Bar Harbor, ME

Located on the eastern shore of Mount Desert Island, Bar Harbor combines classic coastal Maine scenery with direct access to Acadia National Park. Around 2,300 year-round residents call the town home, enjoying ocean views, quiet coves, and mountain trails right outside their doors. While living on an island offers a peaceful pace, Route 3 connects directly to the mainland bridge, keeping daily essentials and medical centers in nearby Ellsworth within an easy drive.

Families moving to the area are served by the Mount Desert Island Regional School System, which includes local elementary schooling and a consolidated regional high school. Daily life follows a distinct seasonal rhythm, transitioning from a bustling summer economy filled with restaurants and visitors into quiet, neighborly winters. Between the working waterfront, walkable downtown streets, and strong community groups, Bar Harbor provides a grounded small-town lifestyle surrounded by some of the country's best coastal scenery.