r/AskMaine

My boyfriend and I had a trip planned/booked to Camden for this Fall but we broke up a couple months ago. Since everything is already booked he said I could go by myself if I want to (I've been looking forward to this trip for like a year), so I'm looking for recs re good things to do as a solo traveler in Camden for a week! Thanks!

I am still trying to find a job and have very limited self employment in the meantime. I do have barely enough interest income to squeak me by though IF it counts toward getting MaineCare. Can anyone help me to understand this please?

I've read recently on here that it's based on MAGI rather than hours worked, but I've gotten some info to the contrary from MaineCare and DHS recently. I would be very appreciative of any help. I volunteer working for a small startup who is not eligible for non-profit.

I got a reply from DHS in Maine a few months ago saying this:

"Name, bank interest is not earned income. Only earned income counts towards work requirements. Self employment income hours are based on amount of money earned."

Today I got a scary letter from MaineCare today that only mentioned work. Not income.

"MaineCare Expansion Adult members are 19 to 64 years old who get MaineCare based on their income. They do not meet the Social Security disability guidelines or do not have Medicare.

Why is MaineCare eligibility changing?

Congress passed a federal law that changes who can get Medicaid in every state. In Maine, Medicaid is called MaineCare. These changes will start in January 2027 for new MaineCare applicants. Current members are not impacted until they are due for their renewal in 2027.

What are the new MaineCare Work Requirements?

The MaineCare Work Requirements will be for MaineCare Expansion Adults to complete work activities like:

· Working

· Volunteering

· Going to school or an apprenticeship

Taking part in a job training or work program

To meet the Work Requirements, you must spend 80 hours in at least one month doing one of these activities or attending school or an apprenticeship at least half time. You can also combine hours in more than one of the activities to reach a total of 80 hours in at least one month.

If you are working or plan to work, you can meet the Work Requirements if you earn at least $580 in one month, or if you have seasonal work, you earned an average of $580 over the last six months.

IMPORTANT: OFI will use information already in your case and information we can check through electronic data sources whenever possible to determine if you are meeting the Work Requirements.

Who must meet the Work Requirements?

You need to meet the Work Requirements if you:

· Are age 19 to 64; and

· Qualify for MaineCare based only on income; and

· Do not fall into one of the groups below that do not have to meet the Work Requirements (see next section)."

Thanks for any help! Links are greatly appreciated!!

My son is considering a postgraduate year there. He is currently a very good student with AP credits already. I’m interested in knowing:

- how rigorous the curriculum is at Bridgton?
- how much development occurs at the sports program, specifically baseball?
- what’s the culture of the school like?
-what’s the reputation of the school in local circles?
- what’s type of colleges do the students matriculate to post graduation ?

I’ve heard that the school is a little dumpy, the students aren’t the brightest, the curriculum is a little weak, and that the culture isn’t great, but I have no firsthand knowledge myself

In fact, I heard that information from someone who goes to another boarding school in Maine so not sure if it’s real or just imagined

Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated!!

I have a day trip I'm taking on a rental motorcycle up the coast this Friday and need some help finding the most scenic roads from Portland to Camden.

Does anyone have any recommendations on what are the "must rides"?

FYI, I'm in no rush and will be on the back of a cruiser.

Hey everyone! I'm going to Camden in early September and we're doing the big drive from Toronto to Maine in one day! I'm looking for some great recommendations in terms of stops to make, hidden gems around Camden or even an hour radius around that area during our stay. We're planning on doing some hikes, visiting Bar Harbour, going antiquing and more. Pretty much looking for anything that locals have to offer up!

Other than Acadia NP, what are some must-see places or shops in Hancock or Washington Counties? For places, I like history. For shops, I like vintage, stationery/gift card, or locally made items. Timing is around Labor Day weekend.

I am vacationing in Maine for the first time in Portland. we are renting a car and will be bringing a preschool aged child. would love to take her to the beach. we’d be going on a weekday end of August. what is the best option if you want to prioritize a drive and parking that isn’t too tricky or high traffic and a beach where there is not an elevated lyme risk- looking for walkways that aren’t covered in grass that you have to pass through to get to the beach.

We're moving from out of state with our 8 year old and I already know its going to be hard on him. We're trying to stay under 5 1/2 from Massachusetts because thats where family is mostly, but its still gonna be an adjustment. Where we live now does a lot of community events for kids and families and we were hoping to find a town that also did things like that? Doesnt have to be anything crazy, just something to get him (and probably us) socializing and having fun outside of school.

Hi everyone,
For context I’m visiting my family in Maine the first time as an adult and needing my own place to stay for the week. I’ve found an air bnb near Deering Oaks Park in the West End of Portland and everywhere I’ve looked I’ve seen nothing but great reviews from the listing as well as Reddit and online. But then there’s some posts I see where it mentions the homeless community has increased and there has been crime reported. I just want to be so for sure before staying there because I have stayed in an air bnb before in a neighborhood with nothing but good reviews only to have my car broken into and stuff stolen so I really don’t want a redo of that. And after staying there and reporting the crime the locals said they could have told us not to stay there, so I’m hoping for some local opinion.
Any advice is helpful thank you!

i am a upcoming senior and i just toured university of maine, university of southern maine and university of new england. i think university of maine is my favorite so far, because coming from a small town i want to go to a bigger school. however, i don't live in maine and i have lived in vermont my whole life so tuition is definitely a factor. but i think it would be worth it for me if i went to college and had a good experience.
I'm interested in psychology and criminology, stuff like that. i just haven't narrowed it down yet, but i am doing a year of early college for my senior year so i hope to know after that. any advice would be really helpful, like what student life is like, party scene, ect! i'm used to cold winters!

I am looking for opinions more so from families who live there or have lived there. We are a married couple with a 16 year old, 14 yr old and 1.5 year old. We live out West in the desert. Cost of living is high here, Maine housing actually looks cheaper but I have read heating costs are insane? So maybe it’s a wash regardless and we won’t really save money by moving here. My spouse is wanting a complete change of scenery. I personally love the desert and we live close to Tahoe. I would not mind having more green surroundings and beautiful fall weather because we don’t really get that out West.

I need to know are schools good in the Bangor/Hampden area? How do people there treat new comers? Are their sports for kids and activities to do (we love outdoors but I do worry about harsh winters) we don’t get massive snow storms here unless you’re in Tahoe and I’m not sure even that compares to what northeast gets all winter.

I worry about selling our home here and moving to Maine and not liking it after a while. What are pros and cons to southern Maine?

We are currently planning a day trip to Acadia National Park as part of our honeymoon. We will be driving up from Camden and aren’t looking to do any real hiking but willing to walk to see a good view or two. One, what places should we see and two, where should we eat? We are huge foodies and love trying curated cocktails and food. We are budgeting mainly for food so any price rec is accepted and we want a lobster roll to be at least one of our meals.

I am flying into Bangor at the end of the month. I have a hotel in Belfast. I fly home (New Jersey) on a 6am flight that Saturday morning.

Best way to get from hotel to airport at that time (Uber? Cab? Car service? Book ahead?). Also what is a realistic time to arrive at the airport at that time/day (2 hours? 90 minutes? Even less?).

Thanks for any guidance you can provide!

Hello, we're planning on a trip to Maine in the Fall. Will be flying in and out of Portland. I've been reading thru many of the older strings about visiting Maine, but would you alter anything since we'll be going in later in the Fall.

We're looking for beautiful scenery, amazing seafood, especially the roadside stands, some hiking and maybe a whale watch or some other cruise. Truthfully, open to most anything. Please pass along your thoughts. Thanks!

I’m from the Portland area and getting out of town to enjoy some of our beautiful state before Old Man Winter makes an appearance all too soon. Heading to the Rockland, Rockport, Camden region for 2 days. Looking for any and all recommendations to make the absolute best use of my time. Activities, food, shops, unexpected adventures, places that I shouldn’t miss etc….
Thank you all!

Been visiting Ogunquit for a few years and have a trip coming up. Hoping to try a few new food spots this trips! Looking for the real-deal spots - the sleeper hits! We love a hole-in-the-wall but open to whatever. Looking for any and all recs but looking for a really good clam chowder or Lobster Bisque that perfectly thick but not too thick. We usually only eat out a few nights each trip but plan to more this round. Happy to drive out a little further if worth it!

I’ll share a few thoughts -

- Footbridge Lobster - the best lobster roll I’ve had there. Bun is perfectly toasted in butter.
- Barnacle Billy’s - sadly not doing it for me recently. Prefer going for the vibes, cocktails and blueberry pie a la mode. But maybe there is something Im missing.
- Congdons Doughnuts - blueberry fritter and cream filled really hit while i was pregnant and looking forward for that again.
- Rick’s Blue Jay Cafe - no frills, good breakfast. Love Cove Cafe too but sometimes don’t want to go to Perkins Cove.

I figured I’d reach out to residents since maybe you all would know best. I’m visiting Acadia in early September and I was hoping to camp in my car for three nights. Apparently it’s illegal to crash in a parking lot (for example, a Walmart) unless you have a permit or something or if it’s a rest area, but I’ve been unable to find one of those near the area. At least that’s what I’m finding. Any suggestions? Are my findings incorrect?

Yall im from here & getting the end of summer scaries. What are some favorite spots for being outside that arent totally overrun w tourists this time of year?

I basically just want some new spots to explore & draw nature. Sick of my usual haunts. What are some of your hidden gems? Whats on your summer list each year?

Ideally within 2 hrs of the Portland area.

Thank you!!

EDIT: keeping our public land access public is important. Public land usage is not a privilege reserved for the elite. In fact, this is the same mindset being used to reduce public access all throughout the state. I’d encourage y’all to be more considerate.

Spent 20 years in South 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥Texas (not a native) and then spent 10 years is SW Montana ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️. Looks like I’ll be following my Navy kids to Dover-Foxcroft or Bangor area in 6ish years. I tolerate cold 🥶 much better than 🔥. I’m currently in Norfolk and hating the heat. Am I unrealistic to think the climate in Maine will be agreeable to me?