Rye offers laid-back life along New Hampshire’s longest coastline
Established in 1623 as New Hampshire’s first European settlement, Rye is a scenic coastal town in Rockingham County. The community of about 5,500 boasts the state's longest stretch of coastline, with multiple beaches and shoreside parks. Historic Colonial-style houses dot scenic streets, and lawns overlooking rocky coasts. Rye has a strong sense of community pride, and while there is a large summer community, permanent residents tend to stick around for a long time. “I moved to Rye 24 years ago, and I wouldn’t leave,” says Rosalie Andrews, a broker at Engel & Volkers Portsmouth. “It’s a privilege to live in this town.”
Beaches, marinas, state parks and more
This community offers an array of recreational areas along its picturesque coastline. “It’s a lot of fun in the summer,” Andrews says. A mix of sandy beaches and rocky coastline can be found at Wallis Sands State Beach, sometimes called Pirate’s Cove. Amenities include a bathhouse, snack bar, free parking and lovely views of the Isles of Shoals, four islands located 6 miles off the coast. Cruise ships to these islands launch from nearby Rye Harbor State Park. The adjacent Rye Marina offers whale watching and charter fishing.
Residents can walk unleashed pets at nearby Jenness State Beach starting in November. “Jenness Beach is longer and has a little bit more surfing,” Andrews says. “There are a bunch of little snack shacks nearby where people can go grab something to eat and then go back to the beach.” In the northern part of Rye, Odiorne Point State Park has trails near rocky shores and tidal pools. It’s home to the Seacoast Science Center, where interactive exhibits and educational programs focus on marine life and conservation.
Seaside homes with low property taxes
Rye offers a variety of homes, from modest ranch-style and Cape Cod properties to large Colonial Revivals and seaside mansions. While proximity to the shore brings higher price tags, housing costs typically have more to do with size and amenities. Prices can range from $430,000 to $1.4 million. “A lot of people have second homes here, but there are more permanent residents than seasonal people,” Andrews says. Additionally, Rye offers lower property taxes than nearby towns. “It’s one of the lowest property tax rates in the state,” Andrews says. “For what you get living here, the prices are very reasonable.”
Beachfront bites and nearby shopping
Known for its clam chowder, Petey’s Summertime Seafood & Bar has been a go-to since the 1990s, serving a variety of fish favorites. Visitors to nearby Ray’s Seafood can eat lobster rolls on the blue deck, while Carriage House Restaurant offers a more elevated dining experience, trading outdoor decks and seafood bibs for an upscale dining room and creative dishes. Shaw’s grocery store is in North Hampton. Other commercial conveniences line Lafayette Road, including Walmart Supercenter and Market Basket.
Students zoned for Rye School District
The Rye School District receives an A grade from Niche and has a student-teacher ratio of 9-to-1. It includes two schools, Rye Elementary and Rye Junior High School, both of which earn A grades from Niche. There isn’t a high school in Rye, so students commute to Portsmouth High for Grades 9 to 12. Niche gives the high school an A and ranks it as Rockingham County’s top public high school.
Driving around Rye
This community is accessible via U.S. Route 1 and New Hampshire state Route 1A, which runs along the scenic Atlantic coastline, connecting Rye to neighboring towns like Hampton and Portsmouth, both about 7 miles away. Traffic is an issue during the summer. “You may have to drive a little slower on Ocean Boulevard, but it gives you the opportunity to appreciate all the amazing people that have gone out of their way to come to our town,” Andrews says. U.S. Interstate 95 is just west, leading to major cities like Boston, about 55 miles south. For air travel, Portsmouth International Airport is about 9 miles away.
Written By
Adreanna DeMarino
