Best Real Estate Values around Acadia? (Bangor, Orono: houses, good schools, property tax)

[Fiddlehead]

Howdy all:

Still researching a position at Acadia NP. It appears that duties would be split between Schoodic and Bar Harbor, with frequent trips to Bangor and Orono. As I peruse the real estate listings, it seems that prices in Bar Harbor and on MDI are much higher than elsewhere. I realize MDI is a fantastic area, but I am looking for a better value. I currently live in a very overpriced tourist town out west (Ashland, Oregon), and I don't really want to compete for housing with wealthy second home owners from Boston,NYC,etc. Because of the craziness of the west coast housing bubble, I will likely not come with much (if any) equity, despite owning my home for 7 years. So, I am looking fro something affordable. Ellsworth seems a good possibility, but saw some neat places near Sullivan, Hancock,etc.

Any tips on the best places to enjoy the beautiful coastline, woods, and outdoors, with easy access to good schools, jobs for my wife, hiking, skiiing, and of course Schoodic and MDI? I realize that last might be hard to come by, but any tips about the nicest areas BESIDES Bar Harbor, would be appreciated.

[Acadianlion]

Hancock, Sullivan, Lamoine are good alternatives, being in between Mt. Desert Island and Winter Harbor (Schoodic). Once you cross the bridge onto Mt Desert Island, the cost of real estate will go up considerably. Even Lamoine is now more expensive than it ever thought of being before. The town of Trenton is the last stop before you cross the causeway onto MDI, and although there are still a lot of good house values there, the comparative cost of houses is higher in Trenton than in surrounding towns. The property tax costs in Trenton are also higher because we have a school that the town cannot afford.

Of all of the towns, I would vote for Hancock.

[Fiddlehead]

Originally Posted by Acadianlion

Hancock, Sullivan, Lamoine are good alternatives, being in between Mt. Desert Island and Winter Harbor (Schoodic). Once you cross the bridge onto Mt Desert Island, the cost of real estate will go up considerably. Even Lamoine is now more expensive than it ever thought of being before. The town of Trenton is the last stop before you cross the causeway onto MDI, and although there are still a lot of good house values there, the comparative cost of houses is higher in Trenton than in surrounding towns. The property tax costs in Trenton are also higher because we have a school that the town cannot afford.

Of all of the towns, I would vote for Hancock.

Thanks Lion,

It does look like a scenic area, close to Ellsworth, and probably more affordable than MDI. I'll give it a look. Wow! What a beautiful area Hancock County is! I love looking at homes and towns in that part of Maine. Much more affordable than my corner of Oregon, and just as beautiful.