Tips for living in Portsmouth, NH?

June 12, 2007 9:59 AM

What are the best supermarkets in Portmouth, NH? Good gym? Also, could someone answer my Portsmouth-traffic questions?

Later this week I'm moving to Portsmouth, NH for a job that will last about 6 months. I have a few questions about living in Portsmouth. Usually the kind of stuff you'd pick up from living in a place, but since I'll be there for such a short time, I don't want to spend lots of time trying to figure stuff out.

- Supermarkets: I'll be on a tight budget, so I'm looking for the least expensive place in town to buy groceries. Extra points if it's near Newington, where I'll be living. I notice that there are several Market Baskets. Here in the Boston area, the Somerville MB is hands-down the cheapest and often best supermarket - is that the case in Portsmouth, as well?

- At first I'll be working in Portsmouth, but after a month or so, I'll be working out of Dover. I've heard the traffic on 4 between Portsmouth and Dover can be crazy, but in which direction? I'll be going towards Dover at around 8-9 every morning. If it is crazy traffic, is there an alternate route from Newington?

- Related: this Friday I need to travel to Manchester. Google maps says it will take an hour via 101, but should I leave more time for traffic?

- Last question: I'm looking for a good gym to join. Preferably one with late hours, a pool and yoga. Any recs?

I realize this is a lot of questions, about stuff that is pretty boring. I definitely appreciate any advice!

posted by lunasol to travel & transportation (8 comments total)

Supermarkets: I know of one Market Basket, but it's on the other side of Portsmouth from Newington. There's a Shaws near Newington, and a Hannaford right in the middle of town on Islington St. None are especially good, in my opinion, but Hannaford has more variety (and better organics) than any of the three. There's a pretty good Natural Foods store on Congress downtown, and a more upmarket/organic store called Philbricks on Route 1 just south of the traffic circle. Both are pricier, but you can find stuff there that none of the regular grocery stores carry.

Traffic: It's actually Rt. 16 that connects Dover and Portsmouth (4 diverges and heads into Durham after crossing the Bay). Traffic is a mess there, to be sure, but always going the other way from your commute. This won't be a problem for you. (And there is no practical alternate route anyway, since you'd have to drive all the way around in Maine or south of the Bay in Greeland/Stratham, both of which will add 30 minutes or more to your trip.)

Manchester via 101 is usually pretty fast, even at times of heavier traffic. I would leave maybe 10 minutes, but I don't think you'll need more than that.

The Gold's Gym on Rt. 1, south of the traffic circle, is reportedly very good. That's the only one I know of, though.

Hope all this helps.
posted by dseaton at 10:17 AM on June 12, 2007

Welcome to Portsmouth.

There are two Market Baskets - one very close to Newington on Woodbury Avenue, and one on Lafayette Road/Route 1 just sout h of town. Market Basket is by FAR the cheapest market in town. It has everything you need and very personable staff; its only liability seems to be that they haven't redecorated since circa 1961. If you are on a budget, Market Basket is the place you want to shop. Hannaford is indeed a nice market, but much more expensive overall. Shaw's is the most expensive, so avoid that. The Boston Globe did a price comparison among the regional markets with the same basket of groceries in each place, and it worked out that shopping at Market Basket over Shaw's saved something like $1200 a year. I was sold.

Many people near here use Golden Harvest (over the bridge in Kittery) for fresh produce; it's a fun place to shop, has great fresh produce, and can get you anything you need. You can also score big at the Seacoast Growers Assocation farmer's market. Not only is there produce, but also meats, eggs, baked goods, hot sandwiches and Indian takeout, and other things too wonderful to mention. The Saturday market is in Portsmouth and it's the biggest and has the best selection, but there are markets in Dover too.

I agree with dseaton's traffic estimations.

The Seacoast Y is my gym - a one-time fee of $60-something and then $38 a month. I mainly use it because it has a pool, which I need. There's also a weight room, plenty of machines, and free classes. Others work out at Planet Fitness, the chain, which is on Lafayette, or Vision Fitness, right in downtown Portsmouth. Both are 24 hours. But since you mention Dover, also check around for their adult rec. programs - here's a lead. Friends that live in Dover use their community center gym and pool, and it's some insanely cheap price like $20 a year.

Do think about whether you really need the services of a gym. You'll be in Portsmouth the most beautiful six months of the year, and outdoor recreation options are many. There are running groups that meet every Monday and Thursday night and Saturday morning, a cycling group on Wednesday, and a paddling group on Tuesday. Even if you prefer to go solo, this a great place to run, bike, swim, surf, kayak, and hike.

Feel free to email with more inquiries! Hope you enjoy it here as much as I do.
posted by Miko at 1:35 PM on June 12, 2007

A slight derail, but as I pine away in California exile I must live vicariously through you -

Go to the Friendly Toast! Oh so yummy, especially their orange french toast.
posted by ilyanassa at 7:07 PM on June 12, 2007

I'll second both the Friendly Toast and Market Basket recommendations. MB is the place to buy most of your staple items, and it is the place to buy imported feta. I do hit up Shaw's for fresh produce, however, as MB's selection can be iffy.

As dseaton mentioned, if your wallet's feeling full you could hit up Philbrick's Fresh Market on Rt. 1. It's the NH version of Whole Foods.

Oh, and do yourself a favor and go to Loco Coco's Tacos in Kittery.

Portsmouth and the surrounding areas are really great. Lots to do, lots to see. You're going to have fun. Heck, maybe we've finally got enough people around here for a meetup.
posted by schoolgirl report at 7:38 PM on June 12, 2007

Wow, thanks for all the good info and the warm welcome. I'm definitely excited about spending summer and fall in Portsmouth. The farmers' market sounds great...
posted by lunasol at 8:11 PM on June 12, 2007

maybe we've finally got enough people around here for a meetup.

Word. I bet we could even entice a few Portlanders and Bostonians to hie themselves to the Seacoast.

I'm game!
posted by Miko at 8:17 PM on June 12, 2007

welcome to portsmouth. sorry i'm late on this. feel free to email if you have any questions. i would say that MB has better selection than hannafords on everything BUT organics, in which corner hannafords (or "the Not Pic n Pay" for people who've been around awhile) is the best.
Planet Fitness on Lafayette has late hours. Definitely coco loco's tacos for good food quick and reasonable.
posted by Soulbee at 1:56 PM on June 14, 2007

The Planet Fitness in Dover is a 24 hour operation as well.
posted by yerfatma at 9:39 AM on June 18, 2007