Scarborough incorporated 1658
With a history dating back to the mid-1600s, the town of Scarborough, just 7 miles south of Portland, has been around for centuries and was a primarily rural community for most of its history. As it stands today, the town is now home to a busy commercial area with roads branching out in every direction, leading to populated residential areas. “Being 10 to 15 minutes south of Portland is a huge advantage because you've got all the amenities of a little city, and yet you can still very much have a more rural country feel in the town,” says Katy Foley, a longtime Scarborough resident and broker with The Scott and Sunny Townsend Team at Keller Williams Realty. Scarborough’s location is also ideal for those who want to be close to the ocean: “As far as coastal communities and beaches go, we've got literally the best three sandy beaches – Higgins Beach, Ferry Beach and Pine Point Beach – in all of southern Maine,” Foley says. “And there’s also Scarborough Beach, but it’s a state park, and you have to pay to get in while the other three are free.” Students here are served by Scarborough Public Schools, which receives an A-minus rating from Niche. According to the CAP Index, the overall crime score for the town is 3, lower than the national average of 4. “Scarborough is an amazing place to be and the best of both worlds; people are kind and care about each other here,” Foley says.
New developments and historic farmhouses
Foley says that Scarborough presents a pretty big mix of housing, as well as a few historic spots: “We've had a lot of development in the last five to 10 years, so there's a lot of newer construction, but there's also a fair amount of old, charming farmhouses, too,” she says. Residents find everything from Colonial Revivals on large lots and split levels to traditional homes and ranch-style dwellings featuring mid-century architecture. There are also a handful of townhouses and condominiums throughout Scarborough, although single-family homes are much more common. For a condo unit, potential homebuyers can expect a $300,000 to $500,000 price tag, whereas single-family homes cost higher and tend to range between $350,000 and $800,000. Scarborough is highly desirable, and residential properties are quick to go off the market, with most homes averaging only 12 days on the market before being sold compared to the national average of 42 days.
Grab a lobster roll from Bite into Maine
“There's a big development that's in the middle of putting together what they're calling the "downtown"," Foley says. Geographically, Oak Hill is right in the center of town, with Route 1 – the town’s major thoroughfare – running right through it. Lining this road is a mix of chains and local restaurants, such as El Rayo Scarborough, a Mexican eatery, and Bite into Maine, a popular commissary serving lobster rolls. However, residents often go further out for restaurant options: “Black Point Inn is seasonal but it's a really great spot for a great meal and tremendous views. Pine Point has a bunch of newer, trendy restaurants that people like to go to, and then the Clambake, which has been around forever, and it's a classic with people who grew up here,” Foley says. “There’s an Irish pub in town called O’Reilly’s Cure, which has also become quite a popular spot.” And residents here don’t have to go far for groceries – the Hannaford supermarket headquarters are housed in Scarborough.
High marks for Scarborough Public Schools
Young learners in kindergarten through second grade have three different primary school options to choose from: Blue Point Primary School, Pleasant Hill Primary School and Eight Corner Primary School, all of which receive B ratings. For those in grades three through five, the Wentworth School is an A-rated institution named in the Niche’s 2024 top 20 “Best Public Elementary Schools in Maine” list. The B-plus-rated Scarborough Middle School serves sixth through eighth grade and feeds into Scarborough High School, which also receives a B-plus rating.
Scarborough Land Trust oversees preserving outdoor spots
“Geographically, it's a 54-square-mile town - there's a lot of Scarborough Land Trust property with trails that are open to the public, and those are definitely a draw and something that people really enjoy doing,” Foley says. One such trail, the Eastern Trail, is a popular southern Maine greenway stretching more than 65 miles. “We also have one of the largest salt marshes up and down the East Coast, and that's a huge draw for people like to go striper fishing or canoeing or paddleboarding on the river,” Foley says. “The marsh also brings with it an ideal habitat for birders – there’s a lot of different birds that come to this area, so it's really a cool ecosystem all around.” Sports enthusiasts can head to the town’s Memorial Park to play a game of soccer or tennis; the park also features a large open field, a paved walking path, a small pond and a skate park.
Enjoy free summer concerts in Memorial Park
From June through August, the Scarborough Community Chamber hosts a free summer concert series at Scarborough Memorial Park, all of which begin at 6:30 p.m. Also, during the summer, the town celebrates Summerfest, which has been held annually for the past 25 years. The festival features musical entertainment, local food and craft vendors, games and competitions; at the end of the day, eventgoers can enjoy a fireworks display. During the wintertime, families can visit Santa Claus at Memorial Park during Scarborough’s Santa in the Park celebration, where locals can also enjoy classic holiday-themed treats and music.
Photography Contributed By
Jeff Tippett
