Are you considering moving to Portsmouth, New Hampshire? If so, you’re not alone! This charming coastal city has become a popular destination for people from all walks of life.
In this blog post, we’ll explore five reasons people love living in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Rich History
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is a city that’s steeped in history. Founded in 1623, it’s one of the oldest cities in the United States. and this year, 2023, Portsmouth is having a yearlong celebration of its 400th anniversary. Visitors and residents alike can immerse themselves in the city’s history by visiting the Strawbery Banke Museum, which features restored 17th-century buildings and exhibits that bring the city’s past to life. Portsmouth has many other historical sites, buildings, and places. The locals say you can’t walk around the corner without tripping over something historical. For example, Paul Revere rode to Portsmouth in December of 1774 to warn the colonists the British were sending a detachment of soldiers to reinforce Fort William & Mary on nearby New Castle Island. There was a large store of gunpowder and shot in the fort, and British Gage in Boston feared the colonists would attack the sparsely defended fort and steal the power and cannons. Thanks to Paul Revere’s warning, they did just that, and some say that power was used in the battle of Bunker Hill in neighboring Massachusetts. A few shots were fired at the fort, making that the first shots fired in the American Revolution.
Coastal Beauty
Portsmouth is on the Piscataqua River, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The city’s location is popular for boating, fishing, and other water-based activities. The nearby beaches, including Hampton Beach and Rye Beach, are popular destinations for residents and visitors alike. Some lobstermen sell their catch fresh off the boat so you can eat lobster dinner that was swimming in the ocean that day. Whale watching is also a fun activity, and boats depart often from Rye Harbor, a few miles south of Portsmouth.
Vibrant Arts and Culture Scene
Portsmouth is home to a thriving arts and culture scene. The city is home to numerous galleries, museums, and theaters, including the Music Hall, one of the oldest operating theaters in the United States. Residents can also enjoy various festivals throughout the year, including the annual Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival and the Prescott Park Arts Festival.
Outdoor Recreation
Portsmouth is an excellent place for outdoor enthusiasts. The city boasts several parks and green spaces, including Prescott Park and the Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Residents can also enjoy hiking and biking on the many trails in the area. But you don’t have to go far to see wildlife. We live about a mile from downtown Portsmouth, and our backyard is a haven for deer, wild turkeys, the occasional moose, and other critters of all stripes. If you’re a visitor or resident and want to enjoy our waterways, we recommend you visit Esther’s Marina in Portsmouth and rent a paddleboard or kayak. 
Strong Community
Finally, one of the things that residents love about Portsmouth is the strong sense of community. The city has a friendly, small-town feel, and residents take pride in their community. Many volunteer opportunities are available, and residents often come together to support local causes and events. 
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is a beautiful place to live. Its rich history, coastal beauty, vibrant arts and culture scene, outdoor recreation, and a strong sense of community make it a popular destination for people from all over. 
If a move to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, or any of the nearby Seacoast towns; Dover, Exeter, Greenland, Hampton, Madbury, New Castle, Newington, North Hampton, Portsmouth, Rye, Seabrook, and Stratham is in your future, we would love to send you a copy of our New Hampshire Seacoast Relocation Guide. Just drop us an email at jim@jimlee.com, and we’ll get you one right away.
We’re Ann Cummings and Jim Lee, the local real estate experts who live right here in Portsmouth, NH, along the beautiful New Hampshire Seacoast. If you have any questions about our area or our real estate, we’re happy to help you.
