I'm a newcomer to Maine; and don't for a minute think of the irony when I'm posting on r/Maine; despite having the same sentiment vis-a-vis the stressors being faced.

I moved from (near eden) to ME a year ago. Partly because of costs, partly because I've gotten to old to buck/split wood and care for maintaining the homestead, partly to get out of a mortgage, mostly because said homestead is a 2-person operation that were something to happen 1 person couldn't handle the workload.

I would have stayed in VT were it not for insane RE prices, (even a house lot to throw up a tiny house), so after nearly 40 years, spouse-n-me decided to try a change. Maine (the ocean, the north woods) was a good choice, but despite visiting friends here regularly, I miss the greens that I know like the palm of my hand :)

Sounds like that flatlander should go home...;)