Portsmouth, New Hampshire is a historic city on the state’s Atlantic Ocean coast. A popular summer tourist destination, Portsmouth offers a multitude of shops, restaurants, art galleries, cultural attractions, parks, beaches and historic sites for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike. Portsmouth is centrally located within an hour’s drive of Boston, the state capital in Concord, the cities of Nashua and Manchester, the southern coast of Maine and the scenic Lakes Region. Additionally, the snowy peaks of the White Mountains and the idyllic fishing villages of Cape Cod are just a short drive away.
Strawberry Banke
First explored in about 1603, Portsmouth was settled in 1630 as Piscataqua and soon renamed Strawberry Banke because of the abundant wild strawberries growing along the banks of the Piscataqua River. At the town’s incorporation in 1653, it was named Portsmouth in honor of the colony’s founder, John Mason. He had been captain of the port of Portsmouth, England, in the county of Hampshire, for which New Hampshire is named. Named the colonial capital in 1679, Portsmouth became a refuge for exiles from the Puritan Massachusetts Bay Colony. In 1713, the city was chosen to host the Treaty of Portsmouth, which formally ended hostilities between Eastern Abenaki Indians and European settlers in the New Hampshire and Massachusetts colonies. For more than 200 years, Portsmouth served as a major port of trade along the New England coast.
Portsmouth's Market Square in 1853
Once one of the nation’s busiest ports and shipbuilding cities, Portsmouth’s wealth was expressed in fine architecture. It contains significant examples of Colonial, Georgian, and Federal style houses, a selection of which are now museums. Portsmouth’s heart contains stately brick Federalist stores and townhouses, built all-of-a-piece after devastating early 19th century fires. The worst was in 1813 when 244 buildings burned.A fire district was created that required all new buildings within its boundaries to be built of brick with slate roofs; this created the downtown’s distinctive appearance.
While Portsmouth’s fortunes dimmed somewhat following the onslaught of the Industrial Revolution, when inland mill towns such as Dover, Keene, Laconia and Manchester rose to prominencee, the city enjoyed renewed prosperity with the establishment of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 1800. The first federal shipyard in the United States, it remains in operation, though Portsmouth’s maritime industry has largely given way to concerted growth in the tourist and service industries.
Governor John Langdon House
Portsmouth prides itself on its many historical buildings and churches. With the protection of a Historic District Commission, much of the city’s irreplaceable architectural legacy survives. It draws tourists and artists, who each summer throng the cafes, restaurants and shops around Market Square. In 2008, Portsmouth was named one of the “Dozen Distinctive Destinations” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.Just minutes from six New Hampshire state beaches, it provides an excellent escape for residents on the hot summer days. Portsmouth also boasts numerous excellent restaurants, including some of the best sea food establishments in New England.
Students in Portsmouth enjoy an excellent public school system with an average student/teacher ration of 12:1, one of the best in the state. City schools provide an excellent education from preschool all the way through to high school. With many state colleges nearby, students don’t have to go far to continue their education and local businesses don’t have to look far to find employees with the skills they need.
Real Estate Industry News
Different financing alternatives are available depending on whether you are purchasing a single family, condo, multi-family, or investment property. Understanding the pros and cons of each may help you decide which option is the best for you. Please contact me directly to be put in contact with mortgage professionals who can help you understand and evaluate your options.
Portsmouth, NH Real Estate Market Statistics
The following information was extracted from the state-wide MLS system and its accuracy is not guaranteed.
Portsmouth Single Family Home Sales Trends:
| Year Days on Market #Sold Average Price |
2006 90 142 $376461 |
2007 100 174 $370614 |
2008 107 126 $354976 |
2009 96 129 $349201 |
2010 105 130 $393726 |
Average Selling Price of Single Family Homes in Portsmouth
| 2006 |  $376461 |
|
| 2007 | $370614 |
|
| 2008 | $354976 |
|
| 2009 | $349201 |
|
| 2010 | $393726 |
Portsmouth Condominium Sales Trends:
| Year Days on Market #Sold Average Price |
2006 104 174 $304906 |
2007 132 155 $316436 |
2008 128 131 $328328 |
2009 154 100 $266303 |
2010 168 110 $346337 |
Average Selling Price of Condominiums in Portsmouth
| 2006 | $304906 |
|
| 2007 | $316436 |
|
| 2008 | $328328 |
|
| 2009 | $266303 |
|
| 2010 | $346337 |
Links to Helpful Portsmouth NH Resources
- Things To Do and Places to See In Portsmouth NH
- Portsmouth NH Visitor Center
- Portsmouth NH City Hall
- Portsmouth NH Public Library
- Historic Strawbery Banke
- Prescott Park Annual Schedule of Activities
- City of Portsmouth NH School Department
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