On Friday's paper it said Maine's 2000 Census. At first I wasn't gong to read it, but decided to anyway. It was real interesting to see where the state growth is happening. Here is some quick figures in case anyone is interested in this part of the country. (yes maine is still u.s. land!)

Androscoggin----103,793 population Aroostook-------73,938 population Cumberland------265,612 pop Franklin--------29,467 pop Hancock---------51,791 pop Kennebec--------117,114 pop Knox------------39,618 pop Lincoln---------33,616 pop Oxford----------54,755 pop Penobscot-------144,919 pop Piscataquis-----17,235 pop Sagadahoc-------35,214 pop Somerset--------50,888 pop Waldo-----------36,280 pop Washington------33,941 pop York------------186,742 pop

These are only the county listings. THe state as a whole has 1,274,923 for its population. WE are up only by 3.8%. So if you are looking for land and room to grow Maine has space!!

Have a great day!!

-- michelle (tsjheath@ainop.com), April 01, 2001

Answers

That's why I'm a looking up that a way! Headin for Aroostook soon as I can get things settled down here in taxachusetts.

-- Bob Johnson (Backwoods_Bob@excite.com), April 02, 2001.

Michelle, as I remember, you're up in "the county" somewhere. (Note to flatlanders: hereabouts, "the county" refers to Aroostook County, the northernmost, and very desireable and affordable part of the state of Maine.) We're down in York County, but within the influence sphere of Portland (Cumberland County). We have 40 acres, are 15 minutes from Maine Mall, and have folks wanting to buy a lot from us. But I have a 100 yard rifle range, shoot at least once a week to keep the "wannabes" on their toes, and refuse to kowtow to the recent immigrants who love what we have, but want the "niceties" they left behind in the Peoples Republic of Massachusetts. Sorry folks! I carry a .357 most of the time (any of you perps want to try to guess when I don't?), get along with the neighbors, and help them as often as they help me. Bottom line: As Michelle said, this is still a good place to raise a family and find lots of folks who will help you in acclimating to a self-sufficient lifestyle. Just stay sufficiently away from the liberal mammalian solid waste elimination orifices typified by our (their) idiot police chief in Portland - "Media Mike"! Thanks, Philadelphia - you raised that dingbat and then sent HIM to us! GL to the good people! (Ooops! Where'd I leave my Soapbox??)

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), April 02, 2001.

Amen, Brad!! And I'd also like to say to anyone contemplating a move to Maine--once here, mind your own business. Don't try to change the natives into something you'd like them to be. If you don't push them, they'll come to you! Our move here 24 yrs. ago from "Taxachusetts" was the best thing we ever did. You wont regret it, Bob.

-- Marcia (HrMr@webtv.net), April 02, 2001.

Yes I am from the "county" been here my whole life and my husband too. Didn't mean t ooffend anyone frome here when I sort of invited people to maine. Just thought I would be nice and pass along some info just in case some one was interested. Sorry

-- michelle (tsjheath@ainop.com), April 03, 2001.

Not sure if you were responding to my post, Michelle, but I was just trying to say that there are some people who move here (probably more noticeable here near the big city than up in the county) that claim to want our "country-style life", but decide they also want tax supported trash pick-up, sidewalks, bike paths and all the other citified stuff they left behind. Most that I know personally do not behave that way, but those that do are certainly annoying. GL!

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), April 04, 2001.

Hi Brad, at first I was a little perterbed at what you and Marcie wrote but now that I 've reread it all over a few times I think that I was a little quick to jump to conclusions. I agree people need to understand this place does not have all the luxeries tha a big city has. Some areas do have what I call extras, like curb side pick up, etc. But like you I don't want that in my area. I think most people who come to maine do not push for these luxuries. ( hope not anyway). I also hope peole do not get the feeling that all Mainers tote guns around ever day! Just because we know how to use them does not mean we carry them all year long, just in the summer and fall. Good luck keeping your 40 acres safe. Whne Marice stated that when people come to Maine to mind there own business. Well I can onderstand that we like our space but don't hessitate to say HI how are you today? To your neighbors. Yes I like to live somewhat like a hermit but I don't mind talking to my neighbors. I listen when people give me advice, doesn't mean that I 'll take that advice but I'll be nice enough to listen. Guess I don't go around all the time with my guard up.

Have a great day!

-- michelle (tsjheath@ainop.com), April 05, 2001.

Thanks for your friendly invitation, Michelle. I have always loved Maine and envy you big time!

-- Betsy in NY (sassyweitzel@yahoo.com), April 05, 2001.

Marcia, as far as "minding my own business" that won't be a problem with me! I've pretty much always minded my own business, but unfortunately down here others tend to try and mind it for you too, causing all sorts of little annoyances and the like. I don't have need of or want trash pick up or any of that type thing. Don't need/have it here and sure won't up there. I don't have in mind to try and change anybody either. I like my space (none left here!) and more or less keep to myself for the most part. Live and let live is pretty much my way. Too many restrictions here as far as hunting and shooting, building etc. and so forth. I haven't spent a lot of time up in the county, but just enough to know I like it there. I have never been anywhere in my life where more people you don't even know wave to you and say "hi" to you. Never seen such friendly folks before. Down here the most likely wave you'll get from those you don't know is the nasty old bird!!! Lots of city raised folk down here now, brought their city ways and have all but changed and taken over everything completely. Michelle, you're fortunate, in my humble opinion, to have been born and raised up there. I know a lot of folks up there pack up and leave as soon as they're of age. Hard to keep them from the city lights and fancy oportunities I'm told. I have a few friends up that way which'll be nice when I get to make the transition. Hoping to settle in somewheres between Houlton and Mars Hill, just love that mountain, been up there several times. Magnificent views from the south peak on a clear day. Hear there's a cell phone tower up there now, oh well gotta have some changes after all. Saw two huge bull moose last time I was there, on the east side of the mountain. Want to get back up on Haystack in Castle Hill too. Absolutely stunning views of Squa Pan lake and the surrounding area. Nice place for sale on Boot Foot in Bridgewater that I'm going to have a look at when I get up there next. Lots of great land/home/farm buys on Andy Mooers website. Brad, I wish you luck down in the southern part of the state. I'm told more and more city type minded folk are moving that way from here in taxachusetts. Your comment about the local police chief leads me to believe things aren't going in the right direction for a country area. Oh well you can always move north where the population has gone down considerably. Bridgewater has 612 according to my friend up in the county, had 745 if I rememeber correctly in 1990. Oh well I've rambled long enough! Got to get back to work here, fixin up the old homestead in preperation for putting it on the market, hopefully by summer. If ya care to see this old geezer on the mountains and so forth stop in to my webpage! at http://maxpages.com/mycountryhome

-- Bob Johnson (Backwoods_Bob@excite.com), April 07, 2001.

Michelle, Hope I didn"t offend you (as a Mainer), but all I meant, as Brad stated,lots of folks move to Maine for the rural, country atmosphere...then try to change things to their liking once here. Wrong thing to do!! I definitely agree, Michelle, that most Mainers will wave or say hi to us "transplants". This is very refreshing after living where you might cross the street to avoid speaking to a stranger. Bob...Good luck on your move to the County!!!!

-- Marcia (HrMr@webtv.net), April 07, 2001.