Badgers Island
Neighborhood in Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Rockingham County 03904
Less than half a mile of million-dollar New England coastal homes
Home prices here stretch into the millions due to the exclusive nature of the community, as well as fast access to the river and bay. Badgers Island has only 50 homes laid out on its two roads, Island Avenue and Badgers Island West. Ranging between $1 million and $3 million, most of these coastal homes create an atmosphere reminiscent of small New England fishing villages. Shingle-sided cottages, some with fewer than 800 square feet, have that clapboard and saltbox style that makes the island feel timeless. Condo units in large buildings often feature balconies overlooking the water and can cost over $2 million.Though there is not much in the way of yard space, several homes have their own private docks that stretch out into deeper waters for mooring and launching watercraft. Cars sit on communal parking lots and are used to travel off-island. Otherwise, folks can walk wherever they need to go, as the island is less than a half-mile long.
Sperduto points out that Badgers Island retains the financial advantages of a Maine address. “The property taxes will be lower in Maine, but you’re still walkable to downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire.” And though this coastal community has picturesque views of the water, it can also suffer from possible flooding. “Buying by the coast comes with risks, for sure," Sperduto says. Maine doesn’t require home sellers to disclose flood history, so Sperduto recommends buyers consult FEMA flood zone maps and local real estate agents to learn more.
Multiple marinas, boating on all sides
Boating is the name of the game on Badgers Island. Though many homeowners have their own docks, Badgers Island Marina and Piscataqua Marina have slips for seasonal purchase or rent. Residents are also within eyesight of Prescott Park, which is half a mile to the south. This Portsmouth green space features public docks and offers an additional stop for those who cruise along the Piscataqua River. Prescott Park is packed with multiple events each week during the summer. Free movies screen on the park stage, which also welcomes concerts and theater productions. The park festivities taper off in the fall, but residents gather in the town of Kittery to the north for an annual holiday parade. Locals can also fish off the island pier or head into town to catch a performance at The Music Hall Lounge. South Mill Pond Playground has a jungle gym, sports fields, tennis courts and a sandy dog park.Highly rated public schools in nearby Kittery
Students on Badgers Island cross the bridge and travel into the town of Kittery to attend school. Horace Mitchell Primary School is for kindergarten through third grade, and it earns an A-minus on Niche. They then move on to Shapleigh School, rated a B-plus, for fourth through eighth grade. Robert W. Traip Academy is the area’s high school, and it scores a B-minus. The school has a varied list of courses for teens including Art of the Caribbean Islands, Screenwriting Fundamentals and Pre-Veterinary Medicine.Portsmouth International Airport and I-95 nearby
Locals are frequent travelers on U.S. Route 1, the only road that connects Badgers Island to the mainland of Kittery or Portsmouth. Portsmouth is the area’s transportation hub, with Portsmouth International Airport just 6 miles away. In Kittery, residents can hop on Interstate 95 and cruise 50 miles north to Portland, Maine’s largest city. The trip takes about an hour when traffic is light.Mainland shopping and dining in Portsmouth and Kittery
Though the community of Badgers Island may be tiny, there are a couple of great restaurants with views of the river. Buoy Shack serves locally harvested oysters, and though it does close seasonally, it stays open until mid-December. Badgers Island Pizza is across the street from Ornella's BBQ. These year-round restaurants may close their outdoor dining areas after the weather starts to turn, but they are considered go-to comfort food spots.Running errands requires a 2-mile drive south to Hannaford supermarket in Portsmouth or a 1-mile jaunt north to Kittery, which has a butcher, pasta-maker and a fresh fish market all on Route 1. Badgers Island’s location, halfway between Kittery and Portsmouth, allows residents to walk less than a mile to reach the small businesses, restaurants and cafés in each town. Sperduto recommends the bagels and deep-fried crullers at Lil’s Café in Kittery. “There’s a 30-minute line on Sunday mornings. People drive from Massachusetts for it.” Retail essentials like The Home Depot and Walmart are also in Portsmouth, and the Portsmouth Regional Hospital is the closest medical facility.



Agents Specializing in this Area
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Travis Billingham
Compass New England, LLC
(603) 570-9579
44 Total Sales
1 in Badgers Island
$577,500 Price
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Janna Syrene
Responds QuicklyEXP Realty
(207) 690-5041
175 Total Sales
1 in Badgers Island
$1,225,000 Price
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Jennifer Madden
Madden Group
(855) 780-0897
143 Total Sales
3 in Badgers Island
$342K - $1.5M Price Range
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Emil Uliano
Great Island Realty LLC
(351) 208-1638
140 Total Sales
2 in Badgers Island
$440K - $1M Price Range
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Elizabeth Levey-Pruyn
The Aland Realty Group
(207) 337-9546
200 Total Sales
2 in Badgers Island
$1.5M - $1.6M Price Range
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Krissy Couch
The Aland Realty Group
(781) 731-1369
50 Total Sales
2 in Badgers Island
$385K - $525K Price Range
Schools
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
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Transit
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Badgers Island | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 2 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 3 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 2 | 4 |
Robbery | 4 | 4 |
Burglary | 6 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 6 | 4 |
Larceny | 6 | 4 |
Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Badgers Island Demographics and Home Trends
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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Property Mix - Square Feet
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Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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