A place to call home in Maine (Portland, Lewiston: for sale, house)

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by cksmm5

I just returned from a Maine scouting mission and here are my conclusions... We do not want to live in AUburn or Lewiston. We loved Cumberland, Freeport, Falmouth, Gorham and Yarmouth but they were very pricey. Brunswick I am confused about. Everyone I talk to sings its praises, however, it seemed very city-like to me. We are looking for a small town, close-knit community type of feel. Am I missing something about Brunswick? What is it's appeal? Was I looking in the wrong area?

Brunswick is the largest "town" (not city) in Maine. It's not Mayberry, no.

Did you check out Bath or Wiscasset? How about Gardiner? Bowdoinham? They're the only "small towns" within commuting distance of Lewiston with which I'm familiar. I know there are more northward. Places like Winthrop, Leeds, Monmouth, Paris. I'm just not familiar with them.

I'm a bit confused about what you're looking for, if you loved Freeport but didn't like Brunswick. Freeport is way more touristy and retail-oriented than Brunswick.

[cksmm5]

Freeport is very touristy, but it also is very charming. Brunswick feels congested and somewhat run down to me. But again, we were only in the area that was directly on and off of the highway. Should I have ventured farther into the town?

[island mermaid]

Originally Posted by cksmm5

Freeport is very touristy, but it also is very charming. Brunswick feels congested and somewhat run down to me. But again, we were only in the area that was directly on and off of the highway. Should I have ventured farther into the town?

Perhaps.

The area just off the highway is mostly commercial property. Not highend commercial property either. It's a difficult area to do business in due to it's location and the traffic of people getting on and off the highway. I would hardly say that the town is run down.

It's actually a very lovely college town. The downtown (Maine St) is very charming imho. I'm not sure what time of day one would find downtown congested other than a Friday afternoon. If you didn't venture into town than you missed Brunswick all together.

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by cksmm5

Brunswick feels congested and somewhat run down to me. But again, we were only in the area that was directly on and off of the highway. Should I have ventured farther into the town?

As for congestion, it definitely can be, but you were probably here during the height of tourist season, and many Maine towns are full of tourists in summer. Things definitely quiet down once school starts.

There are some rundown parts, especially off the interstate and Rt. 1. Did you make it to Maine Street? If you were just along Rt. 1, then you didn't really see the nicer parts of B'wick.

Brunswick is like any semi-large community in Maine. There are some neighborhoods I wouldn't live in, to be sure.

As for Freeport, don't get me wrong. I really like Freeport. It has some great neighborhoods and excellent schools. But it sure isn't Mayberry either. Very touristy and retail-oriented.

[cksmm5]

I did not see Main Street at all. I saw the area around Modular Advantage where we were looking at home models. It seems that I owe it to Brunswick to visit again. If I wanted to see the quieter areas where should I head to? I would love to be in a family oriented area preferably in a subdivision with larger lots. Does that exist here?

In reponse to a previous reply, I guess "Mayberry" is what I'm looking for...

[moughie]

Look closer to Bowdoin.
The neighborhoods off to the " right" as you approach Bowdoin ( situated on your left). Sorry, do not have my compass handy

[island mermaid]

Originally Posted by cksmm5

I did not see Main Street at all. I saw the area around Modular Advantage where we were looking at home models. It seems that I owe it to Brunswick to visit again. If I wanted to see the quieter areas where should I head to? I would love to be in a family oriented area preferably in a subdivision with larger lots. Does that exist here?

In reponse to a previous reply, I guess "Mayberry" is what I'm looking for...

Isn't Modular Advantage still located at Cooks Corner? Oh my goodness, no wonder you were mislead by the town. There are so many quality neighborhoods! It would depend upon what your housing budget is. You mentioned "larger lots", are you looking for acreage or just an acre? The neighborhood Moughie mentioned near Bowdoin College is a nice area. Upper Maine St has a great (but pricey) neighborhood called Meadowbrook. There are some nice newer subdivisions located off of Church Road and Woodside Rd. Truly too many to mention here. How close to the downtown do you want to be? Topsham is located directed accross the bridge, it too has some wonderful neighborhoods/ subdivisions. Please, come back and truly check out this area. It's a true gem. DM me if I can be of any help.
Good luck with your search.

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by cksmm5

I did not see Main Street at all. I saw the area around Modular Advantage where we were looking at home models. It seems that I owe it to Brunswick to visit again.

Yeah, you were out near Cooks Corner (stripmall) and the Naval Air Station. You didn't see the best parts of Brunswick.

If you had headed west down Bath Road, it would have taken you to Maine Street. (Yes, it is spelled with an e on the end.)

Originally Posted by cksmm5

If I wanted to see the quieter areas where should I head to? I would love to be in a family oriented area preferably in a subdivision with larger lots. Does that exist here?

In reponse to a previous reply, I guess "Mayberry" is what I'm looking for...

Mayberry had subdivisions?

As far as the nicest neighborhoods, look at a map of Brunswick.

The southwestern quadrant has a lot of nice neighborhoods. Basically anything south of McKeen Street, and west of Maquiot Rd/Maine Street.

I also really like some of the neighborhoods farther east. Basically the neighborhoods east of Maquoit Rd. Streets like Meadowbrook, Hemlock, Beech, Sumac.

Southeast of town (between Brunswick and Topsham) are some absolutely beautiful homes, but it tends to be more rural rather than neighborhood. Not much out there except for other homes, sheep, turkey, deer, and the occasional auto shop that some guy runs out of his garage.

The farther south you go toward Harpswell and such, the more expensive homes become, and the better your chances of having few year-round neighbors.

[flycessna]

Originally Posted by cksmm5

I did not see Main Street at all. I saw the area around Modular Advantage where we were looking at home models. It seems that I owe it to Brunswick to visit again. If I wanted to see the quieter areas where should I head to? I would love to be in a family oriented area preferably in a subdivision with larger lots. Does that exist here?

In reponse to a previous reply, I guess "Mayberry" is what I'm looking for...

Unfortunately, you will have a difficult time finding "exactley" what your looking for here.

I grew up in a town outside of boston, the quintessential new england village with neighborhoods right off the center of town, full of big old colonial's and sidewalks and tree lined streets. A very walkable downtown with little mom and pop shops ect. Most of us walked to from school ect.

Maine tends to be very looseknit. wich is why I think when you do find a place that is similiar...Yarmouth ect. it tends to be very pricey. I love the village center in Yarmouth....but it has always been just out of reach...and seems to continue to get even more expensive

I am not familair with down east Maine or northern maine. But I hear there some wonderfull areas that should be much cheaper.

If your really looking for a "developement"...there should be plenty of them Portland south. I know saco had a few when I was looking down there and I am pretty sure Scarborough has some too. I have always liked Brunswick too. The center is busy but not in a "city" sort of way... at least for me....it seems to be more of a local/college center. I like it.

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by Mark S.

Southeast of town (between Brunswick and Topsham) are some absolutely beautiful homes, but it tends to be more rural rather than neighborhood.

That should have read "SouthWEST of town." My bad.