Kennebec River Region
Augusta
Pittsfield
Skowhegan
Waterville
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The city of Augusta is Maine’s capitol. Geographically speaking, the city is split, so it is situated on both banks of the Kennebec River, one of Maine’s major inland waterways. In lower central Maine, Augusta is perfect for those who enjoy any or all four-season sports and recreation. An hour’s drive takes you within reach of some of Maine’s major ski areas to the north or the west, or drive south and find the beautiful Midcoast region in just half an hour. This city and its surrounding towns offer safe, clean residential neighborhoods, excellent schools, and a number of cultural opportunities. The many beautiful lakes and ponds, and the broad river itself, offer delightful views, and present the option of living on a waterfront lot.
Residents in this area benefit from all the services, shopping, dining, and other amenities you would expect to find in a community that serves hundreds of government employees and their families. The Capital Area is well suited for activities such as canoeing, kayaking and motor-boating, swimming, water skiing, sailing, jet skiing, ice skating and both warm weather and ice fishing.
There are three museums in Augusta:
The Maine State Museum enables you to experience Maine’s past by presenting exhibits of Maine’s natural environment, social history and manufacturing heritage.
Old Fort Western was built in 1754 by the Proprietors of the Kennebec Purchase. Now designated as a National Historic Landmark, it is New England’s oldest surviving wooden fort. Located on the banks of the Kennebec River, the Fort complex includes the original main house (barrack and store) and reproduction blockhouses and more. This museum has displays with costumes and more depicting 18th Century-style military, settlement, family, work and community themes.
The Children’s Discovery Museum of Augusta offers “hands-on” opportunities for youngsters through grade five to have fun while learning in an interactive environment. A host of exciting exhibits, including a diner, post office, supermarket, performing stage with video camera, resource craft table and environmental “river room,” provide wonderful opportunities for creative family fun.
If you enjoy live theatre, take in a Shakespearean play at the Theater in nearby Monmouth in the summer. Other cultural opportunities include concerts performed by the Kennebec Performing Arts group, and year-round performances at the Waterville Opera House and Johnson Hall.
The state of Maine is recognized as one of the best and safest places in the US to raise a family, partly because of the first-rate education available here. As you consider living in the Augusta area, you will want to know that the schools here are consistently rated highly in academic excellence, extra-curricular activities and athletics. In the capital city alone you will find public and parochial elementary schools, plus a public middle and high school. Some students choose to attend the Capital Area Technical Center in conjunction with their regular schooling to get a jump on the vocation of their choosing.
For high school graduates that want to stay near home, there are four colleges within a 30 minute drive of Augusta: The University of Maine at Augusta, a public state college; Colby College, a well-respected private liberal arts college; Thomas College, a private business college; and Kennebec Valley Community College, a comprehensive, public 2-year institution that provides a quality education.
The Augusta area will provide you with a broad range of residential choices. You can live right in the city, or in one of several suburban areas or small towns within easy commuting distance. You might want to enjoy country living, or take advantage of Maine’s openness by acquiring some acreage in any of the quiet communities surrounding the city where affordable real estate is available, and waterfront living is an option on a lake, pond, river or stream.
Great schools, affordable real estate and excellent recreational opportunities make this a highly desirable community in which to live and work! If you are looking for an opportunity with a rewarding career and very high quality of life for your family, this may be the spot for you! Back to Top
Pittsfield is a historic community (settled over 200 years ago) that is less than half an hour each from Bangor to the east, and from Waterville to the southwest. Waterville is a nice, mid-sized college town offering a host of services, eateries, shops and theatres. Bangor is Maine’s second largest city, with a metro population of over 100,000 people, four colleges, shopping malls, a symphony orchestra, a major airport, and one of the highest rated children’s museums in the country, and much more. Pittsfield is adjacent to Maine’s smooth interstate highway, making travel easy. Portland is less than two hours away, Boston is under four hours! Living in this central location, you will be about 90 minutes from mountains and fantastic skiing to the west, and under an hour from the coast to the southeast, where you can enjoy anything from deep sea fishing and whale watching to sailing.
As home to a diversified atmosphere, the area offers a variety of energetic activities and magnificent facilities for families and individuals. It is a community of many parks and sports fields including the 70-acre Manson Park, home of the now-historic Central Maine Egg Festival; Hathorn Park in the center of town featuring a traditional bandstand where concerts are frequently held in the summer months; Stein Park, a showcase for the local garden club bordering picturesque Mill Pond; and Pinnacle Park, home to the Pinnacle Ski Club, a group promoting skiing and instruction for ages.
Golfers are served by a nine-hole course at J.W. Parks Golf Course. Snowmobilers traverse the community in season and have access to a statewide trail system aided by the Pittsfield Driftbusters Snowmobile Club. Recreational and business flyers can take advantage of the Pittsfield Municipal Airport. Pittsfield is unique as the only town of its size to have a community movie theatre showing first-run movies daily and at reduced rates.
Pittsfield is home to one of the oldest college preparatory schools in New England. Founded in 1866, Maine Central Institute (MCI) is a prominent part of the landscape with its traditional, ivy-covered halls and tree-lined campus. MCI is home to the Bossov School of Ballet and a training ground for many Division I and NBA basketball players. Before students get to high school, they attend the local elementary schools, Mason Park School and Vickery School, and then continue to Warsaw Middle School.
Real estate in Pittsfield is still very affordable. In the city you will find a range of options from vintage Victorian homes in the downtown district to comfortable suburban type homes in family oriented neighborhoods. There are also many locations where you can buy an old fashion farmhouse with acres of land to keep that pony your kids have been asking for! Or, you could purchase undeveloped land with woods, pastures or near a stream on which to build your dream house. Many parcels of land around Pittsfield offer both privacy and comfort – the best part is how affordable the properties are here!
In Maine, you will find many fun-filled ways to spend your leisure time. Our downhill skiing is spectacular, or you might enjoy other winter activities such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and ice fishing. Central Maine offers many pristine lakes and streams! In warmer seasons, you can go hiking or biking or backpacking on many nearby trails, or perhaps camping, fishing or hunting. Maine also offers all types of boating, from canoeing and kayaking to sailing and whitewater rafting, plus golfing, rock climbing, and much, much more. If you prefer something a little more tame, try antiquing, bird watching, or nature photography! There is truly something for everyone, in every season. Back to Top
Skowhegan is known as the crossroads of Maine, located just 30 minutes north of Waterville and 60 minutes west of Bangor. This community is jumping-off point to The North Woods, an outdoor recreation lover’s dream with dozens of lakes and rivers, plus mountains for skiing and climbing. The area has a vibrant economy, a top-rated school system, reasonably priced real estate, and much more.
The recreational opportunities in Somerset County are limited only by your imagination. In the winter months, an average ten feet of snowfall provides a deep base for many miles of groomed snowmobile trails. But, don’t worry – Maine road crews know how to handle the snow, so it’s still easy to get around in the wintertime. Many area residents spend snowy days at Eaton Mountain (just 3 miles from the hospital) going downhill skiing or sledding. Or head over to Sugarloaf, just 40 miles away, one of Maine’s premier ski resorts. In the summer months, you can take advantage of all the activities offered by numerous lakes, rivers and streams throughout the region. From some of the best fly fishing in all of New England, to whitewater rafting, to camping on the banks of a quiet lake, there is something here for everyone who enjoys the outdoors. Who knows, you may even spot a moose or a bald eagle when you’re out there!
Those who enjoy live theatre should check out the Lakewood Theater for a phenomenal experience. Performing for the public since 1901, The Lakewood is the oldest summer theater in America!
You’ll want to visit the Skowhegan State Fair when it comes to town each August. This is a great family event – the Fair features attractions for all ages. From the Demolition Derby to Harness Racing, and Carnival rides to a Children’s Barn, no matter what events you attend, you’re sure to have a great time. Another wonderful local event is the Arts & Air Festival held every Memorial Day Weekend. Here, you can view the works of local artists, enjoy an antique car show, and take a hot-air balloon ride!
Skowhegan schools are top-notch. For children attending school below 8th grade, there are four different schools serving the community. High school age students may go to the area high school, or a regional tech center. There is also a parochial school, Faith Baptist Christian School, which teaches kids from grades 1 through 12. Budding artists may want to take part in programs offered by the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. Intense nine-week summer residency programs are offered for advanced visual artists.
Real estate in Skowhegan is very affordable. In the city, you will find a range of options ranging from vintage Victorian homes in the downtown district to comfortable suburban type homes in family neighborhoods. There are also nearby opportunities to buy an old fashioned farmhouse, with acres of land to enjoy! Or, you could purchase undeveloped land with woods, pastures or near a stream on which to build your dream house. Many parcels of land around Skowhegan offer both privacy and comfort – the best part is how affordably property here is priced! Back to Top
Waterville is a mid-sized college town located in lower-central Maine. With its outlying suburbs and surrounding rural communities, hospitals in Waterville estimate that their service area exceeds 65,000 people. This family-friendly community offers seemingly endless recreational opportunities, superior public schools, affordable real estate, and great shopping facilities. It’s a wonderful place to call home!
Centrally located, Waterville is less than an hour from Maine’s coast. This area encompasses a number of lakes and rivers, so Waterville offers excellent opportunities for water lovers. You can enjoy all types of boating here, from canoeing and kayaking and sailing and nearby whitewater rafting. For those who prefer dry land, you can enjoy Maine’s warmer seasons by going hiking, biking or backpacking on many nearby trails, or perhaps camping, fishing or hunting.
In the wintertime, enjoy the snow! Visit one of Maine’s many dynamic downhill slopes, such as the famed Sugarloaf Ski Resort, located just 90 minutes from Waterville. You could also take pleasure in snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling or ice fishing. If you prefer activities that are a bit more tame, try antiquing, bird watching, or nature photography! There is truly something for everyone to enjoy in every Maine season.
Since Waterville is just 20 minutes north of Augusta, Maine’s capitol city, it’s easy to benefit from all the services, shopping, dining, and other amenities you would expect to find in a community that serves hundreds of government employees and their families. Augusta is home to three museums: two will introduce you to Maine’s interesting history (The Maine State Museum and Old Fort Western Museum), and one makes an outstanding day trip for kids (The Children’s Discovery Museum).
Many exciting festivals are held annually in Waterville. If you like impressive art, then you will want to attend the Waterville In-Town Art Fest, held annually since 1969, making it one of the oldest outdoor art shows in Maine. If food tickles your fancy, participate in The Greater Taste of Waterville. This event has celebrated local cuisine since 1992, and encourages you taste-test selections from all your favorite area restaurants and dining establishments while you enjoy magnificent entertainment. Are you a film buff? The Maine International Film Fest is a Waterville celebration hosted by Friends of Art and Film in Central Maine, dedicated to supporting the arts. You’ll have a great time in Waterville no matter which events you choose to attend!
Maine is recognized as one of the best and safest places in the US to raise a family, partly because of the first-rate education available here. Excellent schools are great source of Waterville pride! With two public and two parochial elementary schools, parents can choose the academic career they want for their youngsters. Older students continue their educations in the Waterville public middle school and public high school. Some high school students choose to attend the Mid-Maine Technical Center, in conjunction with their regular high school curriculum, to prepare themselves to go straight into the workplace. It’s an excellent option available right in your neighborhood.
Waterville is truly a college town, and the home of three very fine schools: Colby College, a highly respected private liberal arts college; Thomas College, a private business college; and Kennebec Valley Community College, a comprehensive, public 2-year institution that provides a quality education in a range of fields.
Those settling in the Waterville area will enjoy a range of residential choices. You can live right in the city, or in one of several suburban areas, or you can enjoy Maine’s openness by acquiring some acreage in any of the quiet communities surrounding the city, where affordable real estate is plentiful, and waterfront living is an option on one of the area’s lakes, rivers or streams. Great schools, affordable real estate and excellent recreational opportunities make this a highly desirable community in which to live and work! If you seek a high quality of life for your family, this could be the place for you! Back to Top
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