Farmingdale is a commuter-friendly town with a slower pace of life
In central Maine, Farmingdale is a small town of just under 3,000 people. Its homes sit between the Kennebec River and stretches of rural backland, allowing residents to settle down in a quiet community near Augusta. “Farmingdale is a vibrant residential community where people primarily work in other cities,” says John Blouin, a Realtor with LAER Realty Partners who sells homes throughout Kennebec County. “Whereas the neighboring towns have a lot of businesses and facilities, this is a community of people who live very close to all those places and the city of Augusta.” With a mix of rural and suburban streetscapes, Farmingdale offers a slower pace of life without sacrificing access to shopping, dining and entertainment in nearby cities.
From classic homes on suburban streets to quiet roads with rural charm
Near the riverfront, residential streets feature a mix of traditional Cape Cod, New Englander, and ranch-style homes. This area has a suburban feel, with properties typically within view of one another on smaller lots. Farther from the water, development thins out along quiet country roads. Raised ranch, ranch-style, Colonial Revival and farmhouse-style builds are the norm in this part of town, and they typically sit on larger parcels of up to several acres. Prices for single-family homes generally fall between $220,000 and $400,000, and properties sell after an average of just over a month on the market. The town also has mobile home parks where prices range from $100,000 to $120,000. Farmingdale’s overall CAP Index Crime Score is 3 out of 10, less than the national average of 4.
Students can attend Hall-Dale schools within Regional School Unit 2
Residents live in Regional School Unit 2, which earns an overall grade of C-plus from Niche and boasts a lower-than-average student-to-teacher ratio of 11-to-1. Hall-Dale Elementary School receives a B, while Hall-Dale Middle & High School earns a C-plus. The high school partners with Thomas College to offer dual enrollment courses on-site, allowing students to earn both high school and college credit simultaneously without leaving campus.
Riverfront recreation, hiking trails and ice fishing in snowy winters
Farmingdale offers access to the Kennebec River Rail Trail, a nearly 7-mile paved path between Augusta and Gardiner that’s popular for walking, running, and biking along the water. Residents can follow it just over a mile south to Gardiner’s Waterfront Park, which features a public boat launch and hosts a free summer concert series.
A trailhead behind Hall-Dale Middle & High School connects locals to the Vaughan Woods & Historic Homestead, a conservation easement with about 3 miles of shaded nature trails. On the town’s western edge, conservation lands include Jamies Pond, where activities range from hiking and paddle boating in summer to cross-country skiing and ice fishing in winter. Colder months bring an average annual snowfall of just under five feet.
Few shops and restaurants in town, with more in Hallowell and Gardiner
The U.S. Route 201 corridor runs parallel to the Kennebec River. It features a handful of hardware shops, convenience stores and hair salons. Dining options on the highway include casual spots like Cappza’s Pizza and Frye House, known for its fried chicken and seafood baskets. Hi-Hat Pancake House & Drive-In serves homestyle breakfasts from open to close, and Fat Toad’s Pub offers a cozy neighborhood hangout with classic bar food. A few houses of worship serve the community, including Farmingdale Seventh-day Adventist Church and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For more shopping and dining, residents can head to the New England-style downtowns of nearby Hallowell and Gardiner. “They have the theater, the arts and the restaurants,” Blouin says. For groceries, Hannaford is just a mile away in Gardiner.
Commuters can access major highways near the state capital of Augusta
Farmingdale has few sidewalks and no public transportation, making it a heavily car-dependent area. U.S. Route 201 connects commuters to Augusta, about 6 miles north, though its riverfront location makes it prone to flooding during heavy rainfall. The state capital is home to the Alfond Center for Health and the Augusta State Airport, where Cape Air offers direct flights to Boston. The Maine Turnpike runs through Farmingdale, placing residents roughly 50 miles from Portland and the Portland International Jetport.
Written By
Sally Stimpson
