calling any Portland,Maine families

[simpatico_limbo]

My dp and I are considering moving to Portland In the near future. We have heard many positive things about the area. Any good schools for the little ones, homeschooling co-ops, art, culture, progressive ideas....
talk to me.

[SLY]

Hi there- I dont have a lot of time this second, but I will tell you quickly that I live in Brunswick, 20 miles north, and I LOVE IT. I have lived in NJ, Asheville NC, upstate NY... but MAine is by far the best. more to come...
Sally

[simpatico_limbo]

Great! Actually, Asheville was our second choice. We love it, the only downfall it we want to be out of the south...the winters are boring and there is a bible belt to contend with. Maine sounds so wonderful, sparse population, progressive thinking.......I am in art school and I probally will finish up in Maine. I am a weaver and need to be in an area that will support my craft. My partner wants to finish up school there as well. I am exctied by the prospect. Brunswick is 20 minutes north?

[SLY]

Well, I went to school in Asheville, actually Swananoa. Asheville is a very progressive place, IMO, but then you have the other side, the conservative folks. I think Maine is like that, too. (Except colder.)On one hand youve got your liberal gang of people, and on the other you have a few conservatives. Its a good mix of really nice, down to earth good people. I really love it here, and raved about the area so much, that my entire family has moved here. WHich is a good thing, in my case. The Portland area has a really great art scene, my MIL is actually an artist/massage therapist and she never seems short on cash. I dont think you would have much trouble exhibiting your wares in the area. The Old Port section of Portland (cobblestone streets, funky shops, bars, restuarants, etc) as well as the art section up by the Portland Museum of Art- those are both really neat places, and both places where you could probably make a buck. There is a big craft fair scene- I think. Im not in on itmyself, but I do go out to the craft fairs for fun. You have your fair share of old lady doilies and toilet paper covers, but more than likely you find really great local artisans showing their stuff. I dont know where to send you for info in that area, but Im sure if you searched the web you could find some interesting stuff. I'll try to think more about that for you. My first born is only 7mos old, so I really dont have much knowledge re: schools. I do know of a real neat preogressive school south of Portland, in Arundel, called The School Around Us. I think it goes up to 8th grade. After that they have a high school in I think Kennebunk or Kennebunkport? Not Sure, anyway I dont even recall the name of that school. Locally, in Portland I know there are Montessori and probably Waldorf schools, I dont really know too much about that for sure. I do know of Montessori schools further up, in Freeport. "Merriconeag ..." Something. I used to work across the street from the school and I cant even remember what its name is! Sorry if I recall I'll post it. What are your hopes for housing and jobs?
Something to look at, is the MOFGA ( MAine Organic Farmers and Growers Assoc) website- I bet its MOFGA.org . Anyway they hold the Common Ground Fair in the fall, that might be of interest to you. You may find nothing, or you may find some links to groups who showed at the fair. Im not sure, its worth a shot.
What else can I say? Im not sure, ive begun to babble. Let me know what else youre curious about and I'll do my best to help.
All the best- Sally:)

[MamaMae]

Hello!

We're in Portland, and love it here. (I might be a bit biased..I'm a native!) I think it's a perfect mix of small, New England community with some great, progressive amenities of a small city.

I'm assuming you'd be with Maine College of Art? The arts community seems strong, and I see a lot of fiber artists around. Seems like it would be a supportive place for that.

As for parenting...we're psyched with the resources here. Ballard House (www.ballardhouse.org) is a small freestanding birth center that has a great community of families around it. And of course, MOFGA, as SLY mentioned, is a great resource. Let's see, plenty of natural foods stores, cultural entertainment, alternative health care choices, etc.

As for schooling...there's a strong homeschooling/unschooling community if that's what you're interested in. There are also many private, and some alternative schools. Portland has a few Montessori pre-schools, and one Waldorf pre-school. The nearest Waldorf school is in Freeport...20 minutes from Portland.

Let us know if there's anything specific you're looking for!! Good luck with your decision!

[gretasmommy]

Like SLY, we live about 20 minutes north of Portland, just outside of Brunswick (hi Sal!). DH and I moved here from NYC 3.5 years ago, after having grown up along the Jersey shore area. We lived in NYC for 3 years, and decided to pack up and move somewhere more child-friendly. We now have a 9 month old daughter, and have just begun to consider schooling options. There are plenty of less traditional schooling options, from "organized"homeschooling groups to Waldorf and Montessori schools as well as other interesting private schools.
Oh my, I have begun to ramble! Sorry! ANyway, we love it here. Plenty of cultural outlets and resources, and just a wonderful way of life for our family.

Andrea
mommy to Greta, 3/14/02

[simpatico_limbo]

Thanks Y'all for the messages about Portland. It helps us make the decision since we do not know anyone personally in the area. I cannot wait to visit, perhaps in the spring......
Keep warm

[JulieF]

I live in Portland too, and love it. Though I don't have any kids (yet, am pregnant with first) I think it should be pretty easy to find progressive schools around here. There is a HUGE arts scene in this town, which is great. There are many galleries, and they are showing the work of "unknown" local artists more often than not.

I've taken a few classes at the Maine College of Art, and I think it's great. Very nice atmosphere, I think. And really good art supply stores!

Also, I'm a weaver too! Though just amateur, nothing professional. I do know a professional weaver up here though, and am pretty involved in the fiber arts community, so let me know if you want more info on that end. Just know this: Maine is a great place to do anything fiber or yarn related. Lots of supportive people and many great yarn stores The Common Ground Fair (that SLY mentioned) has a lot of fiber-related things (alpacas, llamas, bunnies, sheep), and there's a Maine Fabric and Fiber Festival in Portland every two years.

[simpatico_limbo]

Thanks Julie! Hey fibers sister!! Cool. Actually I just found out that my school could be possibly cutting my program...this would push forward our move date. I don't think that I could afford Maine college of art. Right now I am attending a state school. I will check it out.
Congrats to you and your babe in the belly!! Are you using the Ballard house? It seems really awesome. I wish something like that exsisted when Kaya was born. Perhaps I wouldn't have ended up with a cesarean. This is one of the reasons my soul needs a more progressive area. This bible belt town is about 20 years too late!!! the mentality is sucking my energy.
Take care,
Roxy

[JulieF]

Hi Roxy!
I'm not sure where else up here you might be able to finish a weaving degree, but could you take some time off when you move up here, and maybe just start weaving? Like I said it's a very supportive community (for fibery stuff, and arts in general) so you may be able to just jump right in.

I'm not using Ballard House (just read about it for the first time in Mama Mae's post, actually), but am going with a great group of midwives, and I'll give birth at a birthing center that's located within a hospital. It still has all the good aspects of a birthing center, so it won't seem too clinical and hospital-y at all.

My husband and I moved here a few years ago from Maryland, and Maine has definitely been good for our souls. It's amazing how much more we've done since we've moved here. Maine definitely instills an independent, creative spirit in you! I love it here.

[mamak]

Hi there, my dh and I moved to Portland from VT recently and we love it. I grew up in the area, and do miss VT, but the Greater Portland area is just great for a young family. (we have a 1 yo boy and 2 yo girl). I love having access to parks, and museums, as well as good food and entertainment, the waldorf school is great, as are the whole foods markets. I am also a student (nursing) so we are pretty busy, but I'm sure Portland will meet the needs of you and your family.
And don't fret the c-section...my first was a c-section and I was w/ midwives in a birthing center, sometimes things just don't go as planned. The good news is my ds was a very easy, successful VBAC only 13 mo later::thumb
take care, and hope to see you here soon!