Jay draws residents seeking space and affordability
A small downtown gives way to the Maine wilderness in Jay, a former mill town along the Androscoggin River. Its Main Street, part of state Route 4, is the central artery just a short drive up the river from Livermore Falls, where locals can head to dine out or shop. “The downtown is great,” says Aaron Kollmeyer, an associate broker with Coldwell Banker Realty. “There are a lot of different retail buildings, restaurants, grocery stores and just a lot of amenities in downtown Jay. People living there are close to everything and you don’t have to go that far.”
Rising property prices in southern Maine have led to towns like Jay drawing more homebuyers. “The biggest reason people are moving up to these areas are to get away from the hustle and bustle of wherever they’re coming from, but you can still get a decent house for a decent price,” says Aaren James, an associate broker with Fontaine Family – The Real Estate Leader. Jobs are a draw, as well; though the area’s two most prominent modern-day mills closed after the turn of the 21st century, the Jay Quarry and employer Polycor have continued a legacy of white granite production for nearly 150 years.
Homebuyers can find acreage in southwestern Maine
Jay offers architectural variety and space between properties to homebuyers. “People are looking for a little bit of land up there,” Kollmeyer says. “There are a lot of little neighborhoods that have been around for a long time that are right off the main route.” Housing styles include ranch-style homes, Cape Cods and farmhouses, many of which were built in the latter half of the 20th century. Single-family homes typically cost between $180,000 and $300,000, while larger lots can cost $400,000 or more. Multi-family homes often sell for between $200,000 and $300,000. Manufactured homes can range from $80,000 to $200,000. “Single-wides on a couple acres move quicker around there,” Kollmeyer says. “Anything under $200,000 gets a lot of action.” The median sale price in Jay is about $240,000, which is higher than the nearby Livermore Falls, but lower than Farmington or Augusta.
Jay students can attend a four-school district
Regional School Unit No. 73 earns a C-minus from Niche and serves the Jay area. Spruce Mountain Primary School enrolls kindergarten through second grade and has yet to receive a rating. Spruce Mountain Elementary School spans grades three through five and gets a C-minus, while Spruce Mountain Middle School earns a C-plus. Spruce Mountain High School receives a C and offers sports like golf, water polo and cross country to students.
Getting outdoors at Jay rec areas or ski resorts
Jay Recreation Area is one of the central green spaces in the community and has several trails. French Falls Recreation Area sits along the Androscoggin and also offers trails, along with a baseball field. The Androscoggin River is popular for paddling canoes and kayaks. To the north, Wilson Lake has a beach and accommodates boating, swimming and fishing. Bass Park sits on the south end of the lake and has a playground and merry-go-round.
Spruce Mountain Ski Slope is just across the Androscoggin. Other destinations, like Mt. Abram Ski Area & Bike Park or Sugarloaf, are over 40 miles away. “You’re going west for recreation,” Kollmeyer says. “Sugarloaf and Sunday River Resort are big ski areas, and a lot of vacationers like heading up to Rangeley Lake.”
The Apple Pumpkin Festival rings in the fall season
On the final Saturday of each September, the Apple Pumpkin Festival celebrates autumn in Livermore Falls with live music, activities and food and art vendors. Maine’s Paper & Heritage Museum works to preserve and display the region’s past in Livermore Falls.
Local restaurants sit close by in Livermore Falls
Backwoods Eatery serves up smoked meats, while La Fleur Restaurant offers seafood and New Wah Garden has Chinese fare. “There are a couple interesting restaurants,” Kollmeyer says. “If you live off the main route, everything is within five minutes; that’s ideal, especially for being southern Maine. You could ride a bike around if weather permits.” Many residents head down Route 4 into Livermore Falls for more options, where establishments like Berry Fruit Farm stocks freshly-baked goods. The family-owned Stevie J’s has a combination of Mexican and American food, offering burgers alongside tacos, and the Chuck Wagon Restaurant has comfort classics. A Hannaford in Jay and Food City in Livermore Falls fulfill grocery needs.
Residents need to drive to reach major Maine cities
There are limited public transit options in Jay, so locals rely on personal vehicles to get around. “People take Route 4 through Livermore Falls, which then eventually gets you to Interstate 95,” Kollmeyer says, adding that commuters likely head to Livermore Falls or Farmington. Augusta is around 30 miles east. Interstate 95 is accessible about 35 miles south, linking the area with Portland over 60 miles in the same direction. Western Maine Transportation Services has a bus stop in Jay Plaza. MaineHealth Franklin Hospital provides medical care 11 miles north. Air travelers must drive about 70 miles to Portland International Jetport.
