Standish

Right on Sebago Lake, Richville is a Standish locality with private lakeshore access. Several homes at high price tags have private docks or forested acreage. “Sebago Lake is a really special place,” says Nick Guerrette, a Realtor with RE/MAX Shoreline who has over twenty years of experience in renovation, property management and construction. Every year, he vacations in Standish with his family at their summer home. “The whole area is awesome. It gives people a taste of what Maine is like - from the culture to the setting to the people to its simplicity.” The average price of homes here is around $550,000, which is higher than in nearby Steep Falls and Standish. Many folks move here to live in nature, and don’t mind driving to Long Beach or Standish for groceries or a night out. Students study within the Maine Regional School Unit No. 06, which is graded an overall C-plus on Niche and is the No. 4 best school district for Maine athletes. Richville has an overall CAP Index crime score of 1 out of 10, which is lower than the national average of 4. Homes near waterways should keep an eye out for flooding during rainy seasons. It’s not hard to find opportunities to swim, kayak or boat in Richville. Fishermen often catch a variety of lake trout, whitefish and salmon in Sebago Lake’s waters. Harmon’s Beach and Rich Memorial Beach are both for Standish residents only and can require annual fees to access, but their sandy beaches, boat launches and picnic areas make for family-friendly adventures. Steep Falls Wildlife Management Area, just south of town, is a woodland sanctuary full of wild animals and trails. Though popular among canoers and bird watchers, it is not known for its hiking due to confusing trail markers and lack of maps. Down in Sebago Lake, families can spend a day at the Standish Skatepark, hike the Mountain Division Trail or play at Johnson Field. Lakeside homes with private docks are found off the long, winding, tree-lined thoroughfare of Richville Road. “Every once in a while, there are amazing opportunities out there where you can find a nice solid house that doesn’t require tons of work. It's the major items like the roof, foundation, septic, and well that you’d want to make sure are in good shape,” Guerrette says. “I’d say in Standish, you’re going to find homes with different styles, ages, and amenities. Some may be renovated, and others may require a little bit of sweat equity.” Those on Harmon’s Beach range from small beach cottages with gravel driveways to modern farmhouses and contemporary cabins with detached garages. Lakeshore houses often start around $600,000 and can cost over $1 million. Farther inland, Cape Cods and ranch-style homes sit on forested lots, sometimes with three or more acres, and have long private drives. “In those rural areas, farm and forest, and any zoning for that matter, there are restrictions on lot sizes. Most rural towns don’t want it to turn into a city; they want to protect the country feel,” Guerrette says. “Lots of people have properties with their own hunting blind out back, dirt bike or walking trails, and maybe a private pond.” Inland residences with three or more bedrooms can cost between $360,000 and over $550,000. Sebago Days is a family-friendly event held in mid-July every year for the past few decades. They shut down Route 114 for a few hours, where “they have an old school parade of antique cars, fire trucks, and local floats,” Guerrette says. “Locals line the roads, and the people on the floats toss candy to the kids. The town puts on a fair and has rides, food and music.” Residents can partake in the 5k run and walk or enjoy fireworks when the sun starts to set. For quick trips close to home, Jordan’s Store on Richville Road has groceries and a meat counter, as well as a few household essentials. “If you’re vacationing or living on the west side of the lake and you need hamburger buns, milk, pizza, or even fishing tackle, you go to Jordan’s Store. It’s a family-run business, and those guys will take good care of you,” Guerrette says. Father-son-owned Sportsman’s Kitchen & Keg is an upscale pub on Lake Sebago, where boats pull up to the restaurant’s 100-foot dock, and folks take advantage of the outdoor tiki bar. “There are all kinds of little mom-and-pop shops around here. Sunrise Corner is a cool little spot that’s open seasonally,” Guerrette says. “The wonderful lady who owns it is a true Mainer. She makes fudge and runs a little antique shop. You can drop in and get random things like penny candy, dried flowers, and even antique birdhouses.” For longer grocery trips, locals can drive into Standish to shop at the Hannaford grocery store or get a few things at Family Dollar. Students can first attend Edna Libby Elementary School, rated a B-plus on Niche, for kindergarten through third grade. They can then attend George E Jack School, graded a B, for fourth and fifth grade. Bonny Eagle Middle School and Bonny Eagle High School are on the same large campus down in Bonny Eagle, Maine. Both are graded a C-plus on Niche and have several large sports fields and courts for soccer, baseball, softball and football players. In fact, Bonny Eagle High is ranked the No. 7 best high school for athletes in Maine, with several cross country and football championships. Richville is “...certainly more rural than Portland, but when you look at the distance of Sebago Lake to Portland, you’re only about 30-40 minutes away,” Guerrette says. “I always tell my clients that if you can get everything you want in a house and get something affordable but only have to drive a few more minutes, it’s worth it.” North Windham, which has several big box stores and shopping centers, is roughly 10 miles northeast via Route 114. Standish Center is about 7 miles south of the lakeshore in Richville, where locals can then travel about 20 miles southeast via Route 25 to downtown Portland. There, locals can access the Maine Medical Center, as well as the Portland International Airport. They can also hop on a train at the Portland Transportation Center to head south to Boston. For those who drive, it’s about 120 miles south via Interstate 95 to Boston.