Best place to settle down in Maine?

[Anonymous]

I want to buy a property in Maine that I can use for summer vacations over the next 10 years and maybe rent out, with the idea that I may move there full-time eventually. What parts of Maine so you recommend?

[Anonymous]

Mid coast. You don’t want to retire somewhere too far away from Portland because you’ll want access to its medical facilities, airport, and other amenities. As to where mid coast, that will depend on budget. Could also check out river towns if that’s your jam - for example Hallowell and Gardiner on the Kennebec are quite lovely and have things to do…and quite afffordable. But not sure if you’re looking for ocean instead. If so, Portland suburbs like Cape Elizabeth and Falmouth can be nice. Camden is lovely and Belfast is funky but nice. They have more of a traditional coastal feel but they’re also both more of a trek to Portland.

[Anonymous]

Maine is incredibly diverse in terms of places to live. You can have 100+ acres and have no neighbors or live in a Portland condo with tons of restaurants and amenities. It really depends on what you like. Bangor, Maine's 3 largest city (30,000!) is coming into its own with a revitalized downtown and a very large hospital. If you're looking for a lakeside camp, the least expensive are in eastern Maine and in the Katahdin Region. Most expensive are the Belgrade Lakes and Sebago Lake. Oceanfront property is pretty inexpensive in Washington County but prohibitive in York County.
Good luck! You'll love it.

[Anonymous]

Have you spent time there? I would caution you to spend some time there in the winter (and late fall, late spring:early summer. Not uncommon to have cold temps and snow in may. Also, be aware it gets dark very early in the winter. Like 4pm. It’s brutal if you are someone that likes the sun.

[Anonymous]

OP, where have you spent time in Maine?

It’s big and a lot of it feels very isolated during the long winter.

[Anonymous]

Kennybankport, The Bush family summer town.

[Anonymous]

Boothbay is my favorite

[Anonymous]

Has anyone been to Brunswick and can advise?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone been to Brunswick and can advise?

Brunswick is very nice. It's a decent-sized town with a commercial center, sidewalks everywhere, and of course Bowdoin College, where you can attend various events including the international music festival every summer. There is also a theater in the town and an excellent public library.

It is well-situated in that it's just a half-hour (or less) north of Portland, yet close to wonderful midcoast locations including Wiscasset, Harpswell, Bath, and Boothbay Harbor. Beaches are ten minutes away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone been to Brunswick and can advise?

Brunswick is very nice. It's a decent-sized town with a commercial center, sidewalks everywhere, and of course Bowdoin College, where you can attend various events including the international music festival every summer. There is also a theater in the town and an excellent public library.

It is well-situated in that it's just a half-hour (or less) north of Portland, yet close to wonderful midcoast locations including Wiscasset, Harpswell, Bath, and Boothbay Harbor. Beaches are ten minutes away.

Thank you very much!

[Anonymous]

I live in Brunswick on its outskirts. Popham and Reid beaches are more like 40 mins away. Range Pond SP is also 40 mins.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you spent time there? I would caution you to spend some time there in the winter (and late fall, late spring:early summer. Not uncommon to have cold temps and snow in may. Also, be aware it gets dark very early in the winter. Like 4pm. It’s brutal if you are someone that likes the sun.

This. If you have only ever been to Maine between June and September, realize that that is not representative of what it is like to live there year-round. It is very very different when the summer people leave.

Also, the medical care in Maine SUCKS big time. There are simply not enough doctors in the state, and really only one tertiary care hospital (in Portland). Pen Bay is okay, and facilities in Bangor and Augusta are...okay. People who need advanced care sometimes cannot get it in Portland bc the beds are full and the waits are too long, and people go to Boston for anything elective that is next-level. For emergencies, you may be SOL and stuck with suboptimal care. I would NOT retire there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, where have you spent time in Maine?

It’s big and a lot of it feels very isolated during the long winter.

Understatement. Maine is MOSTLY wilderness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kennybankport, The Bush family summer town.

I visited and really do not get the appeal of this place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone been to Brunswick and can advise?

Brunswick is very nice. It's a decent-sized town with a commercial center, sidewalks everywhere, and of course Bowdoin College, where you can attend various events including the international music festival every summer. There is also a theater in the town and an excellent public library.

It is well-situated in that it's just a half-hour (or less) north of Portland, yet close to wonderful midcoast locations including Wiscasset, Harpswell, Bath, and Boothbay Harbor. Beaches are ten minutes away.

It's okay, but I would not uproot my life to live there. Pretty views do not a life make.