Historic Wiscasset is a quintessential New England community
Touted as the “prettiest village in Maine” on its welcome sign, the town of Wiscasset is known for its waterfront setting and New England charm in the state’s Mid Coast region. “It’s right on the Sheepscot River, and the town’s in a pretty rural area,” says Kirstie Ransdell, a local Realtor and Associate Broker with Keller Williams Realty, Inc. She adds that Wiscasset also has a lot of historical elements and older properties, considering that the town’s settlement goes as far back as the late 1600s. “There used to be a nuclear power plant in the Wiscasset area, which has since been disabled, and that shutdown really changed the town,” Ransdell says. “It went from a year-round town with families drawn by employment opportunities at the plant to now being more of a vacation area focusing on tourism.” Wiscasset has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average overall score of 4.
Variety of home styles and prices in Wiscasset’s housing market
Potential homebuyers can find a wide range of housing options in Wiscasset. Some of the more common housing styles include ranch homes, New Englander builds and Colonial-style houses. Gambrel roofing is a standard feature on many homes. “Wiscasset has more multifamily construction than other areas, and there have also been some newer properties built in the last several years,” Ransdell says. Wiscasset has an average home value of about $470,000, notably lower than the Portland Metro Area’s average housing value of nearly $640,000. Most turnkey single-family homes cost between $250,000 and $650,000, though some specialty historic or waterfront properties have sold for more than $1 million.
Wiscasset School Department serves Pre-K through 12th grade
Students here are served by the Wiscasset School Department, which is comprised of two schools: Wiscasset Elementary for prekindergarten through fifth grade, and Wiscasset Middle High School for grades six through 12. Both schools receive C ratings from Niche. The Wiscasset Middle High School athletic department partners with nearby Boothbay Region High School and Morse High School to offer a full catalog of sports opportunities.
Recreation includes historic sites, athletics and boating
Wiscasset has several parks and recreation facilities overseen by the town itself, including local playgrounds, athletic fields and the Wiscasset Community Center, which features a pool and fitness center amenities. At the Wiscasset Community Playground, parkgoers can find picnic pavilions and fields for baseball and softball. The town’s waterfront is lined with marinas, and the Wiscasset Yacht Club is open seasonally between April and October. Right across the water is Fort Edgecomb Memorial Park, a scenic riverfront area with open picnic fields and historic landmarks. Farther inland is the Wiscasset Speedway, a stock car racing track hosting competitions under eight divisions.
Antique shops and seafood spots line Wiscasset Harbor
Wiscasset’s town center along the waterfront is where residents can find most local shopping and dining options: “In Wiscasset, it’s primarily antique stores and little specialty shops, not larger markets,” Ransdell says. She adds that there are several restaurants in town, as well, but none as popular as Red’s Eats: “It’s this lobster roll place right before the bridge, but it’s the place that everyone’s willing to wait two hours for a roll because they’re so good. It’s one of the town’s most famous places and has been on TV shows broadcast all around the world.” Other well-known seafood restaurants in town include Sea Basket and Sprague’s Lobster. Farther from the town’s center along Route 1 are a handful of chains like Dollar General and Shaw’s, the nearest supermarket.
Convenience to U.S. Route 1
U.S. Route 1 is a major coastal highway and Wiscasset’s main thoroughfare, running through the middle of town and connecting residents with nearby cities like Bath, only 10 miles away. “The Wiscasset Airport is a draw here because people can fly private planes in and out of there,” Ransdell says. The nearest airport with commercial flights is Portland International Jetport, about an hour-long drive from town. The closest 24-hour emergency room is 8 miles away at MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital Miles Campus in the town of Damariscotta.
