Waterfront Real Estate
Maine’s Lakes and Coast:
There are 3 distinct regions to Maine’s coastal landscape, all with their unique geography, character and economic presence.
Three-fourths of all visitors to Maine stay along the coastline and more than half of these go to the SOUTH COAST, with its long, white sandy beaches interspersed with rocky cliffs and resort villages. This region stretches from the Piscatagua River to Portland’s Casco Bay and includes the Yorks, Ogunquit, Kennebunkport and Old Orchard Beach. Cumberland County includes Portland, which is the economic hub of the entire state and where you will find many oceanfront homes and condos only minutes from the downtown area.
The MIDCOAST region, the area from Portland to the head of Penobscot Bay, is made up of a series narrow, rocky peninsulas jutting out into the Gulf of Maine This beautiful area offers miles of pristine coastline sandy beaches, ocean vistas, historic lighthouses and fresh lobster. The vibrant towns of Belfast, Boothbay, Bath and Camden all provide endless choices for shopping, dining, recreation and entertainment.
The DOWN EAST COAST, from the Penobscot River to the Canadian border, is similar in geography to the midcoast area with many outstretched fingers of rocky land and offshore islands, but with a much more remote feel. The unique combination of geology, natural forces and climate have combined to produce a region of unparalleled beauty that reveals itself subtly in the constantly shifting backdrop of each passing season. Acadia National Park, with its 100 miles of hiking trails, 50 miles of groomed carriage trails, and a 27 mile paved Park loop road offers something for everyone. Acadia also includes more than 40,000 acres and miles of rocky shore between its sites on Mt. Desert Island and Schoodic Peninsula.
The coast of Maine, measured directly from one end to the other, is only 228 miles, yet there is actually 3,478 miles of shoreline! That is more than California (3.478 miles) and is exceeded by only Florida (8,426 miles) and Louisiana (7,721 miles). From north to south you will find dramatic cliffs, crashing surf, beautiful beaches and spectacular coastal islands.
Maine’s coast also includes close to 3000 offshore islands - from small granite ledges to Mount Desert Island which encompasses Arcadia National Park. Most of these islands are inhabited onlly by small sea life, seals, sea birds, plants and animals. Others have have thriving villages serviced by daily ferry service from the mainland. Only about 1,200 islands comprise an acre or more; roughly 600 of these, representing 95% of Maine’s total island acreage, are owned by individuals.
Inland, Maine has 5,785 lakes - with many larger than 1 acre. They cover an area of 1,762 square miles! Nearly half of these are classified as “Great Ponds“, meaning larger than 10 acres, a term that dates back to Maine’s colonial days. These lakes not only provide an unmatched recreational resource for fishing, swimming, canoeing and camping but, more importantly, they provide quiet places of raw beauty where people can slow down the pace of their lives and listen to the haunting cry of a loon or watch Canadian geese glide in for a rest stop on their long journey.
Find the Perfect Location:
Given the size and scope of Maine’s geography, it can be a daunting task to locate just the right piece of waterfront real estate, whether it’s on a lake or along the coast. Many people moving to Maine or considering a vacation home are unaware of the great distances from one end of the state to another. Prices also differ dramatically from region to region. To assist in identifying the best parts of the state to meet your needs, you might want to consider using some of the tools below:
Maine Waterfront Real Estate Overview
Automated Custom Search:
Maine watefront real estate can vary from lavish single family homes along the coast or one of the state’s larger lakes, but also include small camps on one its many ponds and rivers. The possibilities are limitless! We have found that the first step is deciding upon lake vs ocean, then narrowing down a general area and an appropriate price range. With that information we can set up for you an automatic search using our Market Watch feature, which will forward all new properties, matching your criteria, as they come on the market. It is an excellent way to keep current and prepare for you purchase.