Removals to America: Shipping to Maine

It might be more than 5,000 miles away, but Maine is one of the US states which draws many British expats arranging removals to America. So, as a new arrival, what should you expect there? For one thing, you could find that you feel at home more quickly than you thought you would. As part of New England, Maine has a strong British heritage – with an estimated 60% of the people living here having English ancestry. The state's population might be small at only around 1.3million, below that of a number of American cities, but it draws around 28 million tourists to its shores every year. This means it has an importance going far beyond the number of inhabitants.

Moving house to America, or relocating your business there, is bound to be quite an intimidating prospect for anybody. The good news is that Greens has four decades of experience in organising moves of this type and can give you the support and help you need to make sure it all goes smoothly.

Removals to America contact us to out more or click the link for a Shipping to Maine quote.

Removals to Maine, America: Living in Maine

When you arrive in Maine, you will be struck by the beauty of the landscape. Almost 90% of the land is covered by forest, leading to the nickname "the Pine Tree State", while the rocky shores, thousands of islands, mountains and rivers are all draws for tourists. Maine is in the North-East of the USA and warm summers are a feature of its climate, but so are very cold winters.

The original inhabitants were Native Americans from the Wabanaki peoples, with French settlers arriving at the start of the early 17th century and the English just a few years later. The region changed hands several times over the centuries and was officially part of Massachusetts when the US was formed in 1776. However, there was growing pressure for Maine to have a separate identity and in 1820 it became a state in its own right.

Employment opportunities in Maine vary, with many being dependent on the major tourist industry. During the 18th and 19th centuries shipbuilding was a major industry in Maine, and today industries centred around the ports are still major employers. Also important is manufacturing, especially of wood and paper products. Agriculture is another sector which plays an essential role in the state's economy, as does fishing, including lobster catching. The state's economy has been hit by the global downturn, but it is now believed to be on the road to recovery.

It doesn't matter whether you are moving to Portland, Maine's largest city, another city such as Lewiston or Bangor, or one of the other US states, ranging from New York to Texas, California, Florida, Pennsylvania and Illinois. We provide an international removals to USA service exactly geared to your requirements, which can include packing and unpacking, or providing packing materials if you prefer, transporting in a shared or groupage container, and detailed help with documentation. There is also insurance provided to give you peace of mind.

Removals to Maine, USA: What Are the Top Places to Visit?

One of Maine's nicknames is "Vacationland", and, bearing this out, it has a host of attractions. The rugged coastline is popular with holidaymakers, with top spots to visit here including Acadia National Park, where tourists can follow hiking trails and admire the mountains and lakes. The small, wealthy twin resorts of Kennebunkport and Kennebunk are also major draws, while Boothbay Harbour attracts people who want to try deep-sea fishing or see the whales off the coast. You could also take a boat ride from the harbour to Monhegan Island, known for its fishing and lobster-catching.

Portland has a lot to offer tourists too, from the Old Port area to the Museum of Art, featuring an impressive collection of works by American artists, as well as international exhibitions. The Portland Head Light on the outskirts of the city is one of the oldest and most striking lighthouses anywhere in the US, and is still operating today. It also has a museum attached where you can learn more about its fascinating history.

Removals to Maine, USA: Accommodation for Expats

Maine's towns and cities tend to be smaller than those in many other American states, and so expats living here are spread out between different communities. Even the largest centre of population, Portland, has only around 65,000 people living in the main city, although the surrounding Greater Portland metropolitan area has more than 500,000 inhabitants.

Portland is one of the safest places to live in America and property there is in demand because of its high quality of life. New expats move there every year, but many choose to live in the suburbs because there is little traffic congestion, and it is easy to get into the city for work compared to rush hour in larger US cities. There is a community of expats from all over the world, including the UK, in Libbytown, a district in the south-west, while East Deering is another popular neighbourhood. A three-bedroom apartment in central Portland could cost around £950 a month to rent, while a similar property outside the central area might cost an average of £700, although prices do vary depending on the neighbourhood.

Other popular places in Maine where some people moving house to America decide to live include the Kennebunks, but prices here tend to be high because of the demand from tourists. Maine's third-largest city, Bangor, which has 33,000 people but is at the heart of a metropolitan area containing nearly 155,000, is also a popular choice, with the bonus that accommodation there tends to be more affordable than in some other areas of the state.

Moving to Maine: Out and About in Maine

As a state with a long coastline, large numbers of islands and several small towns, Maine has many different means of transport, including ferries, buses and railways, with some extra transport services run during the summer season. Portland has a transportation hub for both train and bus services in the Libbytown area.

Given the distances and the spread-out communities, cars are generally regarded as essential and the state has a system of numbered highways covering more than 22,000 miles. If you want to take your own vehicle with you, Greens can organise this for you as part of your removals to America. Contact us now to discuss plans for your move to Maine.

International Removals to USA – get in touch for information or follow the link to get a free quote for Moving to Maine.