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WHERE IS Maine?
It’s also the only U.S. state that shares a land border with just one other state. Portland is Maine’s largest city while Augusta is the state capital. Southern Maine includes many of the state’s larger population centers, coastal towns, and communities with easier access to New Hampshire and Greater Boston. Farther north and east, development becomes more spread out, with smaller towns, lake and mountain regions, large forested areas, islands, and working fishing communities along the coast.
- Lowest $72,440
- Median $449,000
- Highest $14,500,000
- Lowest $87
- Average $668
- Highest $1,248
- Average No. of Beds 6
- Average No. of Baths 5
- Average Square Footage 4,317 sq. ft.
HOW DO YOU GET TO Maine?
The Maine Turnpike carries I-95 from Kittery through Greater Portland and the Lewiston-Auburn area to Augusta, with I-95 continuing north toward Bangor and Houlton. Route 1 also connects many coastal communities.
Southern and Midcoast Maine have passenger rail service via the Amtrak Downeaster, which runs from Boston to Brunswick with several stops in Maine. Portland International Jetport is the state’s largest commercial airport, while Bangor International Airport serves central, eastern, and northern Maine.
The Geography & Regions OF MAINE
Maine is divided into eight regions, each with its own character, attractions, and daily rhythm.
Southern Maine includes communities such as:
- Kittery
- York
- Ogunquit
- Wells
- Kennebunk
- Kennebunkport
- Biddeford
- Saco
- Old Orchard Beach
The region has the state’s closest connections to New Hampshire and Greater Boston, along with some of Maine’s best-known sandy beaches and coastal resort towns.
Housing ranges from year-round neighborhoods and historic homes to condos, beach houses, and seasonal properties. Summer tourism also brings noticeable changes in traffic, parking, rental activity, and overall pace.
Greater Portland combines Maine’s largest city with suburban, coastal, and island communities that provide access to major employment centers, healthcare, transportation, dining, and cultural amenities. These communities include:
- Portland
- South Portland
- Westbrook
- Cape Elizabeth
- Scarborough
- Falmouth
- Yarmouth
- Freeport
The MidCoast stretches through towns and cities that include:
- Brunswick
- Bath
- Wiscasset
- Damariscotta
- Boothbay Harbor
- Rockland
- Camden
- Belfast
- Surrounding peninsulas and islands
Working waterfronts, historic downtowns, boatyards, arts, and maritime culture shape much of the region. Housing includes year-round homes, waterfront properties, island residences, and second homes.
The Kennebec Valley includes:
- Augusta
- Hallowell
- Waterville
- Skowhegan
- Communities along the Kennebec River in central Maine.
Augusta serves as the state capital, while Waterville and other regional centers provide healthcare, education, shopping, and employment. The area offers a mix of small-city living, rural communities, open land, and access to rivers, lakes, and other outdoor recreation.
Western Maine is defined by lakes, mountains, ski areas, and smaller towns that offer easy access to skiing, hiking, paddling, fishing, and other outdoor activities.
- Bethel
- Bridgton
- Rangeley
- Carrabassett Valley and surrounding communities
Housing ranges from year-round homes and acreage to lake cottages, cabins, ski condos, and second homes.
The communities in the Maine Highlands provide gateways to lakes, forests, and northern recreation.
- Bangor (largest population and service center)
- Orono
- Greenville
- Millinocket
- Dover-Foxcroft
Moosehead Lake, the Katahdin area, and large stretches of forest give the region a more rural and recreation-oriented character. Outside Bangor and other established centers, the communities are more spread out.
DownEast Maine includes:
- Bar Harbor
- Ellsworth
- Blue Hill
- Stonington
- Machias
- Eastport
- Lubec
- Other communities along the state’s eastern coast
Acadia National Park is the region’s best-known destination, but the area is also shaped by working harbors, fishing communities, islands, historic villages, and year-round towns.
Known locally as “The County,” Aroostook covers a large portion of northern Maine. The region is known for agriculture, forests, open landscapes, winter recreation, and close ties to Canada. Principal communities include:
- Presque Isle
- Caribou
- Houlton
- Fort Kent
HOW DID MAINE Become a State?
Long before statehood, the region was home to the Wabanaki peoples. Maine remained part of Massachusetts until Congress admitted it as a free state under the Missouri Compromise. Portland served as the first capital before the state government moved to Augusta in 1832.
Maine’s growth was later shaped by industries such as fishing, shipbuilding, lumber, farming, and textiles, many of which still influence its working waterfronts, mill towns, and rural communities.
WHAT IS MAINE Known For?
The state has about 3,500 miles of coastline and roughly 6,000 lakes and ponds. Acadia National Park, Casco Bay, Moosehead Lake, the western mountains, and northern forests all contribute to Maine’s varied landscape.
Lobster, working waterfronts, lighthouses, fall foliage, skiing, boating, and hiking are also closely associated with life and travel in the state.
MAINE At a Glance
Maine’s housing market changes by region, from higher-priced Southern Maine to more affordable inland and northern communities.
Coastal, lakefront, island, and mountain properties create options that aren’t typical of a conventional suburban market.
Rural areas can offer larger lots, wooded acreage, and greater separation between homes.
Southern Maine provides the state’s easiest connections to New Hampshire and Greater Boston, including I-95 and Amtrak service.
Many older and rural homes come with heating, private wells, septic systems, and winter access.
Seasonal camps and second homes are an established part of the market around lakes, ski areas, and the coast.
Portland, Bangor, Augusta, Lewiston-Auburn, and Maine’s smaller downtowns provide very different alternatives to rural or recreational living.
Coastal access, lake frontage, mountain views, acreage, and privacy help distinguish many Maine properties.
Colonials, Capes, farmhouses, cottages, and other traditional New England homes offer character that newer construction may not replicate.
Efficient heating, insulation, generators, and other cold-weather upgrades strengthen year-round appeal.
Proximity to Portland, beaches, downtowns, ski areas, lakes, and major routes is often a valuable selling point.
Rural properties with usable land, barns, workshops, or wooded acreage appeal to buyers looking for more space.
Waterfront and recreational properties often draw interest from both full-time residents and second-home buyers.
Maine’s mix of coastal, urban, rural, and recreational markets gives sellers several ways to position a property.
MAINE Real Estate
Maine real estate looks very different depending on where you are in the state. Greater Portland and the southern coast have more condos, townhomes, established neighborhoods, and higher-priced coastal properties. Central, western, and northern Maine offer more single-family homes, rural acreage, cabins, and properties with larger lots.
Along the coast and around Maine’s lakes and mountains, the market also includes waterfront homes, seasonal camps, ski properties, and second homes.
- Single-family homes include suburban houses, village homes, and properties on larger wooded lots.
- Condos and townhomes are common in cities, coastal communities, and resort areas.
- Historic homes are found throughout Maine’s older downtowns and villages.
- Rural properties often come with acreage, outbuildings, private wells, or septic systems.
- Waterfront homes range from coastal cottages to year-round lake houses and island properties.
- Seasonal properties include lake camps, ski homes, and vacation cottages.
- Multi-family homes are concentrated in Portland and many of Maine’s older cities.
The majority of Maine homes for sale reflect several centuries of New England building traditions, including Colonials, Capes, New Englanders, farmhouses, and Victorians. Ranches and contemporary homes are also common. The older homes here often retain original woodwork, fireplaces, or other period details.
Garages, mudrooms, heat pumps, generators, and screened porches are practical for Maine’s climate. Rural and recreational properties may also include private wells, septic systems, long driveways, docks, or private-road access, all of which bring additional maintenance responsibilities.
RECREATION AND Attractions
Maine’s outdoor recreation changes with the landscape, from sandy beaches in the south to mountains and lakes farther inland.
- Spend summer along The Maine Beaches, including Ogunquit, Wells, and Old Orchard Beach.
- Explore Portland and Casco Bay by ferry or on the water, with islands just beyond the city.
- Follow the MidCoast for working harbors, waterfront towns, and maritime attractions.
- Head to Western Maine for skiing, hiking, and lake recreation around Bethel and Rangeley.
- Visit Acadia National Park for trails, coastal scenery, and easy access to Bar Harbor.
- Explore Moosehead Lake and the Katahdin region for more remote outdoor recreation.
- Spend time in downtowns such as Portland, Biddeford, Brunswick, and Belfast for dining, shops, arts, and local events.
Frequently Asked Questions ABOUT MAINE
Yes. Maine has year-round cities, towns, suburbs, and rural communities, although some coastal and resort areas are more seasonal.
Southern Maine is the most convenient. Kittery, York, Wells, Kennebunk, Biddeford-Saco, and Greater Portland have direct I-95 access, with several communities also served by Amtrak.
Yes, especially for those looking for smaller communities, outdoor access, and coastal or lake living.
It depends heavily on the region. Greater Portland and the southern coast are generally more expensive, while inland and northern Maine offer lower-priced options.
Explore Maine Living WITH TODAY REAL ESTATE
TODAY Real Estate helps buyers and sellers navigate Maine real estate with local knowledge and a strong presence in Southern Maine.
Whether you’re comparing Portland-area communities, coastal homes, rural acreage, or properties near Maine’s lakes and mountains, our Maine real estate agents can help you find the perfect home.
Ready to start relocating to Maine? Call TODAY Real Estate at 508.790.2300 or send us a message to learn more.