Rye, New Hampshire
The affluent seaside community of Rye, New Hampshire is set just a few miles north of the bustling Hampton Beach area of the New Hampshire seacoast. With just over 5000 residents, Rye has a small population with little commercial business apart from seasonal restaurants and several small shops. Stunningly luxurious homes dot the eight miles of scenic coastline that meanders from North Hampton to the south to tiny New Castle just north of this beautiful town.
The area which was to become Rye, NH was the site of the state’s first European settlement. Established in 1632 by David Thompson, he called the settlement “Pannaway Plantation”. Now officially known as Odiorne’s Point, it is a 300-acre State Park with picnicking, sunbathing, hiking and several miles of paved bicycle trails. The settlement eventually became a part of the booming port town of Portsmouth but was incorporated as a part of New Castle when that town split off from Portsmouth in 1693. Rye separated from New castle in 1726, was incorporated and officially named in honor of an English Channel town in the “Old World”. Over the years Rye managed to annex four of the nine Isles of Shoals, located several miles off the New Hampshire coast. The remaining five islands were annexed by the state of Maine.
Aside from the obvious history of this little town that can be found in several local museums, Rye offers the sun and sand you would expect from a seacoast community. In addition to Odiorne’s Point State Park, there is also Wallis Sands, Jenness Beach, Ragged Neck, Locke’s Neck and Rye Harbor. Still a fishing community, small fishing boats can be found moored in the picturesque inlets and waterways that curve their way in and out coastal route 1A. Other activities in town include golfing at Wentworth By Sea, whale watching and just plain relaxing. Nearby Portsmouth offers shopping of all kinds, casual and fine dining, theaters, the arts as well as entertainment of all kinds. The Pease International Tradeport gives locals the convenience of air travel to all parts of the country, as does the Manchester Airport to the west and Boston’s Logan Airport to the south. A trip to the incredible beauty of the White Mountain National Forest in northern NH is but a one-hour drive but gives you memories to last a lifetime. The scenic state of New Hampshire is beautiful everywhere you look, but the North Country is truly unforgettable.
Rye, NH is a part of SAU #50 and maintains kindergarten through grade eight for its student population. Resident children in grades in through twelve are tuitioned at the nearby Portsmouth High School. There are currently no plans to build a high school in Rye.
Rye is an architect’s dream town just for the multitude of differing home styles found throughout the town. Grace and beauty, style and form all compliment each other to perfection in these wonderful old and new homes. If you think Rye may be the right town for you, your first step should be to call Jim Miller Bean Group at (603) 801-3987. New Hampshire is a wonderful state to live in and we’d love to tell you all the reasons why. Give us a call today and start living the New Hampshire Lifestyle tomorrow!
Rye Elementary School (k-5)
(603) 436-4731
Rye Junior High School (6-8)
(603) 964-5591
Portsmouth High School (9-12)
(603) 431- 5080
