The South Portsmouth neighborhood offers the opportunity to live on island time. It’s located in the northern part of Aquidneck Island, often called the biggest island in the smallest state. As the name suggests, South Portsmouth is south of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, where locals enjoy a few beach access points, an equestrian community and plenty of open spaces.
The most popular place to access the water is on the island's eastern side at Sandy Point Beach, on the banks of the Sakonnet River. Parking is available at the end of Sandy Point Avenue, and there is a fee for those not residents of the nearby Sandy Point subdivision. There are picnic tables, changing rooms and restroom facilities. McCorrie Point is a residents-only beach that allows you to drive as it’s more of a rocky shore, but it’s popular for swimming and fishing.
Some parts of South Portsmouth have modest ranch-style and Craftsman homes built as far back as the 1950s. “You’re going to struggle to see anything listed under $400,000 in this area,” says Dave Travers, a real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty who grew up in Portsmouth. “There’s also new developments going up, and some of the homes closer to the water are up to $4 million.” While there are still open spaces in the area, new developments are also being built. “Not every bit of land is going to be developed. Aquidneck Land Trust is ensuring that the island’s natural character stays intact,” Travers says. “People tend to stay in this area unless they’re downgrading. There’s a lot to love.”
For about 150 years, polo has been popular on Aquidneck, and from June through September, people have been coming to Newport Polo to witness Saturday matches. It also was established as the first polo club in the United States in 1876. The matches feature the local Newport team facing off against polo clubs nationwide. The surrounding Glen Farm Stables offers boarding services and horse-riding lessons. Periodic horse shows take place at Glen Park in the area, but it also has lots of green space and a baseball diamond. Close to the park is a picturesque 1920s French Chateau known as the Glen Manor House on the Sakonnet River, which is the site of weddings and various scenic photo shoots.
The Green Valley Country Club is a semi-private club open to the public. Members enjoy all-you-can-play golf and discounts on golf carts. Two golf professionals are on-site to help with playing tips and lessons. The country club has hosted banquets, corporate functions and wedding receptions. Eighteen holes of sloping fairways, marshes and strategically placed bunkers await at Newport National Golf Club. The course was designed to be reminiscent of those in Ireland and Scotland.
Fieldstones is in an old wooden building shaped like a barn. Inside, there are cozy booths surrounded by artifacts from yesteryear. The menu features comfort food like French onion soup, chicken alfredo and fish and chips. Rocco’s Little Italy is a fast-casual restaurant with pizza and wings for eat-in or carry-out. Many grocery stores are on the island for food at home, including Shaw’s, ALDI and BJ’s Wholesale Club. The Newport Car Museum is for the car enthusiast or even a casual automobile fan. It focuses on eight decades of automotive design and celebrates cars as a work of art, from Corvettes to muscle cars.
Part of the A-minus Niche-rated Portsmouth School District, the Melville School, with prekindergarten through fourth graders, also gets an A-minus and has a 13-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Portsmouth Middle School begins with fifth grade and runs through eighth. Students can join organizations such as the robotics or the chess club. The school also receives an A-minus Niche grade. Portsmouth High School rounds out the straight A-minus grades.
Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority, commonly known as RIPTA, has stops on Aquidneck Island serving Portsmouth, Middletown and Newport with service along Main Road. The closest major hospital is Newport Hospital, about 5-10 miles to the south.
Vincent Ding
Longvin Realty Inc
(401) 681-8388
86 Total Sales
1 in South Portsmouth
$475,000 Price
Connor Dowd
Keller Williams Coastal
(401) 830-9302
403 Total Sales
20 in South Portsmouth
$319K - $975K Price Range
Dan Contino
eXp Realty
(959) 215-6603
185 Total Sales
1 in South Portsmouth
$442,000 Price
Donna Conway
Mott & Chace Sotheby's Intl.
(401) 593-6086
69 Total Sales
1 in South Portsmouth
$3,223,000 Price
Nicole Parente
Edge Realty RI
(631) 284-8373
53 Total Sales
1 in South Portsmouth
$750,000 Price
Meredith LeBlanc
Hogan Associates Christie's
(401) 381-5152
17 Total Sales
1 in South Portsmouth
$625,000 Price
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | South Portsmouth | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 1 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 2 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 1 | 4 |
| Robbery | 1 | 4 |
| Burglary | 2 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1 | 4 |
| Larceny | 2 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 2 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
On average, homes in South Portsmouth, Portsmouth sell after 54 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in South Portsmouth, Portsmouth over the last 12 months is $761,600, up 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
$1,300 - $2,625 per month
Bike Score®
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.