Beautiful island off the coast of Maine recruits new residents to add to its population of 92 with homes offered below market rate

A beautiful island in Maine with only 90 inhabitants is attractive for new residents to live there.

Isle au Haut encourages people to settle permanently on the remote, 21 square kilometer island that is only accessible by boat.

But for anyone looking to escape the rat race, the idyllic community could be the perfect place.

And with cute wooden houses offered at a lower market price, there are bargains to be had.

“Many people daydream about moving to a remote island village like ours; for those readers who can answer ‘yes’ to the above question, that daydream could very well become a reality,” the community said on its website.

“To maintain a vibrant community year-round, we are happy to welcome new residents year-round.”

Families with children who can attend the local school, as well as commercial fishermen, are particularly sought after.

‘While it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, it is ours. And who knows, it might even be yours,” says the Isle au Haut Community Development Corporation.

The average price for a typical home on Isle au Haut’s most affordable street is about $300,000, according to Realtor.

By comparison, the average home elsewhere in Maine sold for an average of $391,000 in April.

However, island life is not without its challenges, including taking the ferry to the nearest medical center or hardware store.

While a US census put the 2020 population at 92, locals say there are only between 30 and 40 full-time residents.

In the summer months this number rises to 300 as tourists flock to take advantage of the rugged natural beauty and cycle paths.

But IDC volunteer Molly Siegel spoke up Boston sphere that experiencing winter with its beach bonfires and book clubs truly makes you an islander.

“By the time you come out the other side of your first winter, you look back on the time you spent with people,” she said.

‘These are those essential, fundamental experiences that make you part of the community

For full-time island residents, there is a post office staffed by a postmistress who works four hours a day, a church, a town hall, an island store and several craft businesses.

The local school offers grades K-8, requiring students to travel to Deer Isle for the nearest high school.

However, high school students still receive support from the community.

“Whether a graduating student attends a nearby public high school or a private boarding school, the city contributes to tuition costs,” the website says.

Dakota Waters is a newcomer to Isle au Haut and has been living on the island since April.

“Starting Friday, I’m starting on a lobster boat,” Waters, who moved from Northborough, told the Boston Globe. “I’ve never lobstered, fished or been on a boat in my life.”

Once he posted the news of his family’s move, Water was flooded with relocation assistance from other islanders.

This included locals coming to the ferry port in a truck to help him move and take his child to school for the first two weeks.

“You’re going to wander through the woods and see if you can get some sea glass and some shells from a beach,” Waters said. “It’s everything a child would see as a wonderland.”

Isle au Haut is not for those who want to eat out every day or watch the latest movie, Siegel says.

But there’s plenty to keep locals busy, with many giving up their time to help the community by joining the local fire brigade or taking on leadership positions.

Recently, a recruitment drive has filled affordable housing options on the island, but there are still homes available, including an 8,000-square-foot, one-bedroom property for $249,000.

“Life on the island requires a certain degree of self-sufficiency, creativity and practicality,” the IDC said.

‘Although life here is not always easy, it is certainly unique.’