WorldAtlas Names 8 Best Places to Live in Maine

Maine is home to 1.35 million people, 3,500 miles of coastline, and signature destinations such as Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor. While most people think of Maine in terms of summer vacations, the state is also quickly becoming home to a growing number of year-round residents. WorldAtlas recently compiled its list of the eight best places to live in Maine, an ode to a state where endless opportunities for discovery await. 

Bar Harbor stands out as a premier small-town option on Mount Desert Island, close to Acadia National Park. It features a higher cost of living, a median home price of around $433,000, and a 22.6% retirement rate among its 6,000 residents.

Bath, known as The City of Ships, is a small harbor town of approximately 8,335 residents. The community has a lower cost of living and a median home price of $222,900. Attractions include Maine's First Ship and the Maine Maritime Museum.

Cape Elizabeth, a Portland suburb with approximately 9,500 residents, features a high median home price (approximately $684,200), a higher cost of living, excellent schools, and coastal access near Portland Head Light.

Freeport is famous for shopping and is anchored by the L.L. Bean campus. The community has approximately 8,633 residents, a median home price of $536,800, and a higher cost of living. Residents enjoy access to Wolfe's Neck State Park and Casco Bay.

Hallowell, a small Kennebec River town of approximately 2,385 residents, stands out for its distinctive shopping, antiques, old-fashioned candy shops, and several outstanding restaurants. It has the third-lowest crime rate in the state, along with cultural attractions such as the Gaslight Theater and Harlow Gallery.

Portland serves as Maine's urban hub. Its dynamic culture and economy are appreciated by residents whose median age is around 36. Portland has a higher cost of living, a median income of $71,498, and the state's eighth-lowest unemployment rate at 4.0%.

Saco blends history and culture with access to Ferry Beach State Park. The median home value in Saco is approximately $473,741, while the median income is approximately $81,326. Notable family attractions include Funtown Splashtown USA, Maine's largest water and amusement park, and Saco Bay Trails.

Scarborough sits on Maine's coast near Portland, offering multiple beaches and the Scarborough Marsh as a key natural feature. The median income is approximately $78,359, and the cost of living is well above the national average. Scarborough features three coastal areas, with each offering spectacular beaches to suit various tastes, from traditional Maine rocky coastlines to sandy stretches.