towns in NEMA close to NH line? (Gardner, Newburyport: renting, buying)

[nicolemilman]

Hi all, we're considering a move to the Portsmouth, NH area and I'm interested in any feedback re: the MA border towns near the seacoast? Amesbury, Newburyport, etc., I would like a walkable area that is kid friendly. I have been spending too much time in the car where I am now in MD. No sidewalks and strip malls everywhere. I'd like some individuality in a place - and affordability. Any suggestions? thank you!

[brightdoglover]

"Affordability" is in the eye of the beholder, but I don't think any of the walkable charming North Shore towns could be called affordable. Newburyport would be my first choice.
The fact is, most of the time one lives in/near a walkable town, you still don't live a few blocks from the charming extremely expensive downtown. You're still likely to use a car to get around,but it won't be a Jersey-like sprawl or anything like it. In that case, I'd also vote for Ipswich. All of the towns you might like are terrific, but I wouldn't call any of them affordable, any more than Portsmouth, and maybe less. Best wishes.

[gf2020]

What is NEMA?

[Valerie C]

Going out on a limb here, I think it's probably North East Massachusetts... maybe?

Originally Posted by gf2020

What is NEMA?

Anyway, both Newburyport & Amesbury have pleasant downtowns, with a variety of locally owned businesses. Both are walkable, both have many parks throughout the city. Newburyport is decidedly more 'artsy' and has developed into an upscale small city, with many festivals in the Market Square area each year. This attracts thousands of visitors to the city, and traffic/parking is becoming somewhat of an issue. Expect to pay top dollar in Newburyport whether renting or buying... Affordability is NOT something that NBPT is known for, but please define YOUR version of affordable. You'll get much more for the $$ in Amesbury, and Newburyport is just a hop, skip and jump (over the Merrimack River via a couple of bridges) away.

[Bruins_Fan]

Originally Posted by gf2020

What is NEMA?

Northeast Mass. Not that tough to decipher...

[gf2020]

Perhaps that's what people in Maryland want to call it; however, for those of us who live here, I think we refer to it as Essex County.

[Newdaawn]

What about Newington, NH or even Dover, NH are not all that far from Portsmouth and probably housing would be less expensive. My daughter lives in Dover and it has a great downtown. It's also convenient to Rye Beach. Probably 20 minutedrive

[A Nonny Mouse]

I grew up in Amesbury. It's A LOT more expensive now than when I was a kid, but it's definitely walkable. The downtown area, the parks, the schools, the library (which is big for a small town!), the lakes, etc. are all within a mile or so of each other. I grew up across the street from Lake Gardner and could walk/bike everywhere in town as a kid.

Plus... HODGIE'S!! Best ice cream place ever. Wish I could pop over there right now but it's a six hour round trip for me.

[Cato the Elder]

Amesbury is nice and the downtown area feels like it's on the cusp of something bigger. We're big fans of Cider Hill Farm. If we had any reason to settle down in north Essex, we would have looked into Amesbury (though the schools seem to be of mixed quality).