Vicki Doudera – Realtor, Author, Mainer

Are you looking at Maine for a career change, a vacation home, or a place to retire to?

In 2000, I wrote Moving to Maine to cover all the reasons to move here, and in 2007 I completely revised and expanded it. Inside you’ll find details on education, jobs, government, taxes, purchasing a Maine home or building a Maine business. There are chapters on history, weather and wildlife, things to do and see, even crime statistics. I’ve done my best to answer questions future or recent newcomers might have, and create an essential guide to help anyone become more familiar with Maine, “the way life should be.”

Since first writing the book, I’ve met lots of my readers, all of whom found the book to be a very helpful relocation guide. That’s what I was after when I sat at my computer night after night!

You can order the book online from my publisher, Down East Books, Amazon, or check your local bookstore.

Here are a few reviews, my author bio, the table of contents, and an excerpt:
“The Ultimate Resource. If you’re considering relocating to the Pine Tree State, hurry out and get yourself a copy of [this book]…. If you have questions about what it’s like to live in Maine, the book will most likely answer them, as well as provide oodles of contact information for exploring further…. We’d recommend it heartily even it it weren’t published by the people just down the hall from us.” –Down East Magazine

“If you know someone who is thinking about moving to Maine, and you would love it if they did, then this is the book for them. No wonder there are 40,000 newcomers every year. If I [weren't] already here and I read this book, I’d be on my way.” –Maine Times

“The book offers practical advice on everything from finding a home to a lowdown on the state’s cultural life — including gardening.” –People, Places, and Plants

“What I most enjoyed was the sprinkling of personal profiles of those who moved here for a wide variety of reasons, most commonly to remove themselves from very stressful lives lived elswhere in the country…. Whether one is looking for a retirement community, a place to raise children, or a quiet way of life, Maine seems to fit the bill. Doudera shows us why in these very informative pages of what’s become a key reference book on my shelf.” –Midwest Book Review

Author Biography
A writer and real estate broker, VICTORIA DOUDERA has contributed articles to Yankee, Parenting, Readers Digest, Maine Boats Homes & Harbors, and other magazines. She and her husband moved to Maine in 1986 to open a bed and breakfast, and, as an innkeeper, she heard the same questions and comments about moving to and living in Maine over and over. In this book, she set out to answer those questions and more.

Contents
Introduction
1. The Allure of Maine
2. How Maine Works
3. Working in Maine
4. Finding a Home
5. Settling In
6. Weather and Wildlife
7. Vacationland
8. Higher Education and Cultural Life
9. Family Life
10. Joining the Community
Conclusion
Appendix 1: Maine at a Glance
Appendix 2: Quality Medical Care–Hospitals
Appendix 3: Local Issues–Newspapers
Appendix 4: Chambers of Commerce
Appendix 5: Retirement Communities
Index

Excerpt
Folks who aren’t used to chilly temperatures are often surprised that life goes on even when the mercury drops a little. “We’ve been amazed to see how active everyone is in the winter,” says Thad Chilton of Rockport. “It’s great to see families out walking, skiing, and having a good time together.” And people who have spent several winters often grow to appreciate the profound beauty of the countryside under a blanket of white and the moody light and colors of the boreal sky.

That’s not to say a mean winter can’t pack a punch or two, although oldtimers claim that today’s storms are considerably tamer than the legendary blizzards of yore. The occasional northeaster may drop several inches, prompting television weathermen to put on their sweaters and predict doom and school superintendents to cancel classes. But there is not as much fanfare was you might think. Perhaps because Maine is a state adept at dealing with the white stuff, people often view winter storms more as an occasional treat than a frequent and daunting threat.