Chamber Welcome

We would like to welcome you to the Seacoast Region of New Hampshire and the Greater Portsmouth area. As you will see when you leaf through the pages of this magazine, Portsmouth is an exciting and dynamic place to do business, and one of the best places in the country to live. But don't take our word for it.

Cosmopolitan magazine named Portsmouth in its Top 10 list of the best places to live and work in the country. The UTNE Reader named our community in its lineup of the 50 "most enlightened cities" in the country. And finally, Money Magazine rated Portsmouth in their Top 10 best places to live in the country five times over the last 10 years.

Portsmouth was settled in 1623 by English colonists who were attracted to the area by the commercial potential of the Piscataqua River. Hundreds of years later, the state's first city continues to serve New England as an important center of commerce and recreation. A progressive business climate, superior education systems, safe and comfortable residential neighborhoods, and a sophisticated, diversified cultural environment rarely found in cities of our size all contribute to the unique vitality of the area.

Whatever you are looking for in life, you'll find it in Portsmouth. As the city has grown, great care has been taken to preserve its history, culture and quality of life. Downtown Portsmouth offers galleries, theaters, museums and restaurants serving world-class cuisine from around the globe. The Music Hall, celebrating its 125th birthday this year, brings nationally known performers to the Seacoast; the Prescott Park Arts Festival is a feast of outdoor fun and entertainment on the city's waterfront that runs from July through the end of August; and the Seacoast Repertory Theatre presents a full schedule of performing arts programming year round. Special events like the Portsmouth Jazz Festival, Children's Day, Market Square Day, Winter Solstice Celebration, New Year's Portsmouth and historical candlelight strolls complement a world of cultural and artistic events that lie virtually right at your doorstep.

As the "City of the Open Door," we welcome you with open arms. We are confident that you too will soon come to know all the richness our fine community has to offer. We invite you to visit and to discover why there is no better place to live, conduct business or raise a family. Please use this magazine as your resource for setting up your business or your home. The back portion contains a business directory full of people who are eager to serve your needs and to help you get settled in your new home. Good luck with your relocation, and don't forget to stop by and see us when you get into town.

Sincerely,

The Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce