8 Best Towns In Maine To Retire Comfortably
Maine is filled with small towns, natural beauty, and many opportunities for outdoor recreation. The slower pace of life found in some of Maine's small towns, combined with affordability, creates the perfect retirement paradise. Each town featured here offers housing near the state's median home value of $420,000 as of August 2025. The fact that Maine does not tax Social Security income is another draw to retirees looking to start a new chapter of their lives in the Pine Tree State. From Belfast’s historic harbor to Rockland’s lively lobster festivals, Skowhegan’s charming riverfront, and the artsy culture of Waterville, these communities offer unique lifestyles and comforts that make retirement in Maine especially rewarding.
Belfast
Located on Maine's scenic midcoast in Waldo County, Belfast provides coastal charm beside Penobscot Bay without the higher prices of busier towns. With almost 7,000 residents and median home values near $390,000, Belfast draws retirees looking for a slower pace and a more comfortable way of life.
The Belfast Harbor Walk is a perfect route for gentle seaside strolls and watching moored boats on Belfast Bay. The United Farmers Market of Maine in Belfast's downtown area showcases local produce, crafts, and seafood each Saturday. History buffs should check out the Belfast Historical Society & Museum, which presents exhibits on shipbuilding and 19th-century life. If medical care is needed, MaineHealth Waldo Hospital is right in town, on Northport Avenue.
Skowhegan
Set along the Kennebec River in Somerset County, the town of Skowhegan is an affordable retreat for retirees. It boasts a median home value of around $240,000 and enchanting amenities. The town celebrates Senior Citizens Day on the 21st of August, celebrating seniors, while Redington-Fairview General Hospital on Fairview Avenue ensures healthcare is close at hand.
The impressive Skowhegan Free Public Library is housed in a historic Queen Anne building on Elm Street and is popular with residents and visitors. Coburn Park is filled with riverside walking trails, picnic areas, and benches for relaxing by the water. Each August, Skowhegan hosts the Skowhegan State Fair, the oldest continuously held state fair in Maine.
Waterville
The college town of Waterville in Kennebec County might not immediately come to mind as a retirement haven. However, its affordable housing, averaging $255,000; population just under 16,000; and abundance of arts and culture all contribute to its draws for retirees.
Waterville is filled with arts and culture, which is evident in attractions such as the Waterville Opera House, with year-round performances including concerts, theatre, and films. The Colby College Museum of Art, founded in 1959, showcases world-class exhibitions and lectures. Each July, the Maine International Film Festival attracts filmmakers from around the world. For retirees, the Muskie Community Center offers daily meals, exercise programs, and trips, creating a lively hub for older residents. MaineGeneral Medical Center-Thayer Campus serves as the primary healthcare provider.
Gardiner
About 33 miles from Waterville on the Kennebec River, you’ll find the small town of Gardiner. Home values here average $305,000. Just under 6,000 call this charming river town home. For those who may need more structured care or support, licensed residential care homes in town (including options on Summer Street) provide a range of senior living choices. For healthcare, MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta—only nine miles away—offers comprehensive services.
Gardiner is filled with natural beauty as well as cultural attractions. At the Johnson Hall Opera House, you can watch monthly or yearly concerts, films, and community theater in a beautiful historic venue. You might opt to hike or bike on the 6.5-mile Kennebec River Rail Trail, beginning in Augusta and ending in Gardiner. Each summer, Gardiner Waterfront Park hosts free concerts, seasonal farmers’ markets, and festivals, providing great social and cultural activities for retirees.
Presque Isle
Nestled on the Aroostook River and near the border separating the U.S. from New Brunswick, Canada, residents and retirees have come to cherish Presque Isle's friendly small-town feel and standout affordability. Homes in this town in Aroostook County average a very affordable $180,000, a definite plus for the almost 8,800 residents of the town. Public transit via the Aroostook Regional Transportation System makes local shopping and medical appointments convenient for retirees. Northern Light AR Gould Hospital in town provides full-service care when needed.
Aroostook State Park, Maine’s original state park, is located in Presque Isle and is perfect for picnics as well as long hikes in a region filled with forests and lakes. Weekly visits to the Presque Isle Farmers’ Market on Saturdays allow you to explore local produce and artisan goods, and connect with residents. The Northern Maine Museum of Science showcases exhibits on local geology and wildlife from Maine and New Brunswick, Canada.
Ellsworth
The county seat of Hancock County, Ellsworth, was named after U.S. Founding Father Oliver Ellsworth. Home values in Ellsworth average a comfortable $360,000, and the town is home to just under 8,400 residents. One of the most attractive landmarks near Ellsworth is Acadia National Park, just 16 miles down the road from town. It offers nearly 50,000 acres of cobble beaches, forests, granite domes, and even a lighthouse for active seniors to explore. The Black House Museum at Woodlawn is a 180-acre historic estate about a quarter mile from downtown, containing mementos from the town's past that are enlightening to explore.
The Stanwood Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Birdsacre Sanctuary, is a historic house museum and wildlife sanctuary on High Street right in town. Retirees benefit from the Friends in Action Senior Center, which offers fitness programs, volunteer opportunities, transportation assistance, and social gatherings that foster a tight-knit community. Meanwhile, Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital provides modern medical facilities, ensuring healthcare needs are well supported and easily accessible.
Rockland
With just around 7,000 residents, the small town of Rockland, less than an hour south of Belfast, is the perfect retirement retreat. Median home values in this waterfront town on Penobscot Bay, known for the lobster industry, average $360,000. For more structured living arrangements, options in Rockland include Bartlett Woods Retirement Community, which provides apartment-style housing, respite stays, and personalized assisted living services. Pen Bay Medical Center, just four miles away in Rockport, ensures reliable access to medical care.
The Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland exhibits some of the best artworks in Maine, including historic and contemporary works from celebrated Maine artists. Retirees and other town residents may enjoy wandering along Rockland Harbor to watch lobster boats come and go. Every August, the lively Maine Lobster Festival in Rockland offers fresh seafood, live music, and parades.
Mexico
The small town of Mexico, with over 2,500 residents, in Oxford County, was once known as Holmanstown and, today, is known as the gateway to the western mountains. Homes here average a very affordable $190,000. The natural beauty of the area draws many retirees to relocate to Mexico.
Just a few minutes away, the Rumford Falls area attracts trekkers and hikers with its dramatic cascades and peaceful riverside seating. The Mexico Recreation Center hosts community events, fitness classes, and social gatherings for all ages. In addition, the Rumford Senior Center in the neighboring town provides meal services, group trips, and hobby workshops. Healthcare is convenient too, with Rumford Hospital just a mile away, offering medical services when needed.
Retire Comfortably In The Pine Tree State
Residents in many of Maine's small towns consider their hometowns the best places to live. Whether you are seeking to spend your days and nights lounging by lakes or near the coast, you can find all that you are looking for in these Maine towns. Rockland’s scrumptious lobsters, Waterville’s youthful vigor and energy, and Belfast’s historic communities are just some of the many unique villages for retirees to call home. These small towns offer idyllic, affordable retreats with attractions that are appealing to retirees.
