Farmington is a thriving community centered around a college campus
Farmington owes its name to the land’s uncommonly fertile soil, which paved the way for an early agricultural economy in southwestern Maine. The town transformed into a hub for mills and factories, and that prosperity led to Farmington’s becoming the seat of Franklin County. More than 230 years after its incorporation, historic brick facades line a central Main Street that anchors the college town. “It’s a wonderful little community and a really thriving town,” says Nicholas Dambrie, a broker and owner of Dambrie Garon Real Estate Advisors with Keller Williams, who adds that the University of Maine at Farmington campus is a significant draw. “The location of the town itself is quite nice, and it’s really gone through a nice revitalization.” Local, staple restaurants and an annual week-long fair also factor into why homebuyers are flocking to Farmington.
Ranch-style homes, Cape Cods and cabins in Farmington
Outside of downtown Farmington, homes are typically spaced farther apart. Some homes can date to the 1800s, and architectural styles primarily include ranch-style homes, Cape Cods, cabins and farmhouses. Dambrie says prices are rising as more residents move to the area. Single-family properties typically cost between $200,000 and $400,000, while manufactured homes are often priced between $60,000 and $200,000. “It’s still an affordable place to buy a home,” says John Blouin, an associate broker with LAER Realty Partners. “There is good value for what you’re buying in that area, and a wide distribution as far as year of manufacturing.”
Students are served by the Mt. Blue Regional School District
The Mt. Blue Regional School District serves the Farmington area and has a C-plus rating with Niche. The W.G. Mallett School gets a C and spans kindergarten through second grade, while the Cascade Brook School enrolls grades three through five and has a C-plus. Mt. Blue Middle School also earns a C-plus, while Mt. Blue High School garners a C rating. High schoolers can join school-sponsored clubs ranging from the robotics team to jazz band, and they can participate with athletic teams that include both alpine and Nordic skiing, lacrosse, and field hockey.
Skiers take to Maine hills in the winter
Residents can use the University of Maine Farmington Fitness & Recreation Center for aquatic, fitness and athletic activities. Bonney Woods and the Powder House Hill Trails offer a mile of walking paths in Farmington, while hikers can trek to Mosher Hill Falls in northern Farmington. Titcomb Mountain is the area’s most prominent spot, with a skiing hill where novices can take lessons and in-season.
The Prescott Field complex includes facilities for softball, soccer, field hockey and lacrosse. Sugarloaf Mountain is almost 40 miles north and offers more winter recreation. “There is swimming, hiking and snowmobiling all over that area,” Dambrie says, “and Farmington is close to some amazing skiing at Sugarloaf, which Maine residents go to and has really turned into a four-season resort.”
Restaurants dot Route 2 and downtown
Many chain and local restaurants in Farmington lie along Route 2. Diners can stop at Basil’s Pizza or head to The Outpost farther down for barbecue. Lotus Blossom serves Chinese food, while Ice Cream Shoppe scoops frozen treats. The Farmington Diner has a retro-style exterior and a variety of menu options. Downtown Farmington features the Homestead Kitchen and Bar, which serves burgers, tacos and drinks, and the Big Sky Grill, which offers outdoor dining. The Dugout Bar & Grill offers a sports-bar atmosphere, and the Downtown Press Café pours coffee. Origin USA has a factory store downtown. Grocery shoppers can replenish their pantries at a Hannaford or Walmart Supercenter along Route 2.
The Farmington Fair is a week-long area celebration
Each September, the Farmington Fair runs for an entire week. The nearly 200-year-old event offers dozens of activities and events from Sunday to Saturday, including ox pulls, a pageant and live music, as well as amusement rides and a demolition derby. “The Farmington Fair is a big draw to the area,” Blouin says. “They have a lot of exhibition halls where people come and bring their art. People travel from all over to come to it.”
From May to October, Main Street hosts the Farmington Farmers Market while the Farmington Winter Farmers Market takes its place from November to April. Throughout July, the community holds a “Find Waldo” scavenger hunt, which supports local businesses. Narrow Gauge Cinemas is located in downtown and shows new releases. “The movie theater is really cool,” Blouin says. “It has an outside drive-in in the spring and summer.”
Locals can drive to Augusta and Portland
U.S. Route 2 is the primary thoroughfare running through town. “Farmington to Portland or Augusta is an easy drive,” Dambrie says. “People do it all the time, but Farmington’s also got everything you need.” Augusta is less than 40 miles away, while Portland is about 90 miles south. Western Maine Transportation Services has bus stops on Main Street. Bangor International Airport sits more than 80 miles east. MaineHealth Franklin Hospital offers medical services less than 4 miles south of central Farmington.
