12 Best Places To Retire In Maine
Maine gets an average annual snowfall of around 50 to 70 inches along the coast and 60-110 inches inland, so it may not be on your first list of great places to retire. However, Maine doesn't just get an abundance of snow. The state is filled with the beautiful colors of all the seasons, along with abundant opportunities for hunting, fishing, and snow sports, as well as access to rivers, lakes, and oceans.
The state of Maine also has a rich history that dates back to the Plymouth settlers, featuring authentic, old-fashioned, thriving downtowns that continue to thrive, as well as quick access to snow-filled mountains or days at the beach, where one can admire the lighthouses. It offers a unique environment and cozy community lifestyle. Maine's median housing price for 2025 is $410,916.00, according to Zillow. However, many of these best towns offer more affordable housing prices, making them a perfect place to retire.
Hallowell
Hallowell is named after Benjamin Hallowell, who was one of the Kennebec Proprietors. He was an original landholder granted land by the British monarchy to the Plymouth Company in 1620. Located on the Kennebec River, Hallowell became a center for learning and intellectual pursuits. The first automobile in Maine came from Hallowell. You can still walk down streets filled with mansions of long-ago years to get an idea of the thriving town it used to be. As of April 2025, Hallowell had a median home price of $373,599.00, which is lower than the state average of $410,916.00.
Now, Hallowell is a thriving art and cultural hub, boasting accolades such as being the home of the Gaslight Theater, Maine's oldest continually operating theater. You can take in a play by Agatha Christie, or join the Hallowell Community Band for a new musical hobby. Enjoy walking on the Kennebec River Rail Trail, which follows the railroad for over six miles of history and natural beauty. Vaughan Woods and Historic Homestead offer tours and trails to enjoy, and you can snap photos of waterfalls and ancient bridges along the way.
When you're done exploring, you can stop by Hydeout at the Wharf for live entertainment that's featured every night. Be sure to enjoy some of the bar food and drinks before heading back to your new home for the night.
Millinocket
Millinocket is a charming little town where you can get a home for under $200,000, and sometimes much less, with the median home price being $156,686.00. Named "Maine's Biggest Small Town," Millinocket is the gateway to Mount Katahdin, offering day hikes, an extensive network of lakes and trails, and recreational fun for all four seasons of the year. With close access to Millinocket Regional Hospital for all your healthcare needs, and Thrive Penobscot offering access to services that help you thrive in your own home, Millinocket is home to a large community of senior citizens, making it easy to find friends in your new home.
Katahdin Winterfest is a fun event in February that lasts over a week and offers a Snowmobile Parade and the Katahdin Snowdown at the Millinocket Recreation Complex. This event provides a warm bonfire, hot chocolate, and hot dogs, as well as skating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, music, and games. It's a perfect opportunity to get involved in the community and enjoy the nearby mountain and wilderness charm.
You can also spend a weekend browsing through the downtown shops, like the Katahdin General Store. Afterward, be sure to grab some delicious fare at the Appalachian Trail Cafe, a perfect way to cap off a week of exploration and fun.
Eastport
Eastport is a small town founded in 1798, rich in coastal history and characterized by a tight-knit community. It has a population of under 1300 residents, making it perfect for a walkable lifestyle and a strong sense of community. With a median home price of $234,936.00, below the state average, Eastport is an affordable place to retire.
Water Street offers a chance to stroll down historic downtown and browse through shops filled with items created by local artists. WaCo Diner, Maine's oldest diner, which opened in 1924, offers patio dining with a stunning view of the water. You can enjoy a delicious breakfast as you watch the boats move over the water, then pick up some sunscreen, other necessities, and souvenirs at S.L. Wadsworth & Son, established as a ship's chandlery in 1818.
Frequent cruises, tours, and water taxis provide an opportunity to visit nearby lighthouses and islands, or go fishing. Eastport Windjammers is one of the cruises that offers seasonal, daily opportunities for whale watching, providing endless chances for those who enjoy aquatic life. Regular festivals offer the opportunity to get involved in the community and truly enjoy your new home. The Salmon & Seafood Festival takes place every Labor Day weekend, featuring live music, arts & crafts vendors, galleries, gift shops, locally brewed beer, and, of course, plenty of delicious seafood, including the locally raised Atlantic Ocean salmon.
Houlton
Houlton is a small town with a population of around 6,000. The county seat of Aroostook County, Houlton, is situated on the Canada-United States border, making it easily accessible for any business matters. Houlton boasts an excellent community hospital, Houlton Regional Hospital, for any healthcare needs, as well as full-time police, fire, and ambulance services. With a median home price of $150.776.00and one of the lowest electric rates in New England, it is an excellent choice for seniors needing affordability.
Market Square is the hub of the historic downtown area. It was built around a plaza instead of a single street. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, the square features offices, shops, dining, and entertainment, including the Temple Cinema, which has been open since 1919 and offers new movies and free popcorn on Wednesdays. Houlton Community Market sets up in the square on Saturdays, where you can get fresh produce, meat, and local food and crafts.
Riverfront Park overlooks the Meduxnekeag River, offering a great spot to share a picnic with friends and family or sit and watch the canoes and water on a peaceful evening. The park is connected to Market Square by a 187-foot-long wood and steel bridge. You can enjoy a walk around the park, or sit and relax for a few hours with a good book and the sound of the nearby water splashing along the bank. Afterward, it's easy to walk across the bridge and pick up old-fashioned fudge at Bettie Marie's Sweet Shop.
Machias
Machias is a unique little town with fewer than 2,100 residents, filled with a rich history of old lumber mills, fisheries, and goods shipping, as well as beautiful scenery and close access of less than a mile to the Atlantic Ocean. Machias means "bad little falls," and it's indeed home to Bad Little Falls Waterfall and Park, where you can explore the area, enjoy a picnic, walk over the wooden bridge, and get a view of the town. Machias River cuts through the town, making it a proper water town.
The rugged waterfalls that gave Machias its name once provided power to the historic mills that lined the river on either side, en route to the bay. Founded in 1763, Machias is known as the Shiretown of Washington County and serves as the county seat, making it an ideal spot in Downeast Maine for retirement. With a median home price of $177,417.00, it's both affordable and community-oriented. Considered the world's top producer of wild blueberries, Machias celebrates this accolade every year with the Machias Wild Blueberry Festival in August. You can visit the area's wild blueberry farms, enjoy blueberry-themed cooking contests, a blueberry pie-eating contest, and even see a blueberry-themed musician comedy.
The University of Maine at Machias hosts Sunrise Senior College, offering seniors over 50 the opportunity to take numerous fun classes for a small annual membership fee of $25.00. Bold Coast Charters lets you cruise to nearby Machias Seal Island for a chance to spot thousands of seabirds, including puffins. Afterward, you can stop at Blue Bird Ranch Family Restaurant for some fresh Maine seafood.
Madawaska
Madawaska is an unusual choice for a retirement spot due to its harsh winter weather. However, it offers a fascinating location opposite Edmundston, Madawaska County, in New Brunswick, Canada. All you have to do is cross the Edmundston-Madawaska Bridge over the Saint John River, and you're in a different country! With a population of less than 4,000 people, Madawaska offers four distinct seasons, a friendly community, a cultural hub as the Acadian center, and a lower-than-average cost of living, with a median home price of $152,986.00. Over 83% of the residents speak French as their first language, so it's the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in learning a second language.
Four Corners Park offers a breathtaking view of the town and the Saint John River. It's the perfect spot for a picnic and a stroll to see the water fountain, memorial pavers, and numerous flowers. Birch Point is a public beach recreational area that gives you the chance to enjoy kayaking, canoeing, and swimming. Or, if snow is more your speed, you can join the Madawaska Snowmobile Club and learn how to snowmobile.
Be sure to stop by the Historical Museum and Acadian Cross Site Landing to learn all about Madawaska's Acadian history and culture. Afterward, stop by Dubois' Restaurant for a delicious seafood meal.
Farmington
Farmington is the county seat of Franklin County. Boasting a slightly larger population of almost 8,000 residents, Farmington offers a diverse and artistic culture centered around the University of Maine at Farmington and the Nordica Memorial Auditorium, where the famous opera singer Lillian Nordica performed, and where you can still attend yearly concerts. With a median home sale price of $276,831.00, Farmington has a less-than-average cost of living, but it is still filled with activities, fun, and exciting history.
The University of Maine at Farmington offers senior citizens the opportunity to apply for a tuition waiver, allowing them to pursue their studies at their own pace. You can listen to frequent concerts and music festivals, both indoors and outdoors, at the Whistlestop Concert Series venue. The Nordica Homestead Museum offers a chance to see firsthand the history of Lillian Nordica, the town's famous resident, as well as browse through other historical collections and a fascinating gift shop.
Outdoor recreation is abundant, with easy access to Titcomb Mountain and opportunities for hiking and snowmobiling. After a day of music, exploration, and learning about your new home, you deserve to treat yourself to burgers or pizza and beer at The Dugout Sports Bar & Grill!
Waterville
Waterville has a below-average median home price of $247,812.00 and a population of under 20,000. It's home to two private, well-known colleges, Colby College and Thomas College, and is also just three miles away from nearby Fairfield and Kennebec Valley Community College, which offers seniors the opportunity to audit courses and learn new skills and subjects. It's a great little town for retired educators still wanting to keep in the loop, or for those with college-age kids or grandkids.
Waterville is located on the banks of the Kennebec River, providing plenty of water-related activities to enjoy during peaceful weekend afternoons. Visit the Waterville Opera House for some true musical culture and entertainment, or take the grandkids to The Children's Discovery Museum. Downtown Waterville is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a wonderful place to stroll around and visit all the unique shops and businesses. You can even learn how to dance at Blue Wave Dancing!
Quarry Road Recreation Area offers miles of hiking, walking, and biking trails to help you get your weekly exercise quota while enjoying the scenery. You can relax afterwards with a show and popcorn at Railroad Square Cinema.
Calais
Calais has a population of around 3,000 people, and shares three international border crossings with St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada. Calais Community Hospital offers easy access to healthcare providers, and Washington County Community College provides a tuition waiver for Maine residents over the age of 60, giving you plenty of incentive to move to a place where you can learn new skills for free.
Calais viewed from St. Stephen across the St. Croix River. Editorial Photo Credit: Ken Morris Shutterstock.
Calais has a median home price of $149,610.00, which is significantly lower than the state average. Located along the pristine St. Croix River, Calais is the primary shopping center for eastern Washington County and for Charlotte County in New Brunswick, making it a truly international spot. The nearby Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 30,000 acres of diverse habitats, including bogs, marshes, forests, and wetlands, which are home to over 225 species of birds, wildlife, and plants. It's the perfect sanctuary for nature lovers, hunters, and fishers.
State Cinemas offers first-run movies, concessions, affordable prices, and three screens, and even accepts currency from both countries! After the movie, stop by Duty Free Americas store to see what treasures you can find for affordable prices. Then, stop by the Wickachee Dining Room for a delicious, homemade meal.
Augusta
Augusta is the capital of Maine, and is the largest on the list so far, with a population of almost 20,000 people. With a rich history, the state of Maine's capital, Augusta, boasts a median home price of $283,023.00, which is slightly more expensive than some other options but still lower than the state average.
The Kennebec River flows through Augusta, and beside it stands Old Fort Western, an 18th-century wooden fort with a recreated general store, where you can gain insight into the history the river played in the state of Maine. You can also visit the Maine State Museum to learn more about the local and state history.
The University of Maine at Augusta offers a Senior College that provides free classes to its members. Additionally, Viles Arboretum is a free botanical garden that offers 225 acres of beautiful trails, gardens, orchards, and groves for you to explore at your leisure. After all that studying and walking, visit The Red Barn for some delicious seafood!
Bangor
Bangor also has a median home price of $273,710.00, which is lower than the state average, making it an attractive place to call home with a population of nearly 33,000. A prior timber hub, Bangor, planted a towering statue of lumberjack Paul Bunyan on Main Street, and the Maine Discovery Museum is the perfect place to take the grandkids.
The University of Maine has its main campuses in Bangor and nearby Orono, making it an educational hub for academics and retirees seeking to stay current with educational trends. Art lovers can also visit the University of Maine Museum of Art.
Bangor City Forest and Boardwalk offers 650 acres of interconnected, gentle trails to explore, along with ten miles of hiking, cycling, and cross-country skiing opportunities. You might spot a beaver or deer, and you can even visit Orono Bog for a unique experience. Or, if dining is more your style, visit Bangor's famous downtown area, where you can experience over 40 independent and locally-owned bars, food trucks, nightlife venues, and restaurants, including the unusual The Butcher The Baker, where you can order schnitzel alongside familiar dishes.
Presque Isle
Presque Isle offers a unique environment as the commercial center and largest town in Aroostook County. With a median home price of $171,575.00, Presque Isle is the headquarters of the Mi'kmaq Nation, a federally recognized tribe. Presque Isle is also home to the University of Maine at Presque Isle and Northern Maine Community College, making it an ideal location for retirees seeking to acquire new skills or engage with the academic world.
A quiet, rural lifestyle and strong sense of community dominate little Presque Isle, with a population under 9,000 and harsh winter weather. Presque Isle is recognized as an Age-Friendly community, boasting a higher-than-average population of senior citizens. It's also home to some amazing historical events. In 1978, the Double Eagle II hot air balloon launched from Presque Isle and made the first successful crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. Now, the weekend before Labor Day weekend, you can celebrate at the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest with activities that include a human foosball tournament, a community pancake breakfast, a battle of the bands, a mass ascension of balloons, and even tethered balloon rides (for a small cash fee).
After a day of exploration, balloon rides, and educational experiences, you can visit the Aroostook Center Mall for any necessities. Then, relax at The Maple Pig Bar & Grill on Main Street and enjoy homemade recipes and in-house smoked meats.
If you thought Maine was too cold or too rural to consider as your retirement home, you are probably rethinking your choices after seeing how many amazing small towns and aquatic cultures Maine has to offer. The state of Maine has smaller towns than many other states, with the largest city, Portland, having fewer than 100,000 residents. Yet, it manages to offer a rich history and an enriching culture like no other. From snowmobiling in the Titcomb Mountains to crossing the river with your French-speaking neighbors and shopping in a different country, Maine plays host to some of the most amazing experiences in the world. You can even go whale watching and visit nearby lighthouses at the ocean's edge. Just be sure to plan enough heating for the winter!
