West Portsmouth offers quiet living just outside the city
Originally developed as a suburban area to break away from the main city, West Portsmouth sits just outside Portsmouth proper. Offering a more rural feel, the community provides residents greater privacy and a more peaceful way of life. "I ended up moving here after visiting with my mom so much when I was a kid. Nowhere else in Ohio has these views, just beautiful and huge hills," says Sabrina Bentley, a local Realtor with Kim Hill Real Estate. "West Portsmouth is definitely on the outskirts of the Portsmouth area. But that comes with more acreage, and you get more into the country." Although the community is somewhat removed from its vibrant urban neighbor, downtown Portsmouth is only 3 miles away.
A mix of styles from tiny houses to contemporary homes on large lots
Set back near the country landscape surrounding the city, West Portsmouth offers residents quiet, tree-shaded streets and a wide variety of architecture. "Properties are all over the place, just in terms of what you can get. I've sold everything from the higher-priced country houses to tiny homes," Bentley says. "We have a lot of everything, which I think works in our favor." Midcentury ranch-style homes and minimalist Craftsman properties are most common in West Portsmouth, but more contemporary housing made its way into the community about 25 years ago. These newer homes typically have more square footage and are on bigger land plots, which results in them selling for higher, typically between $350,000 and $450,000. These are considered outliers, as West Portsmouth's median sales price is around $165,000.
Education options with the Washington-Nile Local School District
Washington-Nile Local School District serves the community, and parents can apply to enroll their children in a district of their choice through Ohio's school choice program. Kids can start at Portsmouth West Elementary School, which receives a B-plus from Niche, before heading to C-rated Portsmouth West Middle School. Portsmouth West High School, which also gets a C, has used the Focus3 program to improve school culture since 2020. Students who display a good work ethic and exemplary attendance can participate in designated field trips using a point system.
Fishing, parasailing and youth leagues bring neighbors together
Near the community center is a small green space with a playground and The Complex, an indoor gymnasium open to the public. Nearby Riverfront Park sits on the waterside, veined with walkways and adorned with several murals and art pieces. Many will also head to Riverfront Park to fish, hoping to hook catfish. "They do parasailing down by the river, which is cool to see. The whole Portsmouth area is very into sports, especially sports for kids," Bentley says. Many children participate in the West Portsmouth Little League, with several playing fields in the community's east side off Route 104.
Driving is essential with no public transit in the area
West Portsmouth is bordered by State Route 73, which connects with Route 52, a major east-west thoroughfare through the region. Using Route 73, residents can drive the 3 miles into downtown Portsmouth. The community does not have access to any official public transportation. While small, the Huntington Tri-State Airport serves a couple of commercial airlines and is 55 miles away, compared to the 110 miles it takes to get to the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
Nearby retail options in Portsmouth and New Boston
While West Portsmouth doesn't have its own commercial center, residents can easily hop on Route 52 and head into Portsmouth or New Boston for shopping and dining. Portsmouth offers several well-known grocers, such as Kroger and Aldi, while New Boston houses a Walmart Supercenter. A true local touch thrives in downtown Portsmouth, with its multiple art galleries, specialty shops and restaurants. The original Patties & Pints has been a downtown staple for years, serving elevated American fare and craft beer on tap.
