When you retire, location is everything. Housing costs must be reasonable, the scenery must be beautiful, getting places must be easy and staying active should be as simple as walking out your front door.

In Maine’s Androscoggin region, you can create a retirement community, without having to be in “a retirement community.” Along with affordable real estate markets and senior living communities, the area features unique dining and shopping options, beautiful places of worship and first-class medical care. Plus, it is centrally located, making for an easy drive to many of the state’s popular locations.

Below are five key things experts advise to research when choosing a retirement city. Check out how this region around Maine’s second largest metro area hits the mark.

Housing

Home sale prices in Androscoggin County hover between 15 and 20% less than the rest of the state. Plus, there’s a current boom in all-ages and 55+ construction that is predicted to keep those prices (and rental rates) steady.

Maine has been a member of the AARP Age-Friendly Network of States and Communities since 2019. Lewiston and Auburn recently joined, too, giving them access to research, data and support that can make life even better for older residents in the area.

Retirees looking for walkable, urban settings will find new construction condos, apartments and homes in downtown Lewiston and Auburn. Want something rural? Androscoggin County is defined by forests and farmland, with mountains to the west and ocean to the east. There are a variety of options for 55+ living, as well. Apple Valley Estates in Lewiston has standalone villas centered around independent community activities like golf and tennis, while Schooner Estates or Clover Health Care, both in Auburn, provide progressive continuum care.

Transportation

The region is right in the middle of the best of everything, with easy connections to the Portland airport and interstate bus travel on Interstate 95. If a weekend drive is in order, the mountains, lakes, ocean and other Maine-city destinations are 30 to 45 minutes away. Nearly a dozen EV charging stations are also in the area.

Want to drive less? Try the local bus systems. Citylink moves through Lewiston and Auburn proper, while Western Maine Transportation Service goes further afield. Both are wheelchair accessible with routes covering shopping, medical facilities, restaurants and entertainment venues.

Cultural and social activities

While Maine has the oldest average age in the nation—45 years old—this is the youngest area of the state. About a third of the population here is between 18 and 39. It is a mix of families that have been here for generations and new residents from other parts of Maine, the U.S. and the world. All support a vibrant arts scene, dozens of small organic farms, and unique local retailers, restaurants and breweries.

People over 50 have created their own social events, as well. Lewiston Recreation Department and The Senior Citizens Membership Club lead group activities including day trips and adventures, yoga classes, walking, board games or card clubs, and free digital skills classes to keep people up to date with new technology. The Auburn Senior Center hosts recreational, educational and exercise programs and, most recently, free AARP tax services.

The Town of Lisbon has a dedicated senior services, like a town senior coordinator and citizen outreach and safety initiatives from the police department. Sunshine Hill Neighbors Seniors, based out of the recreation center, organizes local and international trips. They’ll be going to Scotland and Ireland this fall.

Health and wellness

In addition to two regional hospitals, Central Maine Medical Center and St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, this area is close enough for visits with specialists and other providers in Brunswick and Portland. But being healthy is more than visiting the podiatrist.

Maine’s four seasons offer more opportunities for enjoying and exploring the outdoors. You can find 11 golf courses in the area, as well as pickleball and tennis courts at public parks, the YMCA and the Lewiston rec center. Open lap swim is at the YWCA, as well as Bates College’s Tarbell Pool.

Lifelong learning and civic engagement opportunities

Retirement is a great time to discover new passions or start volunteering. The Lewiston Auburn Senior College has a fresh course catalog each semester and, this spring, residents over 50 can take courses in botany, philosophy, history and more. The Maine Association of Retirees and Seniors Plus both have resource lists of local opportunities on their sites. Seniors Plus oversees the area’s Meals on Wheels program and brings together volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to support the senior-related resources, education and care they provide.

Picking the right time to retire can be hard, but picking the right place to retire can make your still-working life even easier. Discover LA Maine and get ready to make the move to this welcoming region.