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