When we moved to Maine, I knew we had finally arrived in a place where – after more than 30 years – we could settle down. To say the least, it was a long time coming.
What drew us here are the things we continue to love today: deep history, unspoiled nature, and a lack of pretense. You can breathe in this place. It doesn’t hurt that we’re also surrounded by incredible art, antiques, and architecture, rugged coastline, and a sense of calm. The combination of these things makes Maine a place to love.
1. The Art Scene
Long a haven for the creative, Maine boasts a thriving art community. Painters, weavers, woodworkers, metal artisans, and more draw inspiration from Maine’s iconic landscape and way of life. It’s not unusual to find artists engaged in plein air painting in towns and coastal areas. Studios that are often part of the artist’s home can also be found throughout the state. Many open their doors to visitors throughout the year, inviting you in for an up-close look at their work and process.
We have more than a half-dozen studios very close by our home, along with a number of galleries. One of our favorites is local artist Susan Bartlett Rice, who we are lucky to call a friend and neighbor. Her impressionistic style features broad brush strokes and gorgeous color, and her use of light is masterful. Paintings reflect life on the Maine coast and have been collected nationally. Two of her beautifully-composed works grace our home, and I’m looking forward to a third!
In addition to Susan, we’re also in close proximity to the Bristol Road Galleries, a collaboration of four local artists: Kathleen Horst, Will Kefauver, Jan Kilburn, and Marnie Sinclair. They’re known to host open houses throughout the year where they showcase original works and prints for sale. It’s a wonderful atmosphere where you can just stop by, enjoy some light refreshments, peruse their work, and visit with these incredibly talented people.
2. Loads of Antiques
When you live in an area that was settled in the 1600s, you’re bound to have wonderful relics of the past nearby. And those relics make their ways into antique shops and malls all over the state.
For anyone (like us) who loves antiquing, Maine offers a treasure trove of options. I love a deal and believe some of the best items are found in thrift stores like the Midcoast Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Rockport. I LOVE this place and drop by whenever I find myself in that area. The fact that it’s in a charming, old barn makes it that much more fun to visit. I love picking through lots of items in search of hidden treasure. Last time I was in, I scored an original watercolor painting for less than $20!
I also love a good antique mall, like Cabot Mill Antiques in Brunswick, where I’ve landed more than a few great buys.
Antiquing trips to other shops yielded a vintage copper boiling pot I use to store kindling, a pair of end tables scored for just $15 each, and a wonderful framed original oil painting for $40. We got my office desk, which is solid cherry, for around $150. I could go on, but the list would be very long!
3. Historic Architecture
Photograph by Scott B. Smith
Hubby and I both love and appreciate historic architecture, and Maine does not disappoint. In fact, it’s everywhere here. You can get lost in the past just strolling the streets of quaint towns. Brick and clapboard churches, houses, and storefronts – many dating back to the 1700s – line quaint Main Streets and quiet avenues.
The pace of life is slower in these places. Towns are small and walkable, often with lovely water views, almost begging you to take your time. On your tour, you can stop for a coffee or a treat from the local bakery, visit one of the many shops for locally-made goods, or simply enjoy your surroundings. And with many of these towns only minutes away, they make for the perfect afternoon getaway.
Photograph by Susan Cole Kelly
Photograph courtesy of The Smiling Cow
Photograph by Susan Cole Kelly
Photograph by Expedia
4. Miles of Coastline
Fun fact: Maine has more coastline than any other state in the US, much of it rocky and rugged. It’s a stunning natural beauty that rivals the sandy white beaches of our southern states. We have our sandy beaches, too, but it’s the craggy coast that is quintessential Maine.
With so much coastline, it’s possible to access it from any number of locations. We love that you can get to the ocean in just minutes. It’s close enough that we don’t have to commit an entire day to a beach trip. Instead, we can pop down for a couple of hours and still have time for other activities (in our world that usually means chores, but it’s all good!).
When the tides are low, you get a good shot at finding beautiful shells, driftwood, and if you’re lucky, some sea glass. Scouring the shore for these ocean gems is my latest passion, so I’m on the hunt for the best places to find them.
5. Peace & Serenity
This may be the aspect of Maine life we treasure the most. It’s peaceful here, and as an introvert, I take my peace seriously. Being able to wander outside among my garden and paths that lead to the wilder parts of our property is a blessing I don’t take for granted.
During the summer, our property hums with wildlife. A variety of pollinators visit our plants and create a peaceful rhythm that calms me even when things are chaotic.
I love finding wildflowers in bloom, including those that I’ve planted carefully and those that sprung up from a handful of seeds tossed into a field.
Even a trip to my garden shed is something I look forward to, especially on warm days when the sun is shining. I just transplanted two hydrangea on one side of it and am looking forward to the first blossoms.
Between the abundance of art, antiques, architecture, coastline, and peacefulness, we have found our home in Maine. It checks all the important boxes for us. We have four distinct seasons that bring something new and interesting each year (even if spring isn’t all that wonderful), and room to roam. We also have a true connection to the earth and joy in our lives every day. It’s truly a place to celebrate. And to think, it only took us 30 years to get here.