Waterfront Real Estate
Maine’s Lakes and Coast:
When people think of Maine, the ocean and the impressive Maine coast are often at the top of the list. Many times those unfamiliar with the state are unaware of its size and scope. In broad terms, there are three well-defined regions of the Maine coast, all offering their own distinctive topography, temperament, cultural activities and business opportunities. All provide a wide variety of housing and retirement possibilities.
The majority of Maine’s population lives along the SOUTH COAST, which includes most of Maine’s most cosmopolitan towns and historic villages. This region, which encompasses the area from Portland to Kittery is known for an abundance of pristine beaches, coastal enclaves and numerous outdoor activities. The greater Portland area includes Falmouth, Scarborough, Cape Elizabeth and South Portland. Old Orchard Beach is well known for its 7 miles of beachfront and the areas of Ogunquit, Kennebunkport and Wells includes many oceanfront homes and condos that are in close proximity to the coast and the local business communities.
The MIDCOAST region is well known for its geography and impressive harbors and bays. Stretching from Portland to Penobscot, visitors and residents enjoy a mix of small villages, private beaches, famous lighthouses and overall natural beauty. The towns of Belfast, Boothbay and Camden all provide excellent opportunities to enjoy a slower pace of live while enjoying the natural beauty of Maine. Real estate options include easy access to the ocean and many of Maine’s lakes.
The DOWN EAST COAST is large, beautiful and somewhat remote. It includes the area from Canada through Acadia National Park to the Penobscot River. The most noted towns include Bar Harbor, Calais and Eastport. Acadia National Park is home to impressive mountains, crystal clear lakes, over 100 miles of hiking trails and stunning ocean vistas. Mount Cadillac, at 1,532 feet, is Maine’s highest point, and offers the first sunrise in the United States. Across the St. Croix River from New Brunswick, the town of Calais was once a major shipping port. Today it is known for its lakes and outdoor activities. Eastport, located on Cobscook Bay, is a small coastal town that boasts the deepest port on the East Coast. Old Sow Whirlpool, the largest such phenomena in the Western Hemisphere, can be viewed when traveling by ferry from Eastport to Deer Island.
Measuring the coast of Maine can be an interesting challenge. Linearly, from one end to the other, it is only 228 long. However, if you include all the inlets, harbors and bays the shoreline stretches to 3,478 miles. That is more than California (3.478 miles) and is exceeded by only Florida (8,426 miles) and Louisiana (7,721 miles). As you travel the state you will find impressive cliffs, crashing surf, dramatic beaches and breathtaking coastal islands – making the area uniquely Maine!
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.
Maine is also a state of many lakes - 5,785 of them in fact. The vast majority of them are larger than 1 acre and thy cover an area of 1,762 square miles. Many of Maine’s lakes are referred to as Great Ponds, which is a term dating back to colonial times referring to water bodies bigger than 10 acres. Maine’s lakes provide unprecedented opportunities to not only enjoy excellent recreational but own affordable lakefront real estate – both homes and camps.
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.