2023 Best Places to Live in New Hampshire

• Town in New Hampshire

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  Rating 4 out of 5  41 reviews

Works Here: Hanover is an affluent town. People are privileged to live here. This can be an issue in high school with some snobbiness. Hanover High School has a history of bullying. That being said, it is a very good education and has a great sports program. If you are wealthy or athletic, you will fit in at the high school. There are a lot of activities in Hanover, many of which are put on by Dartmouth College. Main street is busy with shops and restaurants. There is not a lot of crime and what little there is, seems to be centered around the college. People are very active in this area. There are trails, skiing, and sports teams. You can always find a physical activity to do here. Many people are affiliated with Dartmouth but there are community colleges in the area as well (Community College of Vermont and River Valley Community College). Whether you're into art, science, or exercise, you'll find something to do in Hanover.... Read 41 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 11,612

• Suburb of Manchester, NH

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  Rating 3.91 out of 5  140 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 140 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

Current Resident: Madbury is a very small town squished in between two larger towns/cities. It has very little in terms of shops, convenience and even the fire station is volunteer. That said, it is a beautiful quaint town with everything you could need, in the neighboring towns, roughly a ten minute drive in either direction. The neighborhoods are quiet, the people are friendly and there is a great elementary school for the kids. I have throughly enjoyed my time in Madbury and could not have imagined growing up anywhere else.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• Population 2,166

Current Resident: I genuinely love this city. We moved up a few years ago from Massachusetts and it is astronomically better. Zero traffic, 5 minutes from the beach, 5 minutes from downtown, and everyone is in such better state of mind. Anything you will ever need is within 5 miles. I never questioned purchasing here because I saw the value (even when people said it was too expensive in 2018). Word of advise…trust your instincts and know what you love. I am never leaving Portsmouth and this truly is the new Boston!... Read 56 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 21,897

Current Resident: This town is absolutely fantastic. Schools are amazing (no bullying!) people are not only nice but very helpful (what idiot would think they are stuck up) Also, Newfields LOVES TREES. It’s crazy, but they care so much for their surroundings, and only cut them down when totally necessary. I really do feel for the losers who find time to put a one star for a pleasant little town like Newfields. They are probably sitting in their own unemployed feces writing hate comments about happy people while eating up their partners money, who is obviously the only supplier in the family.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• Population 2,022

Current Resident: Durham has lots of outdoor opportunities which are easily accessible, family and dog friendly. The UNH campus is close which provides lot of resources to the community. Overall great place to live!... Read 48 reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• Population 11,616

• Town in New Hampshire

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  Rating 3.63 out of 5  75 reviews

Current Resident: I moved to Lebanon to work at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, which employs many locals. It is always easy to find a new apartment, condo, or home to rent because of the constant in/outflow of new hospital staff. Most people drive everywhere, but there are bus services and elder transport services available as well. There are, however, no taxis! There are local services through the hospital and a variety of organizations like LISTEN, Upper Valley Trails Alliance, or the Special Needs Support Center, along with numerous community fundraisers. I am lucky to live down town, which offers concerts, farmers' markets on the green, and small pubs/restaurants. Almost everything closes at 9pm, and while this can make night life a bore, I do feel safe and supported here, especially having constant police patrol and a top rated hospital so close. Plus, I prefer doing outdoor activities like hiking, biking, skating, and kayaking , and definitely never have enough free time to do it all!... Read 75 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 14,316

• 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

• Town in New Hampshire

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  Rating 3.72 out of 5  32 reviews

Current Resident: Native Bostonian, but lived in CA for 30 years. Relocated here over the summer. Incredible opportunities here for outdoors activities, housing, employment and meeting people, even with Covid. Friendly people, nice attitudes, tolerant of differing opinions. Amazing high school! So glad we made the change. Can’t imagine living anywhere else.... Read 32 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 4,503

Current Resident: Stratham is very family friendly and a great place to raise kids. It boasts some of the best public schools in the state. There are great parks, an annual fair, and several restaurants. The best part is that it is only 5 miles from the beach!... Read 36 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 7,662

Current Resident: I love living in the country but still about an hour from Boston! Nothing gets better than Lee. Minutes from the ocean and minutes from skiing. It is amazing.... Read 20 reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• Population 4,524

• Suburb in New Hampshire

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  Rating 3.46 out of 5  78 reviews

Current Resident: I moved to windham in early august to receive a better education and branch out in order to be able to receive different opportunites and experiences. I am a high shool senior at Windham High, and the people that attend the highschool are very nice, but tend to be a little clicky. The town overall is a very upperclass, business orientened society. As well as being extremely safe, it is a great place to start a family.... Read 78 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 15,587

• Suburb of Manchester, NH

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  Rating 4 out of 5  22 reviews

Current Resident: Hollis is a very small farming town community. It has a very convenient location an hour north of Boston and an hour south of Manchester NH. It is a relatively clean town and has lots of first trails for hiking and walking. Hollis a most welcoming community and a close-knit community with the neighboring town, Brookline. The Facebook page is a mess. The page is the more unwelcoming part of the community, and everyone could use some more self-restraint when it comes to posting.... Read 22 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 8,324

Current Resident: Dream come true - living in Rye, New Hampshire. It is beautiful - close to Boston....Portsmouth is fabulous. Cannot imagine living anywhere better!... Read 13 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 5,511

• Town in New Hampshire

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  Rating 3.82 out of 5  33 reviews

Current Resident: Bow is a quaint community, but a community like no other. Nice neighborhoods, very clean, a lot of community activities, amazing school system, and a great place to grow up!... Read 33 reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• Population 8,227

• Town in New Hampshire

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  Rating 3.83 out of 5  18 reviews

Current Resident: Mostly friendly, tight knit community that enjoys activities around our beautiful lake. Whether is he skiing, hiking, or taking a dip in lake Winnipesaukee, the outdoor fun is sure to never end. Many programs available to youth of all ages. Fantastic school system, coming from someone who’s gone from k-12 at Gilford, your kids won’t want to leave.... Read 18 reviews

• grade A

• grade B

• Population 7,642

Current Resident: Exeter is quaint town about an hour outside of Boston. Nestled along the banks of the Exeter River, this quiet town boasts the New England charm that visitors long for. From its beautiful colonial-style homes, to the unique eateries downtown there truly is something for everyone here. Not to mention it's an incredibly dog friendly community! Come browse the local shops on Water Street, or take a stroll through the heart of campus at Phillips Exeter Academy. You won't be disappointed by the beauty that Exeter, New Hampshire has to offer.... Read 54 reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• Population 15,847

Current Resident: We lived in North Hampton for 5 years now, we enjoy all that seacoast NH has to offer, that includes proximity to outdoor and indoor activities one can handle, yet having a peaceful and safe environment to raise a family or just retire in. The traffic is so low during the most of the year, but summer traffic can be challenging going to or coming from MA due to vacationers from MA, NY, VT and even Canada. Seafood is great, Portsmouth offers a lot of fine dining and great ambiance and is 15 minutes away. We love our town and we continue to improve our home to spend our retirement here. The air quality is noticeable from the moment you get here compared to the rest of the country. No income taxes and no sales taxes... Read 11 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• Population 4,507

Current Resident: it's a small town with great people. it has a lot to offer as well as a great public school. This small town is great .... Read 1 review

• grade A minus

• grade A

• Population 1,953

• 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

Current Resident: Such a great little town! It’s very quaint, which is one of it’s down falls and upside. I would definitely visit again.... Read 23 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Population 4,006

• Town in New Hampshire

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  Rating 3.8 out of 5  20 reviews

Works Here: The town is located in beautiful mountains. Neighbors are so helpful, especially in a pandemic situation. Peaceful environment. Availability of restaurants, supermarkets, health care, etc. Overall, if any is moving this is the best town for simple living.... Read 20 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• Population 6,645

• Town in New Hampshire

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  Rating 4 out of 5  5 reviews

Current Resident: Canterbury is very community-oriented, small town vibes but is close to cities to run errands. It has beautiful landscapes, great area to raise kids.... Read 5 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B minus

• Population 2,280