Moving to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (NSA Maine)
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on Seavey Island, in Kittery, Maine, is one of four remaining naval shipyards and overhauls, repairs and modernizes Los Angeles-class submarines. It employs roughly 8,000 civilians alongside about 1,000 military personnel and family members, and sits on the New Hampshire-Maine border near Portsmouth.
| Branch | Navy |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Kittery, ME / Portsmouth, NH |
| Population served | About 1,000 military and family members plus roughly 8,000 civilian employees (Military OneSource) |
| Airports | Boston Logan (BOS), about 1 hour; Portland Jetport (PWM) and Manchester (MHT) also nearby |
| Climate | Cold, snowy New England winters and mild summers |
| Cost of living | Higher than inland New England, especially on the seacoast |
| On-base housing | Balfour Beatty Communities (NSY Portsmouth Homes) for family housing; barracks on the shipyard |
| Family support center | Fleet and Family Support Center (Building 241) |
Where families live
Kittery, ME
Closest town to the gate with small-town Maine character and limited rental inventory.
Portsmouth, NH
Walkable, trendy and expensive; many shipyard workers live here or inland.
Eliot / South Berwick, ME
Quieter rural towns with more space and slightly lower costs.
Dover / Rochester, NH
Farther inland with lower prices, popular with commuters.
Navy PPV housing
Family housing managed by Balfour Beatty with applications through the Housing Service Center.
Schools
The area spans Maine and New Hampshire school systems, so your home address determines the district. Because school choice and enrollment rules differ between states, contact the School Liaison Office early.
- Kittery School Department — Public schools in Kittery, Maine.
- Portsmouth School District (NH) — Public schools in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
School Liaison Office through the Fleet and Family Support Center (207-438-1835)
Things to do near Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (NSA Maine)
- Kittery OutletsfamilyLarge outlet shopping center along Route 1.
- Fort McClary State Historic SiteoutdoorsCoastal fort in Kittery Point with harbor views.
- Portsmouth Historic District (Strawbery Banke)museumOutdoor history museum in a preserved waterfront neighborhood.
- Wallis Sands and Hampton BeachoutdoorsSeacoast beaches within a short drive.
- Portsmouth dining and breweriesfoodWalkable downtown with a strong restaurant scene.
- York Beach and Nubble LightoutdoorsClassic Maine lighthouse and beach town nearby.
- White Mountainsday-tripSkiing and hiking about two hours north.
- Bostonday-tripRoughly an hour south for sports and museums.
Realtors & local services
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Local programs & support
- Maine Family Assistance Network (MFAN)Online resource directory that lists military and family services in Maine, including the shipyard housing office.
PCS tips for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (NSA Maine)
- Start your Housing Early Assistance Tool application before orders arrive; the housing service center runs the PPV waitlist.
- Check in with the Housing Service Center (67 Philbrick Avenue, Kittery) on arrival even if you plan to rent privately; they offer lease review.
- Rentals that allow pets are limited on the seacoast, so confirm pet policies early.
- Many shipyard employees live inland and commute, and traffic on the Route 1 and I-95 bridges can back up in summer.
Benefits to use on this move
- Dislocation Allowance (DLA)Service members relocating a household on PCS orders
- Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)Families who need a hotel or short-term rental while moving within the U.S.
- Personally Procured Move (PPM / DITY)Families who want to move some or all of their own goods
- VA Home Loan GuarantyService members, veterans and some surviving spouses buying a home
- Pet Transportation ReimbursementFamilies moving a cat or dog on PCS orders
- Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military ChildrenSchool-age children of active duty families changing schools
- School Liaison ProgramParents choosing schools and transferring records
Other installations in the Northeast
Last researched 2026-10. Housing partners, school assignments and phone numbers change; confirm with the installation before you sign anything. Spot an error? Send a correction.