Maine is the northernmost state in the northeastern region of the country. It borders Canada to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. With less than 1.5 million residents, it's one of the least populous states. Its capital is Augusta and Portland is its largest city with around 70,000 residents.

Maine is known for its dramatic natural beauty, from its jagged coastline to forest-covered mountains. Outdoor pursuits are popular in Maine and many residents live in small, rural towns. Maine is also renowned for its seafood, especially lobster and oysters.

What's life like in Maine?

Maine is a very rural state. Known for its vast forests and small rural towns, the majority of residents live relatively sedate lifestyles, revolving mainly around enjoying the beautiful outdoors. Maine has one of the oldest populations in the country and is very popular with retirees.

While Maine has lower diversity than many other states, as well as fewer job opportunities, it offers its residents one of the highest qualities of life in the country.

In general, Maine is a quiet, rural, and beautiful state with plenty of outdoor activities on your doorstep.

Work in Maine

The economy of Maine rests pretty much entirely on agriculture and tourism. Commercial fishing is still a large industry in the state, as well as other agricultural outputs like poultry, dairy, blueberries, and maple syrup. Maine is the largest lobster producer in the country.

Maine's industrial outputs consist mainly of wood, lumber, and paper products. Shipbuilding is also a substantial industry in the state. Tourism and outdoor recreation play an increasingly important role in Maine's economy and sport hunting, sport fishing, skiing, and hiking bring thousands of dollars and jobs to the state.

Major Attractions of Maine

Here are some of the top attractions that make Maine a great place to live and work:

• Acadia National Park: Located southwest of Bar Harbor, the park preserves many islands off the coast of Maine, including half of Mount Desert Island. A great place for hiking, biking, kayaking, and rock climbing.
• Cadillac Mountain: Located on Mount Desert Island and known as the first place in the country to see the sunrise.
• Mount Katahdin: The highest mountain in the state, located in Baxter State Park
• Portland Head Lighthouse: An iconic lighthouse and museum dating back to 1791.
• Sunday River Resort: A ski resort in Bethel. Perfect for skiing and snowboarding in the winter and hiking in the summer.

Pros and Cons of Living in Maine

Pros:

• The Great Outdoors – Maine is covered in forests, so much so that it is known as the “Pine Tree State”, and there are plenty of outdoor activities for residents to enjoy.
• Great seafood – Maine produces around 90% of all the lobsters in America and you can get fresh seafood all year round.
• High quality of life – With lots of green spaces, friendly communities, and good schools, Maine offers its residents a higher quality of life than many other states.

Cons:

• Lots of retirement communities – Because of its desirability, Maine is a popular place for retirees. This has resulted in increased house prices and fewer job opportunities.
• Slow internet – Maine struggles with offering its residents high-speed internet, making it difficult for some people to live and work there.
• Cold winters – Maine experiences long and harsh winters. You can expect plenty of snow and subfreezing temperatures for months on end.