Children and Kennebunkport (Portland, Biddeford, Falmouth: neighborhoods, schools, to live)

[Robert1955]

Hi again-In contemplating a move to Kennebunkport area our main concern is our children-10 and 13. Are there better towns nearby for children? Or, do we go up to Falmouth, which we have heard is great for kids? Thank you.

[CoastalMaine]

Robert, better in terms of what?

[Robert1955]

Better in terms of activities and children in neighborhoods-I think Kennebunkport skews older. I know schools are good but we're looking at other factors also. Nearest pool for instance is in Biddeford at the Y. ?

[crb01]

Public pools are not real popular in Maine. With so many natural places to take a dip, who want's to go to a public pool ?

[Robert1955]

Good point-but the water is a little chilly!

[lrfox]

The *Ocean* is a little chilly. The lakes and ponds that are everywhere warm up relatively quickly. I don't know too many Mainers that would take a public pool (I know of ONE outdoor one in Portland called, "Kiwanis") over a lake or pond.

There's nothing wrong with Kennebunk. You won't find any more or less to do there for your kids than in any of the other towns you've looked at. The schools are good and the area is lovely. You're sure to get more bang for your buck there than in Fairfield, CT (lovely town, by the way) too.

[elston]

Kids find ways to entertain themselves....riding bikes, mowing lawns, walking around the block and saying hey to other kids.....playing games....croquet, monopoly, baseball....going fishing, swimming....going to the library..catching a turtle .... clearing a trail....being kids.....I think any town has enough wonders "to stagger sextillion of infidels"...let alone entertain our children.

[AliceT]

My information is a little on the rusty side of things as I spent 4 years of my growing up time in Kennebunkport between the years 1959 to 1963 and it so impressed me that I bought property in Maine as soon as I was able. Circumstances beyond my control indicate that I may never be able to live there, but keeping the property gives me a sense that I cannot rationally explain.

It seems to me that Kennebunkport was rather an older community even back then and most of the childless or older residents were very tolerant and nurturing of all the children in the area. Given the option, I would most certainly vote in favor of raising children in Kennebunkport over just about any other place on the planet, but that's just me looking back with great fondness.

elston took the words right out of my mouth!

Your mileage may vary.