Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Ranked second on last year’s list, Portsmouth is rich in quintessential New England charm. It’s perfectly situated between Portland, Maine, and Boston, Mass.—offering easy access to explore more of New England’s bigger cities.

With just 22,000 people across its 16.8 miles, the port city is on the smaller side but is larger than life in its community and beauty: Its cobblestone streets, historic architecture, and peaceful waterfront are a case in point. 

Combined with all there is to do in the area, it can make up for the higher cost of living. Portsmouth has its own Restaurant Week to gorge on fresh seafood, and has a big beer history—Anheuser-Busch invested $6 million into its brewery there last year. And on the first Friday of every month, downtown Portsmouth hosts a gallery walk called Art ’Round Town. There’s also the Prescott Park Arts Festival, which features live music, theater, and movies over the course of 10 weeks during the summer.

Since it’s located on the Piscataqua River, Portsmouth also plays host to plenty of waterfront activities. Every summer kicks off with the Hit the Decks event, where food and drink specials can be found at waterfront bars and restaurants. Portsmouth is also near many beaches and owns the beautiful Peirce Island, which features an outdoor pool, boat launches, and striking views of rocky cliffs and salt marshes. 

A large number of schools are rated above average, according to GreatSchools. The high school graduation rate is 95%.