You're reading Dispatches from East McJesus. Living in East Machias, Maine, can be a bit lonely, so I write to save my sanity. The mission may not succeed, but let’s try to enjoy it.
The two biggest reasons we’ve ended up in this pickle, IMO, are 1. zoning and land use policies that prioritize cars over people and 2. the inability of all of us to understand the consequences of these policies and then change them.
No place is perfect, but in places that prioritize walking, biking, and public transport, homes are scaled to fit into town centers and “suburban” neighborhoods. People are healthier by virtue of their routines, interact more and get to know each other, and spend more time in the outdoors. Local economies benefit from more people, foot traffic, and employees who can afford to live nearby.
Efforts to change the policies and laws that prevent this kind of thoughtful, intentional development are fought all over the country, so it’s difficult to get out of our own way on these issues.
I totally get it. My ex-husband and I had a small house on a small lake in the mountains of New Hampshire for years. We ended up renovating it and lived there for 3 years while we leased our house in Newburyport. I loved everything about the location - nature, etc. - except the isolation from our friends - although it wasn’t that far away. The people around us were seasonal and we didn’t make any local friends. Winter was lonely. We were happy to move back and finally sold it several years later to pay off our mortgage in NBPT when I lost my job. I literally grieved for years. Fast forward to now. I bought a condo that I renovated on High St. and, except for the traffic, loved it! I loved living next to old friends, the ocean, downtown NBPT with wonderful restaurants and shopping, other great stores nearby, Maudslay Park, healthcare…. And that’s where I stop. Moved to Ellsworth, ME next to one of the most beautiful parks in the world - Acadia. I am leasing my condo to pay for the mortgage after a divorce devastated me financially. I moved in with the love of my life and we live on a river next to a large field and woods. Lots of wildlife. BUT, I acquired a serious neurological disorder for which I am having trouble getting into a neurologist. Maine is HORRIBLE when it comes to access to healthcare, whether you live in East McJesus or Portland. And not just doctors, dental care, as well. But, I was able to get into Massachusetts General! My appointment is on the 13th. I’ve never been more grateful for access to Mass healthcare than now.
In local meetings, surveys, and planning exercises, people identify affordable and attainable housing as their #1 priority, then when plans are formulated and development in line with the plans is proposed, a small group of NIMBYs can often defeat it. "The inability of all of us to understand the consequences of these policies and then change them" + fighting against the changes we need = NIMBYism.
Love this post, Lori. It captures much of what Peter and I are searching for in our move to France. It’s funny because we’re having a hard time convincing our expat expert that we really do want to live somewhere where we might still have to have a car, where there aren’t a lot--if any--of other expats, and where good health care might be a challenge to find. Paris and Nice are just not for us. Thank you for your eloquent expression of our own feelings.
Lexington, MA.
Wait what??? I used to live in Concord, MA! Small world!
Brava, my friend. We moved to Vermont for the same reasons.
where did you move there from?
The two biggest reasons we’ve ended up in this pickle, IMO, are 1. zoning and land use policies that prioritize cars over people and 2. the inability of all of us to understand the consequences of these policies and then change them.
No place is perfect, but in places that prioritize walking, biking, and public transport, homes are scaled to fit into town centers and “suburban” neighborhoods. People are healthier by virtue of their routines, interact more and get to know each other, and spend more time in the outdoors. Local economies benefit from more people, foot traffic, and employees who can afford to live nearby.
Efforts to change the policies and laws that prevent this kind of thoughtful, intentional development are fought all over the country, so it’s difficult to get out of our own way on these issues.
True, and at the same time, we do need more affordable housing that never gets built because of NIMBYism.
I totally get it. My ex-husband and I had a small house on a small lake in the mountains of New Hampshire for years. We ended up renovating it and lived there for 3 years while we leased our house in Newburyport. I loved everything about the location - nature, etc. - except the isolation from our friends - although it wasn’t that far away. The people around us were seasonal and we didn’t make any local friends. Winter was lonely. We were happy to move back and finally sold it several years later to pay off our mortgage in NBPT when I lost my job. I literally grieved for years. Fast forward to now. I bought a condo that I renovated on High St. and, except for the traffic, loved it! I loved living next to old friends, the ocean, downtown NBPT with wonderful restaurants and shopping, other great stores nearby, Maudslay Park, healthcare…. And that’s where I stop. Moved to Ellsworth, ME next to one of the most beautiful parks in the world - Acadia. I am leasing my condo to pay for the mortgage after a divorce devastated me financially. I moved in with the love of my life and we live on a river next to a large field and woods. Lots of wildlife. BUT, I acquired a serious neurological disorder for which I am having trouble getting into a neurologist. Maine is HORRIBLE when it comes to access to healthcare, whether you live in East McJesus or Portland. And not just doctors, dental care, as well. But, I was able to get into Massachusetts General! My appointment is on the 13th. I’ve never been more grateful for access to Mass healthcare than now.
In local meetings, surveys, and planning exercises, people identify affordable and attainable housing as their #1 priority, then when plans are formulated and development in line with the plans is proposed, a small group of NIMBYs can often defeat it. "The inability of all of us to understand the consequences of these policies and then change them" + fighting against the changes we need = NIMBYism.
Love this post, Lori. It captures much of what Peter and I are searching for in our move to France. It’s funny because we’re having a hard time convincing our expat expert that we really do want to live somewhere where we might still have to have a car, where there aren’t a lot--if any--of other expats, and where good health care might be a challenge to find. Paris and Nice are just not for us. Thank you for your eloquent expression of our own feelings.
Aww, Lilith, you and Peter are going to be so happy in the French countryside. I 100% get what you are doing!