Washington has small-town amenities and rural living in Midcoast Maine
Defined by sprawling forests, farmlands and low hillsides, the town of Washington is a quiet settlement in Maine’s bucolic Midcoast region. “Washington is definitely a rural and residential-based place. It’s also a bit of a farming town, with lots of older farmhouses and pastoral land,” says Avary Otis, a Realtor with Camden Coast Real Estate and Midcoast area native. “At the center of the community, residents can find a really cute general store, a village office, a library. For those who have seen ‘Gilmore Girls,’ the town gives off a Stars Hollow vibe.” Otis adds that the homes and other buildings here capture the quintessential New England visual aesthetic. And while the community may offer seclusion in the countryside, Route 17 still passes through town and offers residents a connection to urban and commercial amenities across the region. “A lot of people in Washington work on their own farms or hold local blue-collar jobs, but you’ve also got a fair share of people commuting to work in cities like Augusta and Rockland,” Otis says. Augusta, Maine’s capital city, is situated west of town, while the county seat, Rockland, hugs the Atlantic coast to the east. Augusta and Rockland are equidistant from Washington in opposite directions.
New England homes, spacious lots and “raw land” options draw buyers
With a median lot size of one acre, Washington’s housing stock appeals to buyers looking for space, privacy and natural features like old-growth trees. Some single-family homes date back to the mid-1800s, but modern builds are also available around town. “There’s a mix of older and newer housing stock, but for the most part, it's older 20th-century and 19th-century homes. You see a lot of New England architectural styles, especially things like farmhouses and Capes,” Otis says. “It’s only been in the last five years or so—ever since the pandemic started—that we’ve seen a rise in new construction not just in Washington, but across the Midcoast region.” Aside from a few seasonal camps on the town ponds, Washington is a year-round community “There are also a lot more raw land options in the area. If you want to build your own home, there are plenty of choices, including larger parcels that aren’t readily available in most other places,” Otis says. Turnkey homes here range from approximately $140,000 to $490,000. Undeveloped land costs vary depending on acreage and location, but recent sales have bounced between $40,000 and $170,000. Washington has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, significantly lower than the national average of 4 and the lowest possible score on the index.
Zoning for Regional School Unit 40
Washington students are served by the Regional School Unit No. 40 (RSU 40), which earns a C-plus-rating from Niche. Those in prekindergarten through sixth grade can attend Prescott Memorial School, which receives a B-plus. Grades 7 and 8 can attend Medomak Middle School, rated B-minus, while older students complete their education at the C-rated Medomak Valley High School. Incoming high schoolers can also apply to programs offered at the Mid-Coast School of Technology, a regional career and technical education (CTE) school in Rockland that has not yet been rated by Niche.
Crystal Lake, Washington Pond and local forests anchor the outdoors
Crystal Lake and the larger Washington Pond are neighboring water features that help anchor the community’s outdoor recreation scene. Together, the lake and pond attract a small but steady crowd of summer vacationers; locals and seasonal visitors alike can enjoy activities on the water like fishing, kayaking, swimming and birdwatching. “There’s also a great youth summer camp on Washington Pond called Camp Med-o-Lark,” Otis adds. Another camp on the pond, Medomak Family Camp, allows parents and their children to experience a summer retreat together. Crystal Lake and Washington Pond are part of the town’s watershed, connecting to a network of active waterways like Little Medomak Brook. Otis says that Washington’s recreational trails weave throughout the area forests, which cover more than two-thirds of the town’s land. The Washington Hill & Gully Riders is a local snowmobile club that maintains motorized trailways and keeps them accessible to recreational vehicles.
Washington has farms, a general store and access to nearby markets
Shopping and dining amenities are limited in Washington; however, the town has a handful of farms that operate seasonally, selling things like fresh produce and homemade goods. Residents can swing by Washington General Store in the village center for basic food items, deli meats and baked goods. Otis says a few commercial establishments line Route 17 as it passes through town, including Jackson’s Corner Store and Medomak River Trading Post, a sporting goods retailer. “For larger grocery trips and errands, Rockland has Hannaford and Shaw’s supermarket, while Augusta has a wider range of shopping options,” Otis says. “Also, the town of Union, right next door, has The Common Market, a smaller grocer where people can go if they just need a cup of sugar or something.” Union is a 10-minute drive from Washington village and also has a hardware store and Dollar General.
Route 17 takes commuters to Augusta and Rockland
A network of quiet backcountry roads connects most of Washington, all leading to the town’s two numbered thoroughfares: the state’s east-west Route 17 and the north-south Route 220. Commuters can take Route 17 east to Rockland, 22 miles away, or west to Augusta, also a 22-mile trip. Portland International Jetport is an hour-and-a-half drive south of Washington. The closest emergency room is at MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport, roughly 20 miles from town.
