Relocating to Bar Harbor and MDI

Welcome to Island Life

While millions visit Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island (MDI) each year to experience Acadia National Park, over 10,000 residents call this vibrant island their home year-round. Living on MDI means enjoying four distinct seasons; from vibrant summer sea breezes to quiet, snow-cover carriage road walks in the winter.

Whether you're a remote professional, entrepreneur, medical practitioner, scientist, or retiree, MDI offers an unparalleled quality of life rooted in nature, culture, and tight-knit community connection.

Quick Facts About Living Here:

Location: Hancock County, Maine
Mount Desert Island Population: Approximately 10,500
Hancock County Population: Approximately 55,500
Connectivity: High-speed fiber-optic and broadband internet available across most island communities.
Bus Service: Downeast Transportation and Island Explorer (seasonal)
Airports: ~1 hour south of Bangor International Airport (BGR); ~25 minutes from Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (BHB)
Distances to other cities

City	Drive Time	Distance
Ellsworth, ME	38 min	20 mi/32 km
Portland, ME	3 hr 17 min	150 mi/241 km
Boston, MA	4 hr 49 min	280 mi/451 km
Montreal, QC	6 hr 37 min	337 mi/542 km
New York, NY	8 hr 14 min	490 mi/789 km
Philadelphia, PA	9 hr 33 min	585 mi/941 km
Chicago, IL	19 hr 30 min	1,260 mi/2,028 km
Miami, FL	1 d 3 hr	1,782 mi/2,868 km
Los Angeles, CA	2 d	3,267 mi/5,258 km

Average Temperatures

Month	High	Low
January	32°F/0°C	17°F/-8.3°C
February	34°F/0.6°C	19°F/-7.2°C
March	40°F/4.4°C	27°F/-2.8°C
April	50°F/10°C	36°F/2.2°C
May	59°F/15°C	44°F/6.7°C
June	67°F/19.4°C	52°F/11.1°C
July	73°F/22.8°C	57°F/13.9°C
August	72°F/22.2°C	57°F/13.9°C
September	65°F/18.3°C	51°F/10.6°C
October	56°F/13.3°C	43°F/6.1°C
November	46°F/7.8°C	34°F/1.1°C
December	37°F/2.8°C	24°F/-4.4°C

MDI Communities at a Glance

Mount Desert Island contains four towns that help to make up the community of the island: Bar Harbor, Mount Desert, Southwest Harbor, and Tremont. Each town contains several "villages" within their borders that have their own unique character, history, and traditions.

Bar Harbor

The commercial, cultural, and healthcare hub of MDI. Walkable downtown, diverse dining, historic inns, and direct gateway access to Acadia National Park.

Town Website: https://www.barharbormaine.gov

Year Round Population: ~5,200

Villages:

Downtown Village: Home to Main Street, Cottage Street, the Town Pier, Agamont Park, and the highest concentration of shops, dining, lodging, and shore path access.
Hulls Cove: Located just north of downtown along Route 3, serving as the northern coastal gateway to the Town.
Salisbury Cove: A historic, rural-coastal village located on the northwestern side of the town along Route 3.
Town Hill: A residential and community-focused inland village situated in the western portion of the town of Bar Harbor.

Town of Mount Desert

Famous for peaceful harbors, historic architecture, and deep maritime roots.

Town Website: https://www.mtdesert.org

Year Round Population: ~2,100

Villages:

Somesville: The island's oldest permanent European settlement (founded 1761), situated at the head of Somes Sound. It is designated as a National Historic District.
Northeast Harbor: A quintessential coastal village and summer enclave with a deep-water harbor, bustling marina, and charming main street.
Seal Harbor: A quiet, exclusive coastal village on the southern shore bordering Acadia National Park.
Otter Creek: A small, rural village tucked along Route 3 between Gorham Mountain and Champlain Mountain, bordered on three sides by Acadia National Park.
Pretty Marsh: A peaceful, heavily wooded rural village on the quieter western side of the town along Blue Hill Bay
Hall Quarry: A quiet residential neighborhood nestled on the western shore of Somes Sound.

Southwest Harbor

Collectively known with Tremont as the "Quiet Side" of the island, centered around working waterfronts, traditional boatbuilding, and quiet coastal charm.

Town Website: https://www.southwestharbormaine.org

Year Round Population: ~1,800

Villages:

Harbor Village: The commercial, civic, and maritime heart of the town. It remains a working waterfront driven by lobster fishing, boatbuilding, and year-round local businesses.
Manset: A historic coastal village located directly across the harbor along Shore Road, offering sweeping views of the harbor entrance, Bear Island Light, and the Cranberry Isles.
Seawall: Located on the southern coastal edge of the town facing the open Atlantic Ocean, named for its naturally occuring granite pebble barrier beach.
McKinley: A historic village name associated with the area near the southwestern boundary close to Tremont. While the post office "McKinley" was phased out in the mid-20th century in favor of Southwest Harbor and Bass Harbor (Tremont), the neighborhood identity remains locally recognized.

Tremont

Collectively known with Southwest Harbor as the "Quiet Side" of the island, this town's name is derived from the three distinctive summits of Western Mountain visible from most areas of the community.

Town Website: https://www.tremont.maine.gov

Year Round Population: ~1,600

Villages:

Bass Harbor: The largest and most prominent village in Tremont, famous for the historic Bass Harbor Head Light.
Bernard: Located directly across the harbor from Bass Harbor, Bernard is a traditional, working lobstering village.
Seal Cove: Situated on the western shoreline bordering Blue Hill Bay, this village of Tremont is known for its quiet coastal atmosphere.
West Tremont: A scenic, rural harbor community located between Bernard and Seal Cove along the western reach of Mount Desert Island.
Tremont Center: An interior crossroad community positioned inland between the harbor villages and the western slopes of Beech Mountain and Bernard Mountain.
Gotts Island: An offshore island village situated just south of Bass Harbor.

Essential Relocation Information

Housing & Real Estate

Finding a home on MDI requires understanding local market dynamics:

Market Overview: Housing on MDI is competitive due to geographic space constraints and the popularity of the region. Options range from historic downtown homes and coastal cottages to inland acreages and condos.
Local Strategy & Resources: The Town of Bar Harbor and regional partners actively work on housing solutions to preserve and grow year-round residential inventory.
Pro-Tip for Buyers & Renters: Connect with local real estate agencies early. Check municipal codes regarding short-term rental regulations if buying an investment property.

Explore Real Estate Agencies & Property Managers

Economic Opportunities & Employment

MDI features a dynamic year-round economy with major industry anchors:

Research & Innovation: World-class research institutions like The Jackson Laboratory and Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory are major global scientific employers.
Healthcare: Mount Desert Island Health provides full-spectrum community health services and emergency care.
Education & Conservation: College of the Atlantic leads in human ecology and marine biology research.
Small Business & Tourism: Robust seasonal and year-round business opportunities in hospitality, retail, trades, and food services.

Browse the Chamber Job Board

Start a Business in Bar Harbor

Education & Childcare

Families on MDI benefit from strong public and private education networks:

K-8 Public Schools: High student-to-teacher ratios at local schools like Conners-Emerson School (Bar Harbor), Pemetic Elementary (Southwest Harbor), Tremont Consolidated Elementary (Tremont), and Mount Desert Elementary (Mount Desert).
High School: Mount Desert Island High School (MDIHS) offers comprehensive academics, Advanced Placement (AP) courses, athletics, and fine arts programs.
Higher Education: College of the Atlantic (COA) brings international students and vibrant energy to downtown Bar Harbor. Many local college students also attend University of Maine located about a 1.5 hour drive away in Orono, ME.

Healthcare & Wellness

MDI Hospital: A critical access hospital offering emergency care, primary care, surgical services, and specialty clinics right in Bar Harbor.
Wellness Facilities: Local fitness studios, community centers like the MDI YMCA and Harbor House Community Service Center), and hundreds of miles of national park trails keep residents active year-round.

Workshop Services

Baptist
- Eden Baptist Church (Bar Harbor)
- First Baptist Church (Bar Harbor)
Congregational
- Bar Harbor Congregational (Bar Harbor)
- Seaside UCC (Northeast Harbor)
- Somesville Union Meeting House (Mt. Desert)
Episcopal
- Church of Our Father (Hulls Cove)
- St. Saviour's Church (Bar Harbor)
Jehovah's Witnesses
- Kingdom of Jehovah's Witnesses (Bar Harbor)
Jewish
- Conservative: Bert Israel Synagogue (Bangor)
- Orthodox: Beth Abraham Synagogue (Bangor)
- Reform: Congregation Beth El (Bangor)
Non-Denominational
- The River Church (Bar Harbor)
Pentecostal
- Pentecostal Lighthouse (Town Hill)
Quaker-Society of Friends
- Acadia Friends Meeting Neighborhood House (Northeast Harbor)
Roman Catholic
- Holy Redeemer Catholic Church (Bar Harbor)
Unity
- Unity Center for Peace (Bar Harbor)

Banking & Financial Services

Mount Desert Island is served by established regional and community banks offering personal checking, home mortgages, commercial lending, and wealth management services:

Bangor Savings Bank: A full-service Maine institution offering local branch access, mobile banking, commercial accounts, and currency exchange services.
Bar Harbor Bank & Trust: Headquartered in downtown Bar Harbor, providing full-service personal, business, and trust services across Northern New England.
Bar Harbor Savings and Loan: A local mutual institution specializing in personal banking, residential mortgages, and personalized home-financing solutions tailored specifically to MDI home buyers.
Camden National Bank: Full-service banking, personal loans, and commercial accounts.
First National Bank: Local coastal Maine branch network offering personal, mortgage, and small business banking.
Machias Savings Bank: Features local community branches and business financing solutions throughout Downeast Maine

Browse Banks & Financial Consultants

Utilities, Services, & Local Governance

Moving across town or across the country? Here is your quick setup checklist:

Service	Key Local Information
Electricity	Versant Power
Heating & Fuel	Local propane, heating oil, and heat pump suppliers
Water & Sewer	Town Municipal Water/Sewer or private well/septic, depending on location
Internet/Telecom	Spectrum, Fidium Fiber
Waste & Recycling	Town Transfer Stations
Transporation	Island Explorer (Season free eco-friendly bus system), Downeast Transportation, local taxis, and water ferries.

Essential Home Services

Living Like a Local

Enjoy Acadia National Park Year-Round: Purchase an annual Acadia National Park pass to enjoy 47,000+ acres of hiking, bicking on carriage roads, and winter cross-country skiing.
Arts & Culture: Enjoy exhibits at the Abbe Museum and Bar Harbor Historical Society, performances at the historic 1932 Criterion Theatre, public library programs at Jesup Memorial Library, and many seasonal festivals.
Community Connection: Engage in the local community through service on a town government board, community gardens, farmers markets, and volunteer organizations across Mount Desert Island.

Signature Community Celebrations & Festivals

Relocation FAQs

Housing & Daily Life

Q: What is the housing market like on Mount Desert Island?
A: Housing on MDI is competitive due to geographic space constraints and the popularity of the region. Homes range from historic village houses to quiet inland properties. Prospective residents are encouraged to work with a local real estate agent early and explore year-round rental opportunities through local community boards, town housing initiatives, and regional property managers.

Q: Can I commute onto the island from the mainland?
A: Yes! Many professionals who work in Bar Harbor choose to live in nearby mainland communities like Trenton, Ellsworth, Lamoine, or Hancock. Route 3 serves as the primary gateway onto MDI via the Trenton Bridge. Peak summer traffic can slow commute times, but off-season driving is straightforward and quick.

Healthcare & Families

Q: Where do residents go for specialized medical care?
A: Mount Desert Island Hospital in downtown Bar Harbor offers robust primary care, emergency services, and general surgical care. For specialized pediatric, oncological, or advanced tertiary care, residents typically travel ~1 hour north to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center or St. Joseph Hospital in Bangor.

Q: How do public school enrollments work across different towns?
A: MDI operates under a regional school system (MDI Regional School System - AOS 91). Children attend elementary/middle schools (K-8) based on their specific municipality (e.g., Bar Harbor residents attend Conners-Emerson School). All island students consolidate for high school at Mount Desert Island High School (MDIHS) in Somesville.

Getting Around & Winter Prep

Q: Do I need a four-wheel-drive (4WD or AWD) vehicle for Maine winters?
A: While coastal Maine gets moderated temperatures compared to inland areas, snowfall and ice are regular winter companions. All-Wheel Drive (AWD) or Four-Wheel Drive (4WD), along with dedicated winter snow tires, is highly recommended for navigating island roads, steep driveway slopes, and rural routes safely between November and April.

Q: How does public transportation work outside of the summer season?
A: The Island Explorer—a free, zero-emission bus service—runs extensively from late May through Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day, connecting villages, campgrounds, the airport, and Acadia National Park. During the winter months, public transportation is limited, so having a personal vehicle is essential.

Community & Local Services

Q: Are pets welcome on Mount Desert Island?
A: Extremely! MDI is one of the most dog-friendly destinations in the country. Acadia National Park permits leashed dogs on over 100 miles of hiking trails and 45 miles of carriage roads. Downtown Bar Harbor also features pet-friendly outdoor dining, local pet supply shops, and veterinary clinics.

Q: How can I quickly integrate into the local community?
A: MDI thrives on civic engagement. Volunteering with local non-profits such as the Jesup Memorial Library, MDI YMCA, local trail stewardship teams, village fire departments, or community food pantries is the fastest way to build lasting connections with fellow year-round residents.