117 Hayward StreetPortage Lake, ME 04768Price: $329,900

There are lake roads, and then there's Hayward Street. A shorter, dead-end road along the shores of Portage Lake, it's long been a sought-after spot for those who appreciate a little less traffic, a little more privacy and easy access to everything that makes northern Maine living so good. Nearly to the end of the road, 117 Hayward Street makes the most of its lakeside setting with a slightly unconventional (and pretty practical) layout. Enter from the driveway on the upper level, where you'll find the bedrooms and half bath, then head downstairs to the lake level where the kitchen, full bath and laundry put everyday living closer to the water. Both levels have their own decks, plus there's a screened porch for enjoying those Maine summer evenings without becoming dinner for the mosquitoes. Outside, mature foliage on one side and fencing on the other provide privacy from the neighbors (who happen to be pretty great anyway). A two-car garage, storage shed, drilled well and engineered gravity-fed septic system add to the practical side of lake life, no septic pump station needed here. Two heat pumps provide both heating and cooling, with a propane monitor heater for backup. And when the seasons change, you don't have to pack up the fun. ATV and snowmobile access puts four-season recreation practically outside your door. Portage Lake has a way of making everyday life feel a little more like vacation, and *this* is a pretty great place to experience it.