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.
My husband and I were looking for an independent living facility for my aunt and uncle and toured many facilities in the Portland area. My aunt and uncle were reluctant to leave their home, but once they...
What we like about Birch Bay is the friendly caregivers and thoughtful activities- music therapy in particular! The community feels small and homey
I would highly recommend it. We would choose it again for our dad. We are absolutely satisfied. My dad is thriving. The staff is amazing.
my mother has been there for about 3 months. I am very happy with the care that she is receiving. they have activities and outings that my mother enjoys going on. They strive to make it very home like for...
Hillsbrook Village has been a wonderful experience and loving community for my parents. Unfortunately, my mom passed in April of this year, so my dad is still living there. The staff and administration were...
Overall it's good. Friendly people, independent living. It has good activities, the building is well maintained. Food is good & the monthly cost is reasonable. My sister will be there one yea[date...
Any issues that I had were addressed immediately. The room was always clean and laundry done promptly. I found the evening meals bland, sometimes served late; leaving sandwiches dry and hot meals cold. I...
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...
My husband and I were looking for an independent living facility for my aunt and uncle and toured many facilities in the Portland area. My aunt and uncle were reluctant to leave their home, but once they...
The care staff is wonderful there. I really like the employees. It's the policy surrounding accurate personal care needs/assessments, follow up communication and what is being charged for services that are...
The quality of care rating is more related to staffing and at times the "service of care" was slow. My loved one often complained about the food his statement would always be it didn't have any flavor....
my mother has been there for about 3 months. I am very happy with the care that she is receiving. they have activities and outings that my mother enjoys going on. They strive to make it very home like for...
My husband and I were looking for an independent living facility for my aunt and uncle and toured many facilities in the Portland area. My aunt and uncle were reluctant to leave their home, but once they...
I would highly recommend it. We would choose it again for our dad. We are absolutely satisfied. My dad is thriving. The staff is amazing.
What I like the most about the 75 State Street community is the clear communication between administrators and staff regarding policies. All alerts or policy changes that I am appraised of go to my son and...
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.
Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
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]
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 and Human Services
109 Capitol Street, 11 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333
Phone: 207-287-3707
Phone: 877-353-3771
Office of the Maine Attorney General. (2023, April 18). Chapter 14: Consumer rights when you rent an apartment.
Maine Legislature. (2024, February 9). Title 5: Administrative procedures and services. Part 12: Human rights. Chapter 337: Human rights act. Subchapter 4: Fair housing.
Overview of Independent Living in ME
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.
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