MAINE: Slowly DYING Towns In The Farthest Away Corner Of The United States
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Date: 2024-01-28
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Comments and reviews: 34
user-uo1qr6vn1q
Those are some damn big (& gorgeous) houses - & overall a very nice looking area - for a town that people are moving away from. You mention you’ve been to many other parts of the country, & I assume that includes other small towns & areas people are leaving.
As a resident of the South, there are many small, rural towns down here (population anywhere from several hundred to 10-15K) that folks are also leaving & that make the Maine town you’re in look like Beverly Hills. I mean there are so many areas down here that literally look like a bomb went off in their downtowns, and they’ve looked that way for years. I’m not sure if that’s content you are interested in, but I can promise each one has a story (both interesting & depressing) to tell. When you’re done freezing your ass off up north, just come on down. But if you’re expecting this type of scenery (just with a different accent, prepare to be shocked. As always, thanks for the different perspective. Especially a place like this, so completely different (& further North) than I’d ever get to.
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Those are some damn big (& gorgeous) houses - & overall a very nice looking area - for a town that people are moving away from. You mention you’ve been to many other parts of the country, & I assume that includes other small towns & areas people are leaving.
As a resident of the South, there are many small, rural towns down here (population anywhere from several hundred to 10-15K) that folks are also leaving & that make the Maine town you’re in look like Beverly Hills. I mean there are so many areas down here that literally look like a bomb went off in their downtowns, and they’ve looked that way for years. I’m not sure if that’s content you are interested in, but I can promise each one has a story (both interesting & depressing) to tell. When you’re done freezing your ass off up north, just come on down. But if you’re expecting this type of scenery (just with a different accent, prepare to be shocked. As always, thanks for the different perspective. Especially a place like this, so completely different (& further North) than I’d ever get to.
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user-jb1qs2bk6b
You are correct about the drive from Bangor to Houlton on I95 having sparse traffic, but the scenery is so beautiful. I make this drive every year to see friends in northern Aroostook County (aka the County) and look forward to the drive. Little traffic, no billboards, and signs with hard to pronounce names on water ways and off the highway towns. Remember to get gas and food before getting on this stretch. The only time in 30 years of driving this road it was more scary than beautiful was in a January snowstorm. Maine is almost two separate states -southern and northern - attitudes, culture, population, and even the language (many northern are bilingual English/French. I love the slower pace of The County and the small-town culture. I lived there for two years but needed a better paying job. It is a good place and worth the explore.
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You are correct about the drive from Bangor to Houlton on I95 having sparse traffic, but the scenery is so beautiful. I make this drive every year to see friends in northern Aroostook County (aka the County) and look forward to the drive. Little traffic, no billboards, and signs with hard to pronounce names on water ways and off the highway towns. Remember to get gas and food before getting on this stretch. The only time in 30 years of driving this road it was more scary than beautiful was in a January snowstorm. Maine is almost two separate states -southern and northern - attitudes, culture, population, and even the language (many northern are bilingual English/French. I love the slower pace of The County and the small-town culture. I lived there for two years but needed a better paying job. It is a good place and worth the explore.
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user-yl2lv3no8g
I live in New Brunswick and still cross border to go to some of the border towns. I think Maine is beautiful and peaceful. I was surprised at the crime rates. Prior to Canadians having to get a passport to get into Maine we flocked there for shopping groceries and Grandmas restaurant. Many Canadians were upset by the passport change and stopped going into Maine. Many of the bigger stores have closed now. Also you saw more Canadian license plates in parking lots than Maine plates. I95 was never crowded but did have more traffic than now. The people are super friendly and helpful there and its a shame to see that younger people have to move to make a life for themselves and their families.
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I live in New Brunswick and still cross border to go to some of the border towns. I think Maine is beautiful and peaceful. I was surprised at the crime rates. Prior to Canadians having to get a passport to get into Maine we flocked there for shopping groceries and Grandmas restaurant. Many Canadians were upset by the passport change and stopped going into Maine. Many of the bigger stores have closed now. Also you saw more Canadian license plates in parking lots than Maine plates. I95 was never crowded but did have more traffic than now. The people are super friendly and helpful there and its a shame to see that younger people have to move to make a life for themselves and their families.
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user-jr5fk4nj8s
What a sleepy nice towns! If u don't like crowds it is perfect place for you. Plus homes are pretty cheap compare to the other parts of the country. Nice place to retire or u can work from home online. I don't know why my exhubby didn't sell his home in Aurora CO and move it over there. He actually could've retire after selling his house in Co because home prices are much higher over there. But i think these towns won't be staying cheap for a long time. They will get discovered by people from California and prices on homes will go up same like it happened to Colorado, Montana and other states.
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What a sleepy nice towns! If u don't like crowds it is perfect place for you. Plus homes are pretty cheap compare to the other parts of the country. Nice place to retire or u can work from home online. I don't know why my exhubby didn't sell his home in Aurora CO and move it over there. He actually could've retire after selling his house in Co because home prices are much higher over there. But i think these towns won't be staying cheap for a long time. They will get discovered by people from California and prices on homes will go up same like it happened to Colorado, Montana and other states.
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Fools_Requiem
I drove up to Fort Kent via St Rte 11. From Bangor north, there was almost nothing to see on to Ft Kent outside of Eagle Lake. The towns I saw on the way were likely mostly logging towns and there wasn't much in them except for a lot of poverty (because there are no jobs there. I sped through it like crazy on my way back out so I could get back to Bangor at a reasonable time.
Northern Maine sucks. I could never live out there.
Also, local honey is always worth a purchase. I would have definitely stopped and picked some up at that farmers market.
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I drove up to Fort Kent via St Rte 11. From Bangor north, there was almost nothing to see on to Ft Kent outside of Eagle Lake. The towns I saw on the way were likely mostly logging towns and there wasn't much in them except for a lot of poverty (because there are no jobs there. I sped through it like crazy on my way back out so I could get back to Bangor at a reasonable time.
Northern Maine sucks. I could never live out there.
Also, local honey is always worth a purchase. I would have definitely stopped and picked some up at that farmers market.
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LiTTleGaBi21
As a canadian living in Quebec, Maine feels like home to me everytime I go. I have been there more than a dozen times (I’m 28) and it’s always a pleasure to be down there. Unfortunately, northern Maine has a lot of less fortunate almost abandonned looking towns but they still have their own charm. Portand, Wells, York, Bar Harbor and Bangor are all places I love. Having been all over the country, Maine would probably still be the state I would choose if I lived in the US.
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As a canadian living in Quebec, Maine feels like home to me everytime I go. I have been there more than a dozen times (I’m 28) and it’s always a pleasure to be down there. Unfortunately, northern Maine has a lot of less fortunate almost abandonned looking towns but they still have their own charm. Portand, Wells, York, Bar Harbor and Bangor are all places I love. Having been all over the country, Maine would probably still be the state I would choose if I lived in the US.
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lindabuitendag8414
What does children's poverty mean in your statistics I find your referral to poverty rate very interesting. I deduct its what we in South Africa call unemployment rate. I enjoy travelling through USA towns but to see the poverty in some places and dying towns is very sad, love the architecture of some of the buildings in down town and seen some lovely real American stately homes. I'm from Johannesburg, South Africa.
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What does children's poverty mean in your statistics I find your referral to poverty rate very interesting. I deduct its what we in South Africa call unemployment rate. I enjoy travelling through USA towns but to see the poverty in some places and dying towns is very sad, love the architecture of some of the buildings in down town and seen some lovely real American stately homes. I'm from Johannesburg, South Africa.
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TheVoltdenatsu
i personally believe that northern maine places that can be terraaformed a bit should be used to create potential zones for either habitation for animal sanctuaries or science testing for potential biosphere technology for lunar missions. IE, simulating the idea of transplanting trees and agriculture to see if it can grow in a rocky, freezing cold setting
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i personally believe that northern maine places that can be terraaformed a bit should be used to create potential zones for either habitation for animal sanctuaries or science testing for potential biosphere technology for lunar missions. IE, simulating the idea of transplanting trees and agriculture to see if it can grow in a rocky, freezing cold setting
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maineguitarists
The vast majority of good paying jobs in Maine are in York and Cumberland county. In the towns you visited, they were much higher populated decades ago when the many mills along the rivers were going strong. Still a beautiful place to live if you want nature, low crime, and a rugged independent spirit that many Mainers have. Yankee tom
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The vast majority of good paying jobs in Maine are in York and Cumberland county. In the towns you visited, they were much higher populated decades ago when the many mills along the rivers were going strong. Still a beautiful place to live if you want nature, low crime, and a rugged independent spirit that many Mainers have. Yankee tom
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Surfguitarist59
Love your videos, Joe. I'm here in Southern California and tell my friends about 4 story houses in the mid-west and East that you show. They tell me there ain't no such thing. I tell them, the heck there isn't. first floor, second floor, walkable attic and. a basement. not a cellar. I'm pretty smart fer a surfer boy huh. LOL
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Love your videos, Joe. I'm here in Southern California and tell my friends about 4 story houses in the mid-west and East that you show. They tell me there ain't no such thing. I tell them, the heck there isn't. first floor, second floor, walkable attic and. a basement. not a cellar. I'm pretty smart fer a surfer boy huh. LOL
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MrXaeb
Houlton has looked like that since the 70's and that's just what I know from my lifetime. Eastern and northern Maine have always been extremely rural and economically depressed since, basically, the early 20th century. You have to remember, more than 70% of all the population of Maine live in the most southern part near NH.
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Houlton has looked like that since the 70's and that's just what I know from my lifetime. Eastern and northern Maine have always been extremely rural and economically depressed since, basically, the early 20th century. You have to remember, more than 70% of all the population of Maine live in the most southern part near NH.
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usa-by-car
Always very interesting. One statistic I'd like: Distance to a Walmart / Target / Costco etc. These towns in Maine didn't seem like they have a grocery store in town. That's a factor in whether people move into a town. Maybe integrate with a real estate site to show homes for sale to tie in with the median home price.
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Always very interesting. One statistic I'd like: Distance to a Walmart / Target / Costco etc. These towns in Maine didn't seem like they have a grocery store in town. That's a factor in whether people move into a town. Maybe integrate with a real estate site to show homes for sale to tie in with the median home price.
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kristinab1078
I was hoping to see what types of vegetables and fruit they were selling at the market. Also, I would have liked to have known what type of fish they were trying to catch from the bridge. Asking the locals questions would make these videos even more informative and interesting.
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I was hoping to see what types of vegetables and fruit they were selling at the market. Also, I would have liked to have known what type of fish they were trying to catch from the bridge. Asking the locals questions would make these videos even more informative and interesting.
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saralowe5306
I'm English and visited a friend from Connecticut in 2017 we took a drive to Maine and it was the only place we visited that didn't have electric cables everywhere. It looked so nice and lovely compared to the other places she took me too because the cables spoilt everything.
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I'm English and visited a friend from Connecticut in 2017 we took a drive to Maine and it was the only place we visited that didn't have electric cables everywhere. It looked so nice and lovely compared to the other places she took me too because the cables spoilt everything.
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sirpolishpaul7697
I am from England and I have always wanted to travel to maine it looks absolutely beautiful from this video, although it's quiet. I prefer my own company so I think I would feel right at home, haha the town I live in is small too so it would be perfect for me
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I am from England and I have always wanted to travel to maine it looks absolutely beautiful from this video, although it's quiet. I prefer my own company so I think I would feel right at home, haha the town I live in is small too so it would be perfect for me
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usa-by-car
Cities across the U. S. are dying, yet no homeless families can get a house to rent at AFFORDABLE prices, in order to repopulate these said cities. So elected by the people FOR the people, stick your heads outta you ases, and smell the coffee.
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Cities across the U. S. are dying, yet no homeless families can get a house to rent at AFFORDABLE prices, in order to repopulate these said cities. So elected by the people FOR the people, stick your heads outta you ases, and smell the coffee.
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1-Wheel-Drive
It looks like you were in Houlton, which is a small city. That’s also not all that rural. You can get a lot further off the beaten path in some parts of Northern New England (ME, NH, VT) and even in some parts of Upstate NY.
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It looks like you were in Houlton, which is a small city. That’s also not all that rural. You can get a lot further off the beaten path in some parts of Northern New England (ME, NH, VT) and even in some parts of Upstate NY.
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user-by2oi7bh7v
My fathers hometown. Houlton never been there but will check it out. Arrostook County. Big Swedish community. Dad was swedish and American Indian. Maliseet tribe I think. Yeah sad about poverty and crime.
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My fathers hometown. Houlton never been there but will check it out. Arrostook County. Big Swedish community. Dad was swedish and American Indian. Maliseet tribe I think. Yeah sad about poverty and crime.
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TheRedDevil_NC
I thought that whole state was dead but they keep it open for the electoral college votes needed to keep Republicans from the Presidency. In exchange they let RINOS like Bush vacation there.
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I thought that whole state was dead but they keep it open for the electoral college votes needed to keep Republicans from the Presidency. In exchange they let RINOS like Bush vacation there.
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usa-by-car
I'm from South Korean originally, I went to the states and visited a friend who lived in a rural town in Maine called Morrill, absolute nightmare, there was just nothing for miles and miles.
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I'm from South Korean originally, I went to the states and visited a friend who lived in a rural town in Maine called Morrill, absolute nightmare, there was just nothing for miles and miles.
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usa-by-car
I love ur videos, i stream the video on my tele while reading the great comments on my phone keep taking us to different towns and showing us the beautiful country. love from India
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I love ur videos, i stream the video on my tele while reading the great comments on my phone keep taking us to different towns and showing us the beautiful country. love from India
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simonafloat
You must have passed through Biddeford on your way to these towns. I am from Bideford, UK. We visited Boston last year but headed south rather than north so never got to see it.
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You must have passed through Biddeford on your way to these towns. I am from Bideford, UK. We visited Boston last year but headed south rather than north so never got to see it.
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user-vj4iq6ji1y
America has wide streets and so open space, not in here in Europe. Look at the carparkings so wide. . America wast land what i see from your videos. Thank you budy.
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America has wide streets and so open space, not in here in Europe. Look at the carparkings so wide. . America wast land what i see from your videos. Thank you budy.
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weshay3699
Thanks Joe and Nicole for showing us the blight
of NAFTA and GATT back in the day also how it has impacted
states in the upper North East and I just love Maine!
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Thanks Joe and Nicole for showing us the blight
of NAFTA and GATT back in the day also how it has impacted
states in the upper North East and I just love Maine!
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hectordelvalle4428
Though your takes on visiting towns are all over. What really lacks its townspeople, there's no interaction. The quality of life in a town is a game changer.
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Though your takes on visiting towns are all over. What really lacks its townspeople, there's no interaction. The quality of life in a town is a game changer.
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kelbyculp4516
Spent a few days in Millinocket prepping for my Katahdin hike back in July and had a good time chatting with some of the locals at the bar. Really quiet place
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Spent a few days in Millinocket prepping for my Katahdin hike back in July and had a good time chatting with some of the locals at the bar. Really quiet place
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TexasRoadrunners
As a Texan married to a Mainer, I enjoyed the video. BTW my Texas tongue can't wrap around enough to pronounce many of those names. Thanks for posting.
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As a Texan married to a Mainer, I enjoyed the video. BTW my Texas tongue can't wrap around enough to pronounce many of those names. Thanks for posting.
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usa-by-car
If it wasn't for York and Cumberland counties, Maine would be financially screwed. I own a place in Wells Beach, and thank God for the seasonal tourism.
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If it wasn't for York and Cumberland counties, Maine would be financially screwed. I own a place in Wells Beach, and thank God for the seasonal tourism.
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profweigand
Maine is great for a visit so much natural beauty. But the long, frigid winters and mosquitos in the summer make it a tough place to live year-round.
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Maine is great for a visit so much natural beauty. But the long, frigid winters and mosquitos in the summer make it a tough place to live year-round.
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codyforeman2673
I live about 100 miles north of Houlton, in Madawaska. Great area, visually, but not much for careers or recreation unless you love the outdoors.
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I live about 100 miles north of Houlton, in Madawaska. Great area, visually, but not much for careers or recreation unless you love the outdoors.
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madewithloveduh
this video makes me miss maine. ive been wanting to go back for a while now. I first went towards Presque Isle for the eclipse a few years ago.
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this video makes me miss maine. ive been wanting to go back for a while now. I first went towards Presque Isle for the eclipse a few years ago.
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noway9880
It's a totally different state north of Bangor. Seriously. Get on 95 and just go till T2R9. It gets crazy rural its amazing. Love Aroostock county!
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It's a totally different state north of Bangor. Seriously. Get on 95 and just go till T2R9. It gets crazy rural its amazing. Love Aroostock county!
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Jalkr
They look like they're dressed in. Amish clothing
Dide we have a bunch of Amish communities up here! How could you come up and not find tgst out
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They look like they're dressed in. Amish clothing
Dide we have a bunch of Amish communities up here! How could you come up and not find tgst out
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terrybradley8297
Houlton is a great town. Loved my time there. Millinocket is also wonderful. Baxter State park right around the corner. Amazing place.
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Houlton is a great town. Loved my time there. Millinocket is also wonderful. Baxter State park right around the corner. Amazing place.
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