West Bath

Midcoast Maine’s charming Phippsburg is an old fishing village, home to year-round residents who brave the waters when they’re at their coldest. The peninsula’s jagged edges jut into the mouth of the Kennebec River, known for fertile waters with enormous runs of fish. "It's one of the first places in Maine where Europeans settled and built the first wooden sailing vessel in North America," says Robert Long, a Maine native who works in the area. Long emphasizes the value of the town's long-tended farmland. “It’s a very small town,” says Julie A. Cromwell, owner of Cromwell Coastal Properties in nearby Woolwich and 20-year local seller. The community’s population topped out at just over 2,000 in 2020, according to US Census Bureau data, but those numbers are increasing thanks to the growing crowds of Winnebago drivers who park their motor homes here solidly until Labor Day. Phippsburg’s draw is in its natural scenery – the town’s undeveloped land sits under thick blankets of brushy pines and fir trees that line one north-to-south road leading to the rocky cape. Buyers can find listings at many budgets in this quiet coastal community, where multi-million-dollar waterfront residences mix with manufactured homes and about everything in between. Properties typically range from $200,000 to $2 million, spanning styles from beach cottages and rustic farmhouses to towering cabins that peek through the tall treetops. These getaways scatter along the main road, hidden behind long drives and thick foliage. Purchasing an empty parcel is a good way to invest here, with lots selling from $75,000 to $725,000, depending on the size, location and views. But there’s a lot more to Phippsburg than barn houses and fishing. The peninsula is home to several nature preserves and beaches with stunning year-round scenery. Popham Beach is the busiest in the state, particularly during the summertime when the rocky coastline fills with swimmers, boaters and seashell collectors. Pet owners can leash up their furry friends for waterside walks in the fall and winter. Locals can also take on woodsy trails on the way to the beach at the Bates Morse Mountain Conservation Area (BMMCA), an enclave of protected salt marsh and coastal upland managed by Bates College. "The barrier beach is a pristine jewel," Long, a steward at the BMMCA, says. Phippsburg is part of Regional School Unit 1, a public school system also serving Bath and Woolwich. Kids can start at Phippsburg Elementary before moving on to Bath Middle and finishing up their studies at Morse High. Each carries Niche ratings of B-minus or higher and is located within 7 miles or roughly 15 minutes from Phippsburg families. In 2023, members of Morse’s new International Club held an event called “International Night,” designed to highlight the cultures of exchange students from across Maine, including Kazakhstan, France, Italy, Germany, Mexico and Ukraine. The town gathers weekly for civic meetings covering historic preservation, climate resilience and shellfish conservation, among other topics. Locals also gather for less official events throughout the year, like the Phippsburg Sportsmen’s Association’s Family Fishing Derby in February, Trick or Truck for Halloween and the popular Canvases and Cocktails event in the winter. “Everybody helps each other out,” Cromwell says. Community leaders have organized once-a-month meal kits to be distributed at the town hall to help residents stretch their grocery budgets. With a CAP Index crime score of 1, Phippsburg also experiences less crime than busier Maine areas. Phippsburg has a handful of restaurants, though many are open seasonally, so it’s wise to check before heading out for a meal. The Lobster House is among the most popular, a waterside spot known for its namesake dish, and Ledges Pub, an eatery offering dinner with a view of the water inside the Sebasco Harbor Resort. You can also get a fresh-baked pie in town from Trish’s Pie Bakery, serving flavors like pecan, French apple, and – of course – wild Maine blueberry. Downtown Bath is less than 10 miles away, where Phippsburg locals can explore the lively downtown area with a wide selection of bars, restaurants and cafes. Phippsburg homeowners also head this way for grocery shops at Shaw’s, or continue west to Brunswick to hit big box stores like Walmart or Lowe’s Home Improvement. Phippsburg’s proximity to Bath means it’s not too far from Route 1, a major Maine connector that starts in Kittery and runs all the way up to the Canadian border. It’s a 15-minute ride to the highway from the center of town. From there, commuters can hop on Interstate 295 to ride up and down the coast. Most can reach Portland within an hour, and the Amtrak Downeaster train line begins its journey south in Brunswick, 15 miles away. Brunswick is also home to Mid Coast Hospital.