Home of early 20th-century actor Henry Barrows and late 1800s Dyer Library, Saco was the location of several epic battles between early settlers and Native Americans in the 17th and 18th Centuries.
Serving as one of the main tourist towns in all of Maine, Saco was home to some of America's earliest settlers
Home of early 20th-century actor Henry Barrows and late 1800s Dyer Library, Saco was the location of several epic battles between early settlers and Native Americans in the 17th and 18th Centuries.
Serving as one of the main tourist towns in all of Maine, Saco was home to some of America's earliest settlers. Having been granted township only a decade after the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, the historical aspects of this sparsely populated town combined with a variety of amusement parks make it a "go-to" place in Maine.
If you're in the market to find apartment complexes or a nice house for rent, the fact that nearly one in three of Saco's residents are renters should really appeal to you. You'll definitely want to consider the following tips to get into Saco as soon as humanly possible.
When to start looking: Maine is the least densely populated state in the entire country east of the Mississippi, and this little rule holds true for Saco as well. The city has fewer than 500 people per square mile, so there's always an apt for rent. With this in mind, it's probably best to start looking anywhere from one to two months in advance of a move. Two months is on the high end, but come on, you don't want to have to settle for a log cabin now, do you?
Best time to move in: Choosing when to move to Saco is a tossup of what you want to deal with. Sure, during the summer months you'll have to worry about getting through tourism traffic. That being said, you also won't have to deal with the average low temperatures below 20 degrees felt during the winter months. It's all up to you, so choose wisely. Freezing or crazy tourists going to water parks in temperatures that still drop below 50 degrees on average.
What to bring: Make sure to come prepped with proof of income and an additional pet deposit if you're bringing a little furry one with you. Of course, this is the case in just about any city. Bring along a background check just to show the landlord that you're no criminal. If you were part of Charles Manson's cult, though, skip this part. They might not even ask!
Maine may not seem like the most amazing state to live in (after all, it's insanely cold there), but Saco definitely blows this assumption out of the water. In fact, you'll be able to find something amazing about every neighborhood that you could possibly choose to live in.
Boothbay Park: Interstate 95 separates Boothbay Park from all of the other neighborhoods in Saco. Not only will the close proximity to the interstate let you drive all the way to Florida if you're interested (you might want some warm sun after staying here a while), but you can also "get away" with a short trip over to Homestead by the River Family Campground.
City Center: Split down the middle by Portland Road, those living in the city center will be adjacent to Dunegrass Golf Club. Golfing not your thing? Well Funtown Splashtown USA is smack dab in the middle too! Come on, it's never too cold for a water park!
Bradley Street: Those living around Bradley Street are insanely close to the Saco River. Too cold for water? Don't complain much, because you can still always check out Rotary Park or the Saco Museum.
Ferry Beach: You'll never guess which state park is in Ferry Beach. Give up? Ferry Beach State Park. Difficult guess, huh? And if you can manage to find hi-rise apartments in the area, you'll have an amazing view of Wood Island Harbor and the Atlantic.
When someone says the word "Maine," the last thing people probably think about is excitement. Well that's just fine, because it means they won't start crowding your new hometown when they find out about all the great stuff involved in living here!
Water Everywhere: There's plenty of water activities, both natural and man-made. Check out the Aquaboggan Water Park or take a fishing charter out to catch some brook trout!
Fun Shopping: After finding some great places to live in Saco, you can check out the Saco Valley Shopping Mall just a few blocks from the Amtrak or head south on Elm Street to Five Points Shopping Center. Either way, there are lots of places to waste money.
Lots of Entertainment: Having fun in Saco doesn't necessarily mean freezing your tushy off at cold water parks. You can always catch a flick at the Cinemagic IMAX or play on the greens at Schooner Miniature Golf.
