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Independent Living in Maine

Overview of Independent Living in Maine

Maine is nicknamed “The Pine Tree State” after the white pine forests which cover its landscape. Maine has over 17 million acres of forest and more than 3,470 miles of coastline on the mainland – 5,000 miles total if you include all of its islands. With more coastline than California, it’s no surprise that Maine is famous for seafood. Over 90% of the country’s lobster is harvested in Maine, and much of the state’s culture is influenced by the fishing industry. Locals love to celebrate Maine’s seafaring and fishing heritage, especially at events like the annual Maine Lobster Festival. Maine’s awe-inspiring natural beauty and the rustic charm of cities like Portland and Augusta make Maine an excellent retirement destination.

Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 15 retirement communities in Maine that offer independent living. The median monthly cost of independent living in Maine is about $2,900.

Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Maine

13
13 Photos available

Ashton Gardens Gracious Retirement Living

830 Ocean Ave, Portland, ME 04103
9.5
Review Score
30 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Cassie W - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

They were very quick to respond to our questions and explain various options. It's obvious that the residents are known by the staff and there are many social opportunities. The facility is tastefully...

Get Pricing
10
10 Photos available
5
5 Floor plans available

Sunrise of Huntington Common

1 Huntington Common Drive, Kennebunk, ME 04043
9.5
Review Score
51 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a current/former resident or client

What I like the most about the community is that the staff is very friendly and helpful. The food is good. Yes, I would recommend Sunrise of Huntington Common to other families based on the experience so...

Get Pricing
22
22 Photos available
12
12 Floor plans available

Sable Lodge Retirement Community

74 Running Hill Rd, South Portland, ME 04106
9.5
Review Score
13 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Jackie P - I'm a current/former resident or client

The staff and residents are friendly and welcoming. Staff use our names all the time. they smile and are helpful. I am exspanding my food choices as the food is wonderful and they serve foods I have not...

Get Pricing

Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Wells

See top facilities
13
13 Photos available

Ashton Gardens Gracious Retirement Living

830 Ocean Ave, Portland, ME 04103
9.5
Review Score
30 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Cassie W - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

They were very quick to respond to our questions and explain various options. It's obvious that the residents are known by the staff and there are many social opportunities. The facility is tastefully...

Get Pricing
10
10 Photos available
5
5 Floor plans available

Sunrise of Huntington Common

1 Huntington Common Drive, Kennebunk, ME 04043
9.5
Review Score
51 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a current/former resident or client

What I like the most about the community is that the staff is very friendly and helpful. The food is good. Yes, I would recommend Sunrise of Huntington Common to other families based on the experience so...

Get Pricing
22
22 Photos available
12
12 Floor plans available

Sable Lodge Retirement Community

74 Running Hill Rd, South Portland, ME 04106
9.5
Review Score
13 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Jackie P - I'm a current/former resident or client

The staff and residents are friendly and welcoming. Staff use our names all the time. they smile and are helpful. I am exspanding my food choices as the food is wonderful and they serve foods I have not...

Get Pricing

Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Portland

See top facilities
13
13 Photos available

Ashton Gardens Gracious Retirement Living

830 Ocean Ave, Portland, ME 04103
9.5
Review Score
30 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Cassie W - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

They were very quick to respond to our questions and explain various options. It's obvious that the residents are known by the staff and there are many social opportunities. The facility is tastefully...

Get Pricing
16
16 Photos available
18
18 Floor plans available

Holiday Woods at Canco

257 Canco Road, Portland, ME 04103
9.5
Review Score
68 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Claudia S - I'm a current/former resident or client

Well we've survived the monumental process of moving in and I feel compelled to report on how things worked out! To make a long story short, it has been much better than I could have expected. Cathy, the...

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20
20 Photos available

Birchwoods at Canco Senior Living

86 Holiday Dr, Portland, ME 04103
8.8
Review Score
71 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I am still getting acquainted with the folks there but so far the staff has been very helpful and the other residents have been very welcoming. I am very thankful to a place for mom, would not have known...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Scarborough

See top facilities
11
11 Photos available

Scarborough Terrace

600 Commerce Dr, Scarborough, ME 04074
9.2
Review Score
35 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Patricia N - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Great place and people very caring there and really care about your loved one! Always pleasant and decorated beautifully! Hope I never have to go to place but that's where I'd I want to go! No question !

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8
8 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available

The Enclave of Scarborough

18 Black Point Road, Scarborough, ME 04074
8.0
Review Score
53 reviews
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

It is a very caring facility where I feel the staff from the cleaners to activities treat everyone with such kindness and feels like genuine relationships. I would not hesitate to recommend. Has a...

Get Pricing
13
13 Photos available

Ashton Gardens Gracious Retirement Living

830 Ocean Ave, Portland, ME 04103
9.5
Review Score
30 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Cassie W - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

They were very quick to respond to our questions and explain various options. It's obvious that the residents are known by the staff and there are many social opportunities. The facility is tastefully...

Get Pricing

Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Kennebunk

See top facilities
10
10 Photos available
5
5 Floor plans available

Sunrise of Huntington Common

1 Huntington Common Drive, Kennebunk, ME 04043
9.5
Review Score
51 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a current/former resident or client

What I like the most about the community is that the staff is very friendly and helpful. The food is good. Yes, I would recommend Sunrise of Huntington Common to other families based on the experience so...

Get Pricing
14
14 Photos available
7
7 Floor plans available

Atria Kennebunk

One Penny Lane, Kennebunk, ME 04043
9.0
Review Score
62 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Bob J - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Every thing has been good the staff is nice and polite all the time. The new chef is much better. My only issue happened when mom had some teeth removed the hoops I had to go through to get the proper dosage...

Get Pricing
22
22 Photos available
12
12 Floor plans available

Sable Lodge Retirement Community

74 Running Hill Rd, South Portland, ME 04106
9.5
Review Score
13 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Jackie P - I'm a current/former resident or client

The staff and residents are friendly and welcoming. Staff use our names all the time. they smile and are helpful. I am exspanding my food choices as the food is wonderful and they serve foods I have not...

Get Pricing

Maine laws and regulations for independent living communities

Maine doesn’t have specific regulations or licensing requirements for independent living communities. However, the state’s tenant rights guidelines apply to any rental agreement a senior may enter into with an independent living facility.

While there are several stand-alone independent living facilities in Maine, some share a campus with assisted living communities, which are subject to state licensing and regulatory requirements. To understand assisted living regulations in Maine, review our Overview of Assisted Living in Maine.

Let our care assessment guide you

Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.

Maine stand-alone independent living communities

Stand-alone independent living communities don’t share a campus with other senior living facilities and are subject to Maine’s rental laws. These communities may also be required to adhere to certain local regulations, depending on the county or municipality where they are located.

The Maine Office of the Attorney General outlines renter’s rights which include the following:[01]

  • Landlords are responsible for ensuring rental properties are reasonably safe and decent places to live.
  • Landlords are required to disclose any serious or hidden defects such as lead paint.
  • A security deposit must be returned to the tenant at the termination of a lease unless the tenant has caused damage beyond normal wear and tear.

In Maine, fair housing laws protect renters against discriminatory practices. Landlords may not refuse to show or rent a unit, or impose different terms of conditions on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin, familial status, or receipt of public assistance. Renters with disabilities are also entitled to reasonable accommodations necessary to give that person full enjoyment of the premises.[02]

Independent living communities in Maine typically require tenants to meet minimum age requirements. A facility’s website should list the minimum age for the community, typically 55+ or 62+, along with additional admission requirements.

Maine Department of Health contact information

Maine Department of Health and Human Services
109 Capitol Street, 11 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333

Phone: 207-287-3707

Resources for seniors in Maine

Maine Area Agencies on Aging

Phone: 877-353-3771

Top cities in Maine for independent living

9.3
Kennebunk, ME
9 facilities
8.7
Wells, ME
130 facilities
8.6
Scarborough, ME
36 facilities
8.5
Portland, ME
34 facilities
8.4
York, ME
12 facilities
8.3
Bangor, ME
19 facilities

Find independent living in other states

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.