Key facts
- A family moved to Great Cranberry Island, Maine, seeking affordable housing.
- They found a three-bedroom house listed for $1,000 a month.
- The island community has about 60 year-round residents and 250 in the summer.
- Access to the island is via a 20-minute boat commute.
- Challenges include daily trips taking all day and potential ferry cancellations due to weather.
A family from Indiana, seeking to return to the coast and find affordable housing, discovered an opportunity on Great Cranberry Island, Maine. The author, Jenna Mann, was searching for a three-bedroom home that could accommodate her family and her husband Kevin's remote workspace, a task proving difficult on a single income in their native New Jersey. While scrolling through Zillow, she found a listing for a three-bedroom house at $1,000 a month on an island accessible by boat. Initially skeptical, further investigation revealed the project was led by the Cranberry Isles Realty Trust (CIRT), an organization dedicated to providing affordable year-round housing. The prospect of living in a tight-knit community with access to nature, at a price point they could afford, led them to apply. After a visit, they were drawn to the island's quiet, sense of place, and the idea of raising their young child in a close-knit environment. Despite the challenges of island living, such as the time commitment for errands and potential ferry disruptions due to weather, the family finds the experience rewarding, valuing the community and natural beauty.