Where do I want to visit/possibly live in Maine?

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

Greetings from the boring Midwest. I am on a list serve which sends a daily list of amazing old and historic houses for sale around the US. Maine consistently has some of the best, most affordable, and least re-muddled of all. I thought hey why not take vacation there, and check out a few house listings while I'm at it? Aside from Portland (looks expensive) what other neat places would you advise visiting? Particularly like old historic towns with some arts and I think having at least one good coffee shop and/or brew pub is the mark of a good civilized town where one might want to live. Otherwise pretty much open to anything! Obviously the ocean is a huge draw for this midwesterner, but not necessary - looks like some neat wildernes areas more toward the interior.

thanks!!!

[James48]

1. Brunswick

And then south to Bailey Island.

[2naSalit]

8. Spent a lot of...

the 1960s in that area. Brunswick, Bodwinham, and lived on the mainland in Harpswell, which is the town Bailey's Island is part of.

Haven't been back there in probably forty years, though. Kind of miss it.

[3Hotdogs]

2. You want to drive the coast from Kittery to Bar Harbor.

Wells Beach is affordable. Biddeford, Old Orchard Beach and parts west of Portland are affordable . Also check out Portsmouth, N.H. New Hampshire also has nice places, not too expensive.

In Kittery, don't forget to stop at Bob's Seafood. Ogonquit also has a good lobster pound, but more expensive. Ogonqui, take the trolly in and be sure to walk the Marginal Way. There is a new and beautiful view at every turn in the walkway.
In Portland and Bar Harbor, be sure to take one of the evening harbor tours.

Real estate -- about 10 miles from the coast is where the winter snow gets kind of heavy.

[eShirl]

3. Rockland (coast)

Hallowell and Gardiner, both on the Kennebec River and both connected by a Rail Trail

[GPV]

5. Anywhere from rockland to Belfast

[gay texan]

4. Portland n/t

[left-of-center2012]

12. No, not Portland

It used to be nice and I lived there for 10 years.

Now it's "Boston North" and waaaay overpriced.

[Bristlecone]

6. Kittery is nice. Small, right across the bridge from Portsmouth, NH

Small town, affordable, close to the water. Not too far from Boston south and Portland north.

[eppur_se_muova]

7. Lewiston/Auburn ("Greater L/A") is the 2nd largest "metropolitan" area, and a college town (Bates).

I personally found it to be a little too small, and most other Maine towns would be too.

It wasn't too bad, if you're not too used to a larger city. Of course, I haven't been there in 20 years, so ....

[2naSalit]

9. I've been having thoughts of...

Returning to Maine, spent much of my childhood there. My three youngest siblings were all born there.

I'm thinking of taking a couple weeks and go for a vacation there next fall.

[3Hotdogs]

10. I haven't been in 3 years. I miss it.

We had a cabin on Balch Pond on the N.H. border. Then I had a small condo on Wells Beach.

Problem is the 6 hour drive from my home in N.J. I am 78 years old.

[mitch96]

11. I second the Portland area. Beautiful old town with lots to do. Been there a few times

As Ihave a friend that lives there. He came for a visit 20 years ago and never left. A bit too expensive for my taste in town but the outskirts might be less.. YMMV
m

[left-of-center2012]

13. no, not Portland

It used to be nice and I lived there for 10 years.

Now it's "Boston North" and waaaay overpriced

[3Hotdogs]

14. Portland was funky and wonderful before the waterfront area gentrified.

I don't need to go to Portland to see a Starbucks and Gap.

Use'ta have the art movie house and the $6.00 movie house that was subsidized by the city. There was the store with the antique bottles in the window, Gritty McDuffs (may still be there).

[left-of-center2012]

15. Cost of living has gone so high

The city is now filled with transplanted Boston yuppies.