New Boston blends historic charm with modern amenities
Named after the original home of its first founders, New Boston is a village set along the Ohio River, surrounded by the city of Portsmouth. New Boston and Portsmouth have the same zip code but are actually two different areas. "It's hard to tell where New Boston begins and Portsmouth ends, so they share many of the same things," says Sabrina Bentley, a local Realtor with Kim Hill Real Estate. Filled with vintage National Folk homes and dotted with retail areas, New Boston has a historic look but provides modern amenities.
Classic architecture and rare contemporary homes
Many of the homes in New Boston date back to the early to mid-20th century. The streets are narrow and hilly, following the natural landscape of the Portsmouth area. National Folk architecture, common in the community, is painted in muted pastels and earth tones. Craftsman homes are sprinkled in between. Contemporary styles in New Boston are rare. Instead, effort goes into renovating existing properties. The median sales price of single-family homes here is around $82,000.
Local education and financial assistance for college
New Boston Local Schools serve the community, and parents can apply to enroll their children in a district of their choosing with Ohio's school choice program. Kids can start at Stanton Primary Elementary School, which receives a C from Niche. Oak Intermediate Elementary and Glenwood High are both C-plus rated. In 2008, the Scioto Foundation launched the University/College Access Network, which provides financial assistance for Scioto County high school graduates to attend college.
Community recreation and nearby waterfront parks
On the north side, Millbrook Park offers an expansive playground, a walking path and sports fields for the local Little League. While New Boston is at the waterfront, it has no designated green spaces. Instead, residents can head 4 miles to Riverfront Park in Portsmouth for riverside trails, fishing areas and kayak launches at the connected Doyle's Landing.
Small-scale events and big annual festivals
The village of New Boston organizes several small events throughout the year, from family-friendly holiday parties at Millbrook Park to community yard sales. For large-scale festivities, residents can head to Portsmouth. "There are a lot of festivals, but River Days is huge," Bentley says. "I remember going for the first time and being surprised at how many people showed up." For the three days of Labor Day weekend, River Days brings live music, food vendors and carnival rides to the entire Portsmouth area.
Shopping off Route 52 and local businesses in downtown Portsmouth
The community has several retail areas, all just off Route 52. New Boston houses the only Walmart Supercenter in the Portsmouth area and has many other recognizable stops, such as CVS and Dollar General. These retail areas include several fast-casual restaurants, but locally owned and operated eateries are interspersed with the chains. Casa Grande has been a local favorite for Mexican fare for years.
Route 52 runs through New Boston, linking major cities
New Boston is intersected by Route 52, which runs east-west along the Ohio River past major areas such as Cincinnati and Portsmouth. Route 52 leads 4 miles into downtown Portsmouth in about 10 to 15 minutes. "The highway really does connect everything. It's essential for the area," Bentley says. The community does not have access to bus service.
