$491,531Average Value$388Average Price per Sq Ft18Homes For Sale
A serene, rural community in the southern Maine Lakes Region
Dense pine forests, rolling mountain views and sparkling, clear ponds create the landscape in Shapleigh, a rural neighborhood in southern Maine. “It’s a beautiful country town in the Lakes Region,” says Rikki Foglio, a Realtor with Real Estate 2000 Maine and New Hampshire, who has lived in Shapleigh for over two decades. “We have a couple thousand year-round residents, but you definitely see a jump in the population during the summer when people are here enjoying their lake houses.” Year-round residents know that they must drive between 10 and 50 miles to go shopping or go to work, but the scenic, tranquil lifestyle in Shapleigh makes up for it. Most of the homes have direct water access or deeded water frontage, allowing lakeside lounging and boating to fit into daily life. The low-key, secluded atmosphere contributes to the town's CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, which is the lowest possible score.
Residents fish near their lakeside home in Shapleigh.
Shapleigh has plenty of rural properties.
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Swimming, boating and fishing in Shapleigh
Water sports and lakeside activities are plentiful throughout Shapleigh, as the neighborhood has Mousam Lake and several freshwater ponds. Mousam Lake is over 900 acres and stretches between Acton and Shapleigh. Boats, jet skis and kayakers frequently cruise around the lake, and fishermen cast lines to catch largemouth bass, trout and yellow perch. In the summer, residents wade into the fresh water at The Foot, a sandy beach at the southern tip of Mousam Lake. The smaller bodies of water, like Goose Pond, Square Pond and Granny Kent Pond, are also popular spots for fishing and boating, with residents frequenting the ponds nearest to their homes. Hikers may head to Williams Town Park to stroll across open farmland, through forests and by a couple of small ponds framed by cattails; trails end with sweeping views of the Appalachian Mountains in the distance. Kids can play catch at Shapleigh Baseball Field, while younger siblings can play on the small playground adjacent to the ball field. There are also soccer fields and a basketball court for pickup games nearby.
Enjoy a hike at Williams Town Park in Shapleigh
The Foot on Lake Mousam is a popular beach spot in Shapleigh.
Boating is a popular pastime In Shapleigh.
There is plenty of fun and enjoyment to be had on the lakes in Shapleigh.
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Cape Cods on multiple acres and waterfront properties
Though the area is known for its waterfront homes, houses can also be found on the quiet country roads that meander through the forests in the rest of Shapleigh. These Cape Cods and ranch styles from the late 1900s and early 2000s often sit on at least an acre of land. Depending on acreage and home size, these cost between $250,000 and $500,000. Smaller waterways, like Goose Pond and Granny Kent Pond, have cheaper waterfront homes. Here, bungalows and log cabins built in the mid-20th century with waterfrontage are priced between $300,000 and $475,000. Waterfront properties with private docks located on Square Pond and Mousam Lake tend to be more expensive. Shingled homes built in the late 20th and early 21st centuries are often priced between $700,000 and $1.2 million, though newly built contemporary lake houses with large windows can cost as much as $1.8 million. Since some homes are very near the water, Risk Factor says they have a major risk of flooding.
A Lakeside Home Along the Shoreline of Mousam Lake in Shapleigh, Maine.
A Beautiful Lakeside Home on Mousam Lake in Shapleigh, Maine
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Community gatherings on and off the water
Community members may pay $50 annual dues to join the Mousam Lake Region Association, a non-profit dedicated to protecting the local watershed. Volunteers from the association work to address issues like removing invasive plant species from Mousam Lake and Goose Pond, and the association organizes summer events. During the July 4th boat parade, boaters decorate their watercraft and cruise around Mousam Lake as residents wave to them from the shore. Young anglers compete in the annual kids’ fishing derby, which is in July. The town-sponsored Shapleigh Community Days are also held during the fourth weekend of July at the Shapleigh Commons by the town hall. The festivities begin with food trucks and live music on Friday night, and on Saturday, there’s a parade, face painting, petting zoo and booths selling locally made artwork and snacks. For more frequent events, the Shapleigh Community Library hosts board game nights, kids’ story and craft hours, and adult craft nights.
Local restaurants and small businesses in Shapleigh
While there are plenty of outdoor spaces, there aren’t many businesses in the neighborhood. To the north, Boonies is a rustic country store and gas station that supplies household essentials and snacks. “Shapleigh really only has one major restaurant, which is Local 130,” Foglio says. “But they’re only open for breakfast and lunch.” Local 130 Restaurant and Bar is across the street from the Lower Mousam Boat Launch, so fishermen may grab a breakfast sandwich and coffee before heading out on the water. The restaurant also has a comfortable wooden dining area and a small retail corner that stocks fresh meat, freezer meals and locally made soap and candles. Nearby, there are outdoor supply stores like Beadle’s Bait and Tackle and Lakeside Sport and Marine, where fishermen stock up on bait and fishing gear. One Earth Natural Food Store is a locally owned market that stocks natural soap, bulk dry goods, organic honey and essential oils; it also has a yoga studio that offers drop-in classes. Acton, 3 miles west, hosts Willy’s Ale Room Restaurant and Bar, an elevated American restaurant offering wings with over 30 house-made sauces, fried seafood baskets and pints of craft beer. The nearest supermarket is Hannaford in Sanford, located about 8 miles southeast. Sanford has some locally owned boutiques and a Walmart Supercenter, but people will drive further for retail shopping sprees. “The outlet shops at Kittery, Freeport and North Conway are all about an hour away,” Foglio says. “And an hour doesn’t feel like a lot when you’re used to commuting for work.”
Local residents enjoy the day in Shapleigh.
Get wholesome groceries at One Earth Natural Foods in Shapleigh.
Willy's Ale Room is a popular bar and restaurant near Shapleigh.
Hannaford is the main grocery store near Shapleigh.
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Vocational courses for Massabesic High students
Kids can begin at the neighborhood’s elementary school, Shapleigh Memorial School, which has a B-minus rating from Niche. Students can progress to Massabesic Middle School and then to Massabesic High School, which have C-plus and C-minus ratings, respectively. High school students may enroll in vocational courses through Sanford Regional Technical Center to begin studying business, computer systems, automotive technology and automotive collision repair.
Massabesic Middle School serves students in grades 6-8.
Photo of the Shapleigh Memorial School Sign in Shapleigh, Maine
Welcome to Massabesic High School in Waterboro, ME.
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State highways take residents to Sanford and Portland
Shapleigh’s rural setting makes for a car-centric lifestyle. “It’s country roads, so it’s pretty doable driving, though you do have to watch out for deer at night,” Foglio says. “We’re about 40 minutes away from the beach and an hour from Portland.” Rural roads link with State Route 11, which residents use to travel south to Stanford, which has big box stores and the MaineHealth Sanford hospital. Commuters also use the route to drive toward larger cities located east. They connect to State Route 111 and then Interstate 95 to drive 42 miles northeast to Portland, the most populated city in Maine.
Stare Route 11 runs through Shapleigh.
Photo of the Welcome to Shapleigh Sign in Shapleigh, Maine
GreatSchools:
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There's next to no job opportunities in Shapleigh. We're a residential community and most of us go to Sanford or other nearby towns for groceries and essential services because there just aren't many of them here. A lot of folks work at the elementary school, but most drive to another town for their work.
5.0Niche User
5/28/2015Niche Review
It's mostly seniors that live around here, so we don't have any troublemakers. I feel totally safe walking alone outside. I'm much more worried about stumbling upon a skunk or a black bear than a burglar. The Sheriff's Dept. has difficulty maintaining any visibility in such a rural area. They don't respond much to noise complaints and the like, but they're reliable if we ever needed them.
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Shapleigh Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Shapleigh, Alfred sell after 40 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Shapleigh, Alfred over the last 12 months is $369,500, down 15% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Welcome to the Pine Springs community! This 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath year-round home has 80' direct waterfront on Pine Springs Lake. Imagine sitting on your deck or covered screened-in patio viewing the lake and wildlife. The first floor features a sitting room, kitchen, living room, bedroom, and a full bath with laundry. The daylight basement offers an entertaining space, a bedroom, a 3/4 bath and
Cottage style home with two lots and 43 feet of frontage on Shapleigh Pond. Property features two bedrooms, living room with pellet stove, kitchen, entry way with washer and full bath and a bonus utility room. A front porch from living room adds to the available space. Property also has a large attic area for storage. There is a dock and views of the pond from the property, Pellets are stored in
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
