Section Image

North Waterfront

North Waterfront

$524,282 Average Value
$197 Average Price per Sq Ft
0 Homes For Sale

North Waterfront sits on the banks of the Piscataqua River

Along the Piscataqua River, which makes up a watery state line between New Hampshire and Maine, the North Waterfront neighborhood sits along Interstate 95. Part of New Hampshire’s coastal southeastern region, the residential community is just across the highway from a fueling terminal where ships come to moor. “It’s a place I’ve called home for over 35 years,” says Lee Ann Parks, an associate broker at EXP Realty. “It’s right on the harbor, and the draw is the affordability. Homes have smaller footprints and it’s a beautiful community. We don’t have an income tax or sales tax, and we have four beautiful seasons. It’s a great place to live.”

The canted gambrel roofs of North Waterfront homes date back over a century and sit just outside of Portsmouth proper. “That area is the gateway into Portsmouth,” Parks says. “You have close proximity to shopping and restaurants, and it’s very convenient to all those locations.” To complement the vibrant selection of restaurants in the city, nearby parks and islands offer scenic vistas while also hosting annual events that range from arts festivals to live music and theatrical productions.

Former shipyard housing in Atlantic Heights

Many homes in North Waterfront are part of the Atlantic Heights community and date to around 1920, when they were built to house shipyard workers. Atlantic Heights is part of the National Register of Historic Places. “The homes are mostly all brick gambrels in the townhouse style,” Parks says. “They’re about 1,200 square feet total, sit side-by-side and are usually two-bed, one bath. They’re very small, but still affordable.” The peaked gambrel roofs are the most common feature of the single-family homes, which incorporate Cape Cod and colonial-style elements, as well. Most properties cost between $370,000 and around $500,000. The neighborhood has yet to receive a CAP Index crime score.

Highly-rated education in Portsmouth School District

Kids can start at Little Harbour Elementary School, which garners an A from Niche. Portsmouth Middle School and Portsmouth High School also receive A ratings, as does the overall Portsmouth School District. Portsmouth High School has received accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Waterfront green spaces and beaches on the New Hampshire coast

North Waterfront has small green spaces near the shoreline, where locals can play baseball at Hislop Field or go to Atlantic Heights Playground. About 2 miles down the waterfront, Prescott Park is a vibrant hub of events and recreation. Visitors can walk amidst gardens and fountains, complemented by benches and pathways, or attend events ranging from live music to theatrical productions.

Across the Prescott Memorial Bridge, Peirce Island offers walking trails, a playground, a boat launch, ocean overlooks and a pool. North Waterfront is about 5 miles from the coastline, where locals can sit on the sand or swim at Wallis Sands State Beach or Pirates Cove Beach. “The beaches are very hot spots that people go to,” Parks says. Great Island Common, around 4 miles east on the coast in New Castle, also features a beach, along with a playground, pier and lighthouse.

Shopping centers along Market Street and dining in Portsmouth

Market Street runs close to the neighborhood and serves as a retail hub for the area. “You can walk to all the shops on Market Street,” Parks says. “There are a lot of quaint, little shops and restaurants, like Surf and Annabelle’s Ice Cream.” Both are located in Portsmouth, which offers a wide array of restaurant choices.

Other eateries in the city include The Hammer Pub & Grille, Domo Japanese Restaurant and The Press Room, which pours drinks and hosts live music. Close to North Waterfront, Durgin Square includes a Whole Foods, HomeGoods and T.J. Maxx. Across Market Street, Portsmouth Plaza offers a Burlington, Marshalls and Market Basket. Both shopping centers are less than 2 miles from central North Waterfront.

Highway access to Interstate 95

Interstate 95 runs through North Waterfront before crossing the Piscataqua River into Maine. The closest access ramps are near Market Street, less than a mile from central North Waterfront. U.S. Route 1 also runs close by. “It’s really close to the coastline and the three major cities: Manchester, Portland and Boston,” Parks says. All three cities are between 40 and 60 miles from North Waterfront. COAST buses have stops on Market Street. Portsmouth Regional Hospital sits less than 4 miles south.

Annual festivals and art showcases at Prescott Park

Prescott Park hosts events throughout the year. The Prescott Park Arts Festival spotlights a variety of disciplines, including artwork, music, dance and theatre. Throughout the summer months, the park also puts on a concert series, movie screenings and plays put on by several repertory companies. “The summer concerts are a big draw,” Parks says. Other happenings include the Seacoast Jazz Festival, which has endured for over 40 years and takes place each August, and the Annual New Hampshire Brewfest, held in October.

Employment at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

Just east, down the Piscataqua River, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard employs nearly 10,000 individuals in the Maine town of Kittery.

Adam Cheek
Written By
Adam Cheek

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to David Christensen, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Portsmouth International at Pease

8 min drive

Bus

Falkland Place & Kearsarge Way (Atlantic Heights)

North Waterfront Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$420,000
Median Sale Price
$413,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$413,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
2%
Last 12 months Home Sales
3
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-77%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$197

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
213
Number of Homes for Sale
0
Median Year Built
1917
Months of Supply
0.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
916
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,185
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,130
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
2,178

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to David Christensen, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
661
Median Age
42
Population under 18
15.6%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$128,125
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$153,509

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
99.8%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
75.7%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
21.2%
% Population in Labor Force
75.3%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
51''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
80°F
Annual Snowfall
42''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

35 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

14 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: 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.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Reviews

Are you familiar with the North Waterfront neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
North Waterfront