Eastport Living

Boat School students fall in love with life in Eastport. Over the last three decades, the uniqueness and quality of The Boat School program, coupled with the magic of Moose Island, has attracted students from all across the United States and from around the world. Over the years many of the graduates have bought homes on the island, carved out a living and raised families here, and if they have moved on, they certainly keep coming back, and for good reason.

Eastport is the easternmost port in the United States. A city of 1,600 located on Moose Island in Passamaquoddy Bay, this historic multi-cultural island community is nestled in a safe harbor behind President Roosevelt's beloved Campobello Island. Moose Island is connected to the mainland by a causeway that runs through Sipayek, home to the Pleasant Point Reservation of the Passamaquoddy Nation. The Passamaquoddy People have called this area Home for at least 12,000 years, and many of the local "Eastporters" are the descendents of the original English, French, and Irish settlers to the islands of Passamaquoddy Bay and the surrounding mainland. Many transplanted families, retirees, young professionals and artists have chosen Eastport's quality of life as being superior to all others.

Eastport is a quiet city of great diversity, except for the 4th of July when it swells to over 10,000 during Old Homecoming Week and again during The Annual Pirate Festival when numbers double for this three-day event. A warm and welcoming community,everyone on the island waves and says "Hello," even to strangers. "Off-Island" or Up-Country" means the mainland beyond Perry Corner. Life is comfortable and gentle in Eastport. Telephone numbers are still exchanged with four numbers, formal attire can be shorts or jeans, and if someone on the island needs help, everyone pitches in.

But quiet doesn't mean dull. You will enjoy the great outdoors and a working waterfront, historic architecture and down east cooking, exploring the Bay's Old Sow Whirlpool, islands, and a vibrant community life. Eastport has much to offer those with a passion for the mighty Atlantic. Some of the best sailing waters in the world are found here. It is a kayakers paradise with great island hopping and coastal adventures, as well as dozens of lakes and streams. Numerous trails for hiking offer up close and personal adventures with all things wild and Eastport's Windjammer fleet is a great way to see whales, porpoise and eagles while experiencing the sounds, smells and commitments of life at sea.

Eastport is also surrounded by the islands of Canada. It is a short drive to St. Stephen and St. Andrews, New Brunswick. Just a little over an hours drive from the border is the City of St. John, New Brunswick, where you will find dozens of great pubs, lots of live music, cuisine from around the world, semi-pro hockey, jet boating, live concerts with the planets most popular artists and the world famous Imperial Theatre that hosts everything from Broadway shows, to the Maori Dancers and Drummers of New Zealand. If you like to Surf, ski or snowboard our next door neighbors also have great facilities within an easy drive of Eastport.

Living in Eastport

Housing

Students have a variety of housing options on the island. There are rooms to rent in homes that run between $200 and $300 a month that include kitchen privileges and laundry. Many of the students join with fellow students and rent apartments or houses that run between $500 and $600 a month, plus utilities and heat. Non-traditional students that may come with families will find a nice selection of homes to rent and a good elementary and high school here on the island.

Eateries and Essentials

There is a Laundromat open seven days a week. The local IGA supermarket has all of your favorite foods and beverages, as well as a great selection of video/DVD rentals. There are five restaurants on the island that serve everything from Lobster and Steaks, to Pizza and Mexican cuisine and three of the restaurants have pubs. The Eastport Arts Center offers numerous plays and music performances throughout the year and they are always recruiting new talent for their productions. There is a movie theatre thirty miles away in Calais that runs all of the latest releases. It is also in Calais where you will find the big box discount stores for shopping for everything from socks to CD's, to tires and shampoo.

International Travel - Bien Venue!

We would suggest that you apply for your U.S. Passport for ease of crossing the border at Calais into New Brunswick. When you look out across the waters that surround this island, almost everything you see is Canada where some of the greatest adventures available to you while living in this multi-nation community are found.