Maine Quality of Life

Maine's quality of life is tied closely to the land. Recreation and serenity can be found from its legendary rocky coastline, to the magnificent mountains, splendid forests, and the crystal clear lakes. Maine is a large state with 3,500 miles of coastline and a total area that could contain all of the other five New England States combined. Businesses, employees and their families enjoy a lifestyle of low crime, few instances of traffic congestion, and access to a wealth of year round cultural, recreational and sporting activities.

Maine's quality of life ranked best in nation

"The coastal areas of southern Maine are often regarded as the most attractive housing areas with a beautiful, healthy environment, low crime and excellent schools. In 2004, statewide homes sales increased by 9.05% with an average sales price of $175,000.

The state offers exceptional healthcare, boasting 39 acute care and specialty hospitals. Maine Medical Center (MMC) in Portland serves as the premier tertiary care centre in northern New England. The centre has 606 licensed beds and provides comprehensive inpatient services in all medical specialties. It is also recognised for the Diabetes Center, the AIDS Consultation Service, and the Center for Lipids and Cardiovascular Health.

Maine leads the country in high school graduation rates, at 95.4%, and ranks in the top 10% of states for quality of education. All seventh and eighth graders are issued with a laptop computer, the only programme of its kind in the world. Maine was the first state to provide 100% of schools and libraries with internet access.

The state is also one of the greatest natural playgrounds in the world with thousands of miles of spectacular coastline, majestic mountain ranges and crystal-clear lakes and rivers. It is home to 18 ski resorts, 32 state parks and Acadia National Park.

There are more historical forts than in any other US state. Many historic homes are preserved as museums, among them those of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and philanthropist Lucy Farnsworth.

With two symphony orchestras, opera companies and a plethora of theatre companies, Maine offers an exquisite menu of performing arts and cultural entertainment. The state’s speciality of lobster and fresh seafood is abundant in its many fine dining establishments and casual restaurants.

Shopping outlets in Kittery and Freeport combined with the boutiques and speciality stores of Bangor and Portland’s Old Port, also home to lively nightlife and traditional pubs, have created a growing interest in Maine as an international shopping destination."

As the closest state to Europe and with New Brunswick and Quebec to the north, Nova Scotia to the east and Boston and New York City to the south, Maine is ideally positioned for foreign businesses entering the North American market. Complementing Maine's geographic advantages are its transportation and communications infrastructure, reasonable wages, quality of life and highly regarded education system.

Other reports and ranking surveys are validating the Maine "quality of life" heritage.

• The September, 2004 issue of National Geographic Adventure Magazine named Portland to its list of "Ten Great Adventure Towns".

• Bangor, Maine landed in the number two spot in the 2004 edition of "Cities Ranked & Rated". Bangor was found to be the second best location in the country among metropolitan areas with populations less than 100,000.

• The March 2004 issue of INC. Magazine includes Portland, Maine in its listing of the top 25 cities for doing business in America. This exclusive list ranks more than 270 large, medium and small cities.

• Every year in an Outside Magazine readers' poll, Rockland, Maine ranks among the top 100 best small towns to live in.

• Portland, Maine is listed as one of America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

• Maine has been rated as the best state in the nation to raise children by the Children's Rights Council, a national advocacy group in Washington D.C.

• Portland is listed as one of the top 10 "Kid-Friendly Cities" in ZPG's Kid-Friendly Cities Report Card.

• Outside Magazine rated Portland as one of the 10 best places to live, based on culture and accessibility to the variety of Maine's outdoor adventures.

• Portland's special efforts to foster connectedness and contentment placed it in the top 10 of America's most enlightened towns by the Utne Reader.

• Health Risk Management, Inc.'s QualityFIRST Index ranks Maine one of the top 10 states in health care quality.

• Portland was rated one of the top 10 cities to "Have It All" by the A&E television channel. Maine's largest city is consistently rated as one of the most desired cities to live in America.

Businesses also benefit from Maine's extraordinary quality of life. Maine employers profit from a strong work ethic, low absenteeism and turnover rates and high employee productivity rates.

These links will help you find out more about the quality of life in Maine:

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Healthcare

Media

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Recreation

Restaurants & Pubs

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