Thinking of Moving to Portsmouth Area (Rochester, Dover: for rent, low crime, townhouse) - City-Data Forum

DanK987 · 06-01-2008, 07:20 PM

Hello all,

My wife and I are thinking of taking a job in the Portsmouth are and are looking for advice. I've lived in Indianapolis, IN all my life so I'm spoiled by cheap housing (we're selling our 4BR 2.5 bath for $159k) but am looking forward to living in a more outdoorsy place with mountains.

Can anyone suggest a good place to rent around Portsmouth? We will rent for a little while until we settle in. We need about 1,400 sq feet, we'd love to be near water, need to be near (max 25 minute drive) Stratham, and would like to be on the North side of Portsmouth if possible (closer to my in-law's cabin in Maine). Would also like to be near some good places to run and bike (when there's no snow). We'll need a small yard for our dog.

Thanks for your help, and if anyone needs advice about moving from New Hampshire to Indianapolis... don't do it!

NH2NCMom · 06-02-2008, 09:10 AM

I absolutely love the Seacoast area. However "cheap" housing in the Seacoast within a 20 minute drive of Portsmouth is stretching it a little (IMO). Remember everything within the drive time will be within that drive time to water. The mountains are within a 45 minute drive or so from Dover, and so is Boston

That's one of the beauties of living in the Seacoast. I would suggest maybe looking in Raymond, Epping, Chester, and all points east. (Although Raymond, Epping and Chester are not north of Portsmouth). Rochester is about 20 - 30 minutes from Portsmouth. To be close to Maine and have some affordable rents, try Somersworth, Rochester, Milton, Strafford and maybe even Farmington while still being able to drive to work within a reasonable time frame.

I am sure that Valerie (our local NH board realtor guru) can give you more details than me

I am sure you will love NH - it has just about everything to offer in all the seasons. And coming from Indianapolis, the cold will not be a surprise to you.

Valerie C · 06-02-2008, 10:52 AM

DanK, one thing that I think you'll like about New Hampshire living is that things really are pretty close.

I feel your pain in leaving a $159,000 home in Indiana. About 5 yrs ago we sold in the St. Louis MO area and came back east, and the prices here were tough to take (we sold a 4 BR 2.5 bath home, 3 car garage, all the bells and whistles for well under 200K--we were lucky to get indoor plumbing for that price in New Hampshire!!)

It'll be next to impossible to find a house in the that price range here, especially near the seacoast. Prices are falling though, so depending on seller motivation, and the time of year, etc. you might get lucky. I would suggest considering Dover. It's near Portsmouth (a little north-west, actually) great downtown, good restaurants, easy access to Maine and about 30 mins to Stratham. (Stratham itself is $$$). Somersworth might be an idea as well. You would just want to stay away from downtown Dover during commute times, LOTS of traffic lights, etc.

NH2NCMom · 06-02-2008, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valerie C

DanK, one thing that I think you'll like about New Hampshire living is that things really are pretty close.

I feel your pain in leaving a $159,000 home in Indiana. About 5 yrs ago we sold in the St. Louis MO area and came back east, and the prices here were tough to take (we sold a 4 BR 2.5 bath home, 3 car garage, all the bells and whistles for well under 200K--we were lucky to get indoor plumbing for that price in New Hampshire!!)

It'll be next to impossible to find a house in the that price range here, especially near the seacoast. Prices are falling though, so depending on seller motivation, and the time of year, etc. you might get lucky. I would suggest considering Dover. It's near Portsmouth (a little north-west, actually) great downtown, good restaurants, easy access to Maine and about 30 mins to Stratham. (Stratham itself is $$$). Somersworth might be an idea as well. You would just want to stay away from downtown Dover during commute times, LOTS of traffic lights, etc.

I was going to mention Dover - but when he said rent, I wasn't sure how cheap rent was in Dover (well over my budget!) Renting is cheaper in Somersworth and Rochester compared to Dover, but to live (aka buy) I'd pick Dover in a heartbeat - love my hometown

all for the reasons and more that you named Valerie.

Valerie C · 06-02-2008, 11:49 AM

NC2NHMOM, would love to meet up at Mojito's in downtown Dover when you come home for a visit. After a closing there my client and I went there, where we tried each and every flavor of their namesake drink

(oh, and the food was great as well!)

NH2NCMom · 06-02-2008, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valerie C

NC2NHMOM, would love to meet up at Mojito's in downtown Dover when you come home for a visit. After a closing there my client and I went there, where we tried each and every flavor of their namesake drink

(oh, and the food was great as well!)

Sounds great to me - Mojito's must be a new restaurant - it has been 2 years since I've been home

I'm craving Newicks and Asia LOL! But we will be there for 2 weeks, so I get to try many different places in that time frame.

WeLoveNC · 06-02-2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanK987

Hello all,

My wife and I are thinking of taking a job in the Portsmouth are and are looking for advice. I've lived in Indianapolis, IN all my life so I'm spoiled by cheap housing (we're selling our 4BR 2.5 bath for $159k) but am looking forward to living in a more outdoorsy place with mountains.

Can anyone suggest a good place to rent around Portsmouth? We will rent for a little while until we settle in. We need about 1,400 sq feet, we'd love to be near water, need to be near (max 25 minute drive) Stratham, and would like to be on the North side of Portsmouth if possible (closer to my in-law's cabin in Maine). Would also like to be near some good places to run and bike (when there's no snow). We'll need a small yard for our dog.

Thanks for your help, and if anyone needs advice about moving from New Hampshire to Indianapolis... don't do it!

Hello,
I currently live in Portsmouth (rent) and would never be able to afford to buy here, as most "livable" houses for a family are at least $300K. As for renting? I would suggest anything in Dover....or Osprey Landing in Portsmouth. In Osprey, you can rent a townhouse style with @1400 sq ft and 2 floors for about $1250 a month. You can't beat the location. Then you can see if Portsmouth is right for you.

WeLoveNC · 06-02-2008, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NH2NCMom

I absolutely love the Seacoast area. However "cheap" housing in the Seacoast within a 20 minute drive of Portsmouth is stretching it a little (IMO). Remember everything within the drive time will be within that drive time to water. The mountains are within a 45 minute drive or so from Dover, and so is Boston

That's one of the beauties of living in the Seacoast. I would suggest maybe looking in Raymond, Epping, Chester, and all points east. (Although Raymond, Epping and Chester are not north of Portsmouth). Rochester is about 20 - 30 minutes from Portsmouth. To be close to Maine and have some affordable rents, try Somersworth, Rochester, Milton, Strafford and maybe even Farmington while still being able to drive to work within a reasonable time frame.

I am sure that Valerie (our local NH board realtor guru) can give you more details than me

I am sure you will love NH - it has just about everything to offer in all the seasons. And coming from Indianapolis, the cold will not be a surprise to you.

So, how do you like Fuquay-Varina? (I am assuming that it where you are from with "FV" as your location.) We are hoping to relocate to the Raleigh area. How does it compare to Portsmouth (besides being more affordable).

NH2NCMom · 06-02-2008, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeLoveNC

So, how do you like Fuquay-Varina? (I am assuming that it where you are from with "FV" as your location.) We are hoping to relocate to the Raleigh area. How does it compare to Portsmouth (besides being more affordable).

I miss Portsmouth/Dover a great deal. Yes it is Fuquay Varina --

not too many people can pronounce it LOL. It is very small compared to Portsmouth - and you basically have to go to Cary or Raleigh for many things...Cary is the distance of Portsmouth to Dover (northern most point). DM me if you want more info - I don't mind passing along information.

dubthang · 08-18-2008, 06:26 PM

raymond, epping, and rochester would be low on my list of choices. dover is awesome. newmarket isnt bad either (have lived in both). also try greenland, exeter, newington (very small), lee, and newfields. for maine, try kittery and south berwick.

houses are very expensive, and the job market can be lacking. good schools, low crime, good food, and all the towns are really close to each other.

chester is a little ways away, but is a very nice place too.