Randolph is a small central Maine town close to bigger cities
At only 2 square miles, Randolph is the smallest town in Maine by area, but proximity to the cities of Gardiner and Augusta keeps its residents near amenities and jobs. “It's close to everything. That’s really the number one selling point: It’s convenient,” says Anna Moskowitz, an associate broker and Realtor with Hoang Realty who’s been selling homes in the area since 2012. Located on the east side of the Kennebec River across from Gardiner, Randolph has a suburban feel and borders more rural areas like Pittston and Chelsea. Augusta, where hospitals and the state government are big employers, is only 6 miles away.
Homes can have river views and quarter-acre or larger lots
Randolph’s ranch-style, Cape Cod and colonial homes typically sit on at least a quarter-acre, allowing space for driveways, mature trees and backyard swimming pools. The houses on Water Street can have views of the river, while those farther east typically have bigger yards and more space between neighbors. “It's a lot of older houses that have been converted into a few units,” Moskowitz says, which makes it a popular spot for renters. For buyers, prices typically range from $180,000 to $360,000. Manufactured homes are also common and can range from $70,000 to $260,000.
Augusta and Gardiner are within a 10-minute drive
Gardiner is just across the river, and commuters can get there via the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Bridge, which is pedestrian-friendly. Water Street leads roughly 6 miles to Augusta, a drive that takes around 10 minutes. MaineGeneral Medical Center's Alfond Center for Health is about 10 miles away, and Togus VA Medical Center is a 6-mile trip. Portland International Jetport is around 53 miles away. The Randolph United Methodist Church serves the community, and other houses of worship are nearby in Gardiner.
Regional School Unit 11 serves the area
Kids attend schools in Regional School Unit 11, which earns an overall rating of C-plus from Niche. They can start at the C-rated Pittston-Randolph Consolidated School and then go to the B-rated Gardiner Regional Middle. Gardiner Area High earns a C-plus. The high school’s rivalry with Cony High began in 1892 and is the state’s oldest. During the football teams’ annual match-up, they compete for a boot that is inscribed with scores from past games.
A nature trail and Gardiner’s parks offer outdoor recreation
The Old Narrow Gauge Volunteer Nature Trail is a walking path through the town that starts at the Goggins IGA and stretches just over a mile through forested land. Other recreational opportunities are in Gardiner. Here, the Waterfront Park on the Kennebec River has views of Randolph, and it also has a public boat ramp and a boardwalk. Throughout the summer, the park is the home of the Summer Waterfront Concert Series, a free event each Friday evening. Kids can burn off some energy at the Brunswick Square playground. In Gardiner’s downtown, the Johnson Hall Opera House hosts concerts, comedy shows and plays.
Shopping and dining on Water Street
Water Street is home to Randolph’s businesses, which include a nail salon, a hardware store and a gas station. Sun Sun is a casual Chinese restaurant that has dine-in and takeout options. The Ice Cream Shoppe serves soft-serve and hand-dipped ice cream from April through October. The Goggins IGA here is the closest grocery store, and there’s a Hannaford just across the bridge in Gardiner, which has a walkable downtown filled with locally owned shops and restaurants.
A risk of flooding from the Kennebec River
“It borders the Kennebec River. It's in a valley, so when it goes up, there are properties that flood, but it’s fairly limited,” Moskowitz says. Residents should check flood maps to assess their risk and determine if they’ll need to buy flood insurance. Although most homes are not at risk of severe flooding from the river, basement flooding is common during rainstorms. “We’ve got a lot of basements up here with sump pumps and a lot of seasonal water,” Moskowitz says. “It’s just part of what we deal with in this part of the universe.”
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Written By
Annie Franklin
