Top counties to retire in Maine
Both real estate buyers and sellers—when queried about the three most significant factors regarding a property—tend to answer “location, location, location.” Although sometimes this response is delivered humorously, it often holds true, especially for retirees more than any other group. Choosing a place to settle down after years of employment and possibly raising children necessitates finding the ideal location: a place where you can relish life with minimal worries.
When individuals aged 65 and older contemplate where to enjoy their retirement years, they assess particular elements like the cost of living, government services, healthcare facilities, climate conditions, crime statistics, leisure activities, dining options, cultural events, and more.
Stacker created a compilation of the most favorable counties for retirement in Maine by utilizing information from Niche. Niche evaluates counties on various criteria including living expenses, healthcare quality, recreational options, and climate. To learn more about Niche’s evaluation process click here.
The choice of location is vital as retirees delve into where to spend their senior years indulging in preferred activities; however, this is an exceedingly personalized decision influenced by a variety of likes and necessities. Whether an area boasts lively urban centers or access to parks, affordable housing options or features like museums, retirees looking to establish roots are bound to discover a cozy haven in any of these counties highlighted by Niche since, ultimately, there’s no place like home—regardless of the setting.
Continue reading to uncover the top counties for retirement in Maine.
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#14. Penobscot County
– Niche evaluations: suitable for retirees (B), living expenses (B+), climate (D), recreational activities (B+)
– Leading locations to reside: Orono (A), Hampden (A), Veazie (A)
#13. Oxford County
– Niche evaluations: suitable for retirees (B), living expenses (B+), climate (C-), recreational activities (A)
– Leading locations to reside: Norway (B-), Mexico (C+), Rumford (C+)
#12. Aroostook County
– Niche evaluations: suitable for retirees (B), living expenses (A-), climate (D), recreational activities (B)
– Leading locations to reside: Houlton (B), Presque Isle (B), Mapleton (B)
#11. Kennebec County
– Niche evaluations: suitable for retirees (B+), living expenses (B+), climate (C-), recreational activities (A)
– Leading locations to reside: Hallowell (A-), Manchester (A-), Oakland (B)
#10. Cumberland County
– Niche evaluations: suitable for retirees (B+), living expenses (C+), climate (C-), recreational activities (A)
– Leading locations to reside: Cape Elizabeth (A+), Yarmouth (A+), West End (A+)
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#9. York County
– Niche evaluations: suitable for retirees (B+), living expenses (B-), climate (C-), recreational activities (A)
– Leading locations to reside: Kennebunkport (A), Kennebunk (A), Kittery (A-)
#8. Franklin County
– Niche evaluations: suitable for retirees (B+), living expenses (A-), climate (D-), recreational activities (B+)
– Leading locations to reside: Farmington (A-), Jay (B-), Chisholm (C+)
#7. Piscataquis County
– Niche evaluations: suitable for retirees (A-), living expenses (A-), climate (D), recreational activities (B)
– Leading locations to reside: Dover-Foxcroft (B), Greenville (B-), Sebec (B-)
#6. Washington County
– Niche evaluations: suitable for retirees (A-), living expenses (A-), climate (D+), recreational activities (B-)
– Leading locations to reside: Calais (B-), Milbridge (B+), Passamaquoddy Pleasant Point Reservation (B+)
#5. Waldo County
– Niche evaluations: suitable for retirees (A-), living expenses (B), climate (C-), recreational activities (A-)
– Leading locations to reside: Belfast (A-), Islesboro (A-), Lincolnville (A-)
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#4. Sagadahoc County
– Niche evaluations: suitable for retirees (A-), living expenses (B), climate (C-), recreational activities (A)
– Leading locations to reside: Topsham (A), West Bath (A-), Phippsburg (A-)
#3. Knox County
– Niche evaluations: suitable for retirees (A), living expenses (B-), climate (C), recreational activities (A-)
– Leading locations to reside: Rockport (A), Camden (A), Rockland (B-)
#2. Hancock County
– Niche evaluations: suitable for retirees (A), living expenses (B), climate (D+), recreational activities (A)
– Leading locations to reside: Bar Harbor (A), Ellsworth (B), Surry (B)
#1. Lincoln County
– Niche evaluations: suitable for retirees (A), living expenses (B), climate (C-), recreational activities (A)
– Leading locations to reside: Newcastle (A), Damariscotta (A-), Boothbay Harbor (A-)
