Saco

Bay View is an understated neighborhood on the waterfront, just outside of Saco, Maine. Defined by its central location and its quiet anonymity, this community is sandwiched between a sprawling forest, the Saco River and the Atlantic Ocean. Its school district is well-regarded and sought after, making it an ideal landing spot for families. Although the beach is public, it’s just far enough from tourist hotspots that it largely escapes the chaotic summer season associated with New England beach towns. Bay View is so small that tourists tend to drive right by it, and long-term neighbors like it that way. The community’s namesake beach is public, with lifeguards on duty from mid-June to late August. The city of Saco makes beach wheelchairs available for anyone who wants to borrow them, and people often bring their dogs to walk along the sandy shore. Between Bay View and the town of Saco is the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge, a massive protected forest that spans 50 miles between York and Cape Elizabeth. From the neighborhood residents can take a guided stroll along Atlantic Way Trail, a 2-mile hiking path that meanders through the Goosefare Brook marsh. Locals are likely to come across wild turkey or white-tail deer while wandering beneath the pine and birch trees. Bay View’s residential construction happened sporadically, so prospective buyers will find everything from Victorian cottages built in the early 1900s, priced between $2 and $2.5 million, to large new construction Colonial Revivals, which cost from $4 to $6 million. While there is not much directly in the neighborhood apart from the beach, Bay View’s central location is a big selling point. “You have the ability to bike or walk, if you’re feeling wild, to Old Orchard Beach, or you can go the other way and dock your boat at Camp Ellis,” says Elias Leland, a sales associate at Coldwell Banker Realty in Saco. “You’re in a really good center point where you’re isolated from the crowds of vacationers.” Lack of parking and the natural barrier of Goosefare Brook Marsh to the north mean residents get to look out on a secluded stretch of Atlantic shoreline from the comfort of their porches. There are no grocery stores directly in this beachside enclave, but residents are not far from essentials. “People have to go up to Saco for groceries,” Leland says. “But it’s a pretty quick drive.” There is a Shaw’s 4 miles from Bay View, while the nearest Target is 11 miles away in Biddeford. Ocean Park Subs and Grocery just up Seaside Avenue is more conducive to a beach day. Locals can pick up beach supplies here during the summer and can grab an order of cinnamon buns or a lobster roll year-round. Old Orchard Pier, one of Southern Maine’s favorite seafood destinations, is just 2.5 miles north of Bay View. During the season, entertainment is a nightly occurrence at this collection of venues. Tourists and locals alike enjoy live music and stand-up comedy while the tide rolls in beneath them. Downtown Biddeford and Saco also host plenty of events year-round, including the River Jam and Fringe Fest, where locals can enjoy live performances, food trucks and fireworks on the Saco River. Children in Bay View are zoned for the Saco School Department, attending Governor John Fairfield School for kindergarten through second grade. Fairfield School scores a B-plus from Niche and offers multi-language learning programs. For third through fifth grade, students attend C.K. Burns School, also rated B-plus. C.K. Burns’ LEGO Robotics team took home the first-place award for Robot Design at the Maine State LEGO League Championship in 2024. Beginning in sixth grade students can begin at the highly regarded Thornton Academy, a private day and boarding school that earns an A-minus. Thornton Academy is free to attend for Saco residents. When commuting, residents can drive north 3 miles on Route 9 to Old Orchard Beach or west 3.5 miles to Saco. From here, they can pick up Interstate 95, giving them access to Portland International Jetport 16.5 miles away.

Kinney Shores is a Maine beach town that manages to remain secluded despite its proximity to tourist hotspots. In this seaside neighborhood that hugs the Atlantic Ocean, wooden houses sit next to one another beneath the wide-open sky. “It’s more of a neighborhood feel versus what you’re going to get for Old Orchard Beach, which is more of a vacation and small rental community,” says Elias Leland, a sales associate at Coldwell Banker Realty in Saco. “It’s pretty much touching every market.” With a sought-after school district and easy access to both the shoreline and a sprawling expanse of woodland, homeowners can choose every day between hiking, swimming or simply relaxing on the sandy beach and avoiding the chaos of southern Maine in tourist season. While the community’s beach is public, it often feels more secluded. “There’s no real good place to park,” Leland says. “The beach is isolated enough that you’re basically going to get a private beach and not have to deal with a lot of people.” The shoreline is dog-friendly and close enough to the houses in the neighborhood that homeowners will smell the salty air from their front porches. The northern border of Kinney Shores bumps against Goosefare Brook, a salt marsh with an observation deck and canals that fill with kayaks during summer months. Goosefare Brook also acts as a natural barricade between Kinney Shores and Old Orchard Beach, a popular tourist destination 2 miles to the north. The residential streets of Kinney Shores are reflective of 20th century New England seaside styles. “There’s a nice mix,” Leland says. “You can get everything you need during the season, and rent is nice out of season as well.” A two-bedroom Modern Traditional cottage built in 2019 begins around $670,000, while a renovated four-bedroom bungalow with beach access built in 1916 prices around $1.6 million. Despite their waterfront location, many homes have grassy lots, leaving room for creative landscaping. Kinney Shores is only 4 miles from downtown Saco, where residents can shop for groceries at Shaw’s. The nearest Walmart is 10 miles away in Biddeford, which is a hub of bars and restaurants for the neighborhood. “Batson River Brewing and Distilling is great,” Leland says. “All of downtown Biddeford is a really walkable area that’s right close by.” In the summer, tourists and locals alike head to Ocean Park Subs and Grocery, a local deli and beach supply store that is known for cinnamon buns and lobster rolls. Old Orchard Pier is a brief 2-mile walk from Kinney Shores. This collection of venues is one of Southern Maine’s top destinations, featuring nightly live music and stand-up comedy during tourist season. Locals also enjoy heading into downtown Biddeford, where the annual River Jam and Fringe Fest takes place on the banks of the Saco River. Bands take the stage, food trucks crowd the streets and fireworks are launched over the riverbanks in the throes of the New England summer. Children in Kinney Shores are zoned for Saco Public Schools, beginning at Young School for kindergarten through second grade. Young School scores a B from Niche and has a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. Students then move to C.K. Burns School for third through fifth grade, which earns a B-plus and whose robotics team recently won first place in the Maine State LEGO League Championship. Starting in sixth grade students can attend Thornton Academy, a highly regarded day and boarding school that earns an A-minus and which provides free tuition to all Saco residents. Residents of Kinney Shore can follow Route 9 north 2 miles to Old Orchard Beach or west 4 miles to Saco and Biddeford. Portland International Jetport is 16.5 miles north, easily accessible via Interstate 95.

Like the lazy river running through it, Salmon Falls is relaxed and rustic, offering a glimpse of Maine in simpler times. Settled within Buxton and Hollis, small inland towns on the southern coast, Salmon Falls is part remote homestead, part historic district, full of natural scenery and 19th-century homes. Life here centers around the outdoors, where locals are surrounded by preserves and woodsy fields. “I would describe it as quaint and picturesque. As a rule, there aren’t many developments – it’s mostly single lots,” says Katherine Scamman, Realtor at The Bean Group and Saco native. It’s a good landing place for Maine buyers looking for peace and quiet. With a CAP Inex crime score of two, Salmon Falls experiences less crime than busier Maine communities. Many of Salmon Falls’ antique Federal-style and Greek Revival homes hitch to corresponding barns, underscoring the area’s rural ambiance. Cape Cods with land go for about $400,000 here, as do raised ranch-style houses with partial brick exteriors. Sprawling country estates on three acres with bay windows sell for $450,000, while newer 2000s properties go for $550,000 to $700,000, depending on age and size. Even if they’re not technically part of the historic district, the town’s vintage character carries through most Salmon Falls properties. Inventory is limited in this small town, and most listings find new owners within a month or two on the market. The slow-moving Saco attracts seasonal visitors to Salmon Falls; its relatively warm temperatures and approachable pace make it a popular spot for a tube ride on a summer day. “There’s no major industry on the river, so its very clean. You can fish, swim or canoe. There’s good public access,” Scamman says. The Salmon Falls Bridge overlooks lots of summer swimmers when the weather is warm. The Moses Woodman Preserve has a mile-long trail that runs riverside, and the Indian Cellar Preserve, next to the Salmon Falls Library, has longer routes and more swimming spots. The Saco is also accessible via a small beach at Pleasant Point Park, a secluded spot for scenic walks with the dog or a quiet day on the water. When they’re not at the river, Salmon Falls homeowners head to Salmon Falls Country Club, another local hot spot, home to a golf course, disc golf and a grill available to members. “There’s also a community theater. They converted an old grain silo into a theater across the river from the country club,” Scamman says. The Saco River Theatre has performed for over 25 years and is beloved by the town. Salmon Falls may be a little village, but locals are loyal to the handful of small businesses that line the main roads. “It’s a very rural area,” Lemieux says. The restaurants and bars here have the same remote feel as the rest of the community, singular destinations planted off the highway. Inside a little brown house on Route 202 is Tory Hill Café, a breakfast and lunch restaurant open six days a week. Big Daddy’s North is another favorite, serving desserts and wood-fired pizzas through a carryout window. Hannaford is the neighborhood’s closest grocer, anchoring a small shopping center with a hardware store, a dentistry and a Dollar General. For everything else, locals will travel to busier communities like Old Orchard Beach or Biddleford, less than 15 miles south of town. Salmon Falls may straddle two different towns, but the whole neighborhood is part of the Bonny Eagle School District, also called Maine School Administrative District #6, serving Hollis, Buxton, Limington, Standish and Frye Island. It’s one of the largest in the state and carries an overall C-plus Niche rating. Kids can start at the B-minus-rated Hollis Elementary School before continuing to C-plus-rated Bonny Eagle Middle and High. Bonny Eagle High is known for its extracurriculars, spanning subjects from Natural Helpers and Ski Club to World Language Hoor Society. “They’ve also put in a lot of time and effort to build a sense of community around the football team and local sports,” Scamman says. “People work in agriculture or commute for work. Some are self-employed,” Scamman says. Salmon Falls is located along Maine’s Route 202, which runs northeast to Gorham and southwest to Waterboro. It’s 18 miles outside of Portland, which means a daily commute to the city is doable. “It’s probably about a 25 to 30-minute ride. And it’s easy driving – 30 minutes of backroads,” Scamman says. Homeowners here rely on cars for daily transportation and drive into busier towns like Biddleford or Saco to visit the hospital or catch a train or plane ride.

Buxton is a quiet town about 15 miles outside of Portland. “The great thing about Buxton is that it’s convenient to a lot of other places, but it has lower property taxes and really feels like Maine,” says Realtor Aaron Chadbourne with Demetria Real Estate, who has worked in the area for about 20 years. While people can find local restaurants and a grocery store in town, they can also visit nearby towns. Residents live in houses on at least an acre of land, giving them privacy. They can spend the day at one of the town’s parks, including Pleasant Point Park along the Saco River. Students attend Bonny Eagle Schools, which receive a C-plus from Niche.  A handful of restaurants are in Buxton, including Oak & Ember, a farm-to-table restaurant that opened in 2023. “They do a really good Sunday brunch; I don’t know that there’s many places that do that,” Chadbourne says. Locals can also get dinner and drinks at Chaps Saloon, a bar and grill that hosts weekly karaoke. They can also travel to restaurants in Portland or the nearby towns. Residents do most of their grocery shopping at Hannaford, although they can get seasonal flowers and produce from Snell Family Farm. Target, Walmart and Lowe’s are all about a 10-mile drive.  Long driveways branch off the main roads in Buxton, leading to houses that are often hidden by a dense line of trees. Most properties come with at least an acre of land, which Chadbourne says attracts people “looking for something more rural, with more privacy.” A variety of styles fill the neighborhood. “They’ve seen a lot of new construction in recent times,” Chadbourne says. “I’ve also sold houses that are over 200 years old.” Colonials and New Englanders from the 1800s neighbor mid-20th-century ranch styles and bilevels, and new traditional homes often feature influences from the older properties. Prices in Buxton typically range from $350,000 and $625,000. “It’s really more affordable than other communities in greater Portland,” Chadbourne says.  Buxton has six parks, including Carroll Park, with a walking path, a playground for kids to explore, and a baseball diamond where the boys’ and girls’ softball leagues practice. Of all the parks in town, Chadbourne says, “the best one runs along the Saco River.” Pleasant Point Park features trails that lead to an overlook of the river and an access point for kayakers and canoers. A rope swing drops swimmers into a part of the Saco River about 50 feet, although no lifeguard is on duty. Salmon Falls County Club is about 4 miles from Buxton, with a nine-hole course along the river.    The Annual Buxton Community Parade is held every August as part of Dorcas Fest. People fill the street to watch the floats, bands and community organizations roll through, all decorated in a theme. The town announced 2024’s theme as “Calling All Friendly Ghouls & Goblins,” bringing Halloween to the area early. Other Dorcas Fest activities include a car show, craft sale, concert and fireworks display.  While officially called “Regional School Unit 6” or “MSAD 6”, many people refer to the school district as Bonny Eagle schools. Students can start at Buxton Center Elementary School, with a student-teacher ratio of 10 to one, before attending Bonny Eagle Middle School. At Bonny Eagle High School, seniors must complete a capstone project to graduate, focusing on community service, developing personal skills or exploring a career. All three schools receive a C-plus from Niche.  Buxton is largely car-dependent, with State Route 22 and U.S. Route 202 running through the town. Even with the major roads, it is still a largely quiet town. Most residents fly out of Portland International Jetport, about 11 miles away, and the closest emergency room is at Maine Medical Center, about 13 miles away. The CAP Index gives the town a Crime Score of one out of 10, compared to the national average of four out of 10.

Saco’s town motto of “friendly by nature” rings true, says Adam Mowry, Realtor with the Bean Group in Saco - “Neighbors are out walking every day and they’re very friendly. That’s what Saco is like.” Central Saco is perhaps the best reflection of this motto, combining neighborly, planned subdivisions with classic New England architecture, all on the cusp of swathes of nature for the beach bum or the forest adventurer. It’s a neighborhood that understands it has to sway with seasons, as vacationers flock to nearby beaches, while providing amenities for year-round living including top-rate schools and modern industry. This all comes together to make Central Saco a desirable, growing community. From classic New England architecture to modern farmhouse revival homes, there’s a variety of options in Central Saco, including custom new builds. “Saco has more high-end homes, similar to what you’ll find in Scarborough,” says Mowry, “It’s high-end family homes with great schools.” Colonial revivals, Cape Cods and New Englanders dot the landscape, with traditional sensibilities and materials meant to withstand harsh Maine coast weather. Towering trees fill in the yards and help offer some privacy in town. Rising subdivisions feature homes in the modern farmhouse style, with customizable floor plans, being built anew for each home hunter. Condos and town houses are available, fetching from $200,000 to $500,000, while move-in ready single-family homes can be found starting at $300,000, going for as high as $750,000 or more for custom-built new homes and older estates. Central Saco is known for its well-regarded public schools with a unique structure. For elementary school, students start at either Governor John Fairfield or Young School for kindergarten through second grade, rated B-plus and B respectively. C.K. Burns School, with a B-plus grade, houses third through fifth, while Saco Middle School gets an A-minus. High school-aged kids attend Thornton Academy, a renowned private school of about 1,600 local and international students from more than 50 countries, for free. Thornton is known for its sports, with numerous state championships in football and other sports, and is rated as one of the top 10 schools for athletes in Maine. Overall, it earns an A-minus from Niche. Parents may send their children to Thornton for grades six through eight, although that is not covered in the arrangement. Recently revitalized through a town project, the Diamond Riverside Park features picnic tables, a play area, benches and even a boat launch and small dock for access to the Saco River that separates Saco and Biddeford. Cascade Waterfall Trail has several trails in the middle of the woods, but the main attraction is a waterfall with a 20-foot drop - the stream’s bubbling noise serves as the main soundtrack for the hiking area. Inland, the Saco Heath Preserve beckons with over 1200 acres of undisturbed nature, while plenty of beach spots are only 5 miles away. Even in frigid Maine winters, residents can stay active at Saco Sport and Fitness and XL Sport World, featuring classes, courts and more to do in the cold months. Getting up and going is a big part of logging life in the Maine backcountry, and Lucky Loggers offers hearty breakfasts to fuel the folks that get Maine moving, along with lunchtime specials, all in a dining room adorned with logging equipment and tools. The roadside Maine Lobster shack is a classic part of Maine life, and Sea Salt Lobster Restaurant channels the shack vibes while offering modern takes on seafood dishes using the local catch. Lobster rolls are the go-to here, from the old-school mayo and herbs to the Kennebunkport with citrus and spice. New England’s regional grocery stores, Hannaford and Shaw’s battle it out to take care of residents’ weekly shop, featuring local and regional favorites, while Renys, Maine’s home-bred department store and “A Maine Adventure,” provides a unique shopping experience and a wide selection of food, clothing, toys and pretty much anything the home needs, under one roof. Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit serves Central Saco and the surrounding region with numerous routes, and the in-town area is fairly bikeable, but for the most part residents rely on their cars to get them around. Portland International Jetport is a quick trip north on Interstate 95, roughly 13 miles – usually a drive of 15 to 20 minutes. The closest hospital, offering 24-hour emergency care, Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford is the closest option, a 4-mile drive that usually takes around 10 minutes. The heart of Saco hosts most of the events for the area, like the Pumpkin Harvest Festival, which is conducted by the Saco Main Street organization and welcomes merchants and local organizations to set up fun and games while conducting a Trunk or Treat for local kids. They also conduct the annual Arts Festival every June, going for over 50 years, featuring art, music, food and more. Every Saturday from mid-May until fall, the Saco Farmers’ Market – one of Maine’s oldest – sets up at Saco Valley Shopping Center, featuring local producers offering seafood, meat, milk, produce, baked goods and more. While Saco isn’t a beach town per se, the impact of the seasonal crowds can’t be denied. Downtown gets busier in the summertime as vacationers come through or spend time away from the ocean side. Central Saco is home to popular summertime activities that will even draw folks away from the beach, like the Funtown Splashtown USA and Aquaboggan Water Park amusement centers, as well as the ever-popular Saco Drive-In showing the latest releases.

Ferry Beach, named after the ferry crossing at Saco River that offered travelers passage along the coast before highways were common in Maine, is a small coastal community in Saco. Sharing a space with Ferry Beach State Park, residents enjoy waterfront access and preservation areas. The area comes alive with some short-term rentals and tourists in the summer, but there is a significant year-round population that participates in the Saco community. More restaurants and local businesses open in the summer, but Ferry Beach maintains its relaxed, coastal vibe continuously, with a cool-toned collection of wood-shingled cottages and Cape Cod homes. The neighborhood’s namesake, a state park with white sand beaches and picnic areas, is open from Memorial Day to September 30 unless otherwise posted, though visitors can use the beach and trails in the off-season. The park features a nature trail that winds through a rare grove of black tupelo trees, past Long Pond and ends at the beach, which is ideal for hiking in summer or snowshoeing in winter. Locals can head to the southern point of the neighborhood for laidback sand beaches, a fishing pier and kayak rentals at Camp Ellis. To find a playground in a large green space, residents can drive 4 miles northwest to Pepperell Park. At Norwoods Marina, boaters can launch onto the Saco River and sail to the Atlantic Ocean. Properties in Ferry Beach remain within walking distance of the Saco River and the Atlantic Ocean and are situated along narrow avenues and coastal streets. Housing styles range from colorful ranches to Cape Cods and larger New England beach cottages. Homebuyers can find bungalows from the early 20th century, beach houses from the 1950s and 60s and Cape Cods and ranches from the 1970s and 80s. “All of southern Maine has very low housing inventory because higher interest rates have caused homeowners with low interest rates to stay in their homes. More houses should come on the market as interest rates loosen,” says Vicki Kennedy, Broker/Owner with RE/MAX Oceanside, who has served southern Maine for 36 years. While no houses are currently on the market, buyers can usually expect to pay between $700,000 and $1.2 million. Saco Main Street hosts community events throughout the year. In June, the annual art festival showcases artists and musicians. There are free summer concerts between the Dyer Library and Saco Museum at the “music in the park”ing lot event. There’s also a pumpkin harvest festival and a parade of lights every December. In the neighborhood, the Ferry Beach Retreat & Conference Center hosts youth camps and family retreats. “There are major draws to living near the coast, including fishing and fresh seafood,” Kennedy says. Seasonal convenience stores and restaurants serve the neighborhood in the summer months, but residents need to drive 4 miles northwest to Main Street for year-round options. In the neighborhood, there are everyday essentials, live lobsters and grab-and-go sandwiches at Camp Ellis General Store. Huot’s Seafood Restaurant serves fried scallops and lobster rolls. On Main Street, residents can shop for groceries at Hannaford. There’s also family-owned takeout restaurant Rapid Ray’s for burgers and onion rings and Golden Rooster Restaurant for classic American dishes and weekend live performances. Children entering kindergarten through second grade may attend Governor John Fairfield School and advance to C. K. Burns School for third through fifth grade. Both schools have B-plus ratings from Niche. Students continue learning at A-minus-rated Saco Middle. The district does not have a public high school, but Saco high schoolers can attend A-minus-rated Thornton Academy for free through a town tuition program when they show proof of residency. The academy offers electives like Maine Fish and Wildlife, songwriting and robotics to round out students’ education. The Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit offers four primary bus routes between the towns. The nearest bus stop is 4 miles northwest, in downtown Saco. Residents depend on personal vehicles to get around. State Route 9 branches in Ferry Beach and offers access to Interstate 95, which routes residents 20 miles north to Portland. Ferry Beach can experience flooding and storm damage. A historic rainstorm in January 2024 washed out roads and damaged the Camp Ellis Pier. Properties along the shoreline suffered damage from flooding and high winds.