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Parsonsfield

Parsonsfield

$365,713 Average Value
$266 Average Price per Sq Ft
5 Homes For Sale

Parsonsfield is a do-it-yourself kind of place

Along the border of New Hampshire lies the village of Parsonsfield, offering the Maine lifestyle that is depicted in postcards and calendars. It has tiny log cabins on lakes and 1850s farmhouses trimmed by snow in the wintertime. It’s the Maine of apple orchards that double as maple syrup producers in the winter and of covered bridges that link one town to the next. About 20% of the town is protected forest land, giving locals more than 8,000 acres of nature to explore. “It’s a do-it-yourself kind of place,” says Daniel McDonnell of Keller Williams Realty, who has lived in the area for more than a decade. “There’s no such thing as shopping in Parsonsfield. It’s suited for an outdoors-geared person.” Residents rely on nearby towns for schools, hospitals and grocery stores.

Parsonsfield was settled in the 1770s.
Parsonsfield was settled in the 1770s.
The Parsonsfield Bridge is one of the few 19th-century covered bridges left in the state.
The Parsonsfield Bridge is one of the few 19th-century covered bridges left in the state.
Parsonsfield Seminary was a Free Will Baptist school.
Parsonsfield Seminary was a Free Will Baptist school.
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Enjoying outdoor recreation around Parsonsfield

Parsonsfield enjoys a scenic location that is rich in outdoor recreation. Residents have access to Leavitt Plantation Forest, an 8,647-acre undeveloped space ideal for hiking, biking and snowmobiling. In warmer months, the Ossipee River affords opportunities for canoeing and kayaking. Neighbors can fish in Long Pond and swim at Province Lake when the weather is nice. Along the banks of the lake is the 18-hole Province Bank Golf Course, an area attraction for more than 100 years. “Hunting and fishing are a big part of the culture,” McDonnell says. “People also enjoy back-country skiing and ATV-ing.”

Folks enjoy Mo Mo Da Yo recreation area year-round near Parsonsfield.
Folks enjoy Mo Mo Da Yo recreation area year-round near Parsonsfield.
Province Lake Golf Course in Parsonsfield, is par 72 with stunning views of Province Lake.
Province Lake Golf Course in Parsonsfield, is par 72 with stunning views of Province Lake.
Back Country Excursions offer guided tours, bike rentals, and camping accommodations.
Back Country Excursions offer guided tours, bike rentals, and camping accommodations.
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Housing options in Parsonsfield

Parsonsfield’s remote nature keeps housing prices low, at least relative to coastal towns. Buyers will find an assortment of single-family homes, including waterfront log cabins, farmhouses, Cape Cods with log fences, and custom-built homes. “You’ll find everything from 1810 houses to new builds,” McDonnell says. “There is also a lot of property available — some has views of the White Mountains.” Prices range from the low $100,000s for a small residence on less than an acre of land to more than $600,000 for a newer home offering views and substantial acreage.

This farmhouse-style home is typical in Parsonsfield.
This farmhouse-style home is typical in Parsonsfield.
This Cape Cod-style home is typical in Parsonsfield.
This Cape Cod-style home is typical in Parsonsfield.
This little cabin sits by a lake in Parsonsfield.
This little cabin sits by a lake in Parsonsfield.
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Sacopee Valley schools serve area students

Kids who live in Parsonsfield attend school through Maine School Administrative District No. 55, a public school system serving Parsonsfield, Baldwin, Cornish, Hiram and Porter. The district has three schools – Sacopee Valley Elementary School, Sacopee Valley Middle School and Sacopee Valley High School, and all three of them are most revered for the quality of their teachers, according to Niche. Sacopee Elementary teaches prekindergarten through third-grade students and scores a B-minus on Niche. B-minus-rated Sacopee Middle serves fourth through eighth graders and offers year-round extracurricular activities. The high school earns a C-minus; students can participate in Junior ROTC and enjoy a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1.

Sacopee Valley Elementary School near Parsonsfield, enrolls about 250 students in grades K-5.
Sacopee Valley Elementary School near Parsonsfield, enrolls about 250 students in grades K-5.
Sacopee Middle School serves student from grades 5-8.
Sacopee Middle School serves student from grades 5-8.
Sacopee Valley High School serves Cornish, Baldwin and Parsonsfield.
Sacopee Valley High School serves Cornish, Baldwin and Parsonsfield.
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Getting places from Parsonsfield

Locals will need their own transportation to get to nearby towns. The nearest airport is Portland International Jetport, about 40 miles away, which offers direct flights to more than 20 destinations. For medical services, the Bridgton Hospital is a 33-mile drive from Parsonsfield.

Ossipee Valley Fair and Par Sem car shows

In July, the town of Hiram holds the Ossipee Valley Fair, which is the biggest social event of the year. Locals can enjoy live music, rides, a bean supper and contents, including pig calling and oxen pulling. The Parsonfield Seminary, a former religious school known locally as Par Sem, also organizes a car show in spring. Legend has it that the building is haunted, so every year, an organization called the Friends of Parsonsfield Seminary holds a Halloween event called “The Haunting,” where visitors can wander through the building looking for a thrill.

Heading to Cornish for groceries and restaurants

The Carriage House Bistro & Tavern is the only restaurant in town. It’s part of the Province Lake Golf Club, an 18-hole course and private club where people apply for membership. There are some farm stands where community members can pick up eggs and produce, and residents can visit the town of Cornish, about 12 miles away, for groceries and restaurant options. Krista’s is a popular spot for an elegant brunch or a cozy date night — reservations are recommended. A local favorite is Fairgrounds Sports Bar & Grill, which offers pizzas and other casual fare. Residents also make periodic trips to Portland and North Conway for major shopping trips. “None of us go to North Conway in summer on weekends, though — it’s too crowded,” McDonnell says.

Krista's Is a popular spot for a meal and a cocktail near Parsonsfield.
Krista's Is a popular spot for a meal and a cocktail near Parsonsfield.
Explore the storefronts in Cornish near Parsonsfield.
Explore the storefronts in Cornish near Parsonsfield.
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Area considerations

Many parts of Parsonsfield are very remote, which may mean that having internet access will not be feasible. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assesses York County (which includes Parsonsfield) to be at a very high risk of ice storms. Locals tend to be self-sufficient, and those planning to move to the area will need to prepare themselves for a rural lifestyle.

Jeff Tippett
Photography Contributed By
Jeff Tippett
Shannon Hopkins
Video By
Shannon Hopkins

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Krista Lombardi, an experienced agent in this area.

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parsonsfield Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$372,500
Median Sale Price
$360,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$360,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
2%
Last 12 months Home Sales
37
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
6%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$266

Area Facts

Number of Homes
486
Number of Homes for Sale
5
Median Year Built
1989
Months of Supply
1.60
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,637
Below the national average
1,929
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
32,670

Homes for Sale

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Parsonsfield Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
1,946
Median Age
51
Population under 18
16.8%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
27.5%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$60,505
Significantly below the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$73,305

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
85.8%
College Graduates
25%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
8.3%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
64.5%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
51''
Average Winter Low Temperature
10°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
41''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®®

10 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®®

0 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

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.
Parsonsfield