by Linda Batey

Created on: October 23, 2010

Maine is a first-class place to live, with many towns and communities making it so.  The natural beauty of the state is at the top of the list of reasons why it is a wonderful place to live, because offers a myriad of outdoor activities. While some parts of Maine are too rural to even offer pizza delivery, other communities, like The Old Port in Portland thrive with hip shops and restaurants. No matter how you choose to live in Maine, you can find it here.

The western mountain area offers some of the country’s best downhill skiing and wild rivers for fishing and rafting.  Parts of the western mountains are very remote, yet others offer golf and ski resort style living. A wonderful example of a town that is in a perfect location, no matter what you are into for sports, is Bridgton. The Bridgton people are very friendly and are very proud of their town. From Bridgton, it is an hour to Portland or an hour to Conway, New Hampshire, which offers outstanding tax-free shopping and numerous pubs and restaurants.  Bridgton has all the amenities anyone would need, including a remodeled theater, called the Magic Lantern. It has three movie theaters, all beautifully decorated, as well as a very nice pub, where there is also a huge movie screen. They offer pub food, free popcorn in the pub, and many cribbage boards. Bridgton also has a very nice golf course, a beautiful Inn (The Noble House) and a hospital.

Another great place to live would be the Bangor area. Bangor offers a very lively downtown, despite the Mall on the north side of town, and many ethnic restaurants, as well as some great little pubs. Bangor resides on one side of the mighty Penobscot River and Brewer takes up the other, making this a twin-city. Bangor offers an outstanding school system, and there are private options as well. One of the big things Bangor has done extremely well is a public transportation bus system that runs day in and day out on time all the time.  Bangor has a huge public library, which is very active in ancestry.

The coastal area between Winter Harbor and Machias is beautiful and very quiet. Even on a hot summer’s day, you can find a place to park, and you will not wait for a table at the local restaurant. These are just seaport villages and are relaxing and lovely. Cold in the winter, though.

Eastport is Maine’s smallest city and is perched at the very end of the United States. This city used to be an enormous seaport, having as many as 14 sardine factories to process them. Laws changed and the factories went away, leaving a large wharf with incredible high and low tides. Ray’s Mustard has their small factory here and will give tours if you call ahead. There are several nice Inns in town as well as restaurants; nothing fancy, just really good food. Real Estate prices are very low here and there are some bargains to be had. 

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