Maine's Brunswick: A Place To Call Home?

Brunswick, Maine is a great place to live, with its proximity to Portland and Boston. It has a population of around 17,500–21,600, depending on the source, and a median income of $65,206. It's a small town with a charming, preserved downtown core, full of restaurants and shops, and it offers a full range of amenities, from schools to a hospital. It's a safe, low-crime area, with good schools, and it's a great place to raise a family. However, it is expensive, with high taxes and high rents, which can make it difficult for low-income families. Overall, Brunswick is a welcoming, friendly town with plenty of attractions, from its historical downtown to its oceanfront access.

Cost of living

The cost of living in Brunswick, Maine, is relatively high compared to the national average. Overall, it is 5% higher than the national average, with some specific categories, like transportation and utilities, being significantly more expensive.

The median income in Brunswick is $65,206, and the median home value is $348,631. The average cost of living is $2195, and the median after-tax salary is $5357, which means that the median salary is enough to cover living expenses for 2.4 months.

Housing expenses in Brunswick are surprisingly 8% lower than the national average, which may be surprising given the high median home value. However, utility prices are 6% higher than the national average, and transportation expenses, such as bus fares and gas prices, are a significant 18% higher.

Other costs of living categories include groceries, which are 3% higher than the national average, and healthcare, which is on par with the national average.

Overall, Brunswick's cost of living is higher than the national average, with certain categories, like transportation and utilities, contributing more to the overall expense of living in the area.

Things to do

Brunswick, Maine, is a great place to live, with a charming downtown area, good schools, and a relaxed, small-town vibe. There's plenty to do, including:

Shopping

Maine Street is the place to go for shopping in Brunswick. It's lined with shops of all sorts, including antique stores, boutiques, and bookshops. The Fort Andross Mill is also worth a visit, with dozens of artist studios, an indoor flea market, and an antique mall.

Dining

Brunswick is a foodie's paradise, with options ranging from award-winning restaurants to old-fashioned drive-ins. For Italian classics, try Enoteca Athena, or head to Bolos for tasty Mexican options. For a cold beer, check out Moderation Brewing’s taproom on Maine Street, or grab a pint and a slice at Flight Deck Brewing. Wildflours Bakery offers a range of gluten-free treats, from bread and scones to cakes and doughnuts.

Coffee

Start your day with a coffee from one of the many coffee shops in town. Dog Bar Jim, Ritual, and Union Street Bakery are all popular spots for a morning pick-me-up.

Museums and Historic Sites

History buffs will enjoy the Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum, dedicated to Maine's most celebrated Civil War hero, who also served four terms as Governor and was a professor and president of Bowdoin College. The Skolfield-Whittier House is another fascinating historic site—a true Victorian time capsule house that was home to three generations of the same family. The Pejepscot History Center is also worth a visit, with rotating local history exhibitions and year-round programming.

Outdoor Activities

For outdoor enthusiasts, there's the Androscoggin River Bicycle Path, the Mere Point Bike Ride, and the Town Commons, a 71-acre woodland park perfect for hiking. Birdwatchers should visit the Kate Furbish Preserve, and nature lovers will enjoy the Maquoit Bay Conservation Lands and the Cox Pinnacle Trails.

Arts and Culture

Brunswick has a thriving arts and entertainment culture, with summer musical theater, a year-round Farmers Market, and cultural offerings at the Town's many theaters, galleries, and museums. The Bowdoin College Museum of Art has a permanent collection of over 20,000 objects, and the Maine State Music Theatre hosts Broadway-quality performances for all ages.

Day Trips

Brunswick is also a great base for exploring the surrounding area. Portland is just 30 minutes away, and four state parks are less than an hour's drive. Midcoast Maine towns like Boothbay and Camden are easy day trips, and Boston is a 2-hour train or bus ride away.

Schools

Brunswick, Maine is served by the Brunswick School Department, which has its own website and app. The public schools in Brunswick are highly rated, with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. According to state test scores, 84% of students are at least proficient in math and 88% in reading.

The Brunswick Public Schools district includes Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School, which has received a rating of 5 out of 5 from Niche users. Other schools in the district include Brunswick Junior High School and Brunswick High School, which has received positive reviews from students for its music program.

Brunswick is also home to Bowdoin College, a small liberal arts college that brings diversity, art and culture to the community. The college has been described as "basically a gated community within the town".

The town has been described as a "great town to grow up in", with a range of attractions and activities for all ages, including historical downtown, modernised Cook's Corner, and oceanfront access. The schools in Brunswick have been described as "fantastic", especially the elementary schools, and the high school has been praised for its caring and patient staff. The music program is one of the best in the state, and there are multiple after-school activities available.

Transport links

Brunswick, Maine is a great option for people looking to move to a small town with good transport links. The town has a population of around 17,500 to 21,600 people and offers a sparse suburban feel. It is a good option for young professionals, retirees, and families.

Brunswick has good transport links, with several options for getting around the town and beyond. The Brunswick Link provides public bus transportation within Brunswick on weekdays from 6:45 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with additional morning and evening commuter express services. The buses are accessible to riders with disabilities and have bike racks for cyclists. The Brunswick Link also connects to other transportation services, including the METRO BREEZ, Concord Coach, and Amtrak Downeaster, providing connections to other parts of Maine.

Western Maine Transportation Services (WMTS) also serves Brunswick, providing accessible public transportation to the region since 1976. WMTS offers wheelchair-accessible transit services and has stops in Lewiston-Auburn, Rumford, Farmington-Wilton, Norway-South Paris-Oxford, Sugarloaf, and Sunday River. Their buses and vans are open to the public and can take you to work, school, shopping, medical appointments, and more. WMTS prioritises the safety of its riders, with all drivers reviewed by the State of Maine Departments of Health and Human Services, Motor Vehicles, and Bureau of Investigation. They also provide training for their drivers in various areas, including Passenger Assistance, Customer Service, and First Aid/CPR.

Brunswick is also conveniently located near several larger towns and cities. Portland and Freeport are only about 25-30 minutes away, and Boston is a 2-hour train or bus ride away. The town is also close to the ocean and Midcoast Maine towns like Boothbay and Camden, making it a great option for those who want to live in a small town while still having easy access to the amenities of larger towns and cities.

Weather

The weather in Brunswick, Maine, varies throughout the year, with a mix of sunny, cloudy, and stormy days. The town experiences all four seasons, with each bringing its own unique weather conditions.

During the summer months, Brunswick can experience hot and humid weather, with temperatures reaching the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit. There can be a mix of sunny and cloudy days, with occasional thunderstorms and rain showers. The warm weather extends into the early fall, with temperatures in the 70s and 60s Fahrenheit.

As winter sets in, Brunswick experiences colder temperatures, with lows dipping below 50°F and highs in the 60s and 70s°F. The winter season can bring considerable cloudiness and occasional rain or snow. It is important to note that winters in Maine can be long, so residents often engage in winter sports and outdoor activities to enjoy the season.

Spring in Brunswick sees a transition to milder weather, with temperatures ranging from the 50s to 70s°F. The season can bring a mix of sunny and cloudy days, with occasional rain showers and thunderstorms.

Overall, Brunswick experiences a range of weather conditions throughout the year, from hot and humid summers to cold and snowy winters. The town's proximity to the coast may also influence its weather patterns, bringing a mix of sunshine and sea breezes.

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