best four season community (Portland, Biddeford: ski resorts, for sale, rental)

[luvmutts]

We are beginning to look for a second home, either in Maine or New Hampshire. We have 2 kids, 6 & 8, and want to find a modest home, either on a lake or very close to it. We don't want a huge lot, we want to be in more of a neighborhood where our kids can ride their bikes and easily meet other kids. Also, a close proximity to a family friendly ski area is very important. And lastly, we do not want to be more than 2 hours from Boston. Is this possible, or are we dreaming? I saw some homes for sale in Bridgton, Maine in an association called Knight's Hill. Does anyone know of this place? The ideal neighborhood would have families that go up every summer, not all rental properties, so that the kids can look forward to seeing their summer pals every year. Amy ideas / recommendations?? Thanks in advance for any guidance.....

[Zymer]

The "two hours from Boston" part is going to make it a little tough, since Portland is a little over 100 miles from there. There are some smaller lakes/ponds north/west of Biddeford and east of Conway, NH. but Sebago Lake, which is larger and is probably more like what you want is going to be a little over your time requirement.

Pull up Mapquest and take a look at the area(s).

[dmyankee]

Good luck with that luvmutts.

The days of packing the kids up on Friday afternoons for a two hour trip to camp on the lake are gone, unless your independently wealthy. I agree with Zymer. Widen your travel search.

[Bird33]

Knights Hill is what you are askig for. Lots of amenities and a lot of weekend homeowners from Mass, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. I have 3 girls 10, 12, and 14. They have about a dozen friends that are up almost every weekend in summer and winter. Very rarely do we get an argument about going up because there is so much to do and lots of kids to do it with.

[lrfox]

Honestly, I would suggest Gilford NH (and some of the other communities near Laconia). That's about the best option I can think of within your driving distance. You're on the big lake, and in the winter, you're not too far at all from the ski resorts relatively close by. Almost any lake community in Southern Maine and NH will offer opportunities to meet friends for your children as the lakes tend to be heavily settled around the shoreline and populated with people looking for the same thing you are looking for (relaxation and fun).

If you could extend your drive time to 2.5 to maybe 3 hours, I'd love to suggest Naples, ME. It's a great little town that lies on a junction between two big lakes (N. End of Sebago, S. End of Long Lake). It's a nice summer community and in the winter, you're minutes from Shawnee Peak... a great family ski area.


Though not close to any ski area, if you desire a lake close by, Check out Long Pond and Assawamsett Pond (both really Lakes and not Ponds) in Middleborough, Lakeville and Freetown MA. They have good communities (a blend of year round and summertime) and are really pretty little lakes. Hidden Gems of sorts in Eastern MA (Ted Williams owned a house on Long Pond and John Travolta owns a private island there). It'll be a bit pricier than Maine and NH, but not nearly as bad a what you'd pay for a Cape Cod house or RI beach home. It's within 40 minutes of Boston and accessible by the commuter rail so it would be worth looking into if you can't break that 2 hour limit.

[happyfamily1912d]

I'd second Irfox's suggestion. The first area that came to mind reading your description is someplace N-NE or Manchester NH, toward the Maine border. To far north gets you further from Boston and less neighbors to be close to however. You would have some beautiful Maine ski destinations (Bethel) not too far across the border, and there are many lakes in the area.

[HREil]

Hi, I just found your posting while running a search on properties for sale in Knights Hill, Bridgton Maine. I have two children and am looking for a vacation home with similar requirements as you. I'm curious to know how you made out. Did you end up buying in Bridgton or someplace else? Are you happy with your choice? Thanks for sharing your information with me.

[elston]

Irfox suggested Gilford NH....other communities in that area are Gilmanton, Alton, Meridith, Meridith Center, Sanbornton, Barnstead. I dont know of any specific associations or developed communities.

[gcberry]

Kind of depends on your budget. Bridgton, Waterford, Albany, Lovell, Stoneham, Norway, Hiram, Porter in ME; Bartlett, Albany, Harts Location, the Conways, Littleton, Sugar Hill in NH.