2023 Best Places to Live in Hillsborough County

• Suburb of Manchester, NH

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  Rating 3.9 out of 5  143 reviews

Current Resident: Bedford is all in all a great town! I'm a senior in high school who just committed to playing D1 at U of Oregon and BHS has really prepared me to strive for the best as a person and as a student! Bedford is a suburban community with really down-to-earth residents and with great (yet pricey). The school district is highly rated and the teachers and students genuinely care about you. The only two issues would be that it is quite boring with not a lot to do and an hour away from everything... and the lack of diversity in the town and school district which bedford needs to do better on. Otherwise, I love it here and it was the best 6 years of my life!... Read 143 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 23,157

• Suburb of Manchester, NH

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  Rating 4.23 out of 5  26 reviews

Current Resident: Absolutely love this town. Rural country atmosphere but 15 minutes from any major shopping or entertainment. 1 hour to Boston, 1 hour to the Ocean, 1 hour to the Mountains, everything is an easy drive. Great community, great schools. People are very friendly. If you like the outdoors, it's a great place to be. Lots of hiking, kayaking, biking trails. Few cute little restaurants. Town beach, sculpture park, great little library. What you need to get by in town with major shopping close by. You do need a car to live here, however. VERY Safe town, little to no crime. Mostly people speeding on the roads. Great place to raise a family.... Read 26 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 5,591

• Suburb of Manchester, NH

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  Rating 4.33 out of 5  45 reviews

Current Resident: I love it here! The community is very inclusive and holds many events to welcome citizens and non-citizens. I wish we had any diversity at all, but we have mostly white citizens. In our school systems, we are very inclusive of LGBTQ+ individuals and celebrate them through clubs and activities. In all, Amherst is a highly community-based town with beautiful seasons and walk-able streets.... Read 45 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 11,712

• Town in New Hampshire

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  Rating 4.06 out of 5  17 reviews

Former Resident: I grew up here so maybe I'm biased but Peterborough really is a gem of a small town. The school system is great and there's a very special tight-knit and caring community here. The downtown is nice and there's a lot of local shops, restaurants and art exhibits to check out. There are a ton of trails and hiking spots throughout town; if you love the outdoors this is a fantastic place to be. It has more of hippy-dippy feel than some other surrounding towns, but that's part of its charm. I definitely disagree with Niche's assessment that residents typically lean conservative and I've never found that to be the case. People are very independent-minded in this area and well educated. The only real negative I can think of about Peterborough is the lack of industry. There's the schools, the hospital, and a lot of small businesses, but not much else in the way of jobs. It's also not very diverse and the overwhelming majority of people are white, like most of northern New England.... Read 17 reviews

• grade A

• grade B minus

• Population 6,400

• Suburb of Manchester, NH

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  Rating 3.87 out of 5  23 reviews

Current Resident: Hollis was an amazing place to grow up in as an extremely safe and well-educated community. Most places around town were super family-friendly, with a public library with a dedicated children's section and playground, several community centers around town, and several baseball fields for little league games to occur. However, we only have one or two local restaurants and nightly activities open at any given time, so you'd have to go to a neighboring town to do much of anything. Homes are extremely expensive, as their property tax dollars go to funding the local schools. We are placed in the middle of the sticks next to Nashua, so there's an average commute time of around 30 minutes anywhere. The local restaurants and farms only employ the highschool students, and the community is mostly caucasian.... Read 23 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 8,324

• Suburb of Manchester, NH

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  Rating 4 out of 5  9 reviews

Current Resident: A small colonial town steeped in history and community. Set upon a hill just north of Amherst NH and Milford NH, this town has a tremendous sense of community. While being slightly removed from the commercial hustle and bustle, this town is one of S. NH's best kept secret's. Some would say that you are paying more to get less, but those who live here like it that way. Some of the notable community events include, Spring Gala, Lampson Farm Day, trick-or-treating on Main Street, and the Christmas tree lighting in December. Mont Vernon is serviced by a volunteer call fire department, volunteer selectmen, planning board, zoning board and paid police dept. Students attend the close knit elementary school in town up through grade 6. For grades 7 and 8, they then go to the Amherst middle school. Students at the high school level attend Souhegan High School.... Read 9 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• Population 2,580

• Suburb of Manchester, NH

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  Rating 3.74 out of 5  84 reviews

Current Resident: I grew up here and love it! I had my first job in Merrimack, and went to all primary and secondary school here. Best ever.... Read 84 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• Population 26,762

• Town in New Hampshire

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  Rating 3.74 out of 5  266 reviews

Current Resident: I love how close it is to everything. You're a five minute ride away from any retail or grocery store, 10-15 minutes away from some form of entertainment like the movie theater, an ice rink, rock climbing, and more. You're only an hour ride way from the beach too! There are also many opportunities for health and wellness. There are multiple gyms such as Planet fitness and the YMCA that provide places to improve their physical wellbeing. Another positive are the three hospitals located in immediate proximity of Nashua.... Read 266 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• Population 90,659

• Suburb of Manchester, NH

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  Rating 3.91 out of 5  80 reviews

Current Resident: I absolutely love living in the prestigious suburb of Goffstown! The school systems are fantastic for all grades and offer a wide array of extracurriculars. The community resources are kept up with (e.g., local library, Goffstown Rail Trail, etc.) and I have always felt safe here. The town has everything I need such as Hannaford, Big Lots, and I LOVE supporting local businesses such as Apotheca!... Read 80 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A minus

• Population 18,274

• Suburb of Manchester, NH

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  Rating 3.62 out of 5  53 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived my entire life in the small town of New Boston, and can confidently say it is a lovely place with a strong community. Some of my fondest childhood memories were founded within this town and its school, and I am forever grateful for such a positive upbringing. Though the population is increasing, New Boston still maintains a very small town aesthetic, where everybody is aware of their neighbors. Some of New Boston's strongest attractions/assets include Molly's Tavern, Dodge's Farm Stand, and the New Boston Rail Trail. I highly recommend the town to those attracted to rural, New England living.... Read 53 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• Population 6,040

• Suburb of Manchester, NH

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  Rating 3.7 out of 5  47 reviews

Current Resident: Growing up in Litchfield was great, it’s perfect for families. Once you turn 16 and can drive, you’re only 15-20 minutes of other towns which is great.... Read 47 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B

• Population 8,467

• Suburb of Manchester, NH

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  Rating 2.67 out of 5  3 reviews

• grade B

• grade B

• Population 4,609

• Suburb in New Hampshire

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  Rating 3.79 out of 5  57 reviews

Current Resident: Hudson New Hampshire is a very nice area that is very accessible to many shops, restaurants, and entertainment. It is a very good area for children and the community is very kind. Hudson is still expanding its community by new building houses and neighborhoods. Nashua is right above Hudson and provides many shops for necessities. Overall, Hudson is a great area with quiet neighborhoods and a great school system.... Read 57 reviews

• grade B

• grade B minus

• Population 25,314

• Suburb of Manchester, NH

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  Rating 3.8 out of 5  44 reviews

Current Resident: Milford is a small town with a lot of beauty and character. At the center of town, there is the Oval with shops and restaurants around it. There are parades held around the oval on Veterans Day, Labor Day, and Memorial Day In October, an event is held for 3 days, called the Pumpkin Fest, with rides, games, tons of food, and little shopping vendors.... Read 44 reviews

• grade B

• grade B minus

• Population 16,041

• Suburb of Manchester, NH

• grade B

• grade B minus

• Population 1,643

• Suburb of Manchester, NH

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  Rating 3.61 out of 5  18 reviews

Niche User: There is very little to no crime in this area and hardly anything really goes on. The only safety concerns in the entire town are the occasional speeding cars and a fire once every couple months. The police are visible around the town on a daily basis and therefore I have no real concerns about my safety or that of my neighbors.... Read 18 reviews

• grade B

• grade A minus

• Population 4,849

• Suburb in New Hampshire

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  Rating 3.3 out of 5  46 reviews

Current Resident: Pelham is a nice place to live. The suburbs are lovely and there are many new, affordable developments being built. The schools get better and better as new residents continue to move in who are highly-educated Boston-area commuters. It can feel a little bit like an "old townie" place to live and it's very, very conservative. There's no real diversity here. As a transplant from out-of-state, I am still sometimes shocked at the lack of services here, but the locals seem to treat it as totally normal. There's no trash collection, no public water utilities, no natural gas lines, no sewers, not even sidewalks to take a stroll. They've taken the "live free or die" a little far here, because you're basically paying the highest property taxes in the nation, but getting nothing in return. You're truly on your own. There is a strong police force here, but any/all crime seems to be coming in from the sketchier MA border towns. Overall, I'm pretty happy with my house/neighborhood.... Read 46 reviews

• grade B

• grade C+

• Population 14,099

• City in New Hampshire

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  Rating 3.49 out of 5  339 reviews

Current Resident: Manchester is the largest city in the state of New Hampshire and offers a variety of amenities and opportunities for its residents. One thing that I really like is that compared to some neighboring states and major cities, the cost of living in Manchester is relatively affordable. Housing prices, utilities, and overall expenses tend to be lower than in metropolitan areas like Boston. However, it's worth noting that the cost of living can vary depending on the neighborhood and specific requirements.... Read 339 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade C

• Population 114,730

• Town in New Hampshire

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  Rating 3.8 out of 5  5 reviews

Current Resident: Deering is a cute little town. It’s got two of my favorite little hiking spots. Everyone is nice or crazy and I don’t mind that. It only makes sense living in the middle of the woods. Neighbors are just the right distance apart. Most people have beautiful gardens in the spring and summer. I love to smell the wood stoves and bonfires in the fall. Winter’s are rough, but the woods are for the rugged!... Read 5 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade C

• Population 1,789

• Town in New Hampshire

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  Rating 3.47 out of 5  15 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in Hillsborough for approximately 32 years. It is a small, rural town and quaint community. A revitalization of the town square is over due and should be accomplished to support local busninesses.... Read 15 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade C

• Population 5,962

Niche User: I love the Wilton area. Growing up in a small town has taught me a lot about what it means to be a part of my community. Wilton's small school setting creates a family bond like a larger school could never accomplish; and for that I am forever grateful. Though small, Wilton never fails to surprise me, as there are always new places to explore. Hidden waterfalls, long nature hikes, and endless trails cover the area-making exploring the outdoors fun and exciting in the town! I hope everyone in southern New Hampshire gets to experience Wilton or a place like it, I would absolutely recommend this town to others for there is something here for everyone.... Read 11 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade B minus

• Population 3,888

• Suburb of Manchester, NH

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  Rating 3.4 out of 5  5 reviews

Current Resident: Overall, Wilton is a family- oriented town with a close- knit community. While this small town does have a pleasant little strip of businesses in its center, it lacks night life, and is rarely a destination point for travelers. The atmosphere is very peaceful and calm, with a friendly pizza shop nestled between the center and the town line. Although there is not much activity, Wilton is a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of nearby towns and cities.... Read 5 reviews

• grade C+

• grade B minus

• Population 1,335

• Town in New Hampshire

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  Rating 4.02 out of 5  44 reviews

Current Resident: Weare is a great place to grow up. It is a quiet place with a great education system, although the drive is very far from anything, it is a great place to be!... Read 44 reviews

• grade B+

• grade C

• Population 9,072

• Town in New Hampshire

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  Rating 3.8 out of 5  5 reviews

Current Resident: Great area for arts, crafts and folk music , and the town neighbors the internationally recognized MacDowell Art Colony. A surprising number of good restaurants and friendly pubs within 20', along with farmer's markets, organic producers, and farm to table operations. Safety, and a strong sense of community and collaboaration exist once you get to know people. The town is actually more blue than red politically, most town members are college educated, and there is advocacy for environmental, renewable energy, and conservation issues. Clean water, clean air, and areas for hiking, swimming, fishing and enjoying nature abound. Downtown is quaint and well-preserved historically. Nice location with no traffic or serious crime, yet 30' to a multi-university town, 90' to Boston, and 4 hrs to Manhattan.... Read 5 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B minus

• Population 1,707

• Town in New Hampshire

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  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Current Resident: This is and has been my hometown. I know my neighbors and many of them frequent the store I work at or went to school with me. The community enriches each other’s lives through Girl Scouts, Library programs and holiday celebrations.... Read 1 review

• grade B

• grade B minus

• Population 1,491