re: Offered a job in Caribou Maine, or stay in Atlanta

Unlike most of the people who responded, I have actually been there. I spent 87 - 89 at Loring AFB which is a few miles east of Caribou. The only going for the area then was Loring and it's been closed for 20+ years. Unlike scenic Southern Maine, Northern Maine will remind you a lot of South Georgia, mostly trees. Timber and potato farming are the two biggest industries, there's not a lot else. The biggest "city" to go out in is Bangor and that is a solid three hour drive.

Don't expect much of a social scene. The dating pool is very shallow and as few people move in, it's a fairly closed society. As the winters are so long and brutal, people there drink, drink a lot. It is my understanding meth is prevalent now also. We partied over the border in Canada (Woodstock?), but I'm not sure if crossing the border is as easy now (no passports were needed back then). Bangor, Portland, etc., are fun towns, but a long way away.

As a 19 year old, I hated it, as a 55 year old, I could certainly live there, but wouldn't want my kids to grow up there.

It is a PITA to get there, fly into Boston and hope the puddle jumper to Presque Isle is on time, then drive to Caribou. I drove it all the way once, three days and two nights of hard driving.

You don't need an AWD, they keep the roads plowed.

If it's your first opportunity to get of your house and have an adventure, hell yeah I'd go for it. Make the best of it with the understanding you may only be there a year or two. Gain experience and explore new country.

Their Black Flies are worse than our mosquitoes. Go to google maps and zoom in, you'll notice the lack of roads, that will tell you how isolated it is and how little is going on.