No one understands the heartbeat of a town quite like the people who live and work there. Many of our agents don’t just sell homes in Rhode Island’s coastal communities—they live in them, raise families in them, and build lives in them.
We asked three of our agents who live in Portsmouth, Rhode Island to share what they love most about their neighborhoods.
Marlene Harrington on Everyday Joys in McCorrie Point
“I always knew I wanted to move back to Portsmouth,” says Marlene, who settled in McCorrie Point over 30 years ago. “This neighborhood offers the best of everything: central location, stunning water views, and simple coastal pleasures.”
Located along the Sakonnet River on the east side of Aquidneck Island, McCorrie Point feels both peaceful and connected. “We’re close to both Newport and Providence, and yet it feels tucked away,” she says. “You never know what you’ll see. Sometimes it’s a family of wild turkeys wandering through the yard!”
Her ideal afternoon? “Puttering in my kitchen with the windows open to the sea breeze, or walking the quiet neighborhood streets that have little traffic and big views.” She also loves how accessible McCorrie Beach is for locals. “You can drive right down to the beach, back your car up to the shoreline, and glide your kayak in. It’s that easy.”
Holiday gatherings in her kitchen are a highlight each year, but it’s the everyday joys that make this place feel like home. “Digging littlenecks and making my famous Linguini with White Clam Sauce—that’s the kind of life you get to live here.”
Cathy Wicks on Community and Connection in Lawrence Farms
“We walk the neighborhood every day and almost always run into someone we know,” says Cathy, who has lived in Lawrence Farms in Portsmouth for over 30 years. “It’s a true community. Friendly, walkable, and full of familiar faces.”
After selling their first home in Little Compton, Cathy and her family moved back to Aquidneck Island, drawn to Portsmouth’s strong school system and welcoming feel. Over the years, their neighborhood has become more than just a place to live—it’s a gathering place. From beach walks to seasonal events and casual meetups, the neighborhood fosters easy connections.
“Portsmouth is full of these small, meaningful ways to stay connected,” she says. “It’s more than just a place to live. It’s a place to belong.”
Cathy’s favorite way to spend a free afternoon is with a good book and a beach chair at the bottom of the hill. She’s also a fan of the summer festivals at St. Barnabas and St. Anthony’s, annual traditions that draw generations together.
Her advice for buyers? “Talk to a local Realtor who knows the area. Sometimes the best opportunities aren’t even on the market yet.”
Emily Chappell on Deep Roots in North Portsmouth
“Portsmouth isn’t just where I live and work — it’s where I’m from,” says Emily, a multigenerational resident who grew up in the Bristol Ferry and McCorrie Point neighborhoods. Portsmouth is the town she’s always called home.
“What makes this place so special is running into people I’ve known from all parts of my life, whether I’m grabbing birthday cakes at Clements’ Marketplace or spending the afternoon at Greenvale Vineyards, I always see familiar faces.”
Emily finds comfort in Portsmouth’s blend of coastal beauty and small-town connection. “The people are friendly and grounded, the ocean is never far, and everything I need, from dog-walking spots, great coffee, or a quick conversation with a neighbor is right at my fingertips.”
One of the area’s hidden historical gems is personal to Emily: the Boyd Farmhouse on West Main Road, where her grandmother was born and raised. The family’s farmland later became part of The Aquidneck Club (formerly Carnegie Abbey), and the same builder also constructed The Gorton House and The Borden House nearby. “There’s so much living history here—it makes you feel like you’re part of something bigger,” she says.
Her favorite local spots include McCorrie Beach, Thurston Gray Pond, and the Portsmouth Dog Park. On a summer afternoon, she might grab an iced coffee from Anna D’s Café, take her nephew to the newly renovated Portsmouth Community Playground, or catch a Newport Polo match right in town. “You get to stomp divots like in Pretty Woman! It’s such a fun, uniquely Portsmouth experience.”
“There’s something really meaningful about helping clients buy homes in neighborhoods where I used to play as a kid,” she says. “When I helped neighbors move into a house down the street in a neighborhood where my oldest friend grew up, it felt full-circle. These families are starting the same traditions we had, and I’m proud to be a part of that.”
Local Knowledge, Real Connection
From Bristol Ferry to Lawrence Farms to McCorrie Point, each of these neighborhoods offers something unique—but they all share a common thread: a sense of place, history, and community that can’t be manufactured.
Our agents don’t just know Portsmouth—they live it. And when it comes to helping clients find the right fit, that firsthand knowledge makes all the difference.
Thinking about making a move to Portsmouth or elsewhere on Aquidneck Island? Let one of our local experts help you discover what makes these communities feel like home.
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