Danielle - October 2019
Southern Maine is the the most populated area and is seen as the gateway to the state with interstate 95 crossing the Piscataqua River from New Hampshire. Southern Maine has most of Maine's population and a large portion is on the eastern side of I-95 towards the ocean. Southern Maine has experienced the fastest growth due to its proximity to more populous states. In fact, many folks in southern Maine work in New Hampshire and Massachusetts; Boston is right around an hour away from York Beach which makes it hot area for summer vacationing. Southern Maine has most of Maine's sandy beaches as the coastline becomes much more rocky north of Freeport. Many coastal towns have their population double during the summer months.
Home prices and demand are greatest in this part of the state, especially in coastal communities.
"Mid Coast" Maine is what I would describe as being from Brunswick to Belfast and inland a solid 30 miles or so. Once off I-295, route 1 follows the coastline of the state will take you through any "major" towns. This part of the state is far less populated, has less culture, and is heavily rooted in the maritime traditions of the state with an economic back bone of commercial fishing.
Many of the coastal towns are less than 10,000 people and there are several much smaller towns strewn about. Midcoast is home to the "fingers" of Maine which are our glacially created peninsulas. These peninsulas range from Harpswell in the south to St. George in the north and are bold taste of the state. They have deep fishing traditions and tend to get more sparsely populated the further north you go. There is much beauty to be had and some wonderful peace and quiet. Be mindful, often amenities are a half hour away and the populations reduce tremendously in the winter months. If you like some quiet and want to be a part of a coastal community, this might be for you.
Further north are the towns of Rockland and Belfast which are nice little nuggets of Maine Culture. Being two of the larger towns in the midcoast, they offer the most amenities, restaurants, activities, and have some people who LOVE sailing! sandwiched between them is Camden and to the west is some rolling country hills in Hope, Union, and Appleton.
I will call this the gateway to the "Downeast". This area is largely identified by Acadia National Park. This gateway is also commonly associated with Ellsworth and Bar Harbor, both of which are nearly due east from Bangor. Ellsworth is the largest town near the coast in this area for quite some ways almost all the way up to Canada along coastal rt 1. Acadia and Bar Harbor, with their significant tourist draw, make for high home prices and limited supply. As you move further up the coast the towns become much more rural with economic backings of small fishing villages and timber producers to the inland. With a general increasing lack of amenities further north, home prices are lower. Oceanfront properties are amongst the lowest in Maine in these areas but do not forget it is quite a drive to get there! Looking to escape to a rural area on the ocean? The Downeast may be your ticket!
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Northern Maine - This part of the state is much more flat than much else of the state and has expansive agriculture from broccoli and potatoes to a massive timber industry. Much of the population in this area is in towns neighboring the St. John river and the Canadian border. This part of the state has some wonderful fishing, hunting, and recreation opportunities. Small towns and a long drive from southern Maine. It takes about 6 hours to drive from the New Hampshire Boarder to Fort Kent!
Western Maine - This part of the state has some magic for the outdoor enthusiasts. If you are seeking Maine's rugged terrain coupled with peace and quiet, this could be your cup of tea. Maine's section of the Application Trail and most of Maine's mountains reside between the New Hampshire boundary and Northern Maine. Western Maine is rural for sure with towns existing around outdoor activities such as ski resorts or part of the Maine paper manufacturing industry. There are long scenic drives between towns and a feeling of immersion into the seasons. Western Maine is home to a true cycle of the seasons given the amount of peaks and valleys, this seems to intensify the seasons. I have spent much time in exploring the state and the west is right for you if you want few people and lots of adventure.
Portland is Maine's largest city and has experienced much more growth in the past 5-10 years. Geographically, it is a small city which has created a fair amount of sprawl into the neighboring communities. Portland is known for great food and beer. In fact, Portland has the highest density of restaurants and breweries per person of anywhere in the country. Since Portland is Maine's flagship city, it has the most diverse culture and offers the most options for entertainment. It also has a strong draw for younger Mainer's who have migrated from rural areas as well as from other states seeking a small city vibe. I would consider Portland a predominantly young city.
Due to Portland being a smaller city with less room to expand, home prices are seemingly always competitive and on the rise. Towns within a half hour drive benefit from being a short jaunt to Portland's culture and activities, while having a more suburban/rural feel. Home prices trend higher the closer they are to the ocean making some of the coastal towns highly sought after markets.
Interstate 295 branches off of I-95 just south of Portland and follows the western side of many coastal communities for about 30 miles up to Brunswick where it heads north towards Augusta. I-295 has promoted more rapid growth in these communities due to ease of access and commuting to Portland and surrounding areas.
Central Maine - This area is a bit hard to define for me; I generally think of it as the more populous areas along interstate 95 before you travel into the land of trees! The southern boundary of this may be the Lewiston - Auburn area and the northern boundary could be Bangor or just north of that in Orono, home of the University of Maine. Central Maine was long the economic powerhouse of the state in the rise of the world timber trading industry. It has since been going through many changes and remains in limbo of some true economic prowess. Home prices in central Maine are among some of the more reasonable in the state with proximity to amenities. Scooting just a bit further off of I-95 you can find some great rural communities with affordable land for a nice country life.
I have a hard time knowing what to call this part of the state. It is mostly known for Baxter State Park, Moosehead Lake, Namahkanta Public Lands, and now the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, which is under way!
Rugged Maine country right here. Small towns, very rural, and lots of space to recreate. Perhaps the Maine kingdom of hunting and fishing. Looking for a large parcel of land for a camp, this may be the place. Hard to get too and even harder to want to leave!
Here's a quick synopsis of areas in Maine. I am certainly brief in my descriptions, and I can elaborate in great detail if you would like! I do hope this little snapshot is helpful in describing this lovely state so you are better prepared in your own explorations.
Have questions about specific areas? I would be happy to chat and give you what I can for insight!