York

One of the first towns established on the Southern Maine coast, York is a pure escape both for seasonal residents and for year-round commuters to Portland, Portsmouth, and Boston.

 

Amidst a lovely blend of historical elegance, summer amusement, and natural beauty, life here moves at a casual pace. It’s an energy that has drawn many an artist and author, including Mark Twain back in 1902.

 

York is one of the country’s earliest English settlements, incorporated in 1624 as a port along the West India trading route. To protect sailors’ safety, several special pieces of Maine real estate were commissioned here: lighthouses that are now protected as historic sites. Inland, the Museums of Old York recall those Colonial times, allowing guests to encounter what life was like almost 400 years ago. Among the Old York Historical Society’s nine buildings you’ll find a research center, gallery, schoolhouse, and even a tavern where one can enjoy 1700s-style hearth-cooked meals.

 

Of course, the York beaches are a huge draw for those who summer here these days. A beautiful two-mile stretch of white sand welcomes surfers at daybreak; and at the festive Short Sands beach, giddy children delight in a playground, arcade and amusement park. Within a leisurely summer walk from the beach you’ll find boutiques, restaurants, and a salt water taffy shop that’s been in operation since the early 1800s. But year-round residents have a secret: The best time of year for beachcombing is in the autumn, when the lower angle of the sun illuminates Nubble Light, and the serene sound of the waves can be fully taken in.

 

Mount Agamenticus is the tallest mountain on the Southern Maine Coast. Formerly home to a ski resort called Big A, it’s now fully enjoyed by mountain bikers, horseback riders, and hikers, rewarding them on a clear day with views as far-reaching as Mount Washington and Boston. Two of Maine’s top golf courses, the state’s largest zoo and amusement park, cliff walks, nature trails, and more entertain residents and tourists all summer and beyond.

 

When browsing York, ME homes for sale, the first order of business is choosing where in “The Yorks” to focus your search. York Harbor and Cape Neddick both offer quintessential Maine-style cottages perched high over the water’s edge, often with deep water access for moorings and private beaches. Cape Neddick offers two beaches and a Donald Ross-designed 18-hole golf course, while York Harbor’s gentle surf feeds the York River, where miles of kayaking and sailing fun await. Both are in close proximity to the York Beach and its hub of boutiques, restaurants and culture. Speaking of which, stepping inside many of York’s seaside estates and cottages, you’ll find the best works of art around: windows framing views of historic lighthouses and sunrises over the ocean!

 

Can you picture yourself there already? Contact us to start your search.