Over the years, I’ve met many families thinking of purchasing a second home, and they have a difficult time deciding between the Coast of Maine or the Lakes Region. Well, both options have their advantages; they are overall quite different from one another.
Growing up, I spent many of my summers at Rye Beach in New Hampshire, and I’ve also enjoyed the Maine Coast as a place to get away and enjoy a different pace. One of the greatest advantages of living in New England is the proximity to both of these diverse markets.
So, to help families trying to decide between the two, I broke down some comparisons of each region.
Coast of Maine

Driving distance from Boston to Ogunquit: 1 hour 33 minutes
Driving distance to Camden: 3 hours 21 minutes
Coastal Features:
Choice of long sandy beaches or craggy rocky coastline
Quaint coastal towns with down-east charm, interesting harbors to explore
Surfing at many beaches
Travel & Tourism:
Extensive traffic up I-95 & Route 1
Prime tourist season runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day
Businesses have extended their operations to extend the season by 2 or 3 months with ‘Off-Season Rates’
Atmosphere & Environment:
Smell of salt air, scenic views of the coastline
Fine, fresh-seafood eateries attract a wide audience
Popular Beaches:
York, Ogunquit, Old Orchard, Kennebunkport, Biddeford, Boothbay, Camden, Bar Harbor, etc.
Water & Boating Considerations:
Saltwater beaches with surf, strong currents, colder water & tides to navigate
Long stretches of beaches for walking and recreation
Salt water and barnacles are corrosive to boat engines and outdrives
Boating regulations and navigation are much more complicated on the ocean
Finding docking in front of your house is very difficult due to the tides
Weather Considerations:
Ocean fog & cooler summertime temperatures can be a factor
Nearby Summer Attractions:
Ogunquit Summer Playhouse
York Animal Kingdom
State parks
Lighthouse tours
Funtown/Splashtown amusement park
Portland Museum of Art
Ferry rides to outlying islands
Deep sea fishing excursions
Winter Season:
Very limited attractions
Many businesses & restaurants are closed
A number of second-home owners close their homes for the season
Lakes Region

Driving distance from Boston to the Lakes Region: 1 hour 45 minutes
Accessibility:
Easy access to I-93
Traffic does increase during the summer months
Water & Outdoor Recreation:
273 lakes, ponds, and rivers within the Lakes Region
Crystal-clear, fresh water lakes offer great swimming, easy boating, fishing, water skiing & relaxation
Boating Access:
Huge advantage on our lakes
Most towns have public launches
Most homes and communities cater to the avid boater
Seasonal Versatility:
The Lakes Region is a “Four Season Destination”
Autumn offers beautiful foliage, sightseeing, hiking
Surrounded by the Belknap, Ossipee, and White Mountain ranges
The White Mountains alone offer 48 4,000-footers
Winter Activities:
Alpine & Nordic skiing
Snowboarding
Ice skating
Snowshoeing
Snowmobiling
Ice climbing
Winter hiking
Ice fishing
Pond hockey
Sled dog racing
Nearby Attractions:
New Hampshire Motor Speedway
The Tanger Outlet Mall
Numerous golf courses
The Winnipesaukee Playhouse
Interlake’s Summer Theatre
Lakeport Opera House
Funspot (The largest arcade in the world)
Gunstock Recreation Area (zip lines, aerial treetop adventures, tubing, cross-country skiing, mountain coaster & bike trails)
Town Highlights:
Meredith: Ice Fishing Derby, Pond Hockey Tournament, scenic lakeside inns
Laconia: Laconia Motorcycle Week (the oldest motorcycle rally in the world), Pumpkin Festival
Wolfeboro: The oldest resort town in America
Local Events:
Numerous craft fairs
Chowder fests
Marathons
Fishing derbies
Boat & car shows throughout all our towns
Final Thoughts: Which Region is Right for You?
The choice between the two regions is certainly difficult, with so much to do in the great outdoors. Both offer unlimited recreational and cultural opportunities, with lots of crystal clear and salt water thrown in.
I really do love our neighboring coast. However, when you purchase a second home, it’s important to get as much use out of it as possible to offset the cost.
The Lakes Region is accessible to many year-round activities, and whenever I have the craving for fresh seafood, that salty air and long walks on the beach, I just take a short drive to the ocean.

This article was written by Frank Roche. Frank is president at Roche Realty Group, located in Meredith, NH, and can be reached at (603)-279-7046. Visit rocherealty.com to learn more about the Lakes Region and its real estate market.