SOUTHWEST HARBOR, July 14, 2025 - Most of the 30 neighbors of 72 Clark Point Road who attended the appeals board meeting July 2 to protest the construction of an “accessory dwelling unit” had one common characteristic.
Simply the increased cost of housing in Southwest Harbor and Tremont has already pushed locals other than well off retirees out of the communities. The almost total lack of long term rentals means that someone moving to the quietside has no option but to buy. With median house prices in the million dollar range (based on listings in 2025) young families can't afford the quietside unless they have a family home to move into. That, as you noted is already driving school enrollments down and I don't see the trend changing. Demographic change is not coming to the quietside - it is here now. Assuming things continue the area will be a mix of summer homes of the wealthy, rich retirees and short term rentals. Things are well onto that trajectory already.
Note that I am a 26 year resident of Bass Harbor and have been watching these trends accelerate over the years. Note that the significant increases in tourism both in terms of numbers and duration of the season has decreased the quality of life on MDI and it won't be long, if the trends continue, before MDI is no longer a desirable place to live.
School Street in Bar Harbor is still very much a neighborhood, I'm happy to say. Yes, we have both vacation rentals & seasonal workers--they bring new life to our streets and are welcome. But the majority of houses are occupied year-round by residents. It's all about balance.
Simply the increased cost of housing in Southwest Harbor and Tremont has already pushed locals other than well off retirees out of the communities. The almost total lack of long term rentals means that someone moving to the quietside has no option but to buy. With median house prices in the million dollar range (based on listings in 2025) young families can't afford the quietside unless they have a family home to move into. That, as you noted is already driving school enrollments down and I don't see the trend changing. Demographic change is not coming to the quietside - it is here now. Assuming things continue the area will be a mix of summer homes of the wealthy, rich retirees and short term rentals. Things are well onto that trajectory already.
Note that I am a 26 year resident of Bass Harbor and have been watching these trends accelerate over the years. Note that the significant increases in tourism both in terms of numbers and duration of the season has decreased the quality of life on MDI and it won't be long, if the trends continue, before MDI is no longer a desirable place to live.
School Street in Bar Harbor is still very much a neighborhood, I'm happy to say. Yes, we have both vacation rentals & seasonal workers--they bring new life to our streets and are welcome. But the majority of houses are occupied year-round by residents. It's all about balance.