"Lowest Elevation, Highest Hip Quotient" Portsmouth by gilescorey

I believe it was the Boston Globe that described Portsmouth as my headline does.

Yes, I stole it. Whatcha gonna do about eh?

Well, as a born and bred New Hampshirite, I'd say the paper got it right.

Portsmouth is not only a seaside village with spark and elan to spare, but an historic center that balances tourism with a dynamic downtown living scene - a quality ever harder to find in this well-traversed region on the U.S.

As New Hampshire's oldest continuous settlement, Portsmouth offers enough history, fine dining, scenic delight and entertainment to fill a few charming days. Or, conversely, its easy access from U.S. 95 makes the city an ideal afternoon dash. Either way, you, as a visitor, will not be let down.

• Pros:Strawbery Banke Museum, Excellent dining, Charming Downtown
• Cons:Ludicrous high housing costs, occasional invasions by UNH students
• In a nutshell:Marla "Damn I could live in this town"