Best places to buy a second home??? (Lubec, Eastport: to live in, prices)

[flycessna]

Originally Posted by elisemarie

I also have been trying to recall a certain spot in Maine that I went to - a friend's house - many years ago. I have NO idea what town it was in but it was this wonderful old house (shingle-style Victorian) that was on a hill along with quite a few other older homes. I'm sure that some of them had water views but the house we stayed in did not. That said, we could easily walk down the hilly street to a small beach that wasn't over - crowded. I'd say that the beach ran maybe 1/2 mile long?

Well that narrows is down! just kidding. Depending on where it was it probably has changed. That said those areas still exist. Especially when you get into the less touristy places further down east. you should probably start with a map and decide how far down east your willing to travell. Then create a list of needs,wants, don't wants ect. And just start trying to narrow it down on paper so when you decide to jump in the car you only have limited amount of places to travell to.

I think from my own experience that the maine coast, aside from the touristy spots, has a lot of the same. I mean that in a good way meaning you don't have to compare all 5000 miles of coast line. I really do not think your asking for too much and should be able to find something easily. It will just be where you want it.

[lynnbass]

Hi, We live in a community that is full of families and down to earth "mainers" as well as the likes of "Dr. McDreamy", and many other very wealthy year rounders or second home visitors. We live two doors down from "the Vegetable Corner", where everyone knows each other by first name. It is the best "butcher" shop, veggie stand, and bakery-all owned and operated by one family. That is a much loved spot by all. Across the street from there is "The Blackbird Cafe", where you can sit and enjoy awesome coffee,homemade pastries and even quaint dinners, all in the old schoolhouse,owned and run by a local couple w/children. A short (1/2 mile) walk across the "Mountain Rd" will bring you to a little wine and cheese shop open till 6, 6 days a week-all year round (also locally run bus.). People rave about it! And a hop skip and a jump brings you to the ocean where you can do some exploring with your kids at the public (small) beach, or launch your boat! Then, not even two miles from our house down "The Neck"(rte.123) will bring you to the Kellogg church where you will find wonderful people and great sunday school, but mostly the Harpswell pre-school (private) which is where our kids go. They have the most wonderful (I know I keep using that word!) teachers, and a nurturing environment. (Also tennis courts). Then a few doors down is another great church which is Baptist. The minister is in his 30's,married with I think 4 boys.
Harpswell is the town that is close to Brunswick Maine,but is the only town in Maine with the most water frontage. Also the only town boasting over 40 off-shore islands! There are two "fingers" if you look at a map, ours is Harpswell Neck(rte.123) and across the Mountain Rd. you connect to(rte.24)Orr's Island, and then Bailey Island (also tons of amenities). Within 6 miles of our location, you can be at Bowdoin College, or any of Harpswell's many amenities; restaurants,beaches,little known coves (for collecting sea glass),local artisans shops,fresh lobster at many diff. wharfs, the list goes on. Check out "The Harpswell Anchor" website; it's the monthly local newspaper. Also feel free to e-mail me at cibass10@juno.com for more info on our home-there's too much too list. Harpswell and Brunswick are both still very charming, small communities with access to Portland in 45 min's. The qualities of Harpswell and "Harpswellians" are too many to list. The community and development is now being protected by the Harpswell Land Trust committee, so it will never end up like Bar Harbor (which is beautiful, but overpopulated). I could really go on and on! If you know of Bowdoin College, you'll realize that there is another huge array of benefits to locals and childrens programs through the college. We are also within 20 minutes of Freeport (home of L.L.Bean).Need I say more? Anyone else interested in an awesome home (modest-330,000 with an acre,1,219.00 taxes(no kidding))may also contact us!I'd be happy to send photos and listing info.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Then there is Lincoln. It has all of the above for a third the price. Well, all of the above except for a bus.

[dmyankee]

I'm ready to sit down to braised partridge and moose balls with ziti.

Anyone want to join me?

[mollysmiles]

partridge yes....no moose balls, did "Rocky Mountain Oysters" in Montana this spring--that more than fulfilled my "brave food" requirement for the year!!

Elise, how far up the coast are you looking? I'm waaaay at the other end, and there are some beautiful places for sale right now. My hometown is Eastport, but I'm also partial to Milbridge, which is only about 30 minutes outside of Ellsworth.....good luck!

[dramamama6685]

Originally Posted by mollysmiles

partridge yes....no moose balls, did "Rocky Mountain Oysters" in Montana this spring--that more than fulfilled my "brave food" requirement for the year!!

Elise, how far up the coast are you looking? I'm waaaay at the other end, and there are some beautiful places for sale right now. My hometown is Eastport, but I'm also partial to Milbridge, which is only about 30 minutes outside of Ellsworth.....good luck!

I'm with Molly on the Eastport pick. $330K is way outta my price range. Most of the homes on due east's site as well as on realtor.com are much more reasonable. Gosh..just thinking about how much longer it would take me to get to Maine permanently at that price..yikes!!( 14 years would turn into at least 20).

[DavidoftheNorth]

Seal Harbor, Blue Hill, Cape Rosier or Belfast.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

Then there is Lincoln. It has all of the above for a third the price. Well, all of the above except for a bus.

I second the Lincoln recommendation.

Around here, maybe between half and two-thirds of the properties are owned by non-residents. Folks that do not live here year-around. They are camps, used for long week-ends, hunting camps, and quite get-aways.

I do not see where any of us fulltime residents really mind them.

We do not have ocean access within walking distance, we have river instead.

But I fail to see any hostility at the part-timers.

I do think that Lincoln would be nice for what was asked for in the opening of this thread.

[corgis]

My second home is in Eastport but it will soon become my only home.

[Acadianlion]

Originally Posted by DavidoftheNorth

Seal Harbor, Blue Hill, Cape Rosier or Belfast.

SEAL HARBOR? Well, maybe. Probably the priciest of all right now, if you can find anything available. Blue Hill and Belfast are good choices because it is possible to get FROM there and TO there fairly easily via air. From Belfast the easiest air connection is probably Rockland to Boston and from Blue Hill, either from Trenton to Boston, or Bangor to Boston or elsewhere. Cape Rosier is another 20 minutes drive from anywhere.

From the description....using the place on weekends throughout the year...will depend on how leisurely those weekends are. When I was young it was not really possible for us to drive up to Ellsworth for a weekend. We lived in a suburb of Boston, and until the Maine Turnpike and I-95 was extended to Bangor, the trip was simply not realistic. Today, commuting to Hancock County and beyond for a weekend is easy from New Jersey...well for some folks anyway.

But the traffic is getting worse and worse all year round here, and this weekend just getting through Ellsworth was a nightmare all weekend long. I think if I was buying a second home in Maine now, I would be looking way down east or perhaps inland....Lincoln is probably a good bet in terms of value for the dollar.