joeydokes t1_j1xmgl7 wrote
I hope my post is showing more insight than ignorance as I'm not a true Mainer, but have been in (rural) NNE for the past 40 years. Sorry for the 'book'; maybe it'll start a convo.
Most of the greying is in the rural parts; not sure how many young folk would want to live there, let alone have the family support network needed to survive, let alone thrive. From afar, they may see it as their dream; but seeing something from distance and being in the middle of it is the reality check. Many new arrivals don't last a year, let alone 5, or 10. The "Peace and Quiet" (serenity) turns into isolation and loneliness (and substance abuse). The silence and solitude of Nature can be deafening. Whittling helps, when you're not too busy w/chores :)
A good example would be the owners of Airline waystop. I'm not doxing, them but hat-tipping their efforts of these past 5 years. Relocates, with kids, over-worked, in the middle of bupkis - that can become a grind in no time w/out the support of extended family (IMO)
Farming is another example of multi-generational endeavor; and succession (farm advocacy in general) is something I know a bit about.
Anyhow, the rough math in my head:
71yrs (b 1951) is the mean of the 30m boomer generation; which has a long slope from '51 to '61. And 73yrs (1949) is prob closer to the average. This means that boomers are now 61-76yrs old.
Over 76 is the post-WWII generation; who came of age w/the Korean War and McCarthyism, who didn't qualify as Brokaw's greatest. That cohort will be mostly gone in 10yrs and the bulk of the boomers will likely be in nursing homes or supervised care.
Regardless, between moving out to warmer climes, to go into nursing, or to go into the dirt, there's going to be a lot of real-estate opening up (all across Northern NE) in the next 10-15 years. And the bulk of it will be in wide-spot-in-the-road townships that have spent generations getting and keeping their shit together to survive.
There's not a whole lot of horticulture/Animal Husbandry/Ag (like VT); no fields of hemp as prolific as berries in the barrans. Even if ME/Extension were to try and attract farmers it would be a hard-scrabble life. Maine is timber/forestry and most of that land is owned by 2 big outfits.
Rural + recreation has potential, but places like Jackman can have only so many guides and rafting centers. Skiing is likely going to see decline in 20yrs.
TL:DR: Surviving (non-recreational) rural would not be for the faint hearted, even with only a 'reasonable' commute to a 'real' job. Rural life is wearing many hats, including the mostly unemployed one in winter.
The only way to 'grow' ME (IMO) is expanding the (sub)urban areas and attracting good paying jobs because the community is forward looking, green and affordable. In a Bangor neighborhood over 1/2 the neighbors are 65+ and living in the house they grew up in. I've no doubt its the same in other small ME 'cities'. Homes on a postage-sized lot that sold for 1/2 of their present day value in the 'aughts. Starter families would need real, livable, wages to afford even a 100yr old home. That's quite a challenge to solve.
Sadly, the little places in the other 2/3's of the State may come to look as overgrown as their cemetaries. It's all happened before these past 200 yrs and will likely happen again.
............................... We're #1 :) ~300K are 65+
https://www.prb.org/resources/which-us-states-are-the-oldest/
21.7% are 65+
lucidlilacdream t1_j1yv4g8 wrote
Because of the aging population, a lot of the jobs needed are in healthcare. Yet, nursing, where many of jobs are needed, actually pays less in Maine compared to other states. One incentive would be to raise healthcare wages, especially in areas in need to attract younger people.
jnxn t1_j1z93p4 wrote
This. My wife and I are in healthcare and moved here during the pandemic. She's a nurse and I am non-patient facing. It's crazy to me the gap of what I make compared to her. If we stayed in Western mass she would be by far the bread winner and making over 100k but no we moved to Maine and she makes 60k with more patients and less benefits. I see how much Maine hospitals rely on agency RN's and its not sustainable yet they are doing nothing to retain employed nurses. Dumbasses are going to be fucked as more continue to retire or leave patient facing jobs. My wife is going towards remote triage nursing because if you're going to get paid shit might as well not break your back caring to 6 dying patients at one time
w1nn1ng1 t1_j1zisny wrote
The only way to be a nurse in Maine and be fulfilled financially is to be a per diem nurse. You get no benefits, but you get 50% more pay. I know traveling nurses making close to $100k in Maine. You have to be specialized, but it’s there. Working for a healthcare system in Maine as a nurse is short changing yourself and forcing yourself to be overworked.
jnxn t1_j200wui wrote
Traveling is fine if you're under 30 with no family but it's not an option for most. Per diem just means not committed to a weekly schedule but they get paid the same. Sometimes though rare they give extra incentives to cover open shifts but nothing that gets you anywhere near $100k. At least at MaineHealth
w1nn1ng1 t1_j2024vt wrote
Why isn’t traveling nurses an option? I know plenty who are home every day and don’t have to stay near the hospital. In Central Maine, I know people who worked for St. Mary’s, CMMC and Maine General and were home everyday. They also made easily $90k per year doing it.
joeydokes t1_j1zsa6g wrote
Besides covid and supply issues in general, I suspect it could be in part due to consolidation. I.E. Bangor has 3 major networks NorthernLights, StJoes/CovenantHealth, and PCHC. Would not be surprised if good prices and salaries are inversely proportional to their networks.
curtludwig t1_j1z0e1n wrote
>There's not a whole lot of horticulture/Animal Husbandry/Ag (like VT); no fields of hemp as prolific as berries in the barrans. Even if ME/Extension were to try and attract farmers it would be a hard-scrabble life. Maine is timber/forestry and most of that land is owned by 2 big outfits.
Never been to Aroostook have you?
joeydokes t1_j1zljtt wrote
Only cruised up #1 , between callis and houlton, and points West to Jackman. 2023 will be the year I explore North country ;) but I suppose you're referring to the potato industry?
curtludwig t1_j1zpuiv wrote
Not just the potatoes, in early September most of the broccoli eaten on the east coast comes from Aroostook county. The farmer that rents my land farms something like 3000 acres.
They don't plant the same thing every year, this year my land was in oats, last year potatoes. I think broccoli is every 4 years...
joeydokes t1_j1zq9ql wrote
Good to know! Thanks for the info. Am looking forward to traipsing around north country next year :)
bryceisaskategod t1_j1xqxm5 wrote
I’m in Utah right now, and only 25, but would love to move out there at some point. It’s good to hear people’s thoughts on the whole thing especially from those who live there. It’s a beautiful state and visited back in may and loved it. Hope to move out sooner rather than later.
ReallyFineWhine t1_j1yzcj0 wrote
C'mon out. I grew up in Utah and never liked the browns and greys of the desert. Much prefer the green and blue of the Maine forests and water. And it's also not a theocracy.
lucidlilacdream t1_j1z0r3e wrote
Maine is beautiful, but so is Utah. I love both.
bryceisaskategod t1_j1yzgmx wrote
I hope to soon! Same here! Utah has some things I like, sure. But Maine does them ten times better. The forests, the ocean, everything. So beautiful
hike_me t1_j1zvt9p wrote
My wife and I love Utah (except for the Mormon church). We’ve been discussing eventually downsizing our home in Maine and splitting our time between the Moab area and Maine.
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