- Public SchoolsA+
- Crime & SafetyB
- HousingB+
- NightlifeC-
- Good for FamiliesA+
- DiversityB-
- JobsA-
- WeatherC
- Cost of LivingC
- Health & FitnessA-
- Outdoor ActivitiesA
- CommuteB+
Real Estate
Median Home Value
$334,200
National
$178,600Median Rent
$1,679
National
$928Amherst Rankings
Niche ranks thousands of places to live based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and and expert insights.
Crime & Safety
Crime & Safety
B
Based on violent and property crime rates.
Residents
Diversity
B-
Based on ethnic and economic diversity.
Median Household Income
$121,349
National
$53,889Children
23%
Amherst Reviews
24 reviews
All Categories
Amherst is in the perfect location if you're commuting into Manchester, Nashua or metro Boston. It's an idyllic community of charming homes, back country roads, a livable and walkable village, town beach on a clean lake and top school system. If you commute into the Boston or Route 128 area, Amherst is a little better choice than towns even slightly north due to the traffic congestion coming down from Bedford in the morning. It's bumper to bumper from the airport tolls to Exit 11. Traffic opens up once you get closer to the Amherst/Nashua exists. Close to the Manchester/Boston regional airport too. It's exactly 18 minutes from my house to the parking garage. We could not have chosen a better place to live!
If you want a community, not just a "town" with a bunch of massive builder homes connected by development after development, come to Amherst. You'll hear a lot about "the Village" and our historic town green. The beauty isn't fully appreciated in my mind, by people who were born here. The Fourth of July parade that take place there every year, is attended by families from all over including Bedford, Hollis and other neighboring towns. The schools are progressive, but excellent. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. We had shadow days at other close by high schools in the area, and Souhegan was clearly a step above. Another great aspect to the area is the nature trails, the lake, the new Joshua's Park just outside the village for the kids and of course, Moulton's, our village store. It's amazing how warm people have been since everyone told me New Englander's are cold fish. Anything but in Amherst.
If you thought the days of children riding their bikes across town, unsupervised or playing ball in a school yard with friends without adult coaching were over, you haven't come to Amherst. Situated one town removed from a major highway that can take you to the lights of Boston, the amazing beaches of the Atlantic or the adventure of the White Mountains, Amherst is a Rockwellian reminder of what America was, and where it's going. There is something for every family including Baboosic Lake beach, Peabody Mill environmental center, a historic village green and miles of hiking trails. We love to complain about our schools when in fact they are superior to even many private school in the state, a sign of a town that is highly educated and values first class learning for their kids. My family has been here for more than a decade and we love it more and more with each passing season. If you're looking for you and your family to belong, then Amherst is for you.