Seasonal Maine community next to Long Lake and Brandy Pond
Like the Italian city it’s named after, the town of Naples attracts people because of its natural beauty and waterfront location. Situated along connecting streams and ponds, Naples is a friendly community that spends a lot of time outdoors. “In the summertime, Naples has a real fun vibe with lots of restaurants and bars,” says Judy Oberg, nearby resident and Realtor at Oberg Insurance & Real Estate Agency, Inc. “Naples’ downtown is more seasonal than Bridgton, but they have some year-round residences and things that stay open. Both towns are very nice, and they have very different attractions.”
Recreation year-round on Long Lake, Brandy Pond and Sebago Lake
“Naples has a causeway that goes between Long Lake and Brandy Pond, which takes you to Sebago Lake. They have a lot of fun stuff going on there,” Oberg says. These three bodies of water are among the selection of popular recreation areas in Naples. Here, locals can enjoy swimming, boating and other activities. Like the other lakes, Brandy Pond Park has campgrounds and opportunities for fishing and kayaking. “There’s still a lot of winter sports people do on the lake,” Oberg says. Popular winter activities include snowshoeing and ice fishing.
Homes range from modest ranches to multi-million-dollar mansions
Homes in Naples range from modest ranches and manufactured homes starting in the $100,000s to multi-million-dollar mansions with water views. Wooden cottage-style lake houses represent the mid-range price point, with a three-bedroom ranging from $300,000 to $500,000. Many homes also incorporate farmhouse and saltbox features, including steeply pitched roofs, wooden siding and small, double-hung windows. Homes at every price point tend to sit on private, wooded lots with a secluded feel, rather than subdivisions or neighborhoods.
Visitors and locals ride the Songo River Queen II for scenery and music
“Naples has the Songo River Queen, a big boat that goes up and down Long Lake,” Oberg says. Riders can enjoy either a scenic cruise with views of sites like Mt. Washington, Pine Island and Pleasant Mountain, or an entertainment cruise with live music at sunset. Naples also has an active Recreation and Community Activities department that hosts family-friendly seasonal and holiday events, youth sports teams and more. The department also hosts a summer concert series at the Naples Village Green, with performances every Sunday evening from June through August.
Shopping, dining and boating at Naples Causeway
Naples Causeway, where Long Lake and Brandy Pond Connect, is the hub of the community. Here, neighbors and summertime visitors congregate for the best views of the town’s waterways and station their boats at Naples Marina. It’s also where residents find many of the town’s shops and businesses, including restaurants, bars, hotels and supermarkets. Visitors can eat a lobster roll and sip on rum punch at Captain Jack’s or order pizza and chicken wings at Gary’s Old Towne Tavern.
Students attend Lake Region Schools
Students in Naples attend Lake Region Schools. Students in kindergarten through fifth grade attend Songo Locks School, which earned a C-minus from Niche. Students then attend Lake Region Middle School and Lake Region High School, which also earned C-minuses. The high school is also home to the Lake Region Vocational Center. Here, students can learn career skills with curriculums for fields like culinary arts, health occupations, automotive technology and criminal justice.
30 miles from Portland and the New Hampshire State Line
Naples is a car-dependent area. Route 302 runs through Naples, connecting locals to the New Hampshire State Line, 30 miles northeast of the town, and Portland, 30 miles southeast. Route 302 also takes residents just north to Bridgton, home to Pleasant Mountain Ski Area and Bridgton Hospital.
Photography Contributed By
Jason Veilleux
