Overview
Located in Southeast Maine, Acton is a small town in the Portland metro area. Its varied weather and ideal location have made it an enticing retirement destination. Besides this, Acton is home to an active downtown and a variety of greenspaces and lakes for outdoor recreation.
Climate & Geography
Maine is known for its humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm to hot while winters are cold and snowy, often affected by nor'easters. In Acton, residents can expect more rain and snow than the national average as well as 200 sunny days each year.
Acton is built near the Casco Bay of the Atlantic Coast. The town is home to the Little Ossipee River, Mousam River, and Salmon Falls River, and it is on the New Hampshire border.
Recreation, Culture & Entertainment
Residents in search of small-town charm will find exactly that in Acton. The city boasts a quaint downtown and historic district, which are popular areas to socialize. Downtown is where residents can find the Midtown Mall with all the necessities and shopping one would need as well as the Acton Historical Society and Museum for history buffs. The town is also home to the Acton Fairground, which hosts the Acton Fair and other community festivals.
Not to mention, Acton has plenty of options to get outdoors, such as visiting one of the many farms and natural areas around the city. With many ponds and lakes located in and around Acton, there are plenty of fishing and boating opportunities.
Portland, located an hour away along the coast, offers residents even more entertainment and seaside recreation.
Cost of Living & Taxes
Acton’s overall cost of living is only slightly higher than the national average because of high housing costs.
Like most states, Maine exempts Social Security benefits from taxation. Military pensions and Railroad Retirement benefits are also exempt. Additionally, residents 65 and older may qualify to receive a property tax credit, dependent on income. Maine has a statewide sales tax rate of 5.5 percent.
Health Care
Maine ranks in the top 21 states on Gallup’s Well-Being Index.
There are no hospitals in Acton. Huggins Hospital and Frisbie Memorial Hospital are in neighboring towns, and the closest hospital rated high performing by U.S. News is Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, New Hampshire.