Lyman (Portland, Biddeford, Kennebunk: houses, elementary school, taxes)

[Minettom]

I'm thinking about moving to Lyman (have found a house there).

I've scoured the site for information on Lyman, but not much really exists. How good are the schools (elementary)? Does the town have a good feel to it...a typical New England town per se? Any information would be much appreciated.

I'd be commuting to Portland for work, but I have read on this site that the commute wouldn't be too bad given that it's easy to access I-95. Any other thoughts?

Thanks!

[crb01]

Lyman is a bit of a bedroom community. It’s very laid back with not much going on. Most people who live here work somewhere else. There is no real “Town” except for the Goodwins Mills area, which has a General store, volunteer fire department, town hall, a library and a couple churches. There are also some really nice turn of the century houses in this area. And the “Mill Pond”, where my kids would go swimming in the summer. The population is around 3,000 but it feels less because it’s spread out over a large area. The entire town is basically rural with a couple of main roads, Rt 35 and 111 running through it.
There is no Police department, we are serviced by the State police or the York County Shariffs Department. There is also no trash pickup. You have to haul it yourself or hire someone.
The school system is part of SAD 57 and comprised of 6 different towns. The Junior high and High School (Massabesic) are in Waterboro. The elementary school of on the Kennebunk Pond Road in a wooded setting.
There are 2 ponds in Lyman with public beach access. One of which, Bunganut, has a really nice beach area with picnic tables and restrooms and is free to resedents.
Taxes in the town are pretty low for southern Maine and haven’t moved much in the last 20 years. Not sure what the mill rate is but I pay about a third of what I would pay in Biddeford for a comparable house.
I’ve lived in this town for 22 years now and find it to have just the right atmosphere. It’s within easy traveling distance to the ocean, lakes, ponds and plenty of shopping. Portland would take you 20 to 25 minutes. Not unreasonable.
Hope this helps and if you have any other questions I would be happy to answer them.

[Melonghunter]

Been a long time for me .....however ,it is a great area,tho in my mind a bit pricey.Can't help much with the school system. The country is great ....I liked it a bunch as Southern Maine goes.