Want to live and work in Maine?

The cost of living in Maine is moderate. In Portland, a one-bedroom apartment rents for between US$1,500 and US$2,200 — cheaper than Boston but far from inexpensive. In Bangor, US$900 to US$1,300. In smaller cities, US$700 to US$1,000 covers a comfortable apartment.

Grocery and restaurant prices are above the national average, especially because much of the food has to be brought in from outside the state. Local seafood (lobster, scallops, clams) is an exception: fresh and more affordable than elsewhere.

The biggest expense is heating in winter. Many homes still depend on heating oil, which can cost US$1,500 to US$3,000 per winter. Electricity is also expensive. Salaries are in line with average costs, but those earning in US dollars from another state can live comfortably.

Healthcare is the state's largest employer. MaineHealth (the Maine Medical Center group in Portland) employs thousands. University-affiliated hospitals and regional clinics cover the rest of the state. Other large employers are Bath Iron Works (a naval shipyard that builds US Navy ships) and L.L. Bean (a retail company for outdoor clothing and equipment, headquartered in Freeport).

Tourism employs many people in summer and early fall, when visitors come for the coast, national parks (Acadia), and to see the leaves change color. Bar Harbor, Kennebunkport, and Old Orchard Beach depend on this. Lobster fishing is the signature industry: more than half the lobster consumed in the US comes from Maine.

The paper and lumber industry was once much larger but remains relevant in interior cities. Technology is growing cautiously in Portland, with smaller startups. The job market is limited for those seeking big-city corporate careers; many people work remotely for companies in other states.

The US has no universal public system. In Maine, those with formal employment receive insurance through their employer. A family plan can exceed US$1,200, with the company paying part. Without employment, there are plans through the state marketplace (CoverME.gov) with income-based subsidies.

Maine expanded Medicaid in 2018, so low-income families have easier access. Documented immigrants with a green card for more than 5 years may qualify. The best hospitals are Maine Medical Center (Portland) and Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center (Bangor).

The big challenge is rural healthcare: many areas in the interior and north have a shortage of doctors, and residents travel 1 to 3 hours to see specialists. Maine has one of the oldest populations in the US, which strains the system. For those arriving without insurance, avoid the ER unless it is a real emergency.

In Portland, there is a city bus (METRO) and the city is compact enough to walk or cycle. But even there, having a car is practical. Outside Portland, a car is required. Distances between cities are large and public transit between cities is minimal.

The main highways are I-95 (running north-south across the state) and I-295 (an alternative through Portland). Rural roads are beautiful but can be dangerous in winter due to ice, snow, and wildlife. Cars need winter tires (studded in some areas) from November through April.

The main airport is Portland International Jetport (PWM), with direct flights to several US cities and some international connections via Toronto or Boston. Bangor International (BGR) serves the north of the state, with charter and domestic flights. Amtrak trains (Downeaster) connect Portland to Boston in about 2 hours 30 minutes.

Lobster is the symbol of the state. Fishing towns like Stonington, Boothbay, and Bar Harbor live off it. Lobster shacks (small stands) serve the famous lobster roll, a lobster sandwich on a bun. Plentiful, fresh seafood is part of daily life. Local fishermen are respected figures.

Outdoor living is part of the identity. Hiking, fishing, hunting, canoeing, skiing (Sunday River, Sugarloaf), and snowmobiling are common. Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island is one of the most visited in the US, with a rocky coast and spectacular trails. L.L. Bean in Freeport is so large it becomes a tourist attraction in itself.

New England culture marks the state: white colonial architecture, churches with tall towers, coastal lighthouses, community church dinners. Stephen King, the horror writer, is from Bangor and uses Maine as the setting for many of his books. Lobster, blueberry, and literary festivals happen throughout the year.

Maine is one of the whitest and least densely populated states in the country, but it is changing fast. Around 65,000 residents were born outside the country, close to 4.5% of the population. The largest communities come from Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Canada, and Iraq. Refugee resettlement has transformed Portland and Lewiston: entire neighborhoods in Kennedy Park and downtown Lewiston have schools and markets in Somali, Lingala, and Arabic. There is also a historic French-Canadian presence in Lewiston and Biddeford.

No foreign consulates are based in Maine. Consular services run through Boston. The local network is led by the Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition, Catholic Charities Maine Refugee and Immigration Services, and ProsperityME, which offer financial literacy, ESL, and legal aid. The Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) is the main reference for immigration law, with free help for asylum and status adjustment cases.