MAINE: Places Where The Best Scary Stories Have Come From

[@michaelbogoslawski7831]

Thank you for this video. My wife grew up in Bangor (I North Kingstown RI). We met at a summer camp near Belfast. The Movie Theater you showed was our first date. My wife grew up just around the corner from Steve King on Fairfax Street. In the background of the umbrella street is the Columbia Street Baptist. That was my wife's home church. It is also the church were my wife and I got married in 1978. Thank You for this. My wife Elteen wanted me to thank you for saying Bangor and not Banger. Be well, Mike.

[@JasonWaycott]

Great story thanx for sharing

[@lakebreeze6248]

Maybe it was Tanglewood in Lincolnville.

[@robertmiller8072]

😊

[@Survived_the_psyop]

God bless you 😊

[@JohnThomas1884.]

Belfast, Ireland 🇮🇪 ?

[@petermoore6399]

My wife and I really enjoy your videos. I looked up that beautiful house in Bangor and it's listed for $919,900. Your adventures around the US look like so much fun. Keep producing that great content for us. Safe travels!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Peter!

[@mrodriguez7135]

Peter, I am in agreement with you that these are interesting videos to watch. I, too, looked up the home. An incredible home with lots of beautiful architectural design.

[@n530411351]

I read this comment before watching the video and knew this had to be the house down the street from Stephen King! I went on the Stephen King tour recently (SK Tours of Maine, would highly recommend) and did the same thing when I saw the house for sale

[@peterb6282]

They had to keep dropping the price. In Dec it sold for $882,500.00

[@IndeedProverbs3079]

Enjoy your video on Bangor but you missed the downtown area. You skirted all around it.

[@RobertBailey-y3h]

My Dad graduated from Belfast High, as did his Dad. I am Class of 1974 from Bangor High. I have lived and worked throughout the state, and, lpke you, I love walking through the old dowmtowns. Great videos! Bob in Maine

[@Bogieking78]

King's home is quite the place. Valued at 1.5 million, 5 bedrooms, 5 1/2 baths, built in 1870 refurbished in 1983, 4 fireplaces sitting on 2 acres of land. Beautiful home!

[@jimthain8777]

75 Broadway West the house 3 doors down, is also 5 bedrooms, with 3 1/2 baths, 5,400 Sq. feet. going for $919,900.

[@southernsnowqueen5817]

King’s house has been donated to be a writers retreat- not sure if it already is or going to be in a few years. The historical society of Bangor just showed Pet Cemetery at Mt Hope Cemetery. Hannibal Hamlin is buried there too. Next time you visit you should do one of the historical walking tours- the Great Fire of 1911 is very interesting. Even just walking Mt Hope is interesting and you can do a self guided tour on the historical society’s page.

[@douglasdea637]

You, and the viewers, can see why we New Englanders really love New England. Even the poverty areas look beautiful. There's always a river or lake or coastal area nearby to liven things up. And the history can't be beat. Sure, the snow and cold can be blah, but some people love that too (I don't.) As I noted before, in the South or Midwest when a town loses half it's population it goes to ruin and dies. In New England when a town loses half it can be okay. There will still be something nearby to keep it livable.

[@peted2770]

We have our fair share of dying towns that are ruined. Most are old mill towns or some other industry that has died out or moved overseas.

[@nicholas13666]

Sometimes better when we do lose half the population. Lol. It's usually the people who start problems here that leave first. 😂

[@andrewward5891]

Downtown Bangor has to be the busiest downtown I’ve seen in your videos. It’s always been pretty bustling. I lived in Bangor in my teens back in the 80s and I’d regularly bike downtown to the comic book store, gaming store, and bookstores (I was a bit of a nerd). Good to see the downtown is still doing well.

[@jakcwwe1550]

Hey! I actually live in bangor and I can tell you it's always very busy, if you ever want some pictures of the area hit me up!

[@stephenmorton8017]

these vids are great with morning coffee. so much better than all the politics lately. thanks for making my morning. there is a Edward Hopper exhibit in Cape Ann, Mass right now. lots of paintings of houses from his summers spent up there.

[@ggb6303]

I enjoyed your tour of Bangor. For the record that statue you walked by was of Hannibal Hamlin who, in his day was better known than Stephen King. He was Vice President of the United States during Abraham Lincoln’s first term. Had he not been replaced by the southerner,Andrew Johnson, for the 1864 election he would have likely served as Maine’s first POTUS. I have never read a Stephen King novel or seen a movie based on one, but I have read a few textbooks on American history-:)

[@gatorgogo2742]

Thanks again! The umbrellas dancing in the breeze were so cheerful. Stephan King's home is pretty. I know he enjoys it when he can, The house down the street is pricey not to be any more individual on the inside. I certainly appreciate you two showing us our country.

[@beerreviewsandmore]

Thank you, Joe, for another great video. You're living something I planned on doing in my retirement, but having developed a disability that restricts my movement, I can’t travel as I planned on when I was younger. I really appreciate you and Nicole sharing your journey across this beautiful country with us. PS nothing wrong with Jack with your meal, but I too prefer an ice-cold local brew with lunch or dinner. Keep up the good work.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks, Vince!

[@catlover614]

Wonderful, as always. All three cities are so beautiful, amazing buildings and gorgeous homes, and some stunning water views. Stephen King's home was cool to see, I love horror movies !! I hope the Colonial Theatre gets new owners, such a lovely and unique looking building. Thanks so much, Joe and Nic, for another very enjoyable video.😊💚

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks, CL!

[@katherinekrawczyk9431]

Wow! This home has been on the market for 66 days. The asking price is $919,900. It's 5,400sqt. Beautiful home inside and out. it doesn't look like it needs any work. Another great video. God bless.

[@silverlining7112]

Belfast seems like the kind of town a New York executive in a Hallmark movie would move to and open a bakery

[@andrewward5891]

And then meet a handsome widower with a cute kid. Which is the plot of every hallmark movie

[@silverlining7112]

@@andrewward5891lol he would own the local winery but would be so modest and down to earth

[@andrewward5891]

@@silverlining7112- we’ve already written half the script for the movie. We just need the Evil Corporation the New York executive works for to try to buy the local landmark

[@silverlining7112]

@@andrewward5891 lol and offer her a VP position if she can sway the council in their favour

[@ppumpkin3282]

The hansom widower's wife died in a tragic boating accident, he he has wistful yearning for the water, but he won't go on his boat because it brings back bad memories. He goes everywhere with his golden retriever named "Dylan' after his favorite poet. He smokes a pipe and wears tweed and spends his time looking pensively out to sea. We can feed these parameters into an AI app to write the script. As I remember Belfast used to have a famous old wooden ship wreck stuck in the mud flats with three masts and spars. It gave the town an eriee ghostly feeling.

[@patm5594]

One of America's most beautiful states

[@DierdreWoods]

Great Saturday morning travel to Maine w my morning cup of coffee. The State House is amazing! I loved the simplicity of the rotunda and seeing where the house and senate meet! Thanks for the morning adventure!

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

A new video! And we are on a road trip ourselves! Been to Rapid City, Deadwood, Cody, Yellowstone, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Hurricane (during the hurricane), Grand Canyon, El Paso, San Antonio, and now in Houston. Based on your hotel review of last year, Drury is now our chain hotel of choice. Great amenities and reasonably priced. You should bring the hotel reviews back.

[@joycelebaron2582]

I literally had to laugh out loud when you were driving by that fancy house on the same street where Stephen King lives and you said, "It looks like an old haunted house, doesn't it? Like maybe The Munsters could live there! or something!" Cracked me up!

[@rocinblues]

Lived in ME and NH as a young man, really enjoyed the people and the seafood. Always impressed me with the pride residents have for their homes and businesses. Many inner cities could take a look at your videos and get a great takeaway, even with the high crime and poverty. It's about having respect for yourself.

[@messengerguardiansparanorm8606]

This is a very complicated conversation. "Respect" is tied to value. Some folks feel as if they have no value. Those links are quite systematic. Looking at a few simple videos where the majority population is white and middle-class (another entire psychosis and conversation for some in this society) isn't going to help. I grew up in the suburbs of Maryland (and I'm of that 1% I'm sure so many sigh in relief over), so I had a clean neighborhood and an excellent place to live. It wasn't rich, but moderate and modest. Those who don't come from a people robbed of value and equity from the start may not understand what it takes to build respect. The inner cities were red-lined and abandoned, set-up for poverty. It is no wonder big alcohol and tobacco place their massive street signs and liquor stores throughout those areas, in large numbers, and business owned by certain ethnic groups simply abandoned the regions, after industry shut down. Without understanding the systematic causes of poverty and inner-city mechanisms, you can't just judge them like that (thought, I gather you 'meant well', as so many claim to). I live in rural Vermont now, but have great empathy for those having to grow up inner-cities. I never had to grow up that way, but I understand the intricacies and social nuances that create those places. Believe me, the mentality of some of the majority is not innocent in this. Having to give "race" numbers is a misnomer, since "race" is NOT a scientific concept, but a social one. It makes my skin crawl to be told those numbers, as so many people find it so important to their identity.

[@davidkroll4360]

Drove thru Maine 45 years ago. Trees, trees, trees ! Beautiful state, spectacular geography. Very similar to New Brunswick in Canada.

[@cherriroberdes3914]

Thank you Joe and Nic for your informative fun travel videos..I especially appreciate you showing the historic Post Office and other state buildings.. we look forward to your upcoming videos!

[@davidmay3348]

I am so glad you came back to Maine because you dint really see how very lovely our state can be. Thanks for that!

[@luke2806]

maine has some of the most beautiful towns in america. its super chill and usually filled with people who just want to escape the rest of the US.

[@alexandralovesgoats3360]

I would love to visit these three cities in Maine. They are my kind of places! Stephen King’s house is just what I would expect him to own. Appreciate you taking us there! I did like the understated Capitol building in Augusta. Your food looked delicious ! I could get used to Belfast Bay! Have a great weekend! Thank you for a first-rate video!

[@barrywilkinson3420]

Having lived in Boston for 47 years and driven the Maine coast many times you bring back many memories. Now, back home in Michigan.

[@haksaw76]

Great video as always. I live in between Belfast and Augusta. These guys always due a great job. Hats off

[@markbajek2541]

It's amazing you can get 150 years out of a old post office and now a days my town can't get 40 years out of a school building or a fire station.

[@mikebailey9566]

Yankees are famous for their frugality. There's an old saying I can remember my Grandmother quoting: "Use it up, wear it out, make do or do without".

[@Clevelandsteamer324]

Things used to be made by actual craftsmen and with immense pride.

[@jennywilson9731]

A lot of "Blue" in the sky, a great video, everything is interesting ,those homes in Belfast are so beautiful the way they sit back up on a slant of hill, I could live there ,just for the beauty of it all..God Bless, Safe traveling to You & Nicole.

[@NicoMCH666]

love your videos! I live in Switzerland and enjoy watching these. I lived 4 years as a kid near Philadelphia and your videos always bring back memories. They are so relaxing nearly like ASMR videos 😊

[@88scotteeee]

I’ve really enjoyed the New England/Maine wing of the tour. My neck of the woods 😁😁thank you Joe & Nic for these videos

[@judywilson9003]

Thank you guys for showing us beautiful Maine.

[@ArmyVetTrumpGrl]

The architecture is simply stunning! And my goodness the little seaside towns are too die for! Loved this video, tysm!!

[@DJCoaltzilla]

Glad to see you hit my hometown of Augusta! Downtown is really coming back up, it was hit pretty hard during the financial crisis but it's a great place to spend the day walking around. When I was a kid and home sick from school my mom would bring me to work in her office at the Olde Federal Building.

[@lifelikeweeds819]

When I was gearing up to move a few years back I picked the area between Belfast, Bucksport, and Bangor. I was just in love. And going against my better juidgment moved elsewhere. And here I am, 4 years later, looking again at this area realizing that's where I need to be. Thanks for the reminder.

[@jeffneptune2922]

Very nice video as always! I have never been that far up in Maine. Back in the 1990s we traveled as far as Portland along RT 1and 1A and stopped at Ogunquit ,Kennebunkport and Kittery, loved that part of the state. If you are staying coastal in Massachusetts , would recommend Rockport on Cape Ann , then 1A and towns like Newburyport, Essex, Manchester by the Sea, Marblehead and Salem , "the Witch City", all very interesting in their own way.

[@gracegrass4462]

My dad who was born and raised in Maine wouldn't consider Kittery part of the state at all! Haha that's just to say it's a totally different world as you go north and especially inland. Definitely try to get up there sometime.

[@zoeferbrache]

Wonderful neighborhoods in Maine,nice road trip looks like you guys had a wonderful time🤗🍺

[@markholland5810]

Another terrific video! Always love seeing Nicole! She rocks! Thank you

[@lisamoncrieff5512]

Hi Joe and Nicole! I looked up the house for sale and the asking price is $919,900. Took a look at the pics and they're beautiful. I think you forgot to mention the population of your first stop of Belfast, but I could be wrong. It's a simple stat but still one of the things I look forward to knowing. Keep up the wonderful content - I can't begin to imagine how much fun you guys are having!! xoxo

[@curtisphilumalee1447]

While you’re up there you should visit the cool forts that were built back in the 1800’s. One of them is on the Kennebec and the other one is on the Penobscot rivers. The one fort that protects the mouth of the Penobscot is amazing. If you’re down by Brunswick there’s a restaurant called Dolphin Marina. It’s off the beaten path but their food is outstanding. Don’t forget to try their blueberry muffins. Yum Yum. Thanks for the upload.

[@richardchretien7412]

I’m from Biddeford, Maine. Enjoying your trip thru Maine. Great videos.

[@jimrossi7708]

Stephen King has done a lot for Bangor !! Thank you !

[@papayork1907]

He hasn`t occupied that house for nearly 20 years but we used to take our children there to trick or treat. Wow it was awesome, indeed! BTW That is West Broadway that Stephen King lived on, Broadway is on the other side of Kenduskeag stream. He also owns the rock radio station in town, WZON.

[@sriram1729]

I love how you describe every town you visit, and how you avoid incoming pedestrians and show something else so they don't feel awkward or violated. Nice! I'm deeply interested in knowing the U.S. beyond what I see in sitcoms and popular culture, and these videos whet my appetite.

[@SmoothCriminaltripleOG]

Love your videos, you really do an incredible job with describing these towns and exploring the outskirts of the main town. You really should have your own show on mainstream TV hopefully someone will see your channel and make it happen for ya..👍🤙😎

[@zoidmo3388]

I'm luving Maine guys! Then again, I may have said that about several of the towns in several States lol You guys are the greatest! 🥰

[@curtisphilumalee1447]

Not a well known fact but when I was stationed at NAS Brunswick in the early 90’s my neighbors told us that Stephen King childhood home was in the Durham area which was real close to Brunswick, maybe fifteen minute drive out of the city limits. After visiting the area and looking around Durham you can get a better understanding of where some of his ideas came from as a writer for his novels. Stand by me novel is one that stands out for me.

[@godschildyes]

Wow! Thanks for that information! It's so wonderful to get the chance to see the inspiration for such works! Funny how our reap life experiences plat so much into our creativity.

[@cdeschrevel5341]

I hope Joe and Nic will visit that area too, unless it's dangerous of course(no idea, I'm from Europe)

[@catzass69]

Did you know the shinning was based off the resort in st andrews by the sea in NB? His parents were regular vacationers there but the owners of the lodge didn’t want a ghost movie to take place at the resort so they moved location to Denver.

[@michaelbrinks8089]

I remember watching the movie, Stand By Me. In 86, my freshman yr of HS, I thought it was "meh 🤷‍♂️"....Probably because the movie was aimed at a target audience of 30+ to stir up their childhood nostalgic memories from the 60s. With child actors in hopes of attracting kids to the movie.

[@curtisphilumalee1447]

I can kind of agree with your thoughts. Movies are a rough translation of novels. SK novels are usually ten times better than the movies which followed. But this is just my opinion. Some people enjoy reading and some can’t stand it. On a side note my youngest daughter really enjoyed the movie and considers it a top five. Also I read somewhere that the movie was filmed out in Oregon I believe. Maybe wrong about that though. If you ever get up to Maine check out the rural Durham area. You get a better understanding of SK and his ideas for writing his novels.

[@HaveKayaksWillTravel]

Good morning everyone!!!

[@sonjaleesloth]

Subbed. 👍🏼 Heya from Boston!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@raycooper3463]

After Augusta, ya should jotted down south a few miles to Winthrop. Quaint, quiet, and beautiful, situated at one end of Maranacook Lake. You could go a little farther south to Lewiston/Auburn and have a hoagie at Sam’s. Then you could drive East to the coast and take US-1 to Cooks Corner and hang Eastward on StateRoute-24. This will take you ultimately to Bailey Island (and Gift Shop) at Land’s End. The road literally runs into the Ocean. Along your way there, you will be crossing across a chain of islands. A breath-taking journey. **ONE NOTE: It has been a long time since I was last in Maine, but then, they have a HUGE sign- NO PUBLIC RESTROOMS. So you may want to “load-out” while you in or near Cook’s Corner.

[@45AMT]

Always fantastic. Thanks for the tour Joe!

[@aimeekay5322]

South Dakota native here and I wanted to compliment your pronunciation of Pierre! So few people know where it is or how we pronounce it. Your videos make me want to check out Maine even more than I already did. :)

[@usbankusa]

Thanks for sharing those beautiful buildings and houses in Maine cities.

[@KathyStuart-oc3ke]

I lived in Belfast for many years; it is the home of my heart. I hope to return someday while health still allows. It is indeed one of the most beautiful small towns it has ever been my privilege to live in. It did my heart good to hear you speak so highly of it. And yes, you were correct regarding the wages of the working class, in general they are abysmally low. Or at least they were when I worked and lived there. The only trade off is living in an area so lovely. Thank you for the postcard from home.

[@cherienafo7676]

OZ/ TY Joe (& Nicole)- Yeah, Belfast- I could get used to living there. I LOVE the no fences !! Love the Umbrellas !! LOL. Loved seeing Stephen Kings house- awesome. Those houses are NOT houses, they are HOMES. I totally love seeing the architecture of these towns. OZ doesn't have a lot a that- which give a sense of history and substance to the community- so lovely. Seems to me, that you two are so fortunate.

[@75blackviking]

Great video! Very interesting stuff. Really enjoyed your rural Maine video. Keep up the great content.

[@DUMPSTERDIVINGADELAIDE123]

Thanks for the video, Regards Simon from sunny Adelaide Australia 🐨

[@sketch5119]

Moved from Bangor to Salt Lake City back in 2019. It’s nice to see the towns that I use to visit when I lived there in your two videos. If you get a chance to come back you should come around Columbus Day, visit Bar Harbor and Arcadia National Park when the leaves are changing.

[@jimthornton-fc8kq]

Thanks for taking me to Maine. It was a quite interesting place but there seemed quite a contrast between the old money homes and the beautiful scenery and the poverty levels of the children. It just seems out of whack. You have made another informative and interesting video and you introduced me to blueberry cake- wow that looked good! Sincerely Jim Thornton

[@Teeveepicksures]

It was decades ago but I rolled in to Boothbay Harbor late at night once to pickup a friend i went to college with. That place was a trip, man. 😂

[@johnmerrithew2677]

Just came across your videos. Very nice to see you were in my neighborhood I was born and raised in the next town over in searsport it's always neat to see and read about other people who have visited the great state of Maine great video thank you for doing it I'm glad you guys enjoyed yourself here coming in spend more time. Thank u John M.

[@mr1pearl]

I see you met Paul haha ! 🪓 Glad you got to see Stephen Kings house love the fence 🦇 Love Maine I will die here 🙏 Know you are always welcome here come back any time we'll leave the lights on 💡

[@KristenMaine]

You didn't even scratch the surface of what the epitomy of Maine is. Should have gone to the western mountains in Rangeley , Carrabassett Valley,and the coast like Downeast - Cutler, Lubec Fort Knox. You were in Millinocket and never mentioned our famous Mount Katahdin. Old small towns of Maine. We like it quiet. So when the cat meowed at you, I had to laugh. I fell on your video because I saw the word Maine and I had to watch. Not sure if you drive thru rundown towns in every State you visit. Funny to see other people's perspective

[@mekkler]

75 Broadway, $919k, absolutely gorgeous inside and out. Built in 1897.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Wow!

[@cdeschrevel5341]

Compared to prices in my country(the Netherlands) this is too be honest a bargain. They did all maintenance not too long ago. Wondering if it's built on an old graveyard? Especially the large piece of land behind it, aah well I hope that there isn't a writer nearby who reads this and decides to write a horror book about it...

[@michaelscottcutler3627]

These Eastern towns are absolutely gorgeous!

[@TheNewfoundout]

Beautiful Maine locations and you really do your research with the statistics of each location very impressive!

[@cynic5581]

Listening to the numbers from Bangor I would have figured it would have been a conservative town. Progress Pride flags and Pride colors painted on city property would say otherwise. I was in a town called Havre de Grace in MD a few weeks ago and I couldn’t help but think of your channel the entire time I was there. Old town, old money, lots of antique shops, bakeries, and thing of the like. Located on the Chesapeake bay it was once a candidate for the US capital. Incredibly small but has a lighthouse and the coolest tourist thing I’ve seen, lines painted on the sidewalks for self guided tours of the historic town, really neat. If your ever come down the east coast I wouldn’t skip it. Cheers!

[@dopeMike_]

Should have made a video and started your own channel.

[@RobinGerhart]

So enjoyable getting to see a part of this country I have never been to ❤

[@sailor4116]

At work, looking forward to watching this when I get home. 😊

[@davidglad]

Thanks as always for these videos. I merely had to look at the highest priced real estate listings in Bangor to see that house near King's as #3 on the list. The current fourth most expensive (on Essex St) looks more interesting, merely by the leading pic capturing your attention. Almost like you should consider open houses going on if you happen to be in the area. (Doubt they'd allow recording or even necessarily pictures.)

[@zerog5041]

Wooooooo, creeepy I hid behind the sofa for much of the show too scared to watch 🙂 Yet another Titanic production from Belfast! If I did decide to settle down in the good ol' USA, Maine would be my destination of choice, such beautiful scenery!

[@TheLordbanjo]

Bangor is also a town in northern ireland near Belfast

[@majuryni]

I'm from Belfast Northern Ireland , also a shipbuilding capital in its time ... The Bangor here in N.I. is pronounced Bangur by us natives ... 😀

[@sharonm.t.2492]

Thankyou Joe & Nic! Another awesome video, very enjoyable :)

[@CharlottePrattParrott]

Looks nice at this time of year, but just wait until winter! 🥶🥶🥶

[@DavidSheridan-kt7hv]

It is pretty in winter also but pretty miserable to be outside!! LOL

[@CharlottePrattParrott]

@@DavidSheridan-kt7hv As long as you have heat and a good book, who cares? 😉

[@Asymmetrical-Saggin]

I love hearing out of staters try and pronounce our cities and such. hahahaa. Love the videos. 😂😂 Regarding the crime in Bangor, which also includes all of our other 'big' cities, substance abuse is a severe problem up here and has been since the late 00s.

[@samswilly14]

Should’ve ate lunch at Paddy Murphys pub in Bangor, I love that place. I live an hour south now so I don’t get up there that much. St Patrick’s day there is amazing

[@johnhathaway7319]

My family is from Bangor ( Hathaway ) and I haven't been there in 25 years. I'm in San Diego now. I buried my dad on top of Cadillac Mt. Thank you for this

[@onrycodger]

Absolutely beautiful this time of year. But I suspect they get whipped hard during the Winter. As always, Thumbs up 👍

[@cindiperron]

Orono is pronounced or-uh-no 😊. I grew up in bangor, you went into a park along the “canal” (kenduskeag river) where I used to hang out with the hippies!

[@davidjnichisti1108]

I was hoping you'd visit more western Maine like Farmington, Rumford, Bethel area

[@lisawhitehouse927]

I grew up in Chesterville. Farmington and Wilton have some beautiful old Victorian homestead

[@UnBoxLifeWithLori]

I enjoy watching all of your videos. The Upper East Coast is so beautiful and CLEAN - WOW! *The crime rate in Maine - the town with 40 crimes for the entire year. I'm watching from TX and our crime rate is out of control - the little town I live in we have that many crimes ( or more ) each and every day!

[@gazof-the-north1980]

Maine looks amazing. Clean and Safe.

[@bevanstacykearse9099]

wonderful images of a beautiful state great history and information another enjoyable journey

[@todddunn945]

Belfast has really revitalized itself over the past 10-15 years. In the late 90s, after the chicken processing plants shut down a bank opened a major call center in Belfast and hired a lot of people (about 2,000). Then in about 2006 the call centers closed and the local economy collapsed. Since then Belfast has made a big, successful, effort to convert to a tourist economy. As you noted, tourism brings lots of low paid jobs. The age demographic reflects the preponderance of well to do retired people. The people that work in places like Belfast generally can't afford to live there, so they live inland in smaller towns or rural areas. None of the houses you showed would sell for anywhere near $200K. The median home price of 200K reflects a fact about how Maine municipalities are structured. Basically, all land in Maine is in a municipality of some sort. Consequently, a town like Belfast includes a large amount of rural land within the city limits (90+% of the town's area). The "cheap" homes are in that rural area miles from the city center on the shore.

[@andrewward5891]

Yeah those nice Belfast homes in the video go for at least $500k. And none were for sale.

[@todddunn945]

@@andrewward5891 I just looked at Redfin and the houses in that part of Belfast range from a low of $500K to $1.45M. The specific area Nic was in is where the $1M+ houses are located. Belfast is no longer affordable except for people from away looking for a summer or retirement home.

[@gracegrass4462]

Yes thanks for this! No way those nice downtown mansions are going for under 500k.

[@lizinwisconsin6728]

I LOVE Maine. Thanks for going there. 🙂

[@busybeenature9092]

Thanks for showing us around. Bangor had beautiful houses. 👍

[@Stephani253]

Love the channel! I’d love for some west coast videos. I live in Wa State and we Just returned from Astoria and Seaside Oregon. They are about 20 min from each other. I think you’d like these coastal towns. If you do make it this way try Silver Salmon Grille in Astoria. The clam chowder is amazing! Also Pig n Blanket in Seaside for breakfast. Josephsons Smokehouse is a must to visit as well for some smoked salmon and other goodies 😊

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

West coast videos are in the planning stages.

[@markrichards6863]

Belfast was my old stomping group in the late seventies. They've really cleaned it up. There used to be to Chicken processing plants, and the stench was horrible, but I thought it had a better vibe than Camden, which has always been very touristy, a victim of its own beauty. Belfast had fun local people, down to earth types a a fair amount of hippie hold outs. Mid coastal Maine is the best part of the state in my opinion. Bangor is very cool in its own way, the urban outpost to one of the most rural parts of the northeast. I really punches above it's weight.

[@lindacanham1835]

I live in a town called Winterport, in Maine. Belfast is one of my favorite places to visit, shop and dine. I love the waterfront, walking trails and mostly, the people. My town is halfway between Bangor and Belfast, the best of both. LOVE MAINE and want it to stay simple. Life is better here.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Just for the record…I think Orono is pronounced with the accent on the first syllable. OR-ah-no. Perhaps a native will confirm or correct me on this.

[@andrewward5891]

You’re correct. I went to college there (a while ago).

[@roguegarlic3523]

yes lol. Think Oreo but instead add ahno at the end haha

[@48suomi]

Named after Chief Joseph Orono of the Penobscot tribe.

[@Michael-v8p8w]

I love your videos. Such a restful voice

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you so much!

[@Spucky50]

So glad you are showing off our state. I live in Old Orchard Beach. Its has an old time amusement psrk and miles of sandy beach. It's a bit funky.

[@curtisphilumalee1447]

My wife and I love OOB

[@ReconPro]

Hello everybody, have a great weekend😊

[@godschildyes]

Hello! You have a great weekend too! 😁

[@SimerCCC]

In August I was in Sersport (town next to Belfast). I live in Winterport about 20-30 minutes north of Belfast.

[@andrewward5891]

I think Joe is correct on his theory about Belfast’s high average income and high poverty numbers. With an average age of 60 most residents are probably well off retirees (most of whom probably have a winter home in a warmer state). The lower income folks are probably working in restaurants and gift shops in town. The tourism industry doesn’t pay very well and the tourist season is mostly Memorial Day to Labor Day so winters are pretty lean for these workers.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Seems like that’s it. 👍

[@craigbrowning9448]

Kennebec county, I think I remember hearing somebody about Kennebec Potatoes and there is a big potato farming industry in Maine if I remember.

[@papayork1907]

Maine was also a major player in the underground railroad. There was a tunnel from the river to a house in Brewer, we called "The Christmas House", however, I never saw any one in or around that house since the `60s, in which was found slave clothing before it was so unceremoniously torn down by the city.

[@dopeMike_]

No landmark?

[@papayork1907]

it was a hundred yards from the banks of the Penobscot river in the center of town, they put a statue of Joshua Chamberlain on top of the hill with benches and a little grassy area and put a statue of a slave climbing out of a sewer drain at the bottom of the hill...how embarrassing @@dopeMike_

[@imds123]

We start our NE road trip next week. Cant wait.. Have a great time.

[@izaksmith538]

OR-uh-no btw- common mistake- no worries. Thank you for your visit to Maine. I grew up there and still have family in the Banger area (and all over really). My paternal side actually owned Dakins Sporting Goods in downtown Bangor. It was a staple outfitter for loggers, hunters and fishermen for decades. It went out of business in the late 80s-early 90s.

[@48suomi]

David Smith of the Dakin family lived in Orono and went to Orono high school. His mother used to welcome local teenagers and feed them on a regular basis.

[@Mounhas]

I learn so much about the USA via Joe & Nic’s road trips. For example I didn’t realize until now that NH has a coastline albeit a small one, sandwiched between the states of MA & ME, roughly 13ml/21km long.

[@MobsterTiger]

God Bless 🙏 Good works! 👍 Each and every town has a different vibe!

[@tammyburrill4971]

Great video, was interesting to see our state from the view of visitors. Hope you enjoyed the local brew