there. I'm not a long time transplant (two winters in The County) and don't have kids, but since this sub is really quiet, I wanted to at least offer a hello and good luck!

3
Yayadude9108•

jAW

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Realistic-Result-578•

Awe thanks awesome

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jpp91OP•

Thanks for the welcome!

1
FrequentFactor8011•

We just transplanted ourselves last July. Everyone here is friendly. Caribou has Thurdays on Sweden street, a roller rink for the kids, and my kids do gymnastics and Karate so I've had lots of opportunities to meet other people. If your an introvert I imagine it will be harder but not impossible to know people. And it's small enough that everyone will know you anyway!

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jpp91OP•

Thanks for the insight. Although we are mostly homebodies, we do like to socialize occasionally. Our biggest concern is that we will unintentionally become recluses and our children will find it difficult to socialize. But I'm glad to hear that there are regular activities for the townsfolk - the roller rink sounds great!

1
curtludwig•

Both Caribou and PI have movie theaters. I REALLY like small town movie theaters where I can actually hear the movie.

Advice for meeting people: Join clubs and be active in them. I met my best friend by joining the snowmobile club. As an adult it's really easy to sit home and say "There is no way to meet anybody" well of course there isn't if you're sitting home. Nobody shows up at your house and says "Be my friend".

The library is a really easy place to start in the community, both PI and Caribou have nice libraries.

Shameless plug, go up to Anderson's Store in Stockholm for great baked goods and the best meat counter around. My cousin owns the place, they're good folks.

3
Realistic-Result-578•

I volunteer at my local library great resource

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jpp91OP•

You're right - you just have to make an effort to meet people. I think we're both concerned that there is so little to do that it would be a monumental effort. However, it's clear that there are tons of activities up in the area. Seems like a very homey place with good country people. I'm looking forward to visiting!

2
curtludwig•

"So little to do" is relative. If you're looking for high theater or trendy little coffee shops and boutiques lining every street you should probably move along. If you like the outdoors it's a good place.

2
Realistic-Result-578•

Awesome

1
MarvinHeemyerlives•

Just don't drink the coffee in New Sweden.

1
Yayadude9108•

Honest question why do you need friends if you're introverted homebodies?

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Realistic-Result-578•

Social interaction is good

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Realistic-Result-578•

Good idea

1
yupuhoh•

Just moved to caribou a couple months ago for my work. Lots of fishing..the kids 8 and 11 like it enough. Every surrounding town has a festival going on it seems around this time of year. Every other Thursday in caribous they have mini fairs. Food vendors and what not. Kids have fun. It's a beautiful area

3
jpp91OP•

Thanks for the insight!

1
Sadie103•

There are a LOT of ignorant people. A LOT of drugs. NOTHING to do. Only good restaurant is the Brewery in Caribou. The potato blossom “festival” isn’t a festival at all, and the pageant is a joke, it is a couple of kids being judged by their friends parents.

Crappy medical care and be ready to be flown downstate if there is a big problem.

A LOT of poverty.

Plus side is there are very few people, and beautiful scenery.

2
CanterburyPie•

Not a long-time transplant- we've been here since 2020. We have small children (4 & 2) and were surprised to discover how many families with young children are up here. Making connections with other families all depends on where you go and how social you are. It was hard during covid because so many families with small kids stayed home and it feels like they're only just this summer getting back out. I'm an introvert and find it hard to make friends but I'm looking forward to signing my kids up for all the awesome programs they have at the rec center (Caribou) when they're older; I know as they get older, it'll be easier for them and us to make friends. Sorry for the long post but hope this helped. I had never been to Maine until 2020, so I'm still getting used to it. Winters are harsh but it kind of forces you to find an outdoor winter hobby, which is good!

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jpp91OP•

Thanks so much for the comment! This is very helpful. We have a newborn and are looking for things for him to do when he is a bit older - it seems like there is plenty.

1
FactoryPomo•

I moved up here from out of state last year. The cost of living is obscenely low. I'm a single guy in my mid 20's, I still haven't really met anyone yet, but I'm not particularly bothered by it.

More and more people from out of state are coming up here, it's incredible.

2
jpp91OP•

Good to hear, thanks! I've heard from others that more and more people are moving to the county - I hope that it grows (only slightly) in population over the coming years, and that there are more young people to build a long-term community.

1
smwg2022•

I've been here since 18 and I'm actually moving back to Bangor soon, cause like your wife said it's really far away from everything.

there are plenty of activities for the kids though, dance, karate, the rec on PI. the library hosts events too and just did a fairy festival. liked mentioned, caribou does Thursdays on Sweden St, PI has Rocking on Riverside which are mini concerts. sometimes PI does movies in the park too. the fair can be pretty sad and overpriced. it's fast more of an agricultural fair than one with good rides. PI does have a great farmers market on Saturdays! there's a stained glass store in caribou that does classes for kids, and the lady is very sweet. her classes are really fun too - Glass with Class. our movie theaters are real small but locally owned and Chris is a nice guy. my first 2 or 3 years up here we didn't have the theater open, so I don't complain haha

it's rough being 2.5hrs from Bangor/4 from Portland though, at least for me. I've wanted to move back home to Bangor for at least a decade. cost of living is probably similar to the rest of Maine. we have a 2 bedroom apartment in a borderline sketchy area, and we pay 850. we both work for the hospital which is one of the higher paying jobs, except for like McCain's or pineland. I made friends through college (why I moved up here) and work. I don't have kids but I think it'd be easier to make friends if we had them.

for crime and what not, well in the decade and a half I've lived here I've been burglarized on Christmas, had a car stolen and my husband has been stabbed. there's some ODs and we do have some struggling with homelessness.

sorry for the real long post. if you have specific questions, let me know. I've been here so long I've apparently fooled baby people into thinking I'm a native and my husband who legit had never lived elsewhere is the transplant

1
jpp91OP•

Thanks for your words of advice. Did/do you find it difficult to locate housing? We would probably rent before we buy.

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smwg2022•

we tend to be long term renters, so when we HAVE looked we've found a place fairly easily. we've been in this apartment for 4-5 years, and the previous one was 3ish years. our rent has gone up to 850 for a 2 bedroom, heat included. to me it's not worth 850, but it's probably far lower rent wise than others. i have a friend in Mars Hill renting their house for 1250 for a 2bdrm with a 2 car attached garage.

we live on the old base in PI where there are tons of duplexes. some are Mi'kmaq apartments, some are from DC rentals where they have to pay basically everything, then Thor Enterprises are who we rent from. our neighbors are really chill. there used to be a meth house on the other side of us, but they got evicted eventually.

2
smwg2022•

do you mind if i ask where your job offer is? that may sway where you guys should live too

2
jpp91OP•

It's in Limestone. We've been looking there and in Fort Fairfield as well.

1
smwg2022•

fort would be a good place to live. limestone has a whole lotta nothing. fort has a big potato blossom festival each year, right around this time actually

2
TheUnknownNut22•

I've been here about four years. I just wanted to comment that people here have very strong feelings about politics. Get used to seeing Trump flags depending on where to go. I was working in agriculture technology up until covid hit. I had to get out and switch jobs for my own sanity because of the politicizing of masks, etc. I just wanted to work and keep politics out of it.

There's a lot of ignorant people here (not all of course). I'm planning to move back to Portland someday when prices are more sane again.

1
Realistic-Result-578•

I enjoy aroostook county

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