Similar to Oregon/Washington, I think, in that liberals of the enviro-hippie fruitcake variety are drawn to it, so that's a problem. Plenty of rugged conservatives and hillbillies as well, but also a lot of Somalis and Bernie Bros. Some fancy colleges (Bowden for example) that draw rich liberal kids. That said I drove up to buy a particular rifle (still had to fill out all the MA paperwork and show my MA permit, of course) and the gun counter was manned by three pretty college-age girls, all packing heat. Mainers of course enjoy permitless concealed carry.
Supposedly, on paper, Maine has a pollution problem, but the air sure seems cleaner than it does down here in MA. Maine winters are obviously harsh. Traffic, even in southern Maine, tends to be not bad in my experience, better than the thoroughfares in MA and southern NH. Like you said though, the taxes are high and job opportunities are not the best, but then again I'm used to having Boston and it's environs on one side and Providence on the other to choose a job from.
I will watch Maine will considerable interest going forward. I like snow at Christmastime and all my family is up here, two attractions that the south, for all it's other advantages, doesn't have.
I agree I think the state might be trending conservative, despite the explosion of welfare and the implosion of the Roman Catholic church. North and Western Maine are very nice places to live and even Aroostook has decent hospitals.