living in York, ME (Kittery, Wells: real estate, houses, neighborhoods)

[maybemaine]

Hello all...we are considering making a move to Maine with our three children, and wanted to get feedback from parents living in York and surrounding towns (Berwicks, Eliot)

1. Schools. What are your thoughts on the school system you are in? Are parents involved with the school and do the schools foster a string community?

2. Neighborhoods: Are there neighborhoods comprised of a lot of kids (and not a lot of summer homes)? If so, where? Where would the best place to live be when living year round?

3. Community: What are the winters really like in york..not the weather, but socially. (please note here, we are a family, so don;t really care about the singles/young couple scene or the retirement scene)

4. Sports: How are the youth sports leagues and parks and recreation? Are they well established, well run, and offer a lot of options for the kids?


Thanks for any insight you can give!!

[Zymer]

What is a "string community"?

[maybemaine]

"STRONG" community. Now you know why I want better schools for my children :-)

[Coaster]

York has a very strong retiree community in the coastal sections. Real estate prices reflect that. You might want to look at the Berwicks or Eliot or even Kittery if you're set on living in that area.

[RMoore007]

I've driven through Eliot a few times in last few years and it doesn't look much different than it did when I grew up there in the 60's. My family and I loved that area and we were close to so many things that kids like: beaches, forts, Portsmouth, picnic areas, rivers, woods, lots of other kids, marinas, horseshoe crabs, ice skating, deep sea fishing, lobster fisherman friends, light houses and cool schools. My dad was the principal of the jr. high back then and I even had him for an eighth grade English teacher.

After living in central Maine and then moving to the southern tip of Maine, we all noticed the weather change. The winters were less challenging and the summers were just beautiful with the coastal breezes.

We had friends and acquaintances in the Berwicks, York and Wells. I would live anywhere around those parts if I could. There's no shortage of things to do and see within an hour from your door. Good luck!