Originally founded as an agricultural town in 1764, Topsham is now a primarily residential town with a growing shopping district and hiking trails near Brunswick. “It’s a bedroom community to Brunswick,” says Realtor Diane Moyer with Re/Max Riverside, who has been working in the area for about 41 years. People can spend the day shopping at Topsham Fair Mall and exploring the trails at Head of Tide Park or cross the Androscoggin River to Brunswick. They can also attend the Topsham Fair, a celebration of the town’s agricultural history held every August. Students can attend the Maine School Administrative District 75, which receives a B-minus from Niche.
Historic homes near the river
Homes sit on spacious lawns with cul-de-sacs and driveways branching off the roads, surrounded by trees. Cape Cods are one of the most common styles in the town, with the oldest models dating back to the 1800s and new construction as recent as the early 2000s. There are also Federal styles from the 19th century along the Androscoggin River. Twentieth-century homes, ranging from Foursquares from the 1920s to ranch styles and bilevels from the 1980s and 1990s, and new traditional houses are scattered throughout. Prices tend to fall between $325,000 and $675,000. “It is more affordable, housing-wise, than Brunswick,” Moyer says. There are also some townhouses in the area, which typically cost between $200,000 and $250,000. The Highlands is a 55-and-up living community in Topsham, which offers both individual and assisted living options with social and service clubs, restaurants and health and wellness amenities, including exercise classes and therapy.
Students attend MSAD 75 schools
As part of the Maine School Administrative District 75, also known as MSAD 75, students can start at Woodside Elementary School before attending Mt. Ararat Middle School. Both of these schools earn a B-minus from Niche. Mt. Ararat High School, which receives a C-plus, partners with Region 10 Technical High School for a dual enrollment program that offers culinary arts, welding, early childhood development and creative digital media programs. Bowdoin College is about 1 mile outside the town of Brunswick. “That’s a huge draw for people from all over” Moyer says. “They have an open-door policy for taking classes and lectures and such.”
Major roads connect to major cities
The Androscoggin River divides Topsham to Brunswick, with a regular and pedestrian bridge connecting the two. Residents depend on their cars to get around, with major roads including U.S. Route 201 and Interstate 295. “Topsham is fairly close to Augusta, the state’s capital, which employs many people,” Moyer says. “A lot of people live in Topsham and commute daily.” Augusta is about 30 miles away, while Portland is a 27-mile drive. Portland International Jetport is about 29 miles away, and the nearest emergency room is at Mid Coast Hospital, about 6 miles away.
Topsham Fair Mall and other stores
Most dining options in Topsham are casual or chain restaurants, such as Panera Bread and Buffalo Wild Wings. Locals can grab a drink from Sea Dog Brewing Company, which brews both ales and lagers. “It is very popular, and it’s right on the river,” Moyer says. There are more dining options in Brunswick. Residents can get groceries from Hannaford in Topsham Fair Mall. The shopping center is part of the town’s retail area, which Moyer says has “just about everything you can think of, besides Bloomingdale’s.” This includes a Home Depot, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Target. Walmart is about 6 miles away.
Topsham Fair celebrates 170 years in 2024
The town’s largest event is the Topsham Fair, which has been celebrating Maine agriculture for nearly 170 years. “It brings in a lot of money for the town, like grocery stores and gas stations, with people traveling in,” says the fair’s board president, Leon Brillant. “It brings people in, but we have a lot of people from the town go. It brings in volunteers.” Programming includes horse racing, a petting zoo, and fun competitions such as a pie eating contest and jam-making competition, all paired with carnival rides, food vendors and live music.
Androscoggin River and Baxter State Forest
People can spend their day outdoors, with a relaxing trail going through John L. Baxter State Forest. Head of Tide Park offers views of the Cathance River and a 15-foot waterfall, and locals can visit the Androscoggin River for kayaking, boating and ice fishing during the colder months. At the Foreside Field Complex, families can explore the playground or run around the open fields, which can be used for sledding in the winter.
Flood insurance recommended for riverfront properties
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has classified parts of Topsham as Zone A flood risks, which have a 1% chance of flooding every year. Because of this, homeowners, especially anyone on the river, are encouraged to purchase flood insurance, which is required for anyone with a federally backed mortgage.
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