West Gardiner has rural and lakefront living near city conveniences
West Gardiner is a central Maine town that offers a blend of agricultural land, waterfront homes and suburban properties near Interstate 95, making it a popular spot for people looking for a slower pace of life near city amenities. “You can easily get to Gardiner, get to Augusta, get to the highway, but you can still feel like you live in farmland and the country,” says Anna Moskowitz, an associate broker and Realtor with Hoang Realty who’s sold homes in the area since 2012. “It’s a very nice little town, but it's definitely an in-between, farm-town kind of a place.” Cobbosseecontee Lake and Cobbosseecontee Stream — names that locals often shorten to Cobbossee — are big draws for the area, providing several options for boating and fishing.
Farmhouses, waterfront homes and subdivisions
Most of West Gardiner is farmland, and the homes here, which include turn-of-the-century farmhouses, midcentury ranch-style homes and colonial-inspired New Traditional builds, can sit on several acres of land. Near Gardiner and I-95, subdivisions also have a rural feel, featuring homes on at least an acre that are spread out along cul-de-sacs. There are also some waterfront homes with access to Cobbossee Lake or Cobbossee Stream; these can have private docks and beaches. Prices typically range from around $170,000 to $660,000, while lakefront homes can cost more. Properties near the lake or stream might have a high risk of flooding and might require flood insurance.
Regional School Unit 11 serves West Gardiner
Kids attend Regional School Unit 11, which earns an overall rating of C-plus from Niche. They can start at the B-minus-rated Helen Thompson School, which hosts the Peter Pan Fair each June. This community-wide event features bounce houses, a plant sale and a cake walk. Kids can then attend the B-rated Gardiner Regional Middle. At the C-plus-rated Gardiner Area High, students can join nearly 20 clubs, including robotics, the civil rights team and the class council.
Country roads and interstate access near Augusta
Two-lane country roads lead around 5 miles to Gardiner and 10 miles to Augusta. Interstates 95 and 295 pass through the area, providing a convenient route to Portland, which is around 51 miles away and is home to Portland International Jetport, the closest commercial airport. MaineGeneral Medical Center's Alfond Center for Health is roughly 17 miles away. Houses of worship here include the First Baptist Church of West Gardiner and Grace Community Chapel.
Snowy winters provide extra challenges for rural areas
Maine’s winters are long, cold and snowy, and Moskowitz warns that buyers should know what they’re getting into. “You’re not running to Walgreens in the middle of a snowstorm from there,” she says. “You might not want to drive to town for a day or two.” She also warns that power outages are common in rural areas, and residents might want to buy a generator if their home doesn’t come with one.
Outdoor recreation includes paddling, fishing and golf
Kayaking, canoeing and fishing are popular summer activities here, and paddlers can launch at public boat ramps on Cobbossee Stream or Woodbury Pond. At over 5,500 acres, Cobbossee Lake is so large that it has its own lighthouse, and its size makes it popular for motorized boats, which allow anglers to take full advantage of the lake’s renowned bass fishing. The Cobbossee Lake boat ramp is around 8 miles away. CR Farm Disc Golf is a 21-hole course in the woods that has a competitive ladies’ league, and golfers can play nine holes at the public Cobbossee Colony Golf Course nearby. In winter, the Cobbosseecontee Snowmobile Club maintains snowmobiling trails throughout the area.
Locally owned markets and fast-food bites nearby
Fuller’s Market is West Gardiner’s go-to for essentials, including gas, groceries and meat. The market also sells prepared food, and it has a deli where diners can get sandwiches and pizza to go. The Four Corners General Store is a gas station that offers takeout pizza. The West Gardiner Service Plaza, located near Interstates 95 and 295, has fast food restaurants like Dunkin’ and Burger King. Gardiner is home to more shopping and dining options, including a Hannaford grocery store and A1 Diner, a casual hangout that was featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”
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Written By
Annie Franklin
