Two questions - what kind of jobs are up there? Also, is housing reasonable? Just wondering. I don't think I'd want to move up that way - the states I like are Idaho, North Carolina, and New Mexico, as far as me moving my butt out of Ohio.
Housing is reasonable. You can get a house and acreage for peanuts if not wanting to be amongst the eastern establishment yuppies along the southern Maine coast. Jobs, I cannot say, depending on what one seeks, but are plentiful so far as I know. A whole lot of people here create their own work, rather easily. Many opportunities abound for anyone wanting to start out.
You mention states we also like. Maine is colder in the winter and to our estimation, the population is more friendly and crime-free. Maine also is the sunniest state after Florida east of the Mississippi and the winters are dazzlingly bright and sparkling contrasted with the states further south, more monotonous gray. Maine is alive and vital all four seasons and has wild scenery most do not expect on this side of the USA. We have been in all the states over the years except Alaska and have lived in quite a few but none yet compare to Maine.
Example: Idaho has beautiful green forests, but mostly the same color, a hint of olive green. Maine forests are mixed and so many varieties of green winter and summer it is hard to count. The fall colors in Maine beat any we have seen further south or north. Even the maples have huge varieties of colors.
Can you tell we like it here??