The Best Places to Live in New Hampshire

New Hampshire is known as the Granite State because of its unspoiled natural beauty. Quarrying granite and other types of igneous rock was once among the state’s primary industries, but its economy now relies on agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. Home prices in New Hampshire are the ninth highest in the country, but its residents also earn some of the nation’s most generous salaries. When U.S. News and World Report compiled its 2023 Best States Rankings, New Hampshire rated as the best in the country for opportunity and crime prevention. It also has one of the nation’s fastest growing economies.

With Vermont to the west and Canada to the north, New Hampshire residents do not have to travel very far to enjoy some of the world’s best skiing and outdoor activities. Amazing cities like Boston and New York are also within driving distance. If Granite State residents want to enjoy a quiet day at the beach, they do not even have to leave the state.

If you are thinking about moving to New Hampshire, there are several picturesque and vibrant communities that you could call home. You could buy a house in a thriving metropolis like Manchester or Portsmouth, or you could settle down in a quiet country village like Atkinson or New London. Wherever you decide to sink your roots, you will be able to enjoy all the conveniences of modern life while you're surrounded by the beauty of nature. To help you whittle down your choices, let's take a look at what some of the best cities in New Hampshire have to offer.

Hampton

Families with young children move to Hampton because the quaint seaside town of about 9,900 has reasonable home prices and excellent schools. Hampton is a popular vacation destination during the summer months, but it becomes much quieter in winter. The beaches are the primary attraction in this pleasant coastal town, but there are also plenty of green spaces where children can play. Hampton is home to the Blue Ocean Discovery center, and thousands of people flock to the area every summer to attend the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival.

Portsmouth

Portsmouth is a historic New Hampshire city known for its 17th-century architecture, picturesque harbor, and amazing ocean views. Many people choose to settle in Portsmouth because it is only about an hour's drive from Boston. Portsmouth has 22,918 residents, but it feels like a much smaller town. There is a busy downtown filled with restaurants, cafés and boutiques, and Market Square is the place to go to find museums, art galleries, and antique shops. Other local attractions include the Seacoast Science Center and the USS Albacore Museum.

Hanover

Nestled on the east bank of the Connecticut River and home to 8,813 people, Hanover is considered one of America’s best college towns. It is also one of the best places to live in New Hampshire. Finding a job is usually fairly easy in Hanover because the area’s major employers include the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as well as Dartmouth College. Hanover has the energy and vibrancy of a major college town, but the solitude and natural beauty of the Appalachian Trail and the Northern Rail Trail are just minutes from downtown.

New London

With a population of 1,368, New London is one of the smallest and safest towns in New Hampshire. Located in the center of the state and close to all of its major employment centers, New London features outdoor recreation opportunities, outlet stores, and Colby Sawyer College. Home prices in this quaint town are higher than in many other parts of New Hampshire. The schools in New London are some of the best in the Granite State, and the town’s notable attractions include Main Street, the Bob Andrews Memorial Skating Rink, the Tracy Memorial Library, and the Mary B. Haddad Memorial Bandstand.

Amherst

Amherst is a tiny New Hampshire town (estimated population 774) known for its excellent schools and low crime rates. Located in scenic Hillsborough County close to Route 101, Amherst is a popular choice for commuters who like to spend their free time enjoying the great outdoors. Hodgman State Forest, the Joe English Reservation, Baboosic Lake, and the Ponemah Bog Wildlife Sanctuary are all in the area, and the Amherst Village Historic District is part of the National Register of Historic Places.

Benefits of a home security system in New Hampshire

The Granite State may have one of the lowest violent crime rates in the country, but property crimes like burglary, auto theft, and vandalism are still fairly common in New Hampshire. A home security system from Vivint could help you decrease your chances of becoming a victim of property crime. The benefits of protecting your home, family, and vehicle with Vivint include the following:

• Increased peace of mind: Whether you live in a bustling New Hampshire city like Manchester or one of the state’s bucolic small towns, you can have greater peace of mind if your home is protected by Vivint. Our trained professionals are available 24/7 to help in an emergency.
• Package protection: Package theft has become a major problem in the United States, but Vivint can keep your deliveries safe. The Doorbell Camera Pro can notify you when a package arrives on your porch, but it doesn’t stop there. Thanks to Smart Deter technology, your doorbell camera can actually keep your packages safe.
• Fire prevention: Vivint protects your home against fires and toxic gasses as well as criminals. Our smart sensors detect smoke and carbon monoxide gas, and they can shut down your HVAC system to prevent fires from spreading.
• State-of-the-art technology: Advanced technology should be easy to use. Vivint home security products all work together, and you can download the Vivint app to control them from anywhere. Your Vivint system can also integrate seamlessly with your favorite smart home assistant like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
• Expert installation: Home security and automation systems only provide peace of mind when you know they're working. Vivint employs trained installation professionals and offers dedicated customer support and 24-hour monitoring. Once we've installed your new home security and automation system, our experts will make sure that you know how to use everything.

Keeping your New Hampshire home safe and secure

If you're thinking about living in New Hampshire, there are many amazing cities and towns for you to choose from. Wherever you decide to settle, make sure that your home and loved ones stay safe and secure by installing a home security system from Vivint.

To learn more about all the ways Vivint can keep your home and family safe, call our smart home professionals today at 855.822.1220 to schedule a free consultation.