$609,899Average Value$440Average Price per Sq Ft17Homes For Sale
Acton is a rural town in southern Maine’s lake region
Deep in the southern Maine countryside is the town of Acton, a serene rural enclave in a region defined by its prominent nature preserves and lakes. Balsam fir, cedar and maple trees line the local streets to create a dense canopy and silent atmosphere, which is occasionally interrupted by birdsong and the sound of rushing water. Rustic homes here sit on large plots of land and are often situated deep in wooded areas, giving residents a sense of privacy. The town’s main road, Route 109, travels through the community and connects to a series of winding backroads before eventually leading to the nearby town of Wakefield, NH, roughly 8 miles away. “Acton’s location on the Maine/New Hampshire border offers great commutes via Route 16,” says Tammy Baker, a local broker and Realtor with Lakes Region Realty. Route 109 feeds into Route 16 in Wakefield and then runs down to Rochester. Acton has an overall CAP Index crime score of 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4. “It is truly a charming town,” Baker says. “Lots of very friendly folks willing to help their neighbors.”
Overhead view of Acton reveals its rural charm and forested setting.
Acton residents enjoy ice cream cones at Wicky Ralph’s after a round of mini golf.
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Mix of historic farms, log cabins and newer country homes
“Due to lake living, there are a lot of large homes and log cabins,” Baker says. “There is also a 55-plus rural subdivision and some newer subdivisions, which are also ‘rural’ in nature and attract a lot of folks. There are a lot of farms characteristic of the late 1700s and 1800s which offer that type of historic charm.” Wooden Cape Cod dwellings and bungalows are scattered throughout the area, as are homes with Colonial-influenced architectural styles. Split-levels and ranch styles are also common here. Home prices in Acton vary greatly, but single-family homes generally sell between $350,000 and $600,000, although many waterfront residences can cost upward of $900,000. Baker also notes that there are several rustic camping areas and large parcels of land for sale in and around the town.
Historic colonial architecture is a familiar sight in Acton, Maine.
Lakeside homes dot the shoreline of Mousam Lake in Acton.
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Acton students attend local K–8 school and Sanford High
Acton School Department oversees the town’s Acton School, where students in kindergarten through eighth grade attend elementary and middle school; the Acton School receives an overall B-plus rating from Niche. For grades nine through 12, students head to the C-plus-rated Sanford High School overseen by the Sanford School Department. Attached to the high school is the Sanford Regional Technical Center (SRTC), which offers career and technical education resources to secondary learners throughout the larger region. SRTC features more than 20 different programs that fall into four different industry categories: Arts & Communication, Business & Marketing, Health & Human Services and Science & Technology.
Students enter Sanford High through its modern brick-and-glass facade.
Acton Elementary School campus supports education and community life in rural Maine.
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Lakes, trails and campgrounds offer year-round outdoor fun
“The outdoor enthusiast has much to do,” Baker says, listing “hiking, biking, any water activity such as water skiing, fishing, ice fishing and snowmobiling,” to name a few. “Acton has seven great bodies of water that offer season-long activities,” she says. Mousam Lake, Square Pond, Wilson Lake, Horn Pond, Great East Lake, Loon Pond and Lovell Lake make up the seven waterfront sites that the town has proximity to. The Three Rivers Land Trust oversees much of the major hiking areas in and around Acton, including Goat Hill and the Goat Hill Trail. In total, the land trust is in charge of approximately 2,000 acres of natural land between Acton and the neighboring town of Shapleigh. There are several campgrounds throughout the town, including Pine Ridge Campground just off H Road and the Apple Valley RV Campground near Mousam Lake. In the summertime, locals can pick the berries right off the vine at Blueberry Hill Farm.
Jet skiers cruise across the lake in Acton, Maine, on a warm summer afternoon.
The rocky path to Goat Hill summit offers a popular hike in rural Acton.
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Boutique shops and general stores offer basic conveniences
Despite its rural setting, Acton is still home to a handful of local dining spots and boutique retail stores. “We have a couple of restaurants with great food and entertainment,” Baker says, adding that there’s also a small market near town called Ira Miller’s General Store where residents can purchase basic groceries and household necessities. Willy’s Ale Room serves pizza, wings and draft beers in a rustic pub setting decorated with whiskey barrels and license plates nailed to the ceiling and walls. Down the road is Iron Tails Saloon, a biker-friendly bar and grill where patrons can enjoy live music. “The border town of Wakefield offers even more restaurants, food markets and a hardware store,” Baker says. “We also have Sanford a few minutes away with a Hannaford, Shaw, Walmart and Lowes.”
Ira Miller’s General Store provides convenience and community near Acton.
Acton locals gather at Iron Tails Saloon for drinks, live music, and good company.
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Celebrating the annual Acton Fair
Every summer, the community comes together to celebrate the Acton Fair. The annual carnival, known as the first “Worlds Fair” when it originally launched in 1868, takes place on the last weekend of August. Today, the event is a classic country fair with livestock, horse shows, musical performances and plenty of food. At the center of town is the Acton Public Library, which offers a weekly StoryHour every Wednesday morning during the school year and sees a host of writing workshops, seminars and literary programs.
Photography Contributed By
Jeff Tippett
Video By
Shannon Hopkins
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Acton, ME sell after 51 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Acton, ME over the last 12 months is $537,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
LAKEFRONT RETREAT! Enjoy breathtaking sunset views over Loon Pond from your very own 100 feet of level, private waterfront. Set on a beautifully manicured .35-acre lot, this 2-bedroom, 1-bath updated cottage offers year-round comfort and relaxation.Originally built in 1948, this home was thoughtfully transformed in 2001 into a modern retreat with all the essentials: full concrete basement
Charming 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home set on 2.1 acres in a peaceful rural setting, just minutes from Mousam Lake and Loon Pond. Enjoy summer fun in the above-ground pool and plenty of space for outdoor activities. The updated kitchen features stainless steel appliances, perfect for cooking and entertaining. Additional highlights include a shed for storage, generator hook-up for peace of mind, and a
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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