I live on an island off the coast of America - ask me anything

[catofdoom]

As requested @IdaBWells

There was a thread before but I can't find it. When Mumsnet has its brain fart a few months ago I could never get back in to my old account.

I live on a little island off the coast of Maine. I moved here after living in London for 15 years.

@DreamingofSunshine

For Maine we're pretty diverse! We pride ourselves on being a very tolerant and inclusive community. Gay people have felt comfortable living here and being out way before they would have in other places. There are quite a few families who have adopted from different countries too so we have quite a lot of kids of Indian and African descent.

We also have a lovely trans lady who had a son before transitioning. He lives with her and her parents 50% of the time and goes to school here.

It's always been seen as a bit of a haven for minorities.

It was also on the map for weed in the 60's. Island grown weed was famous and featured in the High times magazine. It's actually legal in Maine now. Not my cup of tea anymore or dh's but we're definitely in the minority!!

How does your DS have mainland friends? Did you sail over to the mainland for baby classes etc?

Yes, we need to move our ferry. Where it is now will be underwater soon. There are already fields of dead trees where the sea water floods. More every year

Do people on the island have a greater belief in climate change than US in general? Do the island Trump supporters/ Republicans believe in it?

@Screamanger isn't it brilliant?! Moving here from London was weird. I got violently mugged in London and was always slightly on edge after that.

I was HORRIFIED that dh never locked the house!

In our busy breakfast place on the mainland people claim their table by leaving their phone or wallet on the table!

@justasking111

I ask myself that a lot. I'm really not sure.

We were on a packed beach yesterday (100s of people) and when I went down to the sea with ds I took my bag. DH told me I was being ridiculous and pointed out that everyone else was leaving their bags on the beach and swimming.

@DreamingofSunshine

How does your DS have mainland friends? Did you sail over to the mainland for baby classes etc?

I'd take the ferry over and go to library classes etc. Our nearest mainland library is run by an amazing power house of a woman. She works tirelessly to run engaging classes for all aged kids. She puts on themed weeks and all different types of festivals. Even in any of the big London libraries I've never seen anything like it. We're so lucky to have her and I'm trying to get her nominated for a community award.

I also met quite a lot of people from the meet up app. Lots of people from all over the country are choosing to move here so there were lots of other friendless people in the same boat.

Also, people here are SO friendly. The lady that works at our local (and nationally famed, it's even been written up in the UK press) Thai place and I got chatting recently about how she was going to a Hanson concert. I told her I like them too and she asked me to go along with her and her daughter. All the way down in New York, and stay with them for three nights!

We've literally met people on the beach, swapped numbers and then stayed at their house or had them out to stay here. A large amount of people here are extremely trusting and towards.

I've been to parties at my hairdressers, the lady that frames our pictures etc.

I'm extremely social so I adore it!

Do people on the island have a greater belief in climate change than US in general? Do the island Trump supporters/ Republicans believe in it?

I think so. Although generally, (and I hate to generalise and may be wrong) from what I've encountered, it really seems to be as black and white as democrats and left leaning people believe in climate change and Republicans don't. That's just from who I'm friends with. I'm sure there are exceptions!

We have a bit of a Greenpeace hero living on the island actually. He recently married the editor of the island paper. He was the captain of the Rainbow warrior when it was bombed and sunk by the French and more recently was captain of the Artic Sunrise and was arrested and imprisoned by Putin for two months until demonstrations around the world to free the artic 30 got him released.

@justasking111 my mum often doesn't lock her door actually and she lives in rural wales. That more because she's literally miles from anyone though!

@muffins145

Our lighthouse (photo by dh), our house in the winter and an autumn beach trip.

View from a plane of the island, out house in the snow again and the view of other islands from our closest neighbour's house

Love this thread! I went to a wedding on Peaks Island a few years ago and it was lovely! Maine in general is just amazing. I’m an American and have spent lots of time on Nantucket and in New England (went to school in Boston). Such a special place.

Oh wow Cat it looks gorgeous!
Ever thought of running a MN B&B for us?
Have you ever read 'The Big Stone Gap' novels by Adriana Trigiani?
I'm imagining your island being like that (but Maine not Virginia). A lovely community with an amazing mix of characters with the odd bit of intrigue.

Actually I don't think that is our island from the plane view! Maybe the end of it.

Does the island have any hotels, B & Bs or is it all private homes?

@IdaBWells no hotels or b&bs. Just private homes.

@JaimeBronde I've not heard of them. I was looking for someone new to read so I'll give them a go. Thanks!

Thanks for the thread. I was hooked on a series of books as a teen about teens who lived in an island in Maine who took a ferry to school.
Love hearing about the real life version.

Agree you need to write a book or at least a blog! Loving this thread

Beautiful!

Wow how gorgeous I am jealous!!

Big Stone Gap books are lovely. In fact most of her stuff is. Enjoy!

@jay55 what were they called?!

It was the 'Making out' series by Katherine Applegate, teen froth with issues thrown in, thoroughly engaging at the time.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/MakingOutt(bookseries)

@jay55 thank you! I'll try to see if I can get hold of some.

Fascinating thread!

Is the water safe, with the Great Whites?

Is health insurance for the family provided through DH’s job? Do you worry about issues such as not being able to find affordable insurance should you if any of you had any pre existing conditions?

Sounds like you’re mainly a SAHM with some ad hoc work. Do you have financial independence and a pension?