Known for its coastal beauty, Kittery, Maine is dotted with charming seaside homes and peaceful coves...living here is a dream come true for many! The town is home to Badger's Island, Kittery Foreside, Kittery Point (which includes Gerrish Island and Cutts Island), and even some of the Isles of Shoals, such as Appledore and Smuttynose, six miles out in the Atlantic Ocean.
Kittery has its own unique identity within the greater Seacoast area. Kittery Foreside is often described as the 'Brooklyn of Portsmouth'...here, residents enjoy the convenience of strolling across the Memorial Bridge over the Piscataqua River to enjoy all that downtown Portsmouth has to offer. And then there's Kittery Point...with a vibe reminiscent of the Mid-Coast and Bar Harbor areas of the state.
HISTORY
Kittery is the oldest community in Maine. It is also one of the most historic and has always been inextricably tied to the sea. First settled in 1623, Kittery features some of the state's oldest architecture, including the John Bray House (c.1662). Nearby Fort McClary has been guarding the entrance to the Piscataqua River for over 275 years and was active through five wars. The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, established in 1800, is located on Seavey Island between New Hampshire and Maine and, despite its name, is actually part of Kittery. Its 6,000 employees are dedicated to the construction, repair and refurbishment of nuclear submarines.
THINGS TO DO
If you love history and nature, Gerrish Island's Fort Foster is an amazing place to explore! The 88-acre site includes three beaches, a trail system that connects the beaches together, a pier, picnic tables, charcoal grills, and the remains of the fort. And every local's favorite beaches are Seapoint Beach (pictured below) and Crescent Beach, a lovely twosome joined by a grassy bluff along the shores of Cutts Island. Just down the road from Seapoint, the Cutts Island Trail offers a scenic walk through the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge.
An intricate network of tidal waterways wind their way through Kittery and Kittery Point, ideally explored by kayak and paddleboard! From Spruce Creek to Chauncey Creek and the Piscataqua River's Back Channel, it's a great way to enjoy the area 'up close' and get some exercise.
A tour of Portsmouth Harbor is also a great way to see the southernmost tip of Maine. You can cruise along the shoreline to see the beautiful homes in Pepperrell Cove and along Gerrish Island, with the iconic Whaleback Light standing guard at the entrance to the harbor.
After you've enjoyed the unspoiled natural beauty of the area, a little shopping may be in order! Kittery has a bustling commercial area, including dozens of national brand retail outlet stores. And Kittery Trading Post is a great place to shop for everything from kayaks to fishing gear and hiking boots to ski jackets.
PLACES TO EAT + DRINK:
Kittery Foreside (a.k.a. 'downtown') has an eclectic mix of some of the Seacoast area's most popular restaurants...here, you'll find the elegant Anneke Jans, hipster fave The Black Birch, and craft cocktail master The Wallingford Dram, as well as Lil's Cafe with its exquisite homemade crullers! Just around the way, Beach Pea Baking Co. is the darling of Gourmet Alley, where you'll also find Terracotta Pasta Co. and dynamic duo The Golden Harvest and Carl's Meat Market.
Venture out to Kittery Point to enjoy some of the area's most scenic waterfront dining venues, including Bistro 1828 at Pepperrell Cove and summer favorite Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier. On your way back, stop by Tributary Brewing Company for some of New England's finest beer...we recommend the Pale Ale!
Tate & Foss Sotheby's International Realty Associate Broker Lynne Joyce shared:
I lived here years ago, while commuting to Boston...it is still one of my favorite Seacoast communities! The quaint downtown area has an authentic vibe (and fabulous restaurants)…people love that it is so close to Portsmouth, you can walk safely back and forth. Nearby, ‘Gourmet Alley’ has small shops offering provisions to suit the most discriminating chefs and palates! And best of all, there’s Kittery Point, with its stunning waterfront properties, idyllic coves and sandy beaches…cross the Chauncey Creek bridge to unspoiled Gerrish Island and you’ll feel like you’ve arrived in Mid-Coast Maine. The setting is dreamy...peaceful and beautiful. If you love nature and enjoy spending time on the water, Kittery is a wonderful place to live!
For more insight on what it's like to live here, check out our Kittery Community Guide.
NOTABLE SALES + STATISTICS:
From early 2020 through the end of 2021, Kittery remained a strong Sellers' market. Here are the numbers:
| 2020 | 2021 | Change | |
| Number of Homes Sold | 195 | 172 | - 12% |
| Average Selling Price | $551,644 | $639,761 | + 16% |
| Days on Market | 46 | 29 | - 37% |
The average sales price of the transactions our team commenced in Kittery and Kittery Point during this period was $1,485,800. Two of our firm's most notable recent sales were $2,995,000 (6 Follett Lane) and $4,300,000 (112 Goodwin Road, pictured below); the latter was the highest sale ever recorded in Kittery and Kittery Point (our agency represented both Buyer and Seller)!
Curious to know what's currently For Sale throughout Kittery, Maine? Click here. For more information about living in Kittery and Kittery Point, or anywhere in the greater Seacoast area, please Contact a member of our real estate sales team. At Tate & Foss Sotheby's International Realty, we pride ourselves on having in-depth knowledge of our market area. We'd like to share that knowledge with you.
