Charming towns and large stretches of wilderness are what make New Hampshire a one-of-a-kind state. This New England state is a great place to find yourself in retirement. NewHomeSource has compiled the top places to retire in New Hampshire to help you discover the perfect place to start this new and exciting phase of your life.
Top 10 Cities to Retire in New Hampshire
1. Berlin
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 18.7%
Median Home Value: $92,100
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 22
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 110
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 2
In Berlin, retirees can spend their downtime exploring the great outdoors. They can camp, hike, fish, bike, and swim at the Moose Brook State Park or check out the view atop Mount Jasper. In town, the local restaurants and farmer’s market give Berlin its casual community feel.
2. Claremont
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 18.2%
Median Home Value: $133,500
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 54
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 238
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 7
Claremont offers a secluded feel without the feeling of missing out. It is the only city in Sullivan County and is surrounded by green pastures and wooded forests. You can enjoy the space at Moody Park or Arrowhead Recreation Area, or take in the sweet sounds of live music at the Claremont Opera House.
3. Rochester
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 18%
Median Home Value: $172,300
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 94
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 977
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 5
Living in Rochester is great for anyone who loves the outdoors. The Grandview Campground has three beaches and a lake where you can fish and swim, among other activities. If the indoors are more your style, you can spend your days exploring the various museums that dive into New Hampshire’s history.
4.Somersworth
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.2%
Median Home Value: $184,700
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 15
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 353
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 6
Somersworth is perfect for anyone looking to truly retire from the frantic day-to-day life of the big city. This little town along the border with Maine is just out of the way, so you can bet your days will be relaxing and quiet. Somersworth is only a short drive from major cities in New Hampshire such as Dover and Portsmouth.
5. Keene
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 18.2%
Median Home Value: $190,500
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 42
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 490
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 6
Retirees looking to enjoy the great outdoors will love living in Keene. Stonewall Farm offers a lot of activities and learning experiences for the community while supporting local producers and demonstrating sustainable farming. There are also bike and walking trails, animals to visit and beautiful scenery to enjoy.
6. Laconia
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 22.1%
Median Home Value: $193,300
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 37
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 535
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 6
If you’re looking for relaxation, Laconia is the place to be. The beautiful beaches and lakes are open year-round for swimming, fishing, boating, or walking. In town, you could spend hours exploring the rare and unusual antiques at the Laconia Antique Center. The annual motorcycle rally, dating to the early 1900s and dubbed “The World’s Oldest Motorcycle Rally,” rides through town every June giving the community an extra buzz.
7. Conway
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 21.9%
Median Home Value: $194,000
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 22
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 222
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 2
Anyone looking for a life of outdoor adventure is sure to love Conway. Echo Lake State Park has trails surrounding Echo Lake, two rock ledges with beautiful views, and a one-mile trail for hiking. At the park, you can swim, fish, boat, and picnic. Or you can spend time and perhaps some money at the Settlers Green Outlet Village. Shopping, dining, and unique events make this outlet mall fun and friendly for everyone.
8. Derry
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 12.6%
Median Home Value: $225,600
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 33
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 279
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 14
Derry is one of New Hampshire’s bigger communities, but that doesn’t take away from the town’s close community feel. Derry has several parks to bike or hike, and even a dog park if you want to spend quality time with your four-legged friend. Take a look into some of Derry’s interesting history by visiting the Robert Frost Farm Historic Site.
9. Manchester
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.2%
Median Home Value: $227,600
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 678
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 2,678
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 11
Manchester is the perfect place for a peaceful retirement. You can take a walk to the top of Rock Rimmon to picnic and watch the sunset, spend the day on Massabesic Lake, or spend the night watching live shows at the Palace Theatre. Manchester also has a variety of local restaurants and shops.
10. Raymond
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.6%
Median Home Value: $229,700
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 14
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 114
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 16
There’s never a lack of things to do in and around Raymond. Retirees can spend their days on the water at nearby Pawtuckaway State Park or exploring the scenic Riverside Park.
NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services, Medicare’s Hospital Compare, and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. Median home price, number of hospitals, 65+ population, and crime rates were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each city whose population is at least 10,000.
Common Questions About Retiring in New Hampshire
Is New Hampshire tax-friendly for retirees?
New Hampshire has no personal income tax, which means Social Security retirement benefits are tax-free at the state level. Income from pensions and retirement accounts also go untaxed in New Hampshire. On top of that, there is no sales tax, estate tax, or inheritance tax here.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in New Hampshire?
A resident of New Hampshire would need to make approximately $69,920 per year in order to afford a single-family residence.
| City Name | People Over 65 | Violent Crimes | Property Crimes | Access to Doctors | Median Home Price |
| Berlin | 18.7% | 22 | 110 | 2 | $92,100 |
| Claremont | 18.2% | 54 | 238 | 7 | $133,500 |
| Rochester | 18.0% | 94 | 977 | 5 | $172,300 |
| Somersworth | 13.2% | 15 | 353 | 6 | $184,700 |
| Keene | 18.2% | 42 | 490 | 6 | $190,500 |
| Laconia | 22.1% | 37 | 535 | 6 | $193,300 |
| Conway | 21.9% | 22 | 222 | 2 | $194,000 |
| Derry | 12.6% | 33 | 279 | 14 | $225,600 |
| Manchester | 13.2% | 678 | 2,678 | 11 | $227,600 |
| Raymond | 13.6% | 14 | 114 | 16 | $229,700 |
| Concord | 16.4% | 65 | 805 | 6 | $230,200 |
| Milford | 19.0% | 11 | 78 | 12 | $233,800 |
| Hudson | 19.1% | 19 | 210 | 16 | $237,000 |
| Lebanon | 20.1% | 17 | 300 | 6 | $245,400 |
| Hooksett | 15.4% | 12 | 162 | 8 | $254,100 |
| Goffstown | 16.4% | 18 | 114 | 9 | $258,800 |
| Dover | 16.0% | 25 | 348 | 5 | $264,700 |
| Nashua | 15.7% | 129 | 1,151 | 16 | $267,900 |
| Merrimack | 15.1% | 4 | 207 | 15 | $283,200 |
| Londonderry | 14.1% | 20 | 173 | 15 | $321,000 |
Other New Hampshire Resources
Jessi Gonzalez writes on the topics of home-buying, home decor, and home-ownership for New Home Source. She has a degree from Coastal Bend College and is currently enrolled in the English degree program at Texas A&M Corpus Christi.
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