Portsmouth NH (Keene, Exeter, Conway: real estate, condo, homes)

[carrot juice]

I'm looking for a place to settle. Last weekend I visited Brattleborro and Keene. This weekend, I'm going to Portsmouth.

I'll probably spend the day there, have lunch, etc.

Any suggestions on what to check out?

How big is Portsmouth compared to Keene. How are the rents? Is it a nice place to walk around? How far from Boston?

Thanks,

C.J.

[nicolem]

Portsmouth is very nice. It is more expensive than Keene-quite expensive.

Portsmouth has a very nice downtown-nice shops, places to eat. I would check it out. If time permits and it is something you are interested in a drive on Rt1 or Rt1A and check out Rye Beach etc. Maybe if you go back again and have more time you could check out Kitterty /York Maine as well. The whole area is very nice.

I am sure that Valerie C and others will agree to check out Friendly Toast. It is a funky eclectic place to eat and I think the food is wonderful. Very yummy breakfasts and just a neat place to eat in.


Have fun exploring

Nicole

[carrot juice]

Is Friendly Toast a good place for breakfast?

How are rents? Are they right up their with Boston?

What I like about Portsmouth is that it is more central to Boston, MA and Portland, ME.

I'm in Western MA at the moment and it is a bit isolated here. I have to drive a long way to get to a decent shopping mall. Keene felt like a college town. I was not that impressed with Keene.... but it was okay. I just feel I should really check out as much as possible.

Also, what is the cost of housing in Portsmouth? Anywhere that I can buy a home for $200,000.

Thanks everyone,

C.J.

[NH2008]

Portsmouth is expensive but certainly not as expensive as Boston. It should be about an hour from both Portland and Portsmouth. I don't remember if you said you have kids, but schools are something to think about. You might like Exeter, which is close to Portsmouth, has a nice downtown and a well-educated population (because of Phillips Exeter Academy and a lot of yuppies). I enjoy walking around Portsmouth, but there are also a lot of cultural activities (film festival, music hall, theater.) Definitely drive through New Castle and down the shore just to see how beautiful they are. For shopping malls, there's one in Newington. For organic food, check out Philbrick's Fresh Market. Have fun!

[nicolem]

Originally Posted by carrot juice

Is Friendly Toast a good place for breakfast?

How are rents? Are they right up their with Boston?

What I like about Portsmouth is that it is more central to Boston, MA and Portland, ME.

I'm in Western MA at the moment and it is a bit isolated here. I have to drive a long way to get to a decent shopping mall. Keene felt like a college town. I was not that impressed with Keene.... but it was okay. I just feel I should really check out as much as possible.

Also, what is the cost of housing in Portsmouth? Anywhere that I can buy a home for $200,000.

Thanks everyone,

C.J.

Yes Friendly Toast is a great place for breakfast-many here on the forum enjoy it and reccomend it. I haven't been in a while- I have to get back soon!

Yes Portsmouth is a great location-near Maine, the ocean, Boston and you can even hop on Rt 16 to head up to Mt Washington-North Conway area.

As far as housing I will let others who are more familiar with the specifics chime in. I do know it can be quite pricey especially near the water and new construction.

[Valerie C]

With a name like carrot juice, I think you'll love The Friendly Toast. If you like a fun, funky menu, w/ more veggie/vegan options than most other places, you'll love it. It is by far my favorite place to go for breakfast or lunch. And if you're into the 3AM breakfast, that's available too, on weekends.

Rents in Portsmouth are nowhere what Boston is, but they expensive by NH standards. And they do tend to move fairly quickly.

Shopping, as noted, would be the Fox Run in Newington.

Prices on homes, truly depends on what you're looking for (single fam vs. condo, bedroom count, square footage, neighborhood, etc) Asking prices on single family start over 200K, however "sold" prices can be substantially less. Our New Hampshire MLS website is Northern New England Real Estate Network - Official Website of the Northern New England MLS, and there is a search feature there. And you can always ask your friendly neighborhood NH Realtor to research prices for you...

Glad that you checked out Keene to see if the fit was right. For some, it's heaven, for others, not so much... Have fun!!

Originally Posted by carrot juice

Is Friendly Toast a good place for breakfast?

How are rents? Are they right up their with Boston?

What I like about Portsmouth is that it is more central to Boston, MA and Portland, ME.

I'm in Western MA at the moment and it is a bit isolated here. I have to drive a long way to get to a decent shopping mall. Keene felt like a college town. I was not that impressed with Keene.... but it was okay. I just feel I should really check out as much as possible.

Also, what is the cost of housing in Portsmouth? Anywhere that I can buy a home for $200,000.

Thanks everyone,

C.J.

[carrot juice]

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate all the help and friendly advice. By the way, I do not have kids. I'm a single woman.

Carrot Juice

[nicolem]

Originally Posted by carrot juice

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate all the help and friendly advice. By the way, I do not have kids. I'm a single woman.

Carrot Juice

Have fun and make sure you post about your trip to Portsmouth!

[ontheroad]

If you need shoes, good quality, check out either Footnotes on Market or Footnotes 2 (can't recall where that is). I always bought my shoes there when I lived nearby and sometimes even when I lived far away.

[carrot juice]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

If you need shoes, good quality, check out either Footnotes on Market or Footnotes 2 (can't recall where that is). I always bought my shoes there when I lived nearby and sometimes even when I lived far away.

I have a new rule. I only buy clothes at places nearby enough where I can return them when I change my mind!