Searsport offers Maine coastal living and maritime history
Located at the top of Maine’s Penobscot Bay, Searsport is a peaceful coastal town filled with historic buildings and houses from its heyday as a shipping hub in the 1800s. Today, it’s home to one of Maine’s three cargo ports, and its small downtown offers a quieter alternative to the tourism found in the neighboring city of Belfast. “It’s kind of an extension of Belfast, but smaller,” says Ronanne Haigh, an associate broker and office manager with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northeast Real Estate who’s sold homes in the area for 20 years. “There’s a spectacular maritime museum, and it’s more of a sea captains’ town than Belfast.” The captains who settled here built sprawling houses downtown near what’s now Mosman Park. Nature lovers have plenty of state parks and nature preserves to explore, including Sears Island, the largest undeveloped island on the East Coast.
Classic New England homes in town and rural retreats nearby
Searsport’s flourishing shipbuilding industry led to the construction of spacious sea captains’ homes in the 1800s. Located near the town center, these properties have classic New England architecture, with wooden exterior siding and steeply pitched roofs. Ranch-style and manufactured homes are more common in the more rural areas outside of town, where homes sit on several secluded acres. Prices typically range from $200,000 to $530,000, while manufactured houses range from $50,000 to $300,000. Undeveloped land ranges from $30,000 to $190,000. Some properties might be at risk of flooding, especially near the bay; homeowners should check flood maps to assess their risk.
Waterfront parks, coastal hikes and the Penobscot Marine Museum
Mosman Park overlooks the bay, providing a peaceful place to take in the scenery or for kids to play on the playground. The park hosts the annual Fourth of July Celebration, a full-day event that includes a parade and fireworks over the water. “Searsport has some state parks that are pretty spectacular,” Haigh says. Natural areas like Moose Point State Park and Long Cove Headwaters Preserve have hiking trails. The over 900-acre Sears Island, another hiking destination, is separated from the mainland by a causeway.
The Searsport Public Pier allows for fishing in the bay, and it also has a boat landing. One of Maine’s deepwater cargo ports is in the east, and residents can watch the ships come in from the pier or Mosman Park. Searsport’s maritime history is preserved at the Penobscot Marine Museum, which spans several buildings and hosts events like SardineFest each October, a day of music, food and demonstrations.
Searsport public schools earn Cs
Kids can start school at Searsport Elementary, which earns a C from Niche. The C-minus-rated Searsport District Middle and C-rated Searsport District High share a campus. The school offers extracurricular activities like the ski club, newspaper club and the Midcoast Maineiacs Robotics team.
Locally owned businesses on Main Street, with more in nearby Belfast
Main Street has a small commercial area with locally owned specialty stores, including a candy shop and gift store. Hey Sailor serves pizza and tacos in a trendy atmosphere; the restaurant also has regular live music and open mic nights. Nearby, Anglers Restaurant has a more rustic vibe and serves seafood. Grocery stores here include Edwards Brothers Supermarkets and Dollar General. Belfast has a larger commercial district, with locally owned boutiques and eateries like Lang Xang Café, which serves Laotian and Thai dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Grocery stores in Belfast include the Belfast Community Co-op and Hannaford.
A car-reliant community on Route 1
U.S. Route 1 leads about 7 miles to Belfast and connects with U.S. Route 1A to Bangor, a 29-mile drive. Though sidewalks line Main Street, cars are the primary way to get around. Houses of worship here include Searsport United Methodist Church and Searsport First Congregational Church. MaineHealth Waldo Hospital is about 9 miles away in Belfast, and Bangor International Airport is a 32-mile trip.
The bay makes Maine winters a little warmer
Maine’s winters can be cold and long. “You really need to be prepared for winter,” Haigh says. “It's better in Searsport than 2 miles in because the bay has its own weather pattern. It tends to be warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.”
Written By
Annie Franklin
