Author Topic: Best ME towns w/in commuting distance to Togus (Winthrop, Brunswick, or...)  (Read 4164 times)

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Offline Jon Niednagel

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I was born in Portland, ME and lived all over southern Maine for a substantial portion of my life. I'm much less familiar with central and northern Maine. I bring this up because I'll be moving back to Maine in two weeks. I am transferring to Togus, and I'm not really familiar with the Augusta area. I have two kids, so quality schools are very important and I know they can be hit or miss there. In researching the different areas, I think I have narrowed my search down to Winthrop and Brunswick/Topsham. If anybody happens to live in or near these areas, I'd love to hear what you think about them. Feel free to PM me if you prefer not to have your thoughts about either city made public. Thanks in advance!
“Being a Celtic is, every decision you make is about the team. Every cut you make is about the team. Every pass you make is about the team. You take yourself out of it. It’s not for everyone. If you don’t want to win, don’t want to play team basketball, and it’s more about you then you’re probably not a Celtic." Doc 2010

Offline indeedproceed

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I say no to Topsham because it makes me think of this guy:



And all the little kids play wickershams and ducklers until they all fall down.

"You've gotta respect a 15-percent 3-point shooter. A guy
like that is always lethal." - Evan 'The God' Turner

Offline Jon Niednagel

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I say no to Topsham because it makes me think of this guy:



And all the little kids play wickershams and ducklers until they all fall down.

Ha ha! Fair enough.
“Being a Celtic is, every decision you make is about the team. Every cut you make is about the team. Every pass you make is about the team. You take yourself out of it. It’s not for everyone. If you don’t want to win, don’t want to play team basketball, and it’s more about you then you’re probably not a Celtic." Doc 2010

Offline Jon Niednagel

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Bump: Anyone here from Winthrop or Brunswick, Maine? I would love to hear your impressions. Thanks!
« Last Edit: April 27, 2011, 09:38:24 AM by Jon Niednagel »
“Being a Celtic is, every decision you make is about the team. Every cut you make is about the team. Every pass you make is about the team. You take yourself out of it. It’s not for everyone. If you don’t want to win, don’t want to play team basketball, and it’s more about you then you’re probably not a Celtic." Doc 2010

Offline britches

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I work in Brunswick and live in the nearby area.  It would depend on what kind of impression are you looking for?

Taxes will most definitely be higher in Brunswick.

Economically, Brunswick is in a changing environment due to the Naval Air Station closing up shop.  Mostly gone already, but officially next month.  Incoming businesses are a jet manufacturer and a few others I guess. 

The Amtrak will be continued from Portland to Brunswick very shortly.  As well as we are only a 20 minute drive from Portland.

Brunswick/Topsham also have most any big box store that you would need right here.

Brunswick school system is pretty highly rated I believe.

Any other thoughts? If it helps, I am actually looking to move my family into Brunswick. We live about 15 minutes out of town now.

Offline Jon Niednagel

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Thanks for the feedback Britches (and TP to you). What town are you in now? I think what is important to us (my wife and I) is a sense of community, which is difficult to define. We are a youngish (mid to upper 30s) professional couple with two kids who will be starting elementary school in the fall, so an area with similar folks and activities tailored for folks like us might be the best way I can explain *community*. We'd like neighborhood and municipal activities for kids, runner's clubs, access to outdoor activities, and a place with (or near) good dining, neighborhood bars, and plenty of coffee shops. As I'm writing this, I see just how generic and bland we sound. I need more COW BELL!
“Being a Celtic is, every decision you make is about the team. Every cut you make is about the team. Every pass you make is about the team. You take yourself out of it. It’s not for everyone. If you don’t want to win, don’t want to play team basketball, and it’s more about you then you’re probably not a Celtic." Doc 2010

Offline britches

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We live in Bowdoin, which is rural for sure and about as backwoods as you can get!

Our son is in kindergarten at the Bowdoin Central School and both we and he love it there.  There seems to be a good sense of community at/through the school, that we never saw the 6 years we lived here prior to our son starting school.  Bowdoin would seem to have a good number of people similar in age and situation to yourselves.

Our reason for looking to move into Brunswick is more work related.

Offline birdwatcher

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  • Another undersized Celtic...
There is not much going on in the Winthrop area. It's nice that it's just outside of Augusta and is in the country, but if I was to live closer to a city, I'd be in Brunswick/Bath/Topsham because of the proximity to Portland. Also, living coastal is much more appealing than living close to the center of the state. I grew up 40 minutes northeast of Augusta, close to Waterville--I had a great childhood, but it really doesn't have a ton to offer if you've been living with the conveniences of a city. There's a couple really good schools in the Brunswick area, one being The Hyde school (which is private), and of course its nice to have a solid university like Bowdoin in your backyard. Popham Beach in Topsham is my favorite beach in Maine, it has a great local fair in the late summer, and again--Portland, Falmouth, Yarmouth are all a stones throw away.