Portsmouth - Pros and Cons (Manchester, Nashua: real estate, house prices, job market)

[loveautumn]

Portsmouth seems to be an up and coming place to live...what about as a retirement area...the pros and cons. thanks!

[dubthang]

Cons - It's expensive. If you are retired then I assume that you would have a fixed income which can make Portsmouth a little difficult. The winter can be bothersome too if you plan to walk or drive a lot.

Pros - Everything else. There is much history in the town, beautiful scenery, the ocean, it's walkable, easily drivable, connected to major highways, decent night life, etc.

[NH2008]

Don't know if it's up and coming so much as just plain up. It's beautiful, there's lots to do, and it's expensive. Amazing history, lots of museums and shops and restaurants, access to beaches. Driving in the (small) city center can be a pain. There is an independent living facility that is supposed to be nice if that becomes an issue (not suggesting you're ready for that, but I have a relative who is considering it.)

[Aptor hours]

I would say the only thing is more price than some areas but plenty of people retire with good amounts of money. You can't assume that retirees have a shortage of money

[jojoboulette]

Can you give examples of what you think is expensive? A gallon of milk? Tank of gas? Real estate (much lower than my location, CA)?

Originally Posted by NH2008

...It's beautiful, there's lots to do, and it's expensive...

[steveusaf]

Portsmouth itself is pretty expensive but you can reap all the benefits of Portsmouth (shopping, recreation, close to the ocean, night life/entertainment, etc.) by living inland 20-30 minutes. I'll be living in Barrington, which is much cheaper than Portsmouth, but is just up the Spaulding Turnpike. The further you get away from the ocean, the cheaper it is usually. Good luck

[NH2008]

Originally Posted by jojoboulette

Can you give examples of what you think is expensive? A gallon of milk? Tank of gas? Real estate (much lower than my location, CA)?

Real estate. We moved from the SF Bay Area and although house prices were low in comparison, they are still much higher than they are elsewhere in NH. For us, schools were also an issue as we didn't want to use the Portsmouth school system. I really love Portsmouth and New Castle but didn't fall in love with any of the outlying towns. The area is relatively built up. Schools won't be an issue for you, so you could live right in Portsmouth and you're right - assuming you're from one of the expensive areas of CA, your dollar will certainly go further than it would at home.

[jojoboulette]

schools are an issue, I'm 4.5 months pregnant...

I think you posted earlier about schools not being that great in Portsmouth. Did you end up in Exeter? If not, can you name some other towns near Portsmouth that are equally as nice? I love old(er) architecture, that's one reason Portsmouth interests us. No prefab McMansions, please... lol

And yes, I found another post on cost of living in Portsmouth on here... I think it's going to be a very pleasant change. $6.50+ for a gallon of organic milk in the Bay Area. WTH?

Originally Posted by NH2008

Real estate. We moved from the SF Bay Area and although house prices were low in comparison, they are still much higher than they are elsewhere in NH. For us, schools were also an issue as we didn't want to use the Portsmouth school system. I really love Portsmouth and New Castle but didn't fall in love with any of the outlying towns. The area is relatively built up. Schools won't be an issue for you, so you could live right in Portsmouth and you're right - assuming you're from one of the expensive areas of CA, your dollar will certainly go further than it would at home.

[Positiveone]

How are the Property taxes and job market in Portsmouth compared to lets say Nashua or Manchester?

Or what about the Portsmouth schools? Crime?

[GregW]

FWIW - I heard the Nova Scotia Ferry will be operating out of Portsmouth in the near future. Portsmouth may be expensive but it is a bargain compared to any coastal city in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.