Things to Know


  • Farmer's market on Saturdays during the summer in Deering Oaks Park is really big, smaller one Wednesdays in Monument Square. Also one on Saturdays in the winter (on free street, a little hidden)

  • Radio station 98.9 WCLZ plays local music

  • You can drive to Arlington, MA and take the T into Boston for the day (you don't have to drive in the city)

  • Parking in public lot, downtown Boston for $11 per day on weekends- right in the middle of Boston

  • Downeaster-train to Boston (arrives in north station) from the bus station/train station, short distance from the hospital, takes about 2 hours, about $48 per person roundtrip, check the website for discount tickets

  • Bus to Logan Airport (Boston) about $50 round trip, takes about 2 hours (Concord Bus Lines)

  • www.volunteermaine.org can help you find places to volunteer if you're interested but don't know where to start

  • You have to buy garbage bags from the grocery store (pay per bag used)

  • Portland recycles everything curbside, except Styrofoam.

  • The city doesn’t mark the road you are on with signs, only cross streets- good luck finding your way around- the DeLorme Gazetteer is very helpful (greater Portland or Maine)

  • If someone tells you they are from China, Mexico, Norway, Denmark, Paris, they are actually from Maine

  • Down East Maine is actually north of Portland

  • You will never be a true “Mainer,” but you can pretend

  • Moose are not as common as you would think in Maine, there is a chocolate one in Scarborough

  • Scarborough is pronounced – Scah-burrah

  • If you are a Yankees fan, don’t admit it, if you aren’t a Red Sox/Patriots/Bruins fan you will be soon. Go Cubs!

  • To get your car registered in Maine you have to pay excise tax at the city hall, register it at the DMV, and get a yearly inspection sticker with a mechanic- and don’t worry, they will find something wrong with your car!

  • If you want to buy a Subaru- Patriot (Saco) and Evergreen (Augusta) Subaru are great places to buy

  • Get an EZ pass from Massachusetts. No fee (unlike Maine) and makes all the tolls easier.

  • Make sure you start your 401K asap. MMC matches up to 3%

  • Pre-tax HSA is also a good deal. Most of us can predict some recurring expenses (contact lenses, dentist, etc)

  • Whoopie Pie – the fight is on with Pennsylvania- who created it? Who owns it? Try one, and only one