Need Oyster River Schools and Durham Info (Dover, Portsmouth: best neighborhoods, homes)

[Paggie]

My family is relocating from the Chicago area to NH for my husband's job in downtown Portsmouth. Portsmouth / Rye housing is too expensive for the space we want, plus we heard that Oyster River is considered the best school district in the area (better than Portsmouth, Dover, and Exeter). Is this true? Some school stats I found seem to confirm this, but I heard an opinion that the Oyster River School District is not as good as it used to be and other school districts (like Dover) have better offerings now. Any other opinions on the Oyster River District would be appreciated.

Also, we would like to get more information about Durham. How bad is the commute over the bridge to Portsmouth? What are some of the best neighborhoods for families with young children? Is there really going to be a new public library within the next few years? Should we even consider Lee as an alternative nearby?

[nhyrnut]

check lee out as for the schools I have cousins at dover and they love it But as an electrician i've done service work at oyster river and that is a nice school as well. Lee is a nice town check them out. here is a link to help you as far as towns and homes www.nneren.com it has helped alot of ppl.

[Lauraroe]

I just relocated my family from Pa. to Durham. We researched for 6 months and concluded that Durham was where we wanted to live. Oyster River is a fantastic school district and we would recommend it over the other schools you mentioned in the area. Dover is a very large school with recent drug problems in the news. Oyster River just got a new superintendant that came from a very progressive school district (Amherst, NH). We live in a subdivision about a little over a mile from the UNH campus called Woodridge - lots of kids, a large playground, friendly neighbors and quiet. Our first week in the neighborhood, we had neighbors stop by with brownies, champagne, pie, and several welcome cards! Children came up to our door to introduce themselves and meet my kids. I commute to Boston several times a month and don't run into any major traffic until I get closer to Boston. I have to come through Portsmouth to get to 95 and have never seen major delays - just minor congestion.

[npd38]

Stay away from Newmarket!!!!!