$1,023,703Average Value$627Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Between a salt marsh and the Atlantic Ocean
Flanked by an expanse of salt marsh and the Atlantic Ocean, Hills Beach is a relaxed seaside neighborhood comfortably removed from the chaos associated with popular beach towns in Maine. This quiet cove is located at the end of a dead-end street past the University of New England’s Biddeford campus. Most of the residents have been settled here for a long time, and the seasonal crowd tends to rent houses to college students during the school year. The beaches do not have significant public access, so it’s likely that the only other people residents will see sunning in the sand or enjoying the sound of the waves from the porches are their neighbors. Despite being just minutes away from downtown Biddeford, Hills Beach is a well-removed beachside hideaway.
The shoreline at Hills Beach
The namesake Hills Beach has limited public access and parking, so residents will likely have the shore all to themselves. While Maine is famous for its rocky coastline, that is not the case here. “We have a sandy beach right out front,” says Chris Cronkhite, owner of Sea Breeze Real Estate and life-long area resident. This sandbar runs 500 yards along the Atlantic Ocean, and locals can frequently be seen taking kayaking excursions out to the nearby islands. “Homeowners can actually drive to Basket Island,” Cronkhite continues. “As kids, we used to walk out there at low tide. We’d go around to Stage Island and Wood Island and loop back, all on the sandbars.” Basket Island is a secluded residential enclave, while Stage Island promises a hike to a historic monument and Wood Island features a lighthouse rumored to be haunted.
Homes in Hills Beach
While the Cape Cods and Victorian cottages expected of a New England coastal town still reign supreme, some new construction has begun in Hills Beach. “We’ve been a little behind on the trend, but the rebuilds are starting to go up,” Cronkhite says. “There are still cottages around, though. We’ve got a good mix.” Waterfront property is easier to come by here, as several houses look out on Back Bay rather than on the expanse of the Atlantic. A two-bedroom cottage on the bay, built in 1973, begins around $920,000, while a three-bedroom contemporary Saltbox on the ocean, built in 1997, prices around $1.5 million.
The Five Acre Farm Stand and Wolff Lobster
There are no grocery stores directly in Hills Beach. “People have to go to Biddeford for grocery shopping,” Cronkhite says. The closest supermarket is Hannaford, 5.5 miles away on Elm Street. Three miles further west on Alfred Road, residents will find Target, Home Depot and PetSmart. As expected of a beachfront community, there are plenty of low-key local options as well. “Five Acre Farm Stand is 5 miles away, and everybody loves that,” Cronkhite adds. “They have fresh pie and baked goods. It all works on an honor system – you just leave the money on the counter and take what you pay for. And there’s Wolff Lobster right next door. That’s where we all go to get our lobster, clams, all that stuff you expect from Maine in the summer.” Wolff Lobster is seasonal, but residents can get their seafood fix year-round at Fish & Whistle in Biddeford.
A haunted Atlantic lighthouse
The Wood Island Lighthouse is one of only two island lighthouses in Maine that is open to the public for tours. “We take boat tours out across Winter Harbor,” Cronkhite says. “The lighthouse is supposed to be haunted.” When not in the mood to board a boat full of tourists, locals can head to Sacred Profane Brewery and Tankpub in Biddeford for standup comedy nights.
Biddeford Public Schools
Children in Hills Beach are zoned for Biddeford Public Schools, which is made up of five schools that all children attend. They begin at the John F. Kennedy Memorial School for kindergarten, which Niche rates a B. For first and second grades, they attend Biddeford Primary School, which earns a C-plus. For third and fourth grades they move to Biddeford Intermediate School, which scores a C. Students then head to C-rated Biddeford Middle School for fifth through eighth grades, and finally to Biddeford High School, which also earns a C.
From Hills Beach to the world
Hills Beach Road is a dead-end street leading straight to the shoreline. Route 208 is the main thoroughfare, connecting residents to downtown Biddeford and Saco 5 miles away. Portland International Jetport is 20 miles north, accessible from Interstate 95.
University of New England
Hills Beach neighbors the University of New England Biddeford Campus, the largest private university in Maine. “They’re a big deal,” Cronkhite says. “They host a speaker series that brings some interesting people to town.” Students will occasionally rent houses in the neighborhood as an alternative to campus housing during the school year.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Karyn MacGrath,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Blandings Park
Old Orchard Beach Recreation
Baseball/Softball
Tennis
Playground
Clifford Park
Baseball/Softball
Bike Trails
Picnic Area
East Point Sanctuary
Ferry Beach State Park
Fishing
Picnic Area
Trails
Strawberry Field Park
Soccer
Parking Lot
Transit
Airport
Portland International Jetport
35 min drive
Bus
Une Campus Center
Bus
Une Alfond Forum
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Hills Beach
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Hills Beach, Biddeford sell after 34 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Hills Beach, Biddeford over the last 12 months is $904,000, down 16% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to the Tidewatch Estate on the shores of Biddeford Pool, in Biddeford, Maine. All are welcome by an incredible sense of arrival thanks to the serene water views balanced by the meticulous grounds and landscaping. The attention to detail and care is evident both outside and in. Loving owners had this home built by craftsman and have honored the property by impeccably maintaining it. This
William FullerLegacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty
Waterfront on Maine's coast with both sandy beach front and marsh frontage. The beach house sits on a large .62- acre lot with 66 feet of tidal frontage on 'The Pool'. Included in the sale is an unbuildable beach front lot directly across the street with another 66 feet of sandy ocean water frontage. This property has it all. Dip your toes in the sand or sit in the backyard and enjoy the
Christina StoneLegacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Karyn MacGrath,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,633
Median Age
25
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
25.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.5%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$72,333
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$114,673
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.1%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
44.3%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
21.6%
% Population in Labor Force
59.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
49''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
79°F
Annual Snowfall
36''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
25/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
