Peaceful lots with plenty of space near Yarmouth and Cumberland
North Yarmouth has long been defined by its sprawling fields and spacious, peaceful atmosphere, which contrasts with the more bustling town of Yarmouth directly south of the neighborhood. "North Yarmouth and Yarmouth split way back when Maine became a state and separated from Massachusetts," says Alexa Oestreicher, a broker with Sotheby's International Realty who has lived in Yarmouth for most of her life. "They divided because of industry. Yarmouth had shipbuilding and paper factories, and North Yarmouth was all agricultural." Dairy farms, pine tree farms and apple orchards are still mixed in with classic New England homes in the rural North Yarmouth. Community members enjoy an outdoorsy lifestyle as they fish in the Royal River, hike around parks like Knight's Pond Preserve and golf at Toddy Brook Golf Course. However, residents are still under 5 miles from Yarmouth's vibrant Main Street, where they can go out to eat or shop for groceries.
Hiking, kayaking and golfing in North Yarmouth
Pratt’s Brook Park's 6-mile network of trails takes hikers through dense woods, grassy meadows and clear streams. After snowstorms, locals will strap on snowshoes or cross-country skis to explore the frosty landscape. When it's less snowy, residents play on the park's nine-hole disc golf course. People also frequent the walking trails at Old Town House Park, which follow the Royal River and meander through freshwater wetlands. Kayakers can launch down the river from the park as well. “The Royal River is a very calm, flat river, so it’s easy to grab a paddle board and jump on the water,” Oestreicher says. “You’re almost guaranteed to see osprey, eagles and great blue herons catching fish. We’re very immersed in wildlife here, so you’ll see deer, turkeys and foxes around a lot." For golfers, the local green is Toddy Brook Golf Course, an 18-hole course with rolling hills and 150-foot drops in elevation. Of the courses north of Portland, Toddy Brook claims to be among the first to open and last to close for the golfing season.
Large Colonial Revivals and barn-style garages
Spacious, single-family homes sit along forested, curving roads. Though less populated than Yarmouth, there's more development than in adjacent rural areas like Pownal; instead of farmhouses and fields of grazing cattle, North Yarmouth tends to have large Cape Cods with barn-inspired garages. Smaller capes from the 1980s cost around $300,000, while larger properties start around $600,000. Homebuyers can find Colonial Revivals from the late 1990s priced between $700,000 and $800,000.
Career preparation begins at Greely High
Students are zoned to the MSAD 51 school district, which has an overall A-minus rating from Niche. "North Yarmouth and Cumberland share a school district, so those communities are very integrated as well," Oestreicher says. Children can begin at Mabel I. Wilson School, which serves prekindergarten through third grade and has an A-minus rating from Niche. Greely Middle School also scores an A-minus and serves students in grades four through eight, though elementary-aged students attend a separate section of the campus. Older students can progress to Greely High School, which also earns an A-minus rating and offers electives like robotic programming, video game development and video production. Students in 11th and 12th grade have the option to apply to the Portland Arts and Technology High School for career-learning programs like culinary arts, carpentry and welding.
Scandinavian-inspired sandwiches and spirits at Trudy Bird’s
Though there are more options in nearby towns, residents can go to local Scandinavian-inspired eatery Trudy Bird's Ølbar for open-faced sandwiches and aquavit, an ancient Scandinavian spirit. Residents can stop by Toot’s Ice Cream, a family-owned creamery. Prince Well Farm breeds goats and rabbits and operates a year-round farmstand. During the holiday season, the farm sells wreaths, and Hanscome’s Christmas Tree Farm allows patrons to pick out and chop down their own trees. People head 3 miles south to Yarmouth or 6 miles southwest to Cumberland to shop. Regional supermarket Hannaford stocks groceries and everyday essentials, and Rosemont Market and Bakery sources most of its meat and produce from Maine farmers. There are small businesses in downtown Yarmouth as well, like Royal River Books and Jenny Park, a clothing store. For many more retailers, locals can drive 12 miles to the Freeport Village Station outlet shops.
15 miles to Portland and 20 to employers in Brunswick
North Yarmouth is car-dependent. State highways wind through the neighborhood and link to Interstate 95 to the east and Interstate 295 to the south. I-295 takes residents to Portland 15 miles south. The town of Brunswick, where many major employers are located, is a 20-mile drive on the same highway.
Holiday lights in Cumberland and community activities in Yarmouth
Residents can head to Cumberland in September for the annual county fair, which features carnival games, rides and snacks. In November and December, the Maine Celebration of Lights has tunnels of twinkling holiday lights. For recurring events, Yarmouth’s Merrill Memorial Library hosts book discussions, a nature journaling group and a Lego club.
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Danica Neddenien
