Maine has been our home for 20 years. We love the coastline, the pace and the deep sense of place. But affection doesn’t pay the bills or guarantee stability. After years of weighing the realities, my wife and I decided to relocate from Maine to North Carolina this winter.

Working families treading water: The “ALICE Reality” (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). Many folks living paycheck to paycheck aren’t “poor,” but one medical bill, car repair or rent hike can cause real hardship. 

Jobs and housing don’t align: Decent-paying jobs are concentrated in southern and coastal Maine, where housing costs are often out of reach. This forces long commutes, higher transportation costs and less family time.

Ongoing brain drain: Young professionals continue to leave Maine due to lower wages and limited advancement. When people who want to stay can’t afford to, economic momentum slows down for everyone.

A severe housing affordability crisis: Housing became the breaking point for us. Modest rentals routinely consume well over 30% of household income, leaving little room for savings, health care or basic quality of life.

Aging infrastructure: Crumbling roads and bridges aren’t just inconvenient, they’re costly. For working families who rely on their vehicles, those hidden expenses matter.

This move isn’t about luxury or abandoning Maine. It’s about finding a place where wages, housing and infrastructure align with us. Staying in Maine was no longer sustainable.

Lucky Bistoury
Brunswick