This Charming Seaside Town In Maine is the Perfect (and Safest) Place to Retire

The coast of Maine could be considered one of the best places to live in the United States, offering all the perfect conditions when considering settling down and retirement. With the ocean air and seaside views, friendly people, affordable housing, safe towns and cities, and fresh seafood, it’s hard to find a reason not to want to call Maine home.

While there is an array of small and underrated towns to live in all along the coast of Maine, there is one town along the central coast, tucked in a seaside cove that could be considered the perfect place to retire. That is the charming town of Camden, a place that could be considered the quintessential Maine town.

How Affordable Is Camden, Maine For Retirement?
With an A+ rating, Camden is considered the #1 place to retire in Maine

More Americans moved to Maine than anywhere else in 2023, and it’s not hard to see why. Camden was recently ranked #1 of 103 best places to retire in Maine. The state is the second-safest in the country and has the lowest cost of living in New England, with an annual average expenditure of $50,559.

While Camden may be a little higher than other places in the state, it will be made up in the quality of daily life. With a population of 5,175, Camden offers a community-based style of living with a suburban feel, but with that coastal Maine charm so many are seeking when moving to the state.

Camden is a very popular destination for retirees, with 65% of its residents being over the age of 65, offering affordable costs of living and plenty of things to do to stay active, healthy, and engaged.

When it comes to real estate, most people own their homes in Camden, with a median home value of $346,500 USD, and the median rent is $994/month.

While Camden’s property taxes did see a slight increase in 2021-2022, that’s no reason to write it off. Camden’s residents pay $15.35 per thousand dollars in property taxes.

The state’s average effective property tax rate is 1.09%, making Camden just a little higher than other places in the state. However, Camden’s standard of living is a worthwhile life investment when considering retirement.

Camden Rankings

Best Places to Retire In Maine- #1 of 103

Best Places to Raise a Family in Maine – #5 of 118

Best Places to Live in Maine – #7 of 119

How Safe Can Retirees Feel In Camden, Maine?
For crimes per 100,000 residents, Camden ranks among the lowest in the United States

With fresh statistics for 2024, Maine is considered the second-safest state in the United States, right behind Vermont, another New England state worth considering for retirement.

Maybe it’s the fresh ocean air meeting the lush green forests that makes the people so friendly and peaceful. Whatever it may be, those looking to retire in Camden are guaranteed to feel an assured peace of mind.

As far as ratings go, Camden has received a solid “A” in its overall safety. When it comes to violent crimes and property crimes per 100,000 residents, retirees can feel confident when deciding to make the move.

Violent crime simply does not happen in Camden. While property crimes may be higher than violent crimes, nowhere is perfect, and compared to the national average, Camden’s crime rate is still very low.

Violent Crimes

Calculated annually per 100,000 residents National

Property Crime

Calculated annually per 100,000 residents National

What To Do In Camden, Maine (& The Surrounding Area)
Fresh seafood, a state park, and the beautiful Atlantic Ocean… Camden has it all

What makes Camden such a perfect place to retire isn’t only the safety and affordability, but also the accessibility to the entire coast of Maine. From the charming city of Portland, all the way to Bar Harbor, there are endless towns and things to discover.

Portland makes a perfect weekend getaway with great restaurants and hotels, and Bar Harbor is the gateway to the spectacular Acadia National Park, which offers some great hiking and stunning scenery.

The beautiful contrast of the aquamarine water and the dark green pine-laden rugged coastline is a sight not to be missed. Visiting Acadia National Park will reassure retirees of why they chose Maine.

When not venturing up and down the coast of Maine, discovering all the hidden gems, Camden itself has plenty of things to do that guarantee a wonderful retirement. From strolling down Camden’s charming historic downtown, full of shops and restaurants serving local seafood, to exploring Camden Hills State Park, which offers great hiking trails, retirees will never get bored.

The area is also home to one of Maine’s most remarkable viewpoints of the Atlantic Ocean and downtown Camden. Daily walks on the beach will never get old, and an occasional outing to an event at the Camden Opera House provides a great option for consistent entertainment.

There are many safe places in the US that are worth considering for retirement. However, Camden, Maine may be worth putting at the top of the list when considering which is the best place to call home.

It’s hard to beat the ocean breeze, the beautiful forests, and being surrounded by some of the friendliest people in the country. With so many reasons to consider retiring in Maine, Camden truly holds the title for embodying all of those reasons.