DH(ARMY) got assignment, ???'s on Topsham Maine

[Chim Chiminy]

He says it is the New England Recruiting Battalion.

Here we have been thinking it would be Louisville KY!

C'est la vie!

Anyone have info to share on the area? Schools???? How long it takes to drive to WDW?

He has been wanting to get an SUV, guess that might come in handy for the winters there.

So, it's not where we thought we would end up, but we will roll with it. Unless of course Uncle Sam changes his mind yet again! (This makes our fifth "duty station" in less than two years, but the others changed last minute. Guess the Army is allowed to change their minds as we are packing up to move.)

Any info would be much appreciated.

 

[powellrj]

no info about the area, but just wanted to wish your family luck with the move.

 

[Mermaid02]

Well....... a premature "Welcome To Maine!" I don't live very close to Topsham, but it is a nice area. I think it would take a good 24 hours to drive to WDW from Maine. Too long for me!

When are you "supposed" to be here?

 

[pumba]

from Topsham .....it is a nice quaint town ....close to Brunswick, Maine and the beautiful coast of Maine.....if you like this sort of thing .....Maine is it......Bowdoin College is close by.....if you plan on living in that area .....please consider Lisbon, Maine....Durham...areas AROUND that area.....because of the shipyard and the Naval Air Station ....some places are higher in rents and house units.......

 

[Sleepy]

Sorry to hear you did not get to go where you thought. Is this change because he made rank? I would be very upset. Usually once you get paper orders it is pretty much a done deal.....at least in the Navy. Take care.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Best wishes on the move, Liz, hope all goes well. And I see you have your two priorities there, how are the schools, and how long does it take to get to WDW, LOL. Neat!! My best.

 

[airhead]

Pretty rural area. I go to dog shows there at the fairgrounds.

 

[Keli]

Don't know a thing about Maine but I just wanted to say I'm sorry you arn't coming to KY (but I'm sure that Maine is very nice too. )

 

[Kewz1]

We haven't been stationed in Maine but I just wanted to wish you all the best! We're also an Army family so I completely understand what you are going through. Our ds lived in 4 states before he was 2. Been there, done that, and, man, do I have the t-shirts!

Kristen

 

[delswife]

Hi! Welcome to Maine!

I don't know that area very well, even though it's not far from me.

As far as the winters go, buy an SUV if you really want one, but remember it doesn't mean your glued to the road.

I can't tell you how many of those I saw in ditches last winter.

The trick is to drive slowly and allow your self 3 miles to stop. (Okay not REALLY 3 miles, just plenty of room.) Invest in plenty of dry gas in case you get a flat tire.

(wondering if you get the joke)

We got some below zero weather last year. That was a picnic. With the wind chill it was -20. Learn to love layers of clothing.

You will also need to learn the language. Stop using your "R's" immediately.

Pak ya cah in the hadbad yad.

Park your car in the harbard yard.


Mermaid02 is right, it is a good 24 hour drive to WDW, but it is only a 3 hour flight from Boston on Jet Blue.

We are expecting our 4 days of summer soon. Thats always fun. The temp hits about 100 degrees and that makes us all nuts.

 

[stamper]

Well, looks like we will soon have another DISer in Maine.....neat! And welcome a bit early! It's a nice area. Fairly close to my personal fave beach....Reid State Park!

If you only count actual driving time then it is 24 hours to WDW +- but you have to add on "pit stops" . We have done it, not so bad really.

Durham is a nice town...it's also close to outlet shopping in Freeport home of LL Beans flagship store. And as was mentioned probably a bit cheaper living.

Good luck!

 

[Disney Doll]

I live in CT, not ME, but I visit that area around Freeport, Bowdoin College etc fairly frequently. If you're remotely close to Freeport...shopping!!!!!!!!!!! And the "Queen Mother" LL BEan flagship store is there. What more could a girl want?

Great place to eat in that neck of the woods...Cook's Lobster House on Bailey Island. I find ME to be a very scenic, picturesque, beautiful state.

 

[Chim Chiminy]

Thanks for the info everyone!

Yes, recruiting duty can be a pain. Different from "regular" army. It has been so frustrating being told we are going someplace, only to have it change a month or so later!

Let's see, in the last year and half it has been-----Philly, Pittsburgh, Laurel MD (we actually went down househunting!), Brooklyn NY (started househunting in NJ!).

Then he found out he made promotion to E8, and it was back to square one.
Military life is always an adventure!

His guidance counselor called yesterday to say that yes, it was Topsham ME. The only thing that could change it is if our son's medical needs could not be met. But since there is a Naval station nearby, I am sure we will be taken care of.

Looked at pics online, the area looks charming!
And we love camping/hiking, so all the state parks are a bonus.

DH will hate the cold, he hates it here, but whatcha gonna do?

How are the school systems up there?
Do they have lock down or are parents welcome?
That has been a real sore point here.................................they lock the schools up. Parents are not welcome to visit/spend time in the class/eat lunch with their children.
DS is ADHD and Bi polar, so I really want a school that is supportive. Unlike here........

Thanks for all the early "welcomes".

 

[Augustheather97]

You WILL love Maine...we moved here from Mass 15 years ago and never regretted it a bit...people very down to earth and friendly....the winters aren;t that bad ...no worse than Conn or Mass....or even NY....

 

[BananaButton]

I am SO jealous! We lived in Maine when we first got married - my husband was stationed at NAS Brunswick. We have been gone for 14 years but make it back to visit almost every summer. My two girls, 12 & 14, have gone to Y camp in Winslow (near Augusta) for 2 or 3 weeks for the last four summers. We'll be going up in July so I can get my "fix". It is a gorgeous area & the people are wonderful. I would move back tomorrow if the opportunity presented itself. We hope to maybe make our way back when we retire.
Enjoy!