Just 20 miles south of downtown Portland lies Old Orchard Beach, a coastal town known for its busy summers. While many associate it with amusement parks, fried dough and sandy beaches, the residential area becomes much quieter during the colder months. “Old Orchard Beach is a small-town community that gets a little bigger in the summer, but then we shrink right back to being quiet in the winter,” says Julie Lemieux, a local broker with Old Orchard Beach Realty. "People think it's run down and that it's just bars. It's still kind of a hidden gem because not everybody knows that it's so great; it's kind of a nice little secret."
Get your swing on at The Nonesuch River Golf Club in West Scarborough.
Palace Playland bring Old Orchard Beach alive during the summer months.
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Old Orchard Beach attractions and parks
Old Orchard Beach is a popular summertime destination, stretching more than 4 miles along the coast. Lemieux says that compared to other beachfront communities like Kennebunkport and Ogunquit, Old Orchard Beach is a bit more down-to-earth, relaxed and family-friendly with gentle waves that lap the shore. Sports enthusiasts can head to Veteran’s Memorial Park near the center of town, where they can play on one of the sports fields or let the dog out at the K9 Veteran’s Memorial Dog Park. Palace Playland, the only beachfront amusement park in New England, is open from May to early September and includes nearly 30 different rides and attractions.
Old Orchard Beach is a lively bayfront community in Maine.
The Pier in Old Orchard Beach offers a steakhouse with beautiful views.
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Cape Cods and waterfront New Englander-style homes
As of January 2025, the median housing price in Old Orchard Beach was around $525,000, which is just a little higher than the U.S. median housing price at that time. Options for homebuyers include recently constructed condos closer to the interstate and modest Cape Cods and Craftsman-style homes closer to downtown. Some more expensive residences fetching over $1 million can be found along the waterfront and come with scenic views and proximity to downtown. According to Lemieux, once a home gets listed in Old Orchard Beach, anything that’s priced right goes under contract right away.
There are a variety of home styles in West Scarborough
Classic two-story homes are nestled amongst the West Scarborough neighborhoods.
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Seasonal stores and nearby shopping
Some of the area's dining options, like the high-end Joseph’s by the Sea and Beach Bagels Café, are open year-round. Locals can also easily get to bigger dining and entertainment districts like downtown Saco and Portland in a matter of minutes. Lemieux notes that this is often what people usually do during the community's off-season. There are shopping options close to downtown, like Landry's Shop 'n Save, as well as larger chains, such as Hannaford, closer to the highway.
Dunstan Tap and Table is the place for great food and great people in West Scarborough.
Ken's Place is a wildly popular seafood spot near West Scarborough.
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Students served by Old Orchard Beach Schools
There are three main public schools in the Regional School Unit No. 23 in Old Orchard Beach, a district with an overall C-plus rating from Niche. Students can begin at Jameson Elementary School before moving on to Loranger Memorial School and then Old Orchard Beach High School.
Welcome to Loranger Middle School in Old Orchard Beach, ME.
Old Orchard Beach High School serves the oldest population of the area,
Jameson Elementary School enrolls little learners in the Old Orchard Beach area.
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Amtrak's Downeaster line and local Interstates
Access to Interstate 95 is approximately 5 miles away, and many residents head to Portland for jobs in the healthcare and finance industries. Amtrak’s Downeaster line stops in Old Orchard Beach and travels north to Portland and south to Boston. The area's quiet streets are used by pedestrians and dog walkers year-round. The MaineHealth Maine Medical Center is 10 miles away in Biddeford, and the Portland International Jetport is 16 miles to the north.
Old Orchard Beach residents are close to an Amtrack Station, perfect for traveling.
I-95 is the main highway running through the West Scarborough neighborhood.
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Chowder Fest and Memorial Day Parades
Old Orchard Beach hosts several events throughout the year for visitors and residents. At the Annual Chowder Fest each May, participants can taste some of the best chowders from all over the state and vote for their favorite. Festivities continue with the town’s annual Memorial Day Parade, where residents can enjoy the floats by local organizations.
The Saco Bay Artists shows are for the sale of paintings, photography, and crafts.
The Old Orchard Beach Car Show highlights cars in many different categories and classes.
Old Orchard Beach is a lively bayfront community in Maine.
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Already low crime trends even lower
According to the town’s 2022 and 2023 annual reports, Old Orchard Beach has lower crime rates compared to the national average and has seen a 5% decrease in total incidents.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
