With beautiful scenery and charming towns, New Hampshire is a popular choice for relocating. It’s also one of America’s safest states, second only to New Jersey, so you can feel confident raising a family or living alone here. New Hampshire has some excellent small cities and small towns, but these locations are the best places to call home.

1. Manchester

• Population change: C
• Median rent: D
• Points of interest: A
• Education: A
• Healthcare: B

With nearly 115,500 residents, Manchester is New Hampshire’s most populous city. If you love watching major music acts, eating exciting cuisine, and drinking at cool bars, it’s the best New Hampshire city for you. SNHU Arena hosts the biggest shows, while the Rex Theatre offers a more intimate atmosphere. The Puritan Backroom and Cotton Restaurant serve up some of the city’s most creative meals. Check social media for the password to access the exclusive 815 or sink some drinks at Strange Brew Tavern or the Shaskeen Pub. Budget around $1,595 for a one-bedroom apartment in Manchester.

2. Nashua

• Population change: D
• Median rent: C
• Points of interest: B
• Education: B
• Healthcare: A

Nashua, in southern New Hampshire, is a small city that’s big on charm and features. If you’re in the tech industry, Nashua is an obvious choice. With Dell, Oracle, and Intel offices, it’s called New Hampshire’s Silicon Valley. Downtown Nashua might be small by big-city standards, but it’s got enough restaurants, bars, and stores to satisfy locals. The Merrimack Premium Outlets are also just outside Nashua, allowing you to snare designer goods at a fraction of their original retail price. Rents are reasonable considering Nashua’s features, with a typical one-bedroom apartment costing $1,600.

3. Concord

• Population change: D
• Median rent: B
• Points of interest: C+
• Education: B
• Healthcare: D

As New Hampshire’s capital, Concord has excellent amenities and a strong economy. It’s the 10th smallest capital, with a population of around 44,000, and one of the cheapest, with a Median Rent of $1,553 for a one-bedroom apartment and a lower-than-average cost of living. It feels more suburban than many capitals, with safe streets and green spaces with recreational facilities like Rollins Park and White Park. Concord Antiques and the boutiques of Main Street provide unique shopping opportunities. Main Street also has top dining options like O Steaks and Seafood and The Barley House Restaurant and Tavern.

4. Dover

• Population change: B
• Median rent: D
• Points of interest: C-
• Education: C
• Healthcare: B

Dover is a growing city in New Hampshire’s southeast, where the Cocheco and Piscataqua Rivers meet. Go boating on the river or admire it with a riverfront walk or meal at Castaways Boathouse. Dover Ice Arena, Bellamy River Wildlife Management Area, and The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire offer fun for all ages. Dover rents are on the rise, so budget around $1,575 for a one-bedroom apartment.

5. Rochester

• Population change: A
• Median rent: B
• Points of interest: F
• Education: F
• Healthcare: F

Rochester, around 9 miles northwest of Dover, is another appealing option in southeast New Hampshire. Despite recent growth, rents have remained affordable at $1,300 for a one-bedroom apartment. Its downtown area is less developed than nearby Dover, but there are a few things to see, but Rochester Opera House and Rochester Museum of Fine Arts add a little culture. Rochester also has family-friendly parks with sporting fields and walking trails.

6. Derry

• Population change: B
• Median rent: F
• Points of interest: D
• Education: D
• Healthcare: C

Located around 10 miles from Manchester, Derry offers small-town charm close to big-city services. It’s a growing town, so there are excellent job opportunities with new businesses. Some new developments that have made Derry a more attractive place to live include Hare of The Dawg Bar & Grill and Hyla Brook Estate. Despite recent population growth, Derry still offers the kind of relaxed lifestyle many people move to small towns for. Budget around $1,525 for a one-bedroom apartment in Derry.

7. Keene

• Population change: F
• Median rent: A
• Points of interest: D-
• Education: D
• Healthcare: F

Keene offers the best of both worlds, with quiet suburban streets and a vibrant downtown area. It’s also cheaper than you might expect, with the median rent at $1,550 for a one-bedroom apartment. The shopping scene features more family-owned stores than big box chains. Restaurants are limited, but The Stage, Luca’s Mediterranean Cafe, and Thai Garden are tasty options.

8. Portsmouth

• Population change: F
• Median rent: F
• Points of interest: C-
• Education: F
• Healthcare: D

Portsmouth has the smallest population of these cities, with just 20,536 residents, but it punches well above its weight. As New Hampshire’s former capital, it’s got fantastic historic sites like Jackson House and Warner House. It’s not stuck in the past though, with plenty of great boutiques and restaurants downtown. Portsmouth also has one of New Hampshire’s most youthful populations, so several nightspots like Slow Burn Lounge and The Press Room open til late. This lifestyle doesn’t come cheaply though, with the median rent at $2,175 for a one-bedroom apartment.

Methodology

• 1-bedroom median rent price – Zumper.com
• Population change – American Community Survey 2021 and 2019
• Stores, schools, entertainment, restaurant, transportation – OpenStreetMap

To determine the best places to live in New Hampshire we analyzed data on seven key metrics, including median 1-bedroom rent prices, population change, and the quantity of stores, schools, healthcare, entertainment, and restaurants. 1-bedroom rent prices accounted for 30 percent of the weighted grade. Population change accounted for 20 percent. Stores, schools, healthcare, entertainment, and restaurants accounted for ten percent each.

Frequently asked questions

Final thoughts

Now that you understand which New Hampshire cities offer the lifestyle you’re looking for, it’s time to start your apartment search. Use our filters to find a property that best suits your needs before moving to this New England state.

The post The 8 Best Places to Live in New Hampshire appeared first on The Zumper Blog.