Hi all, Homes are going for about $229,400 on average. The median home value here is around $229,400, which is actually reasonable. You can expect to pay around $1,266 for rent here. With a population of 97,299, Portsmouth is a smaller city. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development.
Pros:
- Friendly people
- Lots of new development
- Walkable downtown
- Active local events
- Good airport connections
Cons:
- Hot summers
- Limited dining options
- Mosquitoes and humidity
- Far from major airports
- Chain restaurants dominate
Should I be concerned? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
5 upvotes
26 Replies
Stella T.
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 4 years here, that's my honest assessment.
40 upvotes
raleighdude2024
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Austin about 15 years ago. The main reasons were weather and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Hudson Morris
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Westside. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
37 upvotes
Declan Nelson
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Cedar Grove area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
37 upvotes
Madeline Hernandez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is dating scene. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
32 upvotes
Maverick Hernandez
glad someone said it
29 upvotes
Joseph N.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 4 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is decent.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
28 upvotes
Harper Smith
interesting, hadn't considered that
25 upvotes
Clara Gonzalez
I work in finance here and I have mixed feelings honestly. The job market for my field is challenging. Hope this helps!.
24 upvotes
Elena
seconding this
24 upvotes
Caleb
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Matthew S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 6 years. Moved from Miami for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is solid - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are improving. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Homeless population growing downtown. Bugs and humidity in summer. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Aiden Rodriguez
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
19 upvotes
Amelia Richardson
accurate
15 upvotes
urban_ezra30
it depends on the neighborhood
15 upvotes
Jaxon
thanks for sharing
13 upvotes
Grace Sanchez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to San Francisco it's surprisingly good.
11 upvotes
Cameron Bennett
I've lived in Westside for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- The traffic scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
Elizabeth Nguyen
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Meadowbrook. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in retail. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
Axel Garcia
Bought a house here in 2022 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
7 upvotes
Jack R.
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
7 upvotes
lagirl2022
Moved here from Charlotte about 9 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to job market but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
7 upvotes
Naomi M.
Can confirm, been here 14 years.
6 upvotes
Axel Peterson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Eastside) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
4 upvotes
Sofia Parker
+1
4 upvotes
Zoe Flores
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are improving, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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