$1,085,381Average Value$547Average Price per Sq Ft5Homes For Sale
Between a salt marsh and the Atlantic Ocean
Flanked by an expanse of salt marsh and the Atlantic Ocean, Hills Beach is a relaxed seaside neighborhood comfortably removed from the chaos associated with popular beach towns in Maine. This quiet cove is located at the end of a dead-end street past the University of New England’s Biddeford campus. Most of the residents have been settled here for a long time, and the seasonal crowd tends to rent houses to college students during the school year. The beaches do not have significant public access, so it’s likely that the only other people residents will see sunning in the sand or enjoying the sound of the waves from the porches are their neighbors. Despite being just minutes away from downtown Biddeford, Hills Beach is a well-removed beachside hideaway.
The shoreline at Hills Beach
The namesake Hills Beach has limited public access and parking, so residents will likely have the shore all to themselves. While Maine is famous for its rocky coastline, that is not the case here. “We have a sandy beach right out front,” says Chris Cronkhite, owner of Sea Breeze Real Estate and life-long area resident. This sandbar runs 500 yards along the Atlantic Ocean, and locals can frequently be seen taking kayaking excursions out to the nearby islands. “Homeowners can actually drive to Basket Island,” Cronkhite continues. “As kids, we used to walk out there at low tide. We’d go around to Stage Island and Wood Island and loop back, all on the sandbars.” Basket Island is a secluded residential enclave, while Stage Island promises a hike to a historic monument and Wood Island features a lighthouse rumored to be haunted.
Homes in Hills Beach
While the Cape Cods and Victorian cottages expected of a New England coastal town still reign supreme, some new construction has begun in Hills Beach. “We’ve been a little behind on the trend, but the rebuilds are starting to go up,” Cronkhite says. “There are still cottages around, though. We’ve got a good mix.” Waterfront property is easier to come by here, as several houses look out on Back Bay rather than on the expanse of the Atlantic. A two-bedroom cottage on the bay, built in 1973, begins around $920,000, while a three-bedroom contemporary Saltbox on the ocean, built in 1997, prices around $1.5 million.
The Five Acre Farm Stand and Wolff Lobster
There are no grocery stores directly in Hills Beach. “People have to go to Biddeford for grocery shopping,” Cronkhite says. The closest supermarket is Hannaford, 5.5 miles away on Elm Street. Three miles further west on Alfred Road, residents will find Target, Home Depot and PetSmart. As expected of a beachfront community, there are plenty of low-key local options as well. “Five Acre Farm Stand is 5 miles away, and everybody loves that,” Cronkhite adds. “They have fresh pie and baked goods. It all works on an honor system – you just leave the money on the counter and take what you pay for. And there’s Wolff Lobster right next door. That’s where we all go to get our lobster, clams, all that stuff you expect from Maine in the summer.” Wolff Lobster is seasonal, but residents can get their seafood fix year-round at Fish & Whistle in Biddeford.
A haunted Atlantic lighthouse
The Wood Island Lighthouse is one of only two island lighthouses in Maine that is open to the public for tours. “We take boat tours out across Winter Harbor,” Cronkhite says. “The lighthouse is supposed to be haunted.” When not in the mood to board a boat full of tourists, locals can head to Sacred Profane Brewery and Tankpub in Biddeford for standup comedy nights.
Biddeford Public Schools
Children in Hills Beach are zoned for Biddeford Public Schools, which is made up of five schools that all children attend. They begin at the John F. Kennedy Memorial School for kindergarten, which Niche rates a B. For first and second grades, they attend Biddeford Primary School, which earns a C-plus. For third and fourth grades they move to Biddeford Intermediate School, which scores a C. Students then head to C-rated Biddeford Middle School for fifth through eighth grades, and finally to Biddeford High School, which also earns a C.
From Hills Beach to the world
Hills Beach Road is a dead-end street leading straight to the shoreline. Route 208 is the main thoroughfare, connecting residents to downtown Biddeford and Saco 5 miles away. Portland International Jetport is 20 miles north, accessible from Interstate 95.
University of New England
Hills Beach neighbors the University of New England Biddeford Campus, the largest private university in Maine. “They’re a big deal,” Cronkhite says. “They host a speaker series that brings some interesting people to town.” Students will occasionally rent houses in the neighborhood as an alternative to campus housing during the school year.
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On average, homes in Hills Beach, Biddeford sell after 34 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Hills Beach, Biddeford over the last 12 months is $800,000, down 24% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
A rare offering along Maine's treasured southern coast, 22 Channel Cove Lane is a refined waterfront sanctuary perched at the edge of Biddeford Pool's most coveted enclave. Meticulously maintained by its original owners, this custom residence was designed to honor its setting - framing unobstructed views of the tidal channel, ocean horizon, and undisturbed marshland: a convergence of light, land,
Experience the serenity of Hills Beach from this extraordinary coastal retreat, perfectly positioned to capture breathtaking views in every direction. From the front, take in the ever-changing beauty of the marshlands, alive with wildlife and framed by vibrant sunsets. From the ocean side, enjoy sweeping panoramas of Saco Bay, the marina, and picturesque Wood Island Lighthouse.This home
Tucked away on 2.1 private acres, this property offers a peaceful escape surrounded by nature—just minutes from Biddeford and the Southern Maine coast. The single-level home features an open layout with a dramatic stone hearth and gas fireplace, a wraparound deck, and a full daylight walkout basement for future expansion. Two bedrooms sit on the south side, while a 4-season sunroom leads
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