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Boothbay, Maine
On the Scenic Maine Coast, Boothbay is an Old Fishing Village with Cute Shops, a Small Touristy Boardwalk and Salt-Laden Air
Maine's rugged, scenic mid-coast is dotted with picturesque, weathered hamlets, and delightful Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor are two of them. Once one town, they are adjacent to one another and sit on a peninsula formed by the Sheepscot and Damariscotta rivers. This scenic area is simply called Boothbay.
A salty old fishing village with a working class sensibility, Boothbay is very much a seasonal town. Vacationers descend during the summer and fall, mainly to soak up the rich New England ambiance and hike in the surrounding hills. They also visit the small, touristy waterfront boardwalk that is peppered with colorful nautical retailers, seafood restaurants, galleries and trinket shops. A deeply ingrained history of sailing and yachting permeates every corner, and boats of various sizes bob in the water, ready to set sail for adventure. A botanic garden, an arts foundation, an 18 hole golf course, a community playhouse and a Thursday farmers' market all add to Boothbay's considerable charm.
Neighborhoods are wooded and low density, with home styles such as farmhouse, Victorian, cottage, Cape Cod and ranch rambler. Some of the old cottages in Ocean Point, a longstanding waterfront neighborhood, have breathtaking ocean views.
The combined population of the two areas is about 5,500, with 47% of residents age 45 or older. A little more than 30% of adults hold a four year college degree. Boothbay has not grown much during the last decade.
The cost of living is 24% higher than the national average, and the median home price averages $600,000 between the two areas. Home prices have declined 2% from last year.
Summers are short, with temperatures in the 60s and 70s, while winters are long, bringing temperatures in the teens and 20s along with an average of 44 inches of rain and 64 inches of snow each year.
The local hospital is Maine Health. Mid Coast Hospital is 15 miles away in Brunswick.
There is no public transit. There is a public library, though, and it is housed in a Greek Revival–style former private home. The crime rate is below the national average, and the town leans left politically.
The area is very quiet atmosphere in winter, as many residents are part-time. State Route 27, the main route into town, becomes heavily congested during tourist season.
Unfortunately, Maine is not considered tax friendly for retirees.
Known for its rugged coastline, charming small towns, beautiful lakes, iconic lighthouses and Acadia National Park, Maine offers a slower pace of life that draws both visitors and retirees alike. Summers are mild and pleasant, while winters can be long and snowy, making the state a true four-season destination.
In some coastal communities, particularly around Bar Harbor and Downeast Maine, a distinctive regional accent — a variation of the broader “Down East” accent — still exists. Characterized by dropping the “r” sound (so “Bar Harbor” becomes “Bah Hahbah”), this accent is tied closely to Maine’s maritime heritage. While it has faded in younger generations, it remains a charming and recognizable part of the state’s cultural identity.
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