Just hang in there. Maine is tough and some of the people and the winter can be tough. It seems that the people I know that have come from away say the same thing as you so you are not alone with your thinking about Maine.

Thanks so much to everyone that shared their opinions (goodbadindifferent) and support. I really just needed to purge what I can only describe as sadness and frustration at not feeling like I fit here. But after seeing how many other people feel similarly...it gives me hope.

If anyone hears of any not profit fundraising jobs that have an open minded employer willing to meet someone with a solid resume that was not born in Maine. Send it my way!

Again, thanks for letting me share.

A friend told me about this thread but I've just now found it. If you are looking for some sympathy, you'll probably not find much in these parts. Mainers are tough and practical. They'll sooner offer you advice and ideas on how you can pick yourself up and get involved then to coddle you. My advice - and I am "from away" and from a series of large cities - is to get involved in some causes or volunteer opportunities with like minded folks. Portland will probably be a better target for you as there are many people from other largeer places that seem to be attracted to the "big city". Don't let a few "hicks" make you upset. I've experienced a good amount of "hicks" in NYC and Boston. These types are all over the country. But to find people who care about you, you have to care about them. Join a group, a church or temple. Find your interest on VolunteerMaine.org and get involved. Even stuffing envelopes or pounding nails with people who are serving others will help you feel worthwhile and a connection. With winter coming on, you best get outside to soak up some much needed daylight and get some exercise. If not, you'll have a hard time getting out of bed come January.

Just a suggestion , perhaps your 2yo is picking up on your anger and frustration and mirroring it back to you. I would suggest checking the forums here for places to go and things to do.  Your feelings about being trapped and your opinion of the "locals" may be what is keeping people at a distance.

I hate Maine too!!!! We have lived here for 5 years now and it has to be the most horrible place on Earth!  We have lived in several different states and countries around the world and have never had trouble making friends or being included in our childrens schools or in our churches. We are active community people, or at least we used to be until we moved here.

My husband is highly educated and was recruited by several companies here in Maine, they begged us to come here and told us how great the people were and what a wonderful place to live Maine was, what a crock!

We found a church of our faith and went every week for 4 weeks before one person even said hello! I have signed up for every volunteer activity and party at both church and the local schools and never get called to help, they always forget, oops! I was told 3 times in my first 2 weeks at work " the road that brought you here goes the other way too, you need to take it right back where you came from"

My children have never been invited to a party or a play date and when I try to have something here for them, you guessed it, noone shows up.

We are trying to sell our house and get the heck out of here. We were treated better in Germany and the kids and I didn't even speak German!

All you Mainers who are going to respond telling me I am wrong, don't bother. The people who work with my husband are almost all from other places. They do specialized work that requires them to be in every area of the state and guess what, they usually all leave within 2 years of trying to live with you people because there families are so isolated and miserable.

The people of Maine should be bending over backward to welcome "outsiders" , especially those who can help create jobs and are willing to contribute to communities. Instead you chase them away by acting like you are somehow better than the rest of the world.

The truth is you are at least 20 years behind in your technology, if it wasn't for tourism you would all be starving to death and you add to that the taxes and the amount of people living off welfare and you have very little to be proud of, much less snotty about.

The one thing that is great about Maine is the natural beauty of the state, and none of you had anything to do with that!

If we ever get to leave here I will never come back, we tell everyone we know or work with how horrible you people are when they ask what it is like to live in Maine and we advise them not to even come for vacation or buy Maine products.

They need to teach manners and the golden rule to everyone who lives here!

originally posted by brat7

I hate Maine too!!!! We have lived here for 5 years now and it has to be the most horrible place on Earth!  We have lived in several different states and countries around the world and have never had trouble making friends or being included in our childrens schools or in our churches. We are active community people, or at least we used to be until we moved here.

My husband is highly educated and was recruited by several companies here in Maine, they begged us to come here and told us how great the people were and what a wonderful place to live Maine was, what a crock!

We found a church of our faith and went every week for 4 weeks before one person even said hello! I have signed up for every volunteer activity and party at both church and the local schools and never get called to help, they always forget, oops! I was told 3 times in my first 2 weeks at work " the road that brought you here goes the other way too, you need to take it right back where you came from"

My children have never been invited to a party or a play date and when I try to have something here for them, you guessed it, noone shows up.

We are trying to sell our house and get the heck out of here. We were treated better in Germany and the kids and I didn't even speak German!

All you Mainers who are going to respond telling me I am wrong, don't bother. The people who work with my husband are almost all from other places. They do specialized work that requires them to be in every area of the state and guess what, they usually all leave within 2 years of trying to live with you people because there families are so isolated and miserable.

The people of Maine should be bending over backward to welcome "outsiders" , especially those who can help create jobs and are willing to contribute to communities. Instead you chase them away by acting like you are somehow better than the rest of the world.

The truth is you are at least 20 years behind in your technology, if it wasn't for tourism you would all be starving to death and you add to that the taxes and the amount of people living off welfare and you have very little to be proud of, much less snotty about.

The one thing that is great about Maine is the natural beauty of the state, and none of you had anything to do with that!

If we ever get to leave here I will never come back, we tell everyone we know or work with how horrible you people are when they ask what it is like to live in Maine and we advise them not to even come for vacation or buy Maine products.

They need to teach manners and the golden rule to everyone who lives here!

WOW !  Where is Maine are you? That sounds horrible. Maybe you can meet someone here close to you. Sounds like you could use a friend.

Kris C

http://www.MainelyNaturals.com

originally posted by major283

And not to be rude...but I have done some consulting work in Maine and the job I do does not require that you be from here. The arts/not for profit climate does not change so drastically from state to state and Maine is nothing like NY where it can take you a lifetime to learn one neighborhood. It's just not that hard to figure out so the "from away" block is incredibly frustrating.

It is ridiculous to call someone and tell them you think their resume is impressive and fits what you're looking for with no intention of meeting with them and shortsighted to not even grant an interview.

And I don't know about how safe it is here in Munjoy Hill, There are a lot of squatters, substance abuse issues, and people in desparate circumstances. Quite a few cars have been broken into and one apartment had someone cut the screen out of their kitchen window and rob them while they slept.

I agreed to take Maine on it's own terms and do my best to do here what I cannot do elsewhere. So far I got ski, eat blueberries/lobster, and watch hockey....on my list.

Trust me, when I say I'm trying. And very frustrated about how much I dislike it here.

Come further up!  Portland is the city in maine, I live in waldo county, it is the place to be, camden and belfast are both big art communities. Rockland me is a very open community as well, your still in northern mass. lol

Heather~student midwife, Postpartum doula, Free range mom to 5 Beautiful Girls

Hi there,

I just moved to Maine from Philadelphia and it is hard on me and my five-year-old girl too.  I don't know anyone, she is lonely after school.  I feel bad for her, but can't seem to get her friends' moms to okay play dates.  I hope it gets better for you and us.  I don't think Mainer are unfriendly, just we are different and have a city mentality and attitude and it takes time to adjust.

Let me know if you want to get together,

I am sorry  I know exactly how you feel.  I just moved from Philadelphia and am having a hard time.  What a cultural shock it is. EVERYTHING is different. I am having a hard time, my five-year-old daughter is having a hard time.  I tried to plan play dates with her friends at school, but the moms showed no interest.  I feel bad for my little girls and wish we could go back to Philly.  I hope it gets better for all of us.

Hi there,

I just moved to Maine from Philadelphia and it is hard on me and my five-year-old girl too.  I don't know anyone, she is lonely after school.  I feel bad for her, but can't seem to get her friends' moms to okay play dates.  I hope it gets better for you and us.  I don't think Mainer are unfriendly, just we are different and have a city mentality and attitude and it takes time to adjust.

Let me know if you want to get together,