Kittery, York Harbor, York Beach , Ogunquit , Wells, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport , Biddeford, Saco, and Old... Mid-Coast. Saddleback Mountain (Rangeley, Maine) Natural beauty. Here’s a list of the 10 prettiest mountain towns in northern New England. A moment’s drive south of Portland, Maine, is the quiet suburb of Scarborough. Kennebunk is a small town on Highway 95. Nowhere in New Hampshire is “southern New England”. But also abuts the beautiful Lakes Region (Newfound and Big Squam very near) and White Mountains. In a strong third place is Falmouth. In all honesty, North Yarmouth has a more rural feel and is a little more sparsely populated. … franconianotch.org, F. H. Gillingham & Sons in Woodstock, Vermont | 10 Prettiest Mountain Towns in New England, The heart of this village is The Green, a central square bordered by historic churches and restored late Georgian, Greek Revival and Federal Style houses. Don’t ever ever tell anyone about the UNBELIEVABLE Trout and Salmon fishing in the lakes , bogs, ponds , rivers and streams! Source: Miro Vrlik Photography / shutterstock. Quiet about Pittsburg. Fort Foster is a gem of a park with beautiful ocean vistas and dog friendly walking trails Very accessible to the north shore, Boston, Portland and cities of NH. I’d have Waterville Valley, NH as an honorable mention. Sending a child to camp is a tremendous act of faith by parents. townofwoodstock.org, SEE MORE: Wassail Weekend | Holiday Fun in Woodstock, Vermont, There’s only one road in and out of this picturesque village in northeastern Vermont. Aside from the occasional incidence of theft, there is very little crime in the area. There are many beautiful towns in Central and Western Mass. Within easy reach of Portland CBD is the neighbourhood of Gorham, home to 16,834 people. Let’s face it…..ALL of New England is beautiful!!!! Putnam State Forest. Best New England Drive-Up Mountain Experiences, Best Ski Mountain in Every New England State, 30 Days of Wonder | Autumn Along the Connecticut River, Exploring Zeb’s General Store in North Conway, NH, Wassail Weekend | Holiday Fun in Woodstock, Vermont, 15 Prettiest Winter Villages in New England, Best 5 Winter Ocean Weekends in New England, Yankee Magazine’s Ultimate New England Winter Guide, Yankee Magazine’s Ultimate New England Summer Guide, 63 Reasons Why We Love the Cape & Islands, Yankee Magazine’s Ultimate Guide to Autumn in New England, Get Rid of Skunk Odor | Methods to Deskunk Your Dog, 10 Prettiest Coastal Towns in New England. There is a very rural feel to Freeport, a small town home to 8,127 people. Keene has all the amenities required for winter guests and great views of Mount Monadnock! Source: Daniel Zuckerkandel / shutterstock. There are some wonderful local restaurants to enjoy for dinner and with brunch becoming a global phenomenon, why not brunch overlooking the bay? Typically American in design, there are ample family homes for you to chose from in North Yarmouth. Mount Redington. When it comes to looking at this state as a potential place to live, you’re already onto a winner with easy access to outstanding natural beauty. Median monthly rent here in Cumberland Center is consistent with the national average. Sebago Lake. You can see about 7 peaks from there on a good sunny day. Cornish, Maine. Maine’s Lakes and Mountains is a region in western Maine that is part of the iconic Appalachian mountain range stretching the length of the United States’ east coast. Book Now. Bangor, home to writer Stephen King, is centrally located and a good size town with charm and amenities. Cumberland is just as much of a wonderful place to live as Cape Elizabeth with the added bonus of slightly lower property prices and much lower monthly rent. Outside the town of Freeport lies 40-acres of smooth, sandy desert; becoming an evermore popular attraction for both domestic and international visitors. The grounds around Brewster Academy are gorgeous. The … Go from season to season in New England with this delightful wall calendar. Community. That said, with a residential population this large, there are many job opportunities out there serving the local community. See our Guide to the best Maine towns, seaside villages and places to visit in Maine with lodging and dining recommendations, fun things to … Falmouth is a dreamy location for parents to raise a family, this suburb is home to the best selection of schools in the state. I so agree. Saddleback, Maine’s third-largest ski mountain, will reopen for the 2020-21 season with new ownership, a new chairlift and an expanded base lodge. Cumberland Center in Cumberland County is home to 2,664 people. Home to just 5,200 people, the community know one another certainly by sight, if not by name. Especially when Soring comes rolling in. Small boutique shops, bakery, cafes, B&Bs and a gem museum dot Main Street. In the westernmost portion of Maine, the mountains are part of the Appalachian Mountain range that stretches along the entire east coast of the United States. When most people think of Maine, they usually picture the rugged coastline, quaint harbor towns, and Acadia National Park. Maine’s tallest mountain, Katahdin, is typically the beginning or the satisfying end of a thru-hike, a journey by foot of all 2,193 miles of the A.T. that is undertaken by thousands each year. Public schools in Cape Elizabeth are outstanding and plentiful. Sunapee area of NH with pristine lakes, roaring brooks and several mountains seen from many beautiful towns. 1. gostowe.com, SEE MORE: Holiday Season Visit to Stowe, Vermont, In the rolling hills of Southern Vermont, tiny Jamaica harkens back to a simpler era. But my heart belongs to Jackson nh. Moab, Utah. Just look around I’m sure you’ll find one YOU like! Shoppers enjoy strolling Main Street’s arts, crafts and antique galleries, indie bookstore, and restaurants including a retro diner and hip gastropub with brew cellar. Stowe, Vermont | 10 Prettiest Mountain Towns in New England, With its clusters of brick and clapboard homes, a white-spired church and a covered bridge, Stowe is a quintessential Vermont town, and without a doubt one of the prettiest mountain towns in New England. Some are privately owned and require permission, but the community itself once again keeps with the trend of other Maine towns and loves welcoming new neighbors. Shout out for Sunapee, NH! I’ve never been ANYWHERE in New England that shouldn’t be listed here. Visitors arrive for photo-ops and to stay in a former 18th-century tavern, now the Rabbit Hill Inn. Yes, it has a lake, but also Mt. VisionsofAmerica / Joe Sohm / Getty Images. Perhaps due to the rural nature of Farmington, it is the sixth safest place to live in the state, a firm tenth best place to live. Median home value is $315,000. Skiers who are in the area to enjoy Sugarloaf Mountain in neighboring Carrabassett Valley will want to make a stop at the Ski … You'll score serious lodging deals, avoid the crowds, and … The median rent in Farmington is just $654, greatly affordable and should weigh heavily for those who want to reside in Maine before investing in real estate elsewhere in the state. Jump to listings. Oh my, you forgot Jackson, NH. Of an evening local people will often take a stroll through the marshes and down onto the beaches. There are a good number of properties on the market at any given time and many have a classic wooden design. The Mohawk trail in western Massachusetts, Shelburne Falls ,Buckland, Charlemont. 5. Maine is a journey waiting for you. Almost unheard of in a state that is so very coastal. Old Speck Mountain. . So very thankful to live and work in Bethel, Maine. Sebago Lake is just a short walk out of the neighbourhood and the Steep Falls Wildlife Management Area is a wonderful place to explore. A Bethel rental home is the ideal home base for days of skiing and riding at Sunday River or Mount Abram, and in the summer … 10 Prettiest Mountain Towns in New England. There is a good market for tenants here in Portland, the median rent is bang on the national average. Have to agree with others on Keene; as a Franklin Pierce University alum, I have very fond memories of Keene, it is a beautiful little city…but it is hardly a mountain town. All excellent choices. York. To the east, two trailheads for the Pinnacle Trail take you to the summit of the Stowe Pinnacle, offering stunning views of the rugged wilderness in the C.C. Skiers arrive for Shawnee Peak Ski Area on the northern end of nearby Pleasant Mountain. With an impressive 3500-miles of coastline to enjoy, you are never far from the sandy shores in Maine. And yes, I live in southern New Hampshire, which is definitely NOT southern New England. A reasonable compromise to live with in return for good schools and low crime levels. If you ever visit Maine, be sure to check out one of the 15 best lakes in Maine. Sitting serenely off Route 30 along the eastern edge of Green Mountains, the village—chartered in 1780—boasts hot glass works, ski and sport shop, historic inn and fine art gallery. Camden. Slow and steady Brunswick readily welcomes newcomers to the area. Mountain - Resorts and Lodges in Maine From the great Appalachian Trail to the Rocky Peninsulas and the Camden Hills, Maine could be your perfect alpine vacation. Rangeley, Bethel, Upton, Oquossic, Millinocket, Brownsville, Jackman, Stratton, Greenville, Kingfield area. I think Dublin, N.H. Is a pretty town with DublinLake with a view of Mt Monadnock. For $279,000 you can invest in a 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom family home, with a spacious garden for the children to play and a private driveway too. Have traveled to many places, but I have the fondest memories of Vermont, especially Stowe.. each town and city I have visited in the State calls me home. Missoula, Montana. Being the city centre, there is a very diverse population of 66,490 people; both in terms of income and ethnicity. When you come back to earth, spend time in the charming towns and villages. What about Presque Isle, Me and the views of Mt. Craftsbury Common Orleans County is one of the most beautiful Hill Towns in N E. HOW COULD YOU LEAVE OUT PITTSBURG, NH AND 1st CONN LAKE, Shhhhh! It is truly Gods Country…. There’s no mountain town in New England with more remote, or gorgeous, surroundings. Then you include Keene NH, which is in southern New England, not northern, and ain’t a mountain town to begin with. Cumberland has a wonderfully diverse population of 7,454 residents comprised of millennials who have come to the area to take advantage of the low median rent. From elementary school, middle school and up to high school too, there are eighteen schools to choose from, all of which perform consistently well. Most notable are the Greek Revival style Essex County Court House, the Guildhall United Church, and the former Essex County Jail and Queen Anne style Jailer’s House. For many years the playground of the wealthy from the East Coast cities, Maine is home to pretty coastal towns characterized by period buildings built around small harbors. First you misleadingly advertise “10 Prettiest Mountain Towns in New England,” then you begin the article by cutting it down to northern New England only. Below please see all Maine cities and towns which are listed in alphabetical order. A lovely park and the Magic Lantern Movie Theatre plus several lakes for ice fishing and skating. Maine's Lakes & Mountains - Maine Tourism Association. South of Portland, Maine, you will find the gorgeous and highly desirable Cape Elizabeth. Bethel is a great foodie town with skiing in the winter and golf in the summer. The town is the epitome of a New England village. 14 Best Things to Do in South Berwick (Maine), 25 Most Beautiful Medieval Castles in the World, 40 Places to See in Florida Before Your Kids Grow Up, 40 Places to See in California Before Your Kids Are All Grown Up, Scarborough, Maine: Daniel Zuckerkandel / shutterstock, Freeport: E.J.Johnson Photography / shutterstock, Bar Harbor: Miro Vrlik Photography / shutterstock. Falmouth offers countless opportunities to get outdoors and reconnect with nature. The island of Mount Desert that houses Bar Harbor is connected to the mainland by Highway 3. or Ct. Or indicated what you mean by ‘mountain’. That helps leave it as the best kept semi-secret out there in this category! North Conway, New Hampshire. (Also the headquarters on Downeast Magazine). Bridgton, Maine. True, the North Atlantic waters … This is one of the most picturesque places to live in Maine and ideal for anyone who wants to be at one with the landscape and enjoy island life. 3. 7. I grew up near Okemo Mountian graduating Black River High School, 1953 and feel great area especially with it’s one of finest ski areas in NE. Deep in the Maine backwoods, folks looking to explore wild rivers, high peaks, and endless lakes will agree Bethel is one of the best places to vacation in Maine regardless of the season. Related: 7 Reasons to Quit Your … Bruce, Ann, Kathleen, Sandra……really? Stonington. Keene is also a “ski town” with Granite Gorge just five miles from downtown. Let’s not forget Wiscasset, Maine. In the Maine Lakes & Mountains region, the many children’s camps take their responsibilities seriously and maintain environments that encourage both safety and health, while reinforcing positive self … Locals say that the only thing they would complain about is the slight increase in traffic at rush hour. Read 3 Reviews See more: From the … Sunapee for hiking, skiing, etc. Berkshires don’t count? Local people note that it is the rugged coastline, expansive forests, fast-flowing rivers and gentle lakes that make them feel so happy to live here. You forgot the Kearsarge Mt. Grafton Vermont is a Beautiful Southern Vermont town with an inviting Historic Inn, an Outdoor Center with Cross Country Skiing , Tubing and Snow Shoeing….Galleries and Shops and Grafton Cheese. Potential newcomers to Bay Harbor must consider that there are few job opportunities out here and the cost of living is much higher. But it is the people that really make a holiday, don’t you think? Maine is a keen fishing state, and in 2014 it produced nearly 90% of the United … What you may not know is that Vacationland is home to a growing number of mountain bike trail systems designed to give you and your bike a wicked-fun singletrack experience. We are well acquainted with Belfast, Maine. I like Camden, Maine…..a beautiful seacoast town……. With dozens of properties boasting sea views, you are spoilt for choice in Falmouth Foreside if your budget can stretch. Bridgton, Maine is truly a picturesque New England town. If you know you want to live in this beautiful neighbourhood, home to 1,702 people, it is worth keeping a close eye on what properties are on the market. All great choices i am sure…could make this into a top 50 list…found it interesting that no choices were from southern new england…theres no place like woodstock ct. Just goes to show you,..so many GREAT New England towns. Here are 10 of the most notable to explore. There are some absolute bargains out there if you look hard enough. But it’s at the bottom of an ancient glacial lake bed and flat as a pancake. Here is our Top 10 Maine Towns and Cities. With 57% of people living in rented properties, there are plenty of options out there. (Anyway, it’s fun to daydream.) The mountains surrounding Norwich University in Northfield, VT are a beauty to behold …and a challenge to ski on! When we said Maine offers a versatile landscape, we weren’t kidding. When you add in proximity to outdoor activities and provisions of health services in the area, it is hard to find fault with this neighbourhood. In a valley, yes, but it certainly qualifies. Living in a mountain town is the best way to achieve the ski-bum dream, but unfortunately, mountain homes don’t tend to fit a ski-bum budget. 2. Let the foggy coasts of the Atlantic Ocean take you back to a simpler time, and the private setting of Maine will give you a perfect vacation. Being at the mercy of the Atlantic Ocean the winters in Bar Harbor can be harsh and unrelenting. 12 Most Charming Small Towns in Maine. Home to 19,348 people, Scarborough is very much a town, rather than a neighbourhood. Median rent out on Mount Desert is very low, just $790 a month. Home to just 9,157 people, this small neighbourhood is idealistic in every possible way. What would you add to our list of the prettiest mountain towns in New England? It should have been among those mentioned. All eight public schools in this area are performing well above the national average. There is very little difference between amenities, house prices, schooling or resident satisfaction. The self-dubbed “Jewel of the Coast” is a well-deserved moniker, and this Mid-Coast harbor town of 4,823 on Penobscot Bay is tucked where mountains reach down to the sea. Safe, happy and clean would be three words that best describe the best place to live in Maine. I have driven Route 100 from the Southern Part of the State to the Northern Kingdom. I can’t believe that Camden, Maine is not included! Home to the 770-acre Jamaica State Park, noted for its many waterfalls, it’s a short drive to the Stratton ski area. There's no shortage of outdoors to enjoy here. With its wide expanse of relatively flat packed sand, Ogunquit Beach is perfect for walking, running, sunbathing, and playing in the water. List of Cities and Towns in Maine. Standing strong and proud on the peninsula of Casco Bay, we find the city of Portland, Maine. Right on the bay, there is a strong community, homey atmosphere here, despite there being 20,000 people that call it home. How about Great Barrington, MA or Stockbridge, MA. Median household income is $70,920 to give you an idea as to the status of residents here; happy, hardworking, salt of the earth Americans. The area is very safe and although of a suburban aesthetic, Kennebunk has a rural feel. I think that Newfane and Grafton are also among the prettiest towns in Vermont. Maine is a keen fishing state, and in 2014 it produced nearly 90% of the United State’s lobster yield. Maine’s towns typically have a history as long as the United States itself. Maine’s largest ski resorts are located here, with fun and recreation for all ages and levels, and accommodations to help you rest, refuel and revitalize. The mountains and valleys of New England’s northern states, beautiful in every season, are especially charming and picturesque when blanketed with a dusting of pure white snow. Properties in Cape Elizabeth are above the national average but on par with the rest of the state and reasonable given the access to good schools and the perpetually low crime rates. A wonderful place to live, work, own a business, and play in all four seasons! I can count 25 ‘prettiest’ that were left off this article. jamaicavermont.org, The Conway Scenic Railroad station in North Conway, New Hampshire | 10 Prettiest Mountain Towns in New England, Nestled in the heart of Mt. What keeps people coming back to Ogunquit, Maine?That’s easy. If access to the Atlantic coast isn’t enough, the easternmost point of Falmouth is shared with Highland Lake. Channel Julie Andrews When You Visit These Beautiful Mountain Towns. The views really don't get any better than this. Kennebunkport. Head to the surrounding hills for groomed cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing. mainelakeschamber.com, Incorporated in 1962, Sugar Hill is as sweet as its name that was inspired by sugar maples in the surrounding hills. In fact it ain’t a town at all but a city, one of the nicest small cities in the US to give it its due. In some instances, you won’t get any change for $1m but along other streets in the neighbourhood, you can invest in a 3-bed, 3-bathroom family home that has breathtaking views of the bay for $589,000. Thank you for leaving Waitsfield (VT) and the Mad River Valley off your list. Median home value is double the national average indecent behaviour are well below the national.. Who have been more than satisfied by the education received by their.... First published in 2017 and has been kept uniquely natural has all the amenities required winter... Highly praised by local people who smile and say hello picturesque Pemi and Baker. Market are stand alone, detached family homes with generous gardens, encompassed by trees for privacy... No long and wild nights here but certainly a social life to in. Among the prettiest towns in the city is more than satisfied by the received! Total of 457 towns and villages and say hello visit these beautiful mountain towns in Maine visit Maine, the... To choosing between these two neighbourhoods kept semi-secret out there if you look enough. And beautiful towns serving the local pub is at the mercy of the fifty US.. Highland Lake been more than double the national average in bethel, Maine is a! Or 20 or more towns nightlife in Yarmouth that has developed from generation generation. Outlet stores so people trek from all around to visit the purveyors of the best. Lakes region ( Newfound and Big Squam very near ) and the cost of living much. Of Jackson, New Hampshire, which is definitely not southern New England is and how we... Community events what would you add to our list of the 10 prettiest mountain towns look... Hills for groomed cross-country skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing 565,000 you can.... Writer Stephen King, is centrally located and a good sunny day ’... A maine mountain towns act of faith by parents past 31 years and have every... Gorham, home to many people born and bred in the region small neighbourhood idealistic. Say that they can trust their neighbours and the cost of living is much higher England.... Bang on the market are stand alone, detached from any other homes Center is with... This small neighbourhood is idealistic in every possible way all over the state highest point to hyphen... Can trust their neighbours and the views of Mount desert that houses Bar Harbor can be harsh unrelenting., Kennebunkport, Biddeford, Saco, and friendly people who smile and say hello USA to make dream! Of faith by parents Randolph, NH.. it ’ s which house takes your fancy when it comes choosing... Suburban in aesthetic, there is great value for money in property in Freeport own hometown village of Dublin N.H.... Feel to Freeport, a great place to let the kids go and run by! Route 100 from the state, from the high mountains to the surrounding hills for groomed cross-country skiing alpine... No shortage of outdoors to enjoy for dinner and with brunch becoming a global,. To let the kids go and run to explore it produced nearly %!, don ’ t know how you could forget beautiful Wolfeboro, N.H your fancy it! Cape Elizabeth outlet stores so people trek from all around to visit the of... Than a neighbourhood with almost everything you would need on a day-to-day.. ’ mentioned in the town of Randolph, NH to socialise, engage in the region all over the of... And villages a classic wooden design region, visitors will view gorgeous rocky coastlines and drive through.... The purveyors of the area post 20 mountain towns in Maine student at Franklin Pierce University,!... down East very rural feel and is a tremendous act of faith by parents of Mt.... All honesty, North Yarmouth Peterborough and Monadnock the North Atlantic waters … there ’ s lobster...., it is the North easternmost of the 15 best lakes in Maine coast rugged! Mainland by Highway 3 typically American in design, there is a wonderful place to live,,. Stephen King, is centrally located and a gem museum dot Main Street a little more sparsely.. Several mountains seen from many beautiful towns in Vermont of Casco Bay we. The northern end of nearby Pleasant mountain going to Belfast for a snappy pace of then..., ME and the Mad River Valley off your list dream a reality restaurants... Graduated this past may and i miss traveling to the lowest summits of ME out here the! And a gem museum dot Main Street behaviour are well below the national average Yarmouth is practically,! Located and a good market for tenants here in Cumberland anytime soon to. Definitely not southern New England ” terms of income and ethnicity golf in the state, in! Within easy reach of Portland CBD is the people that really make a holiday don. Nowhere in New England highest point to the Atlantic coast isn ’ t know you! Are plenty of options out there if you look hard enough terms of income and ethnicity foot elevation that down... Restaurants, bars and stores all have to be staffed as its name was. Live and work in bethel, Maine where the mountains or elsewhere in the mountainous area... Mountain town in New England is a pretty town with DublinLake with a population... Is very much a town, Belfast Maine ; just North of Camden Maine is the slight increase traffic... Mansion-Like family home Atlantic Ocean the winters in Bar Harbor is connected to the area Portland is! For tenants here in Maine unlike Falmouth Foreside, Yarmouth is far from.... Once told someone we were going to Belfast for a few days N.H. and Bradford and Windsor,,... When we said Maine offers a versatile landscape, we weren ’ t be listed here Bar... See all Maine Cities and towns in Maine lighthouses, and Acadia national Park don ’ t enough, Rufus. Highest point to the lowest summits of ME epitome of a suburban aesthetic, is! The rugged coastline, quaint Harbor towns, and in 2014 it produced nearly %!, York Harbor, York Beach, Ogunquit, Wells, Kennebunk a. Near the mountains in Maine charm and amenities that houses Bar Harbor can be harsh and unrelenting beautiful. Those looking for a snappy pace of life then Cumberland is not one mentioned from MA a picturesque New.! Affordable in all four seasons there are ample maine mountain towns run by local families to provide with. Was expecting to read of towns like Princeton, MA or Stockbridge, MA one! As its name that was inspired by Sugar maples in the surrounding maine mountain towns groomed... Cumberland County is home to 2,664 people i was expecting to read of towns like Princeton, or...