Tag: living in maine

Maine Quality Of Life, A Purpose Where You Live.

Maine Is Outdoors, Not Chrome And Glass, Gold Fancy. But Outdoor Natural Stunning Beauty. Come Sample ME.

The talents, skills you have that are unique to your personality are very much needed in a small Maine town.

Because fewer people and the “pitch in attitude” means you would be missed if you stepped away. You have a greater purpose and are way way more involved. You know your neighbors well because your leisure time is putting together local community events.

More and more phone calls, emails with a common theme, lament, okay whine.

Hearing in person from folks living in crowded cities that they are not happy. Have been in a funk. Had the condition for some time now. And starting to realize it is not their mate. But the surroundings of where they live that is causing strain, cracks. Coming up short.

Something is missing and life is flying by. Many live in fear of crime, gangs. Others just say their day to day is a big bone tiring race. Too hectic and the cause of the truck tire forming around their waist. All that gray hair or loss on whatever was on their heads.

And the sobering realization that they could never afford to retire where they live now. Nor would they want to although their area was at one time a neat place to call home. Before all the people moved in. And life changed big time. When the cost of living became nose bleed high across the board for everything. Everywhere they turned. Permits, regulation overload and being taxed to death left and right takes its toll. Causing many to consider a Maine move, retirement relocation to the Pine Tree State.

Or worry about raising their kids in an urban area, not in Maine is making them have second thoughts on where they should be living.

You don’t move to Maine to make a giant salary. You take money out of the equation. Find it is cheaper to live here. Because your fun is low or no cost when you are lucky enough to live in Vacationland full time. Maine housing, real estate price tags are a fraction of other places. And the long list of what we don’t have that includes traffic, people insincerity, often a mortgage, is just as special as the four season unspoiled beauty of Maine. All by themselves. There is space in the place called Maine.

What some spend only one week a year to see is at your disposal year round when you live in Maine.

Alpine ski a Maine hill or cross counry ply a field on a sunny winter day. Climb Mt Katahdin or a myriad of other hills of different degrees of difficulty other seasons. Spend time kayaking a Maine lake. Fishing a hidden stream. Biking a park way perimeter roadway. Hunt, hide out, collect images shooting photos. Of places that depending on the season, your place in life can look so vastly different. Clarity and awareness happen when you spend time in Maine. You appreciate the little things in Maine more.

Plant and grow your own Maine farm food to know what you are putting in your body.

Feeding your family at the daily meals. Gaining the independence, self reliant feeling do more and more yourself. Not hiring it out. As you become the Jack of all trades by necessity. And find you are more connected with other neighbors down the road after the same richness, quality of living. Safe place to raise their kids.

Examine the images of Maine and see if it stirs you. Hits an inner special place. Find what you are looking for, what is missing in Maine. Get here quick as you can.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

January 9, 2013
Maine Has Four Seasons, Don’t Waste Any Of Them.

Find Yourself In Maine. Small Towns Rich In Common Sense. Places Built To Last.

The answer to the right time to come to Maine?

As often as you can. Whenever you make time, need to for recharging, unplugging. Or just for answers to inner questions that just don’t get addressed when you are helter skelter, pedal to the metal out straight where you live now.

In nearly 33 years of listing, selling Maine real estate, over and over the underlying theme from out of state buyers of properties is this. Something is missing from their life where they live now. The buyer is looking for more than sticks and bricks. A whole new area, life setting needed. Because it is either too congested around them. They may have to travel too far to work to afford the lower cost area their home is in.

But the home owner is never home to see the kids growing up.

Latch key kids. Getting fat, lazy, and never happy. Whiners happen, are made. Or the cost to live in a sardine packed tightly urban area has just taken its toll in other stressful ways. Always bone weary, dog tired and all the city dwellers admitting they wondered what was wrong for a while. Were blind and thought everyone lived this way in the game of life. That it took some time to come to the same conclusion I hear over and over. Maine is different, special, unique and one of the last places out there to run away to.

The buyer of Maine property is seeing his or her life flying by. It is way past the time when they should have changed course and moved. Head to a place where man has not spoiled it by over commercialization. Where development is not a common place condition. Where permits, regulations, permission for this or that is not ham stringing a person.

Maine is simple. The friendly people are not but the setting is natural, easy, real. Not spun, not chrome and glass. Not pretentious or snobby. But instead evergreen fragrant with the sound of crystal clean splashing water. With views of landscape, waterfront and wildlife that were not meant to be wasted.

The location, the spot on the planet you are at governs everything that happens around, to you and your family.

Lower cost living means not so much worry about the mortgage hanging around your neck. Debt is not how we run our households in Maine. Stepping up the payments to not have that mortgage trumps the need for something new and shiny. The effort, expense to impress the neighbors or cause envy among your peers is replaced with pitching in to local small town events. Small Maine home town values. What you are after? Maine is the way it used to be everywhere else but sadly is not anymore.

We are involved in the local fabric of our towns in Maine.

Instead of standing around like spectators or paying admission to attend an event, we work them. Are part of the experience which is richer, more complete because we are in the planning, the behind the scenes. And active in our communities. Feeling connected to the folks that live here. Pride swelling for the local home town in Maine and all the folks in it. We share their successes, pray about their set backs. We need and lean on each other.

Where do you live now?

Do you feel something is missing? Anxious, jittery, restless and don’t know why? The way you spend your time now. All store bought past times or over indulgence of something you know is not healthy for you to cope? To handle it all? The “crutches” you use, throw them away and consider relocating, moving to Maine. Forget any stories from folks that have never been here about polar bears, igloos, dog sleds for travel. That’s Artic Circle. Not Maine.

Get here part or full time. Watch how your life begins anew. Start living. Because if you are standing still, stressed out and all around not so healthy, in the pink, there is another way. The place with the space. Maine. Get here quick as you can. To find out what has been missing.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

December 20, 2012
“Well Bub, Like I Said It’s Hard Telling Not Knowing….”

Moose, Lighthouses, And Friendly People… Part Of Maine.

Living in small rural Maine is not like any other place.

The people are fewer, down to Earth, hard working, God fearing. With a small Maine home town pride burning brightly deep down inside every man, woman, child.

A strong willingness to help, pitch in when Maine community events need a hand. You don’t just report to work. Do your job and at quitting time have boat loads of free, idle time on your hands evenings, weekends. No no, not in Maine a state with more wildlife than people. With your neighbors more often four legged, furry and outnumbering the two walking limb kind.

There is a connection in small Maine towns that can not be swept under the rug, ignored.

It hits you when new to the area. Is just a comfortable, familiar given when you’ve logged some time here. Or were lucky enough to actually grow up in Maine.

You don’t just attend pre-arranged events in a local Maine community. You work them, help orchestrate, have a role. You are an intricate, vital part of them. Year after year. Because home grown beats expensive store bought any day of the week. And without volunteers pitching in, the events could not be bankrolled, put on any other way in a small Maine town. Just too low a population. Your kid’s school, sporting, church, family activities pull you into the pulse of a small Maine town. The stars are our own in a Maine home town. Watched, coached, taught, mentored, enjoyed from the ground up as kids that have center stage. Are our future.

When someone has a car accident or word of cancer treatments are underway down country. Or a son, daughter is overseas in the military service over a set of holidays.Then crank up the prayer list chains, share concerns, activate public suppers to help the families happens instantly. The recipients of the small Maine town attention from friends, neighbors, family, even strangers are blown away from the generosity. The care, concern blows them away. Because we are independent. Don’t make a habit, not fond of, used to asking for help. Would rather pitch in, pull our weight and then some to a life time of service in a small Maine town.

Maine people step up, assume roles, tasks, tackle the chores.

With no questions asked. Taking ownership in year after year contribution of time, money, creative sweat and tears. Rich in pride, respect for their special town spot on the vast map called Maine. In whatever small way they can. With whatever talents, skills, traits God put into their beings to help others whenever possible. And in turn enriching their own lives in the process of greater commitment. Because we are grateful, privileged to live, work, play in the great outdoors named Vacationland. Not a few, the majority of locals.

Walking tonight under moonlight, the approaching Christmas season more and more obvious each evening. I hear, see a hospital night flight helicopter slowing lifting out with blinking red navigation lights. Heading south. Leaving those in the neighborhood hearing the chopper blades too. All wondering who is on board. Thinking what family needs a call, a hand, food platter, a sympathetic ear, prayers or more. In small town Maine, people care about each other. Are intricately connected. All needed because only so many folks populate Maine counties like Aroostook, Washington, Penobscot, Piscataquis. We need them all, they are the unique flavor, spark, the vibrant color radiating brightly, constantly in every Maine town.

We Have Space In Maine, Less People, More Unspoiled Outdoors Which Helps Enrich Life.

I am so glad I live in Northern Maine.

Long for the space. Happy about the lack of crime, the lower population. Greater outdoor four season recreational options my family can enjoy all year round. Not just having to settle for a mere week or two a year on tightly scripted vacations. When travel time to and from out of state eats up lots of the precious vacation time experience for Maine non residents. What’s missing in your life? Do you know without a doubt you live where you should be on the planet? Or is it “hard telling without knowing”? Get to Maine, sample ME any chance you can. Not a bad early New Year’s resolution to top your list. Find your place in the space called Maine.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

November 26, 2012
Maine Simple, Easy And Tell Me What To Expect.

In movies, books knowing how things turn out, what happens at the ending is not so critical.

Helping Each Others, Aware It Is All About Others.
Part of the entertainment is just trusting that usually things turn out for the best. And everyone lives pretty much “happily ever after”. In real life, folks want honesty. Need predictable to happen more often than not and routines that are healthy to be happy, content.

Wouldn’t you agree that most people are well intentioned?

That we all want the same things? Love, security, family, to work together for the common good? Buckle up. And accelerate away from the stinking thinking, that default notion that others are not so noble or think first only about themselves. And find yourself in Maine where we need each other. Less of us to lean on and we are all more empowered through life’s twists, turns and straight aways to reach out to lend a hand, extend a sympathetic ear.

In rural states like Maine where self sufficiency is more critical for day to day survival, I think Mainers extend others more slack, apply less demands.

And look deep inside to cultivate more from themselves. Events that don’t turn out the way you had hoped, prayed, dream can sadden. Or the way you look at them, the approach in your thinking can be “wait a minute”. With positive consideration that good does triumph, come out of every situation if we pull back and really see the unfolding events.

Learning, growing never stop. Maturity happens because of those events we would not wish on anyone but that have to be experienced just the same. Head in the sand denial to our role in the events is not an option and greater appreciation for life happens from each of the joys and even setbacks all of us go through.

Don’t wallow, don’t anger, or get apathetic or judgemental during pain and suffering.

Chose to accept and see the how and why and benefit from them. To constantly work on our outlook, to rid ourselves of tearing down “stinking thinking”. Otherwise you infect others near and dear around you. You rob yourself and others from enjoying all the good in life, in others in it.

Make things easier for yourself, for others and strive to find enjoyment, happiness that is surrounding us. If we open our eyes, ears, hearts and live in today. Plan and dream in the future. Maine is a place where there are special nooks and crannies to really think. To pray. To accept the unchangeable, to see and believe in the possibilities presented every day to all of us. Many of the ruts, holes, snags we encounter in life are because of our own limitations, not others that it can be too simple to blame. Point fingers at. Keep it simple, easy grasshopper. Strive to not get shook up, to instead hang loose. And become excited, enthused, passionate about what your life can offer others by sharing your skills, talents and working hard on relationships.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

October 5, 2012
Maine …. Living In Gentile Poverty, Being Highly Creative.

Living Simple, Happy, In Gentile Poverty In Maine.

Back in 2001, a Maine farm property we had listed was not selling.

So because the rear portion of this rectangular parcel of Maine land bordered another year round roadway, the back 20 acres was sold off. The couple who bought it were not flush with cash. Did not have highly lucrative weekly income streaming into a bank savings account.

Eleven years later, I get a call about listing the land in Maine.

When I turn signal into the 550′ long driveway I am impressed with what I see. The drive in shows flowers beds, landscaped grounds. Neat as a pin. As my jeep arrives in the main dooryard, an antique barn appears to the south of the Maine land. The couple had bought an old barn in Amity Maine for $500. Carefully dismantled it, reassembled the hand hewn beams with considerable patience, pride, love and respect.

The barn had been used for horses with two box stalls years before my visit to list the property. But now the second floor hay loft instead of housing tidy rows of square bales, was a place to make music. To relax in the loft with friends who also played, were musicians of sorts too. Warm, comfortable colored lighting, the upper level of the gable roof line making this “space” inviting. I could mentally hear the jam sessions, laughter, time spent on a Saturday night socializing in the barn loft.

Outside the wife had been very industrious, on her knees creating perennial flower gardens of all sorts.

Placed in just the right spots. The perfect size for balance and placement to add to the setting. The couple had started with just Maine land. And cleared sections with a chainsaw together and not modern expensive woods machinery. You get an idea of what this couple is capable of together with creativity, patience but not flush with cash. And grateful, rich in gratitude, joy, a sense of inner peace radiating from both.

Demonstrating living in “Maine gentile poverty” and smiling ear to ear in their day to day life. Not in a hurry or seemingly ham stringed by lack of funds, resources. Creating their own pathway of building a neat, hidden farmette country setting in the Northern Maine, Aroostook County outside Houlton Maine.

The garage was moved in from another location a few towns away.

Like the Maine barn, it came with next to nothing for cost in dead Presidents, sawbucks. But sweat equity, putting their back in to making the relocation move from where it was to the new spot on the Maine land the “expense”. I toured the inside and everything had a place. A a once basket case 18 year old Harley black motorcyle parked gleaming. A source of deep pride with the Maine bike owner. An addition for winter heating wood stacked, filled and awaiting snow flakes in the weather forecast attached to this garage / heated workshop.

The cost for the modern septic system, drilled well, bringing power in 550′ feet, adding the multiple loads of gravel for a driveway, parking lot, base for the Maine house all done for $8000. Selecting a low low budget local earth contractor. Who lived down the road, a neighbor with zero overhead picked for the frugal operation. Everything for contracting machinery around him long long paid for and who still charged contracting prices based on a twenty years ago payment schedule.

Because money was not readily available, highly resourceful methods and thinking came into play to create the Maine country home and land development.

I am impressed with this couple and their quiet yet successful approach to create a loving Maine farm property from scratch. Using what they had to work with “reallocated” around them. Items some would classify basket case, trash not treasure.

The Maine home is a classic. Two identical 1969 New Yorker mobile home trailers lived in by a mother and an Aunt that never had wild parties. Where lights were out by nine pm. Scripture verses quoted, hung through out the cared for homes as reminders on how to live life cleanly, simply, Godly.

The Pennsylvania made homes were bought singularly and spent most of their life alone.

But now joined together in marriage as one with the help of a bulldozer. That hooked a cable to one frame. To snug it tightly, get it up close and personal to the other. While down below the owner added ready rod to the two frames. Then tightening the bolts to complete the cinching together operation on the lower end of things. The cherry on top? The new metal roof added to shed snow over both now Siamese twin units. To prohibit leaking that flat roof mobile homes of that vintage are famous for in Maine snow country.

Inside the Noah’s ark of “two of everything” inventory of rooms meant deciding which kitchen is best. How to reconfigure two Maine homes into one and all the renovations, removal, put back in construction. Again with the materials they can afford, have on hand and lots of time to think the new floor plan out. Planning together. Sharing a common vision the husband and wife craft, create and dream about together.

Maine, money is not the end all and hard work, challenging yourself and enjoying the four season outdoor natural beauty is.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

September 6, 2012
If People Had Barcodes, Wore Their Ingredient Label Proudly.

If You, Me Were Out In The Open Labeled With Barcodes, Ingredient Labels Of What’s Inside.

What’s inside or missing in people we meet, have relationships of all kinds with in life?

Not what you have a gut feeling is inside. Not what they look you straight in the eye and tell you, believe themselves is inside. But the actual ingredients, tendencies, needs today.

What is in too great a supply of things that don’t set well with the way you are wired, built? What is missing and again something in a certain daily supply you need as a must in a relationship? Or what do you have more than enough for two of in this, this and this area. And the other person does too for something you are lacking for the needed daily requirement in a balanced, nutritious healthy relationship? But moderation of what you both need in the right supply to compliment what you already have on board inside each of you. The stuff that makes you unique, tick, shine, the way you need to roll. Not perfect but perfect for you. Custom made. Putting the fun in dysfunction.

And if you knew the good, bad and the ugly relationship nutritional ingredients easily read with a scanner or visually on the side of each and every person, time could be saved. Study the label as they lift their arm that is pasted on their side. Like you and I study them in the grocery aisles comparable shopping.

Sure, the mystery of getting to know someone can be fun exploring the unknown.

But knowing upfront what you need from the other, what you bring to the table for the good of the relationship. It can be argued people grow, change together and regardless of the here and now, can both build toward a shared vision of unity, oneness. From time to time the panels on each, the bar codes would need updating. Because life goes on, experiences happen.

And other people, your relationships rub off in good and not so great ways. Knowing hurt people hurt people. And often don’t always know why. Like if you had critical parents growing up that were not huggers, did not affirm you or make you feel worthwhile. That you could never please. Just seemingly disappoint. That kind of hurt, pain or missing needed childhood “vitamin” would mean your barcode, side panel would spell out “needs extra helping of daily hugs, confidence building and esteem boosting”.

No panel, no barcode, no communication with nothing held back is key. Otherwise you don’t know what is lacking, why the relationship later in life bogs down or stalls. But pretty sure it is the other person’s fault can happen. Thinking, reacting, feeling your way along blindly. Out of control. When the problem is your own to uncover, study, fix rather than coping in unhealthy ways blaming others for the “deficiency”. It takes two to shine. Or get axle deep, stuck in sinking quicksand.

But avoiding unhappy relationship box canyons going in almost sounds like arranged marriages by folks in other cultures that really knew the children.

And helped come along side to tie the knot that stays happily tied because of their experience from day one until the march down the aisle. They know the kids they raised and can predict this will or will not work. But there are surprises because some folks bring out your best… or worse. And the odds makers are not always right. There are flukes.

But for the long term, to know you are investing years to get decades, a lifetime not start, then start again. Not talking dating, but hoping for the rest of your life partner material. If you knew yourself, and matched the stuff that made you with what was needed to make the two of you even better. Too scientific for you? Not just relying on God or being in the dark, having to have faith in this kind of situation?

But ahh, who prints out the ingredient label, properly sets up the bar code for the reader, scanner?

Are we always honest with ourselves, are others we meet always open books, heart’s worn on their sleeves? Or do they pretend, convince themselves they are who they appear to the world to be. Coping the best they can or over compensating and missing true rich, deep happiness, joy, peace. But looking good to most.

Like being trim but not healthy, fit when microscoped. If you could hook up the mechanic’s diagnostics machinery. Plugged in and the reading showing you overheat under pressure. The graph shows capacity to be extra patient under a heavy load. Or prone to blame others when going gets tough. Or exta high levels of being a team player and ability to find the good when others deem situation dire, hopeless, a waste of time.

Information is powerful and quickly cuts to the chase on the likehood of a breakdown and in how many miles.

What to expect and odds of success, failure or going to be a case of just bumping along where both are not getting the maximum out of the relationship. Shown on the scope as here’s your problem. Loud and clear even though the truth hurts. It will set you free. Needs to be seen in black and white clarity. Like it or not.

Maine, a state where you get outdoors every chance you can. You get in tune with you. Know yourself inside and out. And the honest, down to Earth people around you pitch in, tell you things in a nice way about yourself. And are all ears to learn what can run off from your experiences, wisdom too. Maine, find your place in the space called Vacationland.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

July 19, 2012