8 Welcoming Towns to Retire in New Hampshire
The Granite State, with its lakeside and ocean living, historic downtowns, mountain views, and fine dining, is an often-overlooked state for retirees. Seniors have been around for a while and tend to know what they need, but do they know New Hampshire has it all? Consider its low crime and tax rates or its robust healthcare system, its vibrant arts scene, and its New England period architecture. If this state isn’t already on one’s retirement list, it needs to be. Join us on a tour of these New Hampshire towns, with options for every budget, and discover all of what one’s golden years can be.
Wolfeboro, along Lake Winnipesaukee, is known as, “The Oldest Summer Resort in America.” Keene has spectacular fall foliage and a vibrant community. Peterborough has an artsy atmosphere and rolling hills. Exeter offers quality healthcare and colonial architecture. Littleton in the White Mountains offers hikes and vistas. Conway has its mountain charm. Portsmouth offers coastal living and a thriving art scene. New London has Lake Sunapee.
Wolfeboro
Nested on the eastern shoreline of Lake Winnipesaukee, Wolfeboro is lush and forested, with gentle rolling hills that slope down to the lake. The lake itself has many inlets and bays and serves as a stunning backdrop for the town and a source of summer fun. Known as “The Oldest Summer Resort in America,” the historical downtown is marked by colonial and Victorian architecture. The period buildings are wooden and painted in soft pastels and whites. The New England-style shops and inns, along with the boardwalk and marinas, ooze North Eastern charm. The small, welcoming town has much to offer retirees, from its low crime rates and taxes to its reasonable housing costs and easy access to medical care at Huggins Hospital. The median home value is $396,900, which is quite affordable for a waterfront town. With stats like that, it is easy to see why Wolfeboro has attracted seniors, and it is, therefore, no surprise that roughly 47% of the population is age 65 and over. Landmarks include the Wright Museum of World War II and Cate Park, for outdoor R&R.
Keene
Why are so many seniors keen on Keene? For one thing, the town is quite affordable, with the median home value at $353,000, which is well below the national average. Sometimes a low cost of living comes with hidden costs like high crime rates or unappealing aesthetics, but that’s not the case with Keene. Keene is a safe town, and the Cheshire Medical Center provides in town care, giving the 18% of the population that are 65 and older, peace of mind. Mount Monadnock provides a picturesque backdrop and the Ashuelot River, which runs through the town makes for a serene setting. While the town is calm, it is a college town, with the energy that comes with it. The downtown offers a blend of architectural styles like Georgian, Victorian and Federal. The brick buildings and the wide, tree-lined Main Street, create an established feel. Landmarks are Mount Monadnock, Keene State College hosts cultural events and the annual Keene Pumpkin Festival brings the community together.
Peterborough
This valley town is enveloped by the Wapack Range of mountains and is graced by forests, rivers, and verdant hills. The Contoocook River winds its way through the downtown, offering waterfront views. The quintessential New England town is characterized by its Colonial and Federal architecture. Peterborough’s covered bridges, brick buildings and wood structures add to the town’s charisma. Peterborough is ideal for retirees with its senior programs and cultural activities at the community center. The low crime rates, easy access to the Monadnock Community Hospital, and a median home value of $449,000 explain why 28% of the population is age 65 and over. Notable landmarks are the Peterborough Players theater, the Miller State Park and the Mariposa Museum, offering ample educational, outdoor and entertainment opportunities for residents and their guests.
Exeter
Downtown Exeter boasts Colonial and early American architecture, brimming with enchanting narrow streets, brick buildings and grand homes. The tall church steeples and the impressive Phillips Exeter Academy buildings add to the town’s appeal. Located near the coast, Exeter is favored by the Squamscott River, which runs through it. The wooded, coastland atmosphere is relaxing and inviting, making it an excellent retirement destination. Exeter Hospital offers local care. The town prides itself on low crime rates, a sense of community and a robust public transportation system. Features our silver haired friends value. Exeter has a median home value of $617,000, which allows those on a fixed income to stretch their retirement funds. The aged population (65 and older) is nearly 21%. Popular landmarks include The American Independence Museum, Swasey Parkway, and the Phillips Exeter Academy, giving the town a rich historical significance.
Littleton
With the Ammonoosuc River in the foreground, snaking its way through the town of Littleton and the White Mountains in the distance, it is not hard for one to imagine this being the place to spend the rest of one’s days. 19% of the population, age 65 and older, have long known this gem and clearly done their best to keep it under wraps, but the secret is now out. Main Street is lined with 1800s and early 1900s red-brick buildings. Littleton has that classic small-town vibe, with delightful storefronts, restaurants and galleries. The architecture is warm and inviting with the right touch of colonial and Victorian influences. Two noteworthy landmarks are the Littleton Opera House, offering cultural events, and the Pollyanna Gateway, which preserves the town’s literary history. The median home value is unexpectedly affordable at $381,000 and the low crime rates don’t hurt either. Littleton Regional Healthcare provides in town medical services. This town has so much to offer seniors!
Conway
Nestled in the Mount Washington Valley and admired for the beauty of its forested areas, river plains, rolling hills and dramatic mountain views, Conway is a fine place to sunset. The historic downtown with its 19th century buildings, mix of New England and rustic styles, offers that old-fashioned village allure, desired by many, yet with enough modern coffee shops, restaurants and shopping to satisfy. The traditional wooden homes and antique inns, coupled with a laidback mountain town setting, make Conway a budding retirement hotspot. No wonder 31% of the population is 65 and older. The Mount Washington Observatory and Kancamagus Highway offer stunning views. Another landmark is the Conway Scenic Railroad, which has nostalgic train rides for the public. The MaineHealth Memorial Hospital offers care right in town. The median home value is a respectable $304,000, making it an affordable option for retirees. The crime rates and taxes are low. What’s not to like about Conway?
Portsmouth
There are more price sensitive towns in New Hampshire, some of which have been covered in this article. However, for a coastal town with all Portsmouth has to offer, the median home value of $699,000 is a relative steal. Besides the “senior essentials” of high-quality medical care at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, low crime rates, a strong public transportation system and cultural events, the town is only an hour drive (90-minute train ride out of nearby Dover) to the big city of Boston, MA. Strawbery Banke Museum with its local history, Prescott Park with its waterfront gardens and The Music Hall’s many performances, are three landmarks that keep locals and visitors educated and entertained. Of course, the big draw is life on the water. Portsmouth is situated along the Atlantic Ocean and the Piscataqua River. The rocky coastline, sandy beaches and marshlands, deliver a diverse landscape. The downtown with its colonial, Federalist and Victorian style, matched with cobblestone streets and brick buildings make for an idyllic atmosphere. If it is within one's budget, it is hard to beat Portsmouth and with 20% of the population being 65 and older, it will not be difficult to make new friends.
New London
The Fells Historic Estate and Gardens showcases the town’s remarkable beauty, Lake Sunapee provides boating and fishing activities, and the New London Barn Playhouse offers entertainment, in the tiny, inland town of New London. The mid-range home prices ($685,000 median value) are offset by the low crime rates and a tight-knit, friendly community. The New London Hospital offers accessible healthcare. Nested in the foothills of the Sunapee Mountains, with proximity to several lakes, and the splendor of its hilly, wooded terrain, the town of New London is a paradise for many seniors, represented by the fact that 30% of the population is age 65 and older.
Each of these New Hampshire towns combines the attraction of diverse landscapes, historical architecture, affordability, access to medical care, entertainment, shopping and outdoor activities. Along with larger senior populations and in some cases robust public transit or walkable downtowns, these towns can truly satisfy even the most discerning among us.
