Greenland is a small town near major hubs
On the shores of the Great Bay, Greenland is a Rockingham County town of about 4,000. “People like the town because it’s quieter,” says Realtor Jean McCoole with Keller Williams Coastal Lakes & Mountain Realty, who has sold many properties in the area. “It’s a small town with a lot of country left, that hasn’t been over commercialized, yet has access to Portsmouth, Exeter and is close to the ocean.” U.S. Interstate 95 and an in-progress bike path run through the community, and residents aren’t far from scenic outdoor spaces and golf courses. Plus, there’s a range of housing options and well-rated schools, giving residents the benefits of suburbia without accompanying hubbub. “Everything is within a good distance while keeping the community quiet,” McCoole says.
Great Bay, golfing and more
Greenland borders the Great Bay, an over 6,000-acre tidal estuary. Visitors can wander a wooden walkway through hardwood forests, wetlands and salt marshes. The boardwalk leads to gardens and natural hiking trails. The nearby Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve has the Great Bay Discovery Center, featuring exhibits on the estuary and its wildlife, as well as the Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center, which is housed in an old barn and has natural history exhibits and meeting spaces. In nearby towns, conservation areas line the Great Bay’s shores. Crommet Creek Conservation Area spans over 2,500 acres in Durham, offering access to the 4-mile Sweet Trail, giving visitors views of freshwater wetlands. In Newington, Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge is an over 1,000-acre undeveloped sanctuary for migratory birds and waterfowl.
But Greenland’s natural experiences aren’t limited to the bay. The Greenland Recreation department hosts youth sports, camps and events, like the Summer Concert Series. Two tennis courts sit on the corner of Caswell Drive and Bayside Road, and there are athletic fields and basketball courts throughout the community. Golf courses dot the area, including Portsmouth Country Club. Founded in 1901, the private member-owned club has an 18-hole course with views of the Great Bay and hosts private events, from weddings in the ballroom to parties on the covered patio. The nearby Golf Club of New England and Breakfast Hill Golf Course also offer lush 18-hole fairways and clubhouses. McCoole also notes that nearby Stratham Hill Park is popular in the area. “There’s a watch tower that people like to hike up to,” she says. “It’s a good dog walking location.”
Homes that are old and new, on and off the water
The community offers a variety of home styles. There are many historic properties in Greenland, particularly near the town center, that may date back to the early 1800’s, as well as newly constructed houses that have never been lived in. Cape Cods, split-levels and Colonial revivals can cost between $330,000 and $800,000, depending on the size, age and condition. Homes near the Great Bay or on large plots of land can range in price from $900,000 to $3 million; however, homeowners with direct access to the water often pay a premium price of about $1.5 million to $3 million. Townhouses are also available and can range from $490,000 to $820,000, depending on how recently they were built.
Dual enrollment at Portsmouth High
For kindergarten to eighth grade, students can attend Greenland Central School, which receives a B-plus from Niche. For high school, students commute to Portsmouth High School, which Niche gives an A and ranks as the No. 1 Best Public High School in Rockingham County. Additionally, Portsmouth offers the Portsmouth Public Schools Dual Enrollment program with Tidewater Community College. Those enrolled can earn college credit or become a part of First College, which allows them to earn an associate degree.
Shopping and dining on Greenland Road and in nearby towns
Along Greenland Road, residents will find a Target and Lowe’s Home Improvement. A few local restaurants are in the area, like The Country View Restaurant, which serves hearty portions of American breakfast foods. It’s also open for early lunch, with burger and sandwich options. Open for every meal, nearby Country Pride also serves American classics, with menu items ranging from grilled chicken and pulled pork to omelets and bacon and eggs. A range of dining options line nearby Route 1, and shoreside seafood spots can be found about 5 miles east in Rye. To grocery shop, residents have options less than 5 miles northeast in Portsmouth, where there’s Market Basket, Walmart Supercenter and McKinnon’s Market & Super Butcher Shop.
Less than 10 miles to Portsmouth, Exeter and the seacoast
Greenland is near many transportation options, allowing residents to easily travel throughout the area. The New Hampshire Seacoast Greenway is an in-progress paved bicycle and pedestrian path over a defunct rail line. A small segment currently runs through Greenland, but once completed, the route will travel over 17 miles through eight nearby coastal communities. U.S. Interstate 95 leads south 57 miles to Boston and 112 miles to Providence and north across the Maine border. It’s a 5-mile drive to Portsmouth, where there are shopping and dining options, Portsmouth Regional Hospital, Portsmouth International Airport and Portsmouth Transportation Center, where C&J buses travel to destinations throughout New Hampshire and to New York City and Boston. It’s also about 5 miles east to New Hampshire’s seacoast and about 9 miles southwest to Exeter.
Written By
Adreanna DeMarino
