Harpswell? (Portland, South Portland, Brunswick: low income, for sale, how much)

[90077]

Greetings all. I've been reading your helpful postings for the past two weeks and am re-familiarizing myself with Maine since I'm considering retiring there in less than two years.

Born and raised in Aroostook county, graduated from UMO decades ago and spit for California as a young man in search of greater opportunities and more sunshine. I cannot afford to remain in my current location when I retire; and I'm searching for a quiet, peaceful place to rest these aging bones and enjoy the Maine that I remember.

I'm aware that there are many affordable places off the beaten paths especially in, but not limited to, western and northern areas; but her dramatic coastline is darn near irresistible and I'm investigating what $250K will buy as close as I can get to the rocky shore.

Searching this forum didn't bring up much on Harpswell except for mention of the hordes of tourists that descend on the place in the summertime.

Anyone with personal experience in Harpswell - living there or visiting for summers? I'm guessing there's lots of upside, but I'd like to know what the downside might be. Thanks.

[RiverBird]

Originally Posted by CA2ME

Greetings all. I've been reading your helpful postings for the past two weeks and am re-familiarizing myself with Maine since I'm considering retiring there in less than two years.

Born and raised in Aroostook county, graduated from UMO decades ago and spit for California as a young man in search of greater opportunities and more sunshine. I cannot afford to remain in my current location when I retire; and I'm searching for a quiet, peaceful place to rest these aging bones and enjoy the Maine that I remember.

I'm aware that there are many affordable places off the beaten paths especially in, but not limited to, western and northern areas; but her dramatic coastline is darn near irresistible and I'm investigating what $250K will buy as close as I can get to the rocky shore.

Searching this forum didn't bring up much on Harpswell except for mention of the hordes of tourists that descend on the place in the summertime.

Anyone with personal experience in Harpswell - living there or visiting for summers? I'm guessing there's lots of upside, but I'd like to know what the downside might be. Thanks.

See the thread I created called "BEST place to grow old in Maine." I don't believe anyone addressed Harpswell. Perhaps we could form a club called "Retiring to Maine and promising not to try to change a thing about it." We could do a meetup and compare notes!

One thing we want to take into account is how much driving we want to do at age 75 or 80. That is a main(e) consideration for us.

[riddei63]

Harpswell is a great little place. My semi-retired in-laws have a place on the water overlooking upper and lower Goose Islands. Interestingly their other home is in Sacramento California. Harpswell has a mixture of very affluent, as well as very "non-affluent". By the way the crow flies, they are only about 10 miles from Portland. However, being on a peninsula (several actually), they are 45 miles from Portland by car. It takes me the same amount of time to get to their place by car or by boat (just under an hour).

Because Harpswell is on several peninsulas, it may feel like several communities (Cundy's Harbor side, and the Middle Bay side). They closed one of their two elementary schools and bus the kids almost an hour from side to the other.

You can absolutely find a home for retirement for $250K. Taxes are relatively low as well. You will need to drive 10 miles to Brunswick for any amenities (shopping).

[Coaster]

Surprisingly, I found some small homes and trailers for sale in Harpswell in your price range. But beware the property taxes! The Harpswell PTB consider this an affluent, "high-end" community, and they charge accordingly. High taxes have driven a lot of the local lobstermen to sell waterfront homes that had been in their families for generations.

[riddei63]

The Mill rate for Harpswell is 5.76, which is a bargain compared to 16.50 that we currently pay in South Portland. It's actually amazing considering the commercial property (Maine Mall, National & Fairchild Semiconductors and the like) that South Portland has in its tax base compared to Harpswell.

[namder1]

I totally agree newenglandgirl! I have friends in Texas that are complaining about this very thing and are fighting to keep their state as is!

[90077]

Originally Posted by newenglandgirl

See the thread I created called "BEST place to grow old in Maine." I don't believe anyone addressed Harpswell. Perhaps we could form a club called "Retiring to Maine and promising not to try to change a thing about it." We could do a meetup and compare notes!

One thing we want to take into account is how much driving we want to do at age 75 or 80. That is a main(e) consideration for us.

Read it, NEgirl; lots of great responses there and in "Who Moved to Maine After Retirement", another great thread. Getting a wide variety of responses raises issues I might otherwise have ignored or been unaware of. Home resale potential and mil rates, for example; so I've got to choose wisely to avoid costly mistakes.

Yes, distance is significant. Trying to keep my initial search to places within an hour's drive of Portland.

[90077]

Originally Posted by riddei63

Harpswell is a great little place. My semi-retired in-laws have a place on the water overlooking upper and lower Goose Islands. Interestingly their other home is in Sacramento California. Harpswell has a mixture of very affluent, as well as very "non-affluent". By the way the crow flies, they are only about 10 miles from Portland. However, being on a peninsula (several actually), they are 45 miles from Portland by car. It takes me the same amount of time to get to their place by car or by boat (just under an hour).

Because Harpswell is on several peninsulas, it may feel like several communities (Cundy's Harbor side, and the Middle Bay side). They closed one of their two elementary schools and bus the kids almost an hour from side to the other.

You can absolutely find a home for retirement for $250K. Taxes are relatively low as well. You will need to drive 10 miles to Brunswick for any amenities (shopping).

Thanks, Riddei; I thought Harpswell was more high end than I could afford, so I'm surprised at your mention of it being mixed with "very non-affluent" also.

Driving 10 miles to Brunswick wouldn't be an issue, though a trip to Portland might be only monthly. Is there a Maine equivalent of Costco in Portland where one can load up on bulk food and other essentials to avoid high supermarket prices?

[Coaster]

Originally Posted by riddei63

The Mill rate for Harpswell is 5.76, which is a bargain compared to 16.50 that we currently pay in South Portland. It's actually amazing considering the commercial property (Maine Mall, National & Fairchild Semiconductors and the like) that South Portland has in its tax base compared to Harpswell.

The mil rate is lower but the property values are higher. All that waterfront property.

ETA: But you're right -- low-priced property might benefit.

[90077]

Originally Posted by Coaster

Surprisingly, I found some small homes and trailers for sale in Harpswell in your price range. But beware the property taxes! The Harpswell PTB consider this an affluent, "high-end" community, and they charge accordingly. High taxes have driven a lot of the local lobstermen to sell waterfront homes that had been in their families for generations.

No one should have to sell their home due to ever-rising taxes particularly if it's been in the family for generations. Looks like Maine could use a dose of California's prop 13 to stabilize property taxes. Also, is there no property tax break for seniors and/or low income?