Relocating to NE: best place to live btwn Boston and Portland? (Dover: best city, apartment) - New Hampshire (NH) - City-Data Forum

rusty02 · 07-01-2011, 01:03 PM

My husband, our 2 dogs and I are relocating to the NE.
My husband got an amazing job at Allagash Brewing in Portland, ME.
I am an architect and sent out my resume to about 50 firms in Portland and Boston. So far I have had a great response from Boston, lined up some interviews and have one job offer. I only got one response from Portland, and I prefer to work in a large city. So if we are to live in between and each have about an hour commute, which would be the best city near an Amtrak station? My husband would drive, I would train. Thanks!

Mac_Muz · 07-01-2011, 01:40 PM

I don't believe there is a train in Portsmouth NH which is more or less central to both places. I don't think there is a train from Portland to Boston either. I think the end of the line in that corridor is in Newbury Mass, maybe Newburyport Mass. Public transportation is more in a city sort of thing around here, kinda unlike a lot of other places. You will need a car to just get to the train, unless you live right in a town, and many smaller towns don't have a bus service, and cabs are pretty limited as well.

homewardboundnh · 07-01-2011, 02:30 PM

Hi Rusty, I think the train runs from Portland to Boston but on a limited schedule, it appears to stop in Portsmouth as well. Here is the link, hope it helps!
Oh, from North Station, you can pick up the subways.

Moderator cut: link removed, please read the tos

There is also a bus that goes into Boston from Portsmouth.

Mac_Muz · 07-01-2011, 05:15 PM

Oops... I didn't know that.

Valerie C · 07-01-2011, 09:24 PM

You might consider sending your resume to some of the architectural firms in Portsmouth and consider living there or Dover. These are the 2 'largest' cities on the seacoast of New Hampshire. I think your best bet in NH would be Portsmouth, which the Downeaster does NOT go through, but it does go through Dover. You might also consider Exeter, but it's not a 'large' city by any stretch of the imagination. If you would consider living in MA, I would suggest Newburyport or perhaps Amesbury. Newburyport is on the water, and has a great downtown with lots to explore. Since it doesn't sound like kids are in the picture, you might consider Haverhill as well. It's a larger city than either Newburyport or Amesbury, great highway access, and right on the NH border. I'm originally from MA, and know all of these places very well. And congratulations on the great job in Portland--Old Port is a GREAT place to explore!!

DreamworksSKG · 07-02-2011, 09:08 PM

I would say live near one of the towns the Amtrak Downeaster goes through that way you can get to Boston and Portland

or live around Portsmouth or even Kittery ME, (you could go on the Downeaster to Boston) and drive up to Portland..

GregW · 07-06-2011, 05:21 AM

Check out the AMTRAK routes between the cities. I would look very seriously at Exeter as equally inconvenient to both cities. As one of you is an architect (small or big buildings?) I suggest you cover the entire Maine Coast from Bath south to Kittery. That is where the money lives.

Ideally you would both get jobs in Portland and cut you commuting time to zip.

unit731 · 07-06-2011, 03:10 PM

It ain't gonna happen. The distances are too great. Someone is going to have to give in. If the Portland, Maine job is primary then get a place near Portland. You may have to take a job out of your field. Or freelance.

Or get a studio apartment in Boston and go home to Portland on weekends.

The distances are too great.

I have communted years two hours each way. It is agonizing. Another job 1.5 hours each way. Again agonizing. The potential to ruin your relationship is large.

And do you plan on renting a place with two dogs? Landlords are pretty skittish about renting to people with dogs. Look up the Carol Roland case.

jaxpaige · 07-06-2011, 05:10 PM

I would say Exeter is your best bet. I live in Exeter and my husband works in Portland, ME. It takes him 1.25 hours to get to work each day. The downeaster (amtrak) is located right here in town and his a 5 minute walk from my house. It goes directly from Exeter to Boston each day with one stop in Newburyport. Taking the amtrak into Boston will take you 1 hour. It is a little costly but you don't have to pay for gas or parking in the city or deal with the commuter traffic so it is worth it.

southernNE · 07-08-2011, 06:17 PM

I lived in Dover, and I think that is a great central pretty area. It's close to hiking and UNH, and to the beach.
However, I would suggest adding up the difference your husband would have to pay for gas each day to Portland, and you for the train to Boston, and then wait and try to get a job in Portland! Honestly! Portland is a great area to live and work in. (I had my daughter up there!)

And what a mess that would be for taxes!!!! Living in NH, which is tax free, working in Mass and Maine????

Good luck! Love all those areas!

Also, if you have 2 children, I would feel better IMOP, having at least one parent with in no more than 1/2 an hour away for emergencies/school/sick pickups/ etc etc.