Exeter -vs- Portsmouth (Hampton, Peterborough, Hampton Falls: middle school, live, restaurants)

[bastasia]

Hi all,

I grew-up in Peterborough, but have lived away since 1989. We plan to move back to New Hampshire next year, and are looking at both Exeter & Portsmouth. Both are VERY walkable, which is important to us, and seem similar in size, etc. We're leaning towards Exeter at the moment because my memory of it is that it's a bit smaller, and quieter in a good way.

Any advice, feedback, or thoughts? Thanks in advance!

[NH2008]

Exeter is definitely smaller. The downtown is very cute and walkable but tiny compared to downtown Portsmouth (which isn't exactly NYC, but is bustling by NH standards.) Both are really nice. To me, Portsmouth seems to have a lot more going on - restaurants, film festival, ocean views, great historic architecture. I would visit both and see which you like!

[bastasia]

Thanks for the insight ... what about the schools? Exeter seems to have a good reputation, but there's also been some controversy lately. Are Portsmouth schools similarly good?

[NH2008]

I think Exeter schools are rated higher, if for no other reason than that Exeter doesn't have the socio-economic diversity you find in a city, which tends to bring scores down. It also has the private boarding/day school Philips Exeter Academy, which attracts a lot of brainpower. I've always heard that the public school was considered solid but not stellar.

Greatschools.net Search: portsmouth

In terms of best public school systems on the Seacoast, New Castle and Hampton Falls are really highly rated through middle school but then go to less highly rated high schools. York, ME has a really highly rated school system all the way through and is just a few minutes from Portsmouth.