Apartments for Rent in Maine

Maine

Maine is the northernmost eastern state in the U.S. and its climate reflects this location. Summers are mild and breezy with pleasant temperatures in the eighties. Winters can be quite cold with lots of snow that lends itself to winter sports and natural beauty, particularly in the miles of wooded areas of the state.

Most people houses and apartments in Maine are concentrated in a few cities on the east coast such as Portland, Augusta and Freeport. Maine is actually still 90% forest, with some areas having less than one person per square mile. These rich forests contribute to the thriving lumber, paper and wood products industry in the state. Also important here are leather, textiles and clothing manufacturing.

Agricultural contributions from Maine include its famous blueberries, maple syrup and maple sugar and (of course) Maine lobsters. The fishing industry is still strong and has a rich heritage that also attracts tourists to the state to visit the many fishing villages and lighthouses along the Atlantic coast. This same coast is also central to the state's Naval shipbuilding industry.

Outdoor Attractions

Vast forests of conifer and hardwood trees are havens for hunters, campers and hikers who love the pristine beauty; autumn visitors flock to Maine to see the change of the seasons. The heavy snowfall here also draws visitors to the many ski resorts and mountain lodges.

Fishing is popular here, where thousands of miles of rivers are full of some of the east coast's best salmon and trout populations. Sport hunting is also a common pursuit because Maine has large deer, moose and bear populations that are unusual outside of Canada and on this side of the Mississippi.

Colleges and Universities

The University of Maine system supports eight campuses, including the main campus in Augusta (some of Maine's nicest apartments are located on or near the Augusta campus). The community college system includes seven campuses and the Maine Maritime Academy is an exceptional small engineering school that offers personalized instruction. It's also worth noting that Maine's primary school system is considered one of the best in the United States.

Real Estate and Housing

Apartment rentals in Maine can be about 15% higher than the national average, although this is primarily in the Portland area. For more reasonable apartments, check the city's revitalized downtown area. Augusta is an exceptional place to look for apartments in Maine because of the reasonable rates and small town atmosphere combined with the cultural opportunities of the university.

There are lots of Maine apartments available to "summer people," the residents who move south in the winter but flock back to enjoy breezy summer weather. When shopping for Maine apartments, try to steer clear of Kennebunk and other towns known for its "summer people", as apartment prices can be steeper in these areas.