9 Best Small Towns To Retire In Maine
Maine is an ideal retirement destination thanks to its rustic New England downtowns and scenic coastline. Nearby healthcare and plenty of senior-friendly activities make day-to-day life easy. Small towns such as Kennebunkport and Bar Harbor offer a quiet yet active life with Acadia National Park close at hand. Belfast and Ellsworth have thriving downtowns and weekly farmers markets that support close-knit communities. These nine Maine towns stand out for their retiree-friendly services and amenities.
Kennebunkport
Kennebunkport gives retirees the ease of a small town with the amenities of a much bigger city. Dock Square is the heart of town, with storefronts of small shops and art galleries plus a weekend farmers market. The town has beaches accessible to all where wheelchairs can be rented. It is also home to the Seashore Trolley Museum. The famed St. Ann’s Episcopal Church is open to all faiths and offers many activities during most weekends in the summer.
Christmas is highly regarded in Kennebunkport, which has been ranked by HGTV and Country Living as among the best Christmas towns in the country. MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Biddeford, only six miles away, is a full-service hospital. Sunrise of Huntington Common, five miles west in Kennebunk, is a highly rated independent living facility.
Kennebunkport is the luxury pick, with a median home price around $1 million, but it delivers classic Maine coastal living, beaches, dining, and nearby healthcare.
Camden
Camden combines coastal views and rolling hills with the fun of leisure activities. Located on West Penobscot Bay, the town has the scenic Curtis Island Lighthouse, with Camden Hills State Park to the north. A plethora of hiking trails and the 66-acre Merryspring Nature Center will keep retirees active.
The Camden Public Library, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has its own amphitheater. There is also the Camden Opera House, host to children’s school plays, concerts, and the yearly Camden International Film Festival. MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital, a nonprofit community facility, is one town to the south in Rockport, and Quarry Hill offers convenient health care in its assisted living center. The median home price is around $650,000 or more.
Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor is an island getaway backed by accessible healthcare and small-town comfort. Located on Mount Desert Island in Frenchman Bay, Bar Harbor suits sailors who want to relax on the water. It’s also on the outskirts of Acadia National Park, home to Cadillac Mountain and numerous walking trails. Retirees can take a stroll over the sand bar to Bar Island during low tide, and whale-watching tours run from the harbor.
There is more than the usual cozy restaurants here. Locals can get fresh seafood brought in straight from the bay. Mount Desert Island Hospital is the town hospital, and the not-for-profit Birch Bay Retirement Village looks out over Frenchman Bay. The retirement village hosts cookouts in summer, educational activities year-round, and in-town transportation. The median home price is about $680,000.
Rumford
Rumford is a quiet small town where modern senior living amenities meet a rustic atmosphere. The 49 Franklin Reception Hall is part bar and kitchen, part event hall, where retirees can watch stand-up comedy and plays. The No View Farm, Inn & Bakery is filled with affordable homemade goods, from preserves to soaps and meals. Rumford comes alive in winter with the trails at Black Mountain of Maine and the Skating Shack Skating Rink.
Rumford also has a historic downtown and miles of trails twisting around the Androscoggin River and Rumford Falls. The shorter, paved Swift River Walking Trail is wheelchair accessible. Rumford Hospital offers not-for-profit inpatient and outpatient care, and Rumford Senior Living, with 33 well-priced units, opened recently. More affordable than other towns, the median home price is around $220,000.
Belfast
Belfast is another good location for retirees looking to enjoy the beauty and comfort of New England. Its revitalized, historic downtown is a throwback to another century, with thriving streets dedicated to local small-town life. There are restaurants on the waterfront, bookstores, antique shops, and the Colburn Shoe Store, which has been operating since 1832 and bills itself as the oldest shoe store in America. The United Farmers Market of Maine boasts more than 60 vendors throughout the year. Taking a stroll on the Harbor Walk will take you right through the Front Street Shipyard.
The First Church in Belfast hosts the First Friday community dance every month, and there are lobster boat tours for those inclined to really experience Maine life. Belfast is home to the MaineHealth Waldo Hospital and is affiliated with the Penobscot Shores retirement living village. The median home price is approximately $380,000.
Brunswick
Brunswick pairs the views of coastal New England with a wide array of senior housing opportunities. There is beauty all around, with Bradbury Mountain State Park to the west, Merrymeeting Bay to the east, and Middle Bay to the south. Bowdoin College is one of Brunswick’s defining institutions, giving the town a youthful energy without overwhelming its historic architecture or laid-back coastal pace. Retirees may be especially interested in the ability to audit classes and visit the Bowdoin College Museum of Art.
The Downtown Brunswick Poetry Stroll is held every April. The town is also home to the Maine Art Museum Trail, the Maine State Music Theatre, and several museums. Music is also important to the community with free summer concert series and the annual Bowdoin International Music Festival. MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital is a full-service hospital, and there are 20 communities for seniors in town. The median price for a home is in the $500,000 range.
Lewiston
Lewiston is an appealing retirement destination with healthcare access and a revitalized former mill-town setting. Lake Auburn to the north provides a place for water lovers who don’t want to live on the ocean. Lewiston is also steeped in culture. Bates College, a small liberal arts school, has the Bates College Museum of Art and Stephens Observatory. There are also several theaters and centers, including the Riverfront Performing Arts and Events Center.
Lewiston is the go-to place for many festivals, including the Bates Dance Festival, Riverfest, and the Great Falls Balloon Festival. There are two hospitals, Central Maine Medical Center and St. Mary’s Medical Center, and 25 senior housing communities in the area. Median home prices sit around $300,000.
Waterville
Waterville, next to the Kennebec River, is a small town with quality healthcare and modern living. It is the home of two small colleges, Thomas College and Colby College. Part of its downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and feels like another era. There are plenty of shops, a farmers market, and a diverse array of restaurants that include Mexican, Lebanese, and Creole fare.
Waterville has the Colby College Museum, the Waterville Opera House, and hosts the Maine International Film Festival. Outdoors, the Quarry Road Recreation Area is filled with miles of trails, along with open areas available for biking in the summer and skiing in the winter. The Thayer Center for Health is a major outpatient center, and the Woodlands Senior Living of Waterville is a leading retirement village in central Maine. Median home prices are approximately $250,000.
Ellsworth
Ellsworth has a classic New England vibe and top-notch healthcare. A laid-back life centers around a busy downtown with small shops, regular festivals, and a farmers market. The Grand Art Deco theater hosts regular musicals and concerts. The Woodlawn Museum & Trail showcases the historic Black House mansion and the area’s architecture.
With 180 acres surrounding the museum, it’s a fine setting for retirees who want to go on a peaceful walk after taking in the history of a bygone era. The Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital is a full-service medical care facility, and pets are welcome at The Meadows senior apartments. The median price for a home is around $365,000.
A Mix of Culture and Beautiful Scenery
Affordable housing and access to nearby healthcare, along with the many bays and the hiking in a national park, make Maine a welcoming state. These peaceful towns capture the feel of rustic New England, with everything close at hand. Retirees can stay active outdoors and learn about the culture of the area in the many museums and entertainment centers. Maine is the right place for seniors who don’t want the hustle and bustle of big cities.
