Where is your life’s compass guiding you? My life’s compass has drawn me to water. I have lived as far west as the cliffs on Pacific Coast in California, as far south as the powdery white beaches on the Gulf Coast in Florida, as far east as the crushed shell beaches on Long Island Sound in Connecticut and now as far north as the crystal-clear lakes and rocky Atlantic Coast in Maine. The beauty of water impacts all of us and I have personally witnessed how water impacts York County and the southern coast of Maine.
Here are my Top 5 Thoughts:
- Water makes industry possible. A town on a body of water is open to so many business opportunities, whether in the transport of goods along a river or the use of water as energy. My current home of southern Maine relies heavily on the lobster and fishing industry.When most people think of Maine, a vision of a lobster pops in their head! According to recently updated data from the Maine Department of Marine Resources, 2021 was the most valuable year in the history of Maine's lobster fishery at nearly $725 million. That’s a lot of lobster rolls! Another industry greatly impacted by water is the real estate industry. Historically, waterfront towns see a spike in volume and value for seasonal, investment and lifestyle properties. This is true as well for real estate located in southern York County along the Maine Coastal corridor.
- Water is an asset for local businesses. Towns with water frontage present an attraction for tourists and offer an amazing opportunity for local businesses. Each year, residents from New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts flock to northern New England to seek out the Maine coastal communities of Kittery, York, Ogunquit, Wells, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport. Visitors may enjoy an evening of specialty cocktails and merriment at the Front Porch Piano Bar and Restaurant located in downtown Ogunquit, a scoop (or two) of homemade ice cream at Big Daddy’s Ice Cream Shoppe in Wells, boutique shopping at Daisy Jane’s in York, shopping at the infamous Kittery Trading Post in Kittery and much more! There is something for everyone in Maine’s southern coast!
- Take a hike with a water view! One of the best ways to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Maine coast is also one of the simplest – taking a nice, long walk on one of the many charming walking trails. There are plenty of great places to go walking and each of them with their own unique charm and character. One of my favorite walking attractions is the Marginal Way in Ogunquit. The Marginal Way, a picturesque 1.25 mile walk offering breathtaking views of the Maine coast and the town of Ogunquit, stretches from Perkins Cove in the south to the middle of Shore Road. The path offers some of the most spectacular views and iconic scenery in southern Maine, if not all of New England! Another popular spot for a short stroll is along the Wiggly Bridge, a 75’ suspension bridge which leads over a salty estuary in York to Steedman Woods, a nature reserve and a pleasantly wooded shelter of tall shade trees to ease the summer heat. Free fun and exercise – you can’t beat that!
- Water means beaches! Maine’s southern coast offers some of the best beach attractions. Ready to make a sandcastle and search for seaglass? Here are some spots to check out:
York Beaches:
Harbor Beach – Small beautiful sandy beach with suited for children with it's gentle surf. Off of Route 1A at the entrance to Harbor Park, there is free, but limited parking. Toilet facilities are available at Harbor Beach Road's end. Lifeguards patrol from June to Labor Day.
Long Sands Beach – Surfers are drawn to this long, sandy beach for its areas designated for surfing. Running along the beach, Coastal Route 1A offers metered parking. Bathrooms can be found at near Oceanside Ave. Lifeguards patrol from June to Labor Day.
Short Sands Beach – Sandy beach with gentle surf. Here, you can find metered parking in a lot off Rt 1A, showers, changing area and toilets. Easy to walk to shops and amusements adjacent to beach. Lifeguards on duty end of June to Labor Day.
Ogunquit Beaches:
Ogunquit Beach – Soft white sand and warm surf. Popular with families. Accessible by trolley and several parking areas. Restrooms and snack bars. Considered one of the prettiest 3.5 miles of peninsula beach in the country. Lifeguards.
Footbridge Beach – Farther down Ogunquit Beach, beachgoers access the crowded area parking at the end of Ocean St. from the footbridge. Lifeguard patrolled.
Moody Beach - Bourne Avenue in Moody. Parking $7 per day.
Wells Beaches:
Drakes Island Beach – Limited parking at lot on eastern end of Drakes Island Road. Toilet facilities and lifeguards available.
Wells Beach – Go to the Town Hall for parking stickers. Wonderful, long, sandy beach. Toilet facilities and lifeguards.
Crescent Beach - Typically uncrowded with beachgoers for its slightly more rocky real estate, however for some, that's the appeal. Parking at Gold Ribbon Avenue lot, from Webhannet Drive. Lifeguards.
Kennebunk/Kennebunkport Beaches:
Mother’s Beach – Short sandy section of Kennebunk Beach. Playground on site. Stickers required, available at Town Hall. No facilities. Lifeguard on duty.
Gooch’s Beach – Largest part of Kennebunk Beach, along Beach Avenue, with talcum powder sand. Parking sticker required, available at Town Hall. Snack bars not available. Portable toilets. Lifeguards.
Middle Beach – Between Mother’s and Gooch’s Beach seats a rockier section of Kennebunk Beach with black, pretty pebbles. Sticker also required.
Colony Beach – This small beach area corners the mouth of the Kennebunk River lies . Limited parking. No lifeguard.
Cleaves Cove Beach – Secluded and lovely beach off Ocean Avenue. No parking. No facilities. No lifeguards.
Goose Rocks Beach – Very soft sand, great for walking. Scenic and beautiful. There is a trolley drop off for those that do not have parking sticker. No toilet facilities or patrolled with lifeguards.
Kennebunk/Kennebunkport Beach Parking Stickers available at Chamber of Commerce, Town Hall and Police Station.
- You just can't beat that natural beauty of water! In my opinion, water can be one of the most beautiful natural and man-made features in a landscape. Our last home in Florida bordered a small pond and I enjoyed countless hours gazing at the water and contemplating the wonder of our world over my morning coffee. Ponds, lakes, rivers and the view of the Atlantic Ocean in Maine also bring with them aquatic and shore-based plants as well as birds, fish and water dwelling mammals, all of which add beauty and an opportunity to learn from our environment. Imagine taking a whale watching tour and observing a whale spout water from its blowhole OR imagine witnessing a flock of seabirds as they soar high above the Nubble Lighthouse in York with the blue sky and Atlantic Ocean as their natural backdrop OR imagine finding a secluded cove or inlet for a moment of quiet contemplation. The possibilities are endless!
Many of us tend to think of water as something to be seen only on vacation. But you don't need to live in a beachside villa in the Caribbean to experience the life changing value of water.
Where is your life’s compass guiding you? As the tide changes in your life, I am here to assist you on your journey - wherever it may lead!
Remember, you’ve got this one life, LIVE it! To schedule a phone consultation, call or text 203-313-4349 or visit my website(s) at www.venicehousehunter.com (Florida) or www.vacationlandhousehunter.com (Maine).
Karen Udiskey - ABR, SRS, SFR
realtor / recruiter / engagement leader
affiliated with EXIT King Realty in Venice, Florida and EXIT Oceanside Realty in Wells, Maine