Enjoy a Quiet, Peaceful Life in One of The Best Small Towns in Maine
Maine Small Towns
The Pine Tree State certainly lives up to its nickname, with . But when you think of Maine, you likely think of its Atlantic coastline that gives the state one of the most idyllic landscapes in all the United States — beautiful Northeast coniferous forest combined with rocky, windy seashores. To put it in a word: breathtaking. And with , the , and plenty of green space to explore, if you love nature, deciding to settle in Maine should be a no-brainer. But where should you put down roots? If you’re looking to experience the state in a friendly, low-key way, you can’t go wrong moving to one of the best small towns in Maine.
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Fast Facts About Maine
- The ranked Maine as the #1 state in public safety.
- As of July 2022, Maine’s population was , a slight increase over 2021’s number. However, Maine is growing more slowly than other states, perfect for those looking to keep things low key.
Big Maine Cities vs. Small Towns in Maine
When it comes to popular cities in Maine, you probably think of Portland. It’s the largest city in Maine and even ranked the But while Portland residents and city slickers, in general, might have easier access to amenities like fine dining, festivals, and fancy marinas, there are also setbacks to living in these areas — more traffic, increased crime rates, and a higher cost of living, to name a few.
By choosing to move to a small town instead, you get to enjoy a more tight-knit community in a peaceful and quiet atmosphere. In fact, some of the state’s best-kept secrets can be found in its small towns!
Here are some of the advantages to living in one of the best small towns in Maine:
- The community is friendly
- Local traditions are common
- You can avoid expensive tourist hotspots
- There’s easier, direct access to activities like skiing, hunting, and fishing
- You can get more space for less money
Small Towns in Maine - FAQ
Q: What is the best small town in Maine to live in?
A: Known as the city of artists, Bar Harbor is a standout seaside town full of great shops, restaurants, and galleries. The town even has an .
Q: What is the most quaint town in Maine?
A: When it comes to quaint towns in Maine, Cumberland tops our list. Besides the most beautiful coastline in the region, the close-knit residents of Cumberland enjoy various recreational activities like walking, cycling, and playing tennis or golf at the town's recreation centers. And during the winter season, the town's residents can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Q: What is the nicest place to live in Maine?
A: It’s hard to beat Cape Elizabeth when it comes to the nicest places to live in Maine. After all, in several categories: Best Places to Raise a Family in Maine, Places With the Best Public Schools in Maine, Best Suburbs to Live in Maine, Best Suburbs to Raise a Family in Maine, and Suburbs With the Best Public Schools in Maine. Wow!
Q: What is the prettiest village in Maine?
A: Scarborough is a beautiful coastal community, featuring rolling hills and green pastures characteristic of a classic New England setting. What makes it stand out, though, is the massive , home to over 3,000 acres of wetlands. Thousands of ducks and geese visit the area each day. What a sight!
Best Small Towns in Maine
Small towns in Maine each have their own unique charm and have a variety of special places to explore. Whether you’re just starting out, have a family in tow, or are getting ready to retire, check out these best small towns in Maine to live in!
Food for thought: A small town is considered to have a population of 5,000 or less, but some of these towns might have a higher population to give you some additional options. Any town with a population over 25,000 will be noted.
1. Bar Harbor, ME
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The town of Bar Harbor is easily one of the best small towns in Maine. It’s home to and is situated on the ˛ú´ÇłÜ˛Ô»ĺ˛ą°ů˛â.Ěý
Residents enjoy the outdoors, where the majority of people spend their free time cycling, camping, and hiking. During the summer, the area is visited by a large number of tourists who come to board cruise ships.
Although it's a relatively quiet community, families are still attracted to its peaceful environment and safety. There are plenty of restaurants and movie theaters within walking distance, along with a variety of shopping opportunities.
2. Cape Elizabeth, ME
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The area of Cape Elizabeth is known for its beautiful beaches, waterfront, and Fort Williams State Park. It also has a variety of beautiful multi-acre inland homes that are situated on working farms. Ranked the #1 suburb to live in Maine, Cape Elizabeth is a great place to raise a family and commute to work, as it is just across the bridge from Portland.
Fort Williams State Park is a popular place for people to gather. It offers for families and visitors to explore.
The school system of Cape Elizabeth consists of three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. It is regarded as one of the , and the high school is also known for its impressive athletic programs.
3. Yarmouth, ME
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The town of Yarmouth is located in Portland's coastal satellite region. It has a lot of tree-lined streets and large homes, but it also has more opportunities to rent both condominiums and apartments than its sister town of Cape Elizabeth.
The area around Portland is relatively quiet, but it has and pubs to satisfy its residents. Getting to the city of Portland is also quite easy, since it's only 12 miles away.
4. Freeport, ME
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Freeport is a popular tourist town located north of Yarmouth. During the summer, things get busy as people flock to this area for vacations. The town is known for its beautiful outdoors, with plenty of hiking trails and bike paths in and around downtown. is also located within the city limits.
To top it off, shoppers in Freeport can enjoy a , including brands like L.L.Bean, Coach, and Talbots.
5. Cumberland, ME
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Cumberland is a small town located on , which is surrounded by the most beautiful coastline in the region. It is also one of the . Despite its small size, the town's proximity to Portland gives its residents the opportunity to enjoy all that the area has to offer.
Besides the beautiful coastline, residents of Cumberland have the opportunity to enjoy various recreational activities like walking, cycling, and playing tennis or golf at the town's recreation centers. And during the winter season, the town's residents can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
6. Bangor, ME
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Located about two hours away from Portland, Bangor is a friendly and peaceful town . It was also home to one of the world's , Stephen King.
The downtown area of Bangor has a variety of bars, restaurants, and coffee establishments. is located here, and it draws in a lot of people from around the state for its Vegas-type atmosphere.
With a , Bangor is among the largest towns on this list.Ěý
7. Scarborough, ME
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Situated about 15 minutes from both Old Orchard and South Portland, Scarborough is a beautiful coastal community. It features rolling hills and green pastures characteristic of a classic New England setting, with plenty of waterfront real estate options available, as well.
The massive is home to over 3,000 acres of wetlands, which are very important to Maine's ecology. Thousands of ducks and geese visit the area each day. It also has several public beaches, including Higgins Beach, along with and State Parks.
8. Belfast, ME
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Belfast is a town of located on the banks of the Penobscot Bay, with plenty of charm and coastal views. It used to be a during the 1800s, and was also the site of many large mansions.
This coastal town is known for its waterfront and modern amenities, such as a natural foods cooperative. For those who enjoy trips to the big city, Portland is only about two hours away.
9. Biddeford, ME
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The town of Biddeford, used to be a textile mill town where workers would carouse after a hard day's work. Today, it is experiencing a resurgence. Some of the projects carried out in the area include the renovation of a , as well as retail space for more than .
The town has also attracted a lot of attention due to its growing number of . It plans on adding more hotels and apartments to the area, as well.
10. Brunswick, ME
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The town of Brunswick is known for its and outdoor activities, with a tight knit community that’s highly active. It also has an educated workforce, with several universities and colleges operating in the area, such as and the .Ěý
11. Kennebunk, ME
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This area of rural Maine has a strong sense of community, which is easily seen in its and churches. The area's schools are outstanding, and one of them has .
The town is known for its many beaches and attractions that include the , the historic Shipbuilders' Inn, and the . There are also .
12. Wells, ME
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The town of Wells is named for a cathedral city in Somerset, England. The town's waterfront is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and includes rocky promontories and sandy beaches. It’s also surrounded by a that flows through gold and green marshes, along with distant hills and forests.
One of the town's most prominent attractions is the Laudholm Wells Reserve, which has over . There are also various trails that go through the woodland and grasslands surrounding the parking area, which include the Forest Learning Trail and the Salt Marsh Loop.
Let ĐÓ°ÉPro Help You Move to Small-Town MaineĚý
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Editor’s Note: Monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100 for ease of reading.
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