Complete Guide to Moving to New Hampshire

Rated the #2 Safest State in America by U.S. News & World Report, New Hampshire is a beacon for tourists, entrepreneurs, and innovators. The population of the Granite State is now 1,388,992 — up from 1,316,470 a decade ago. There really is something for everyone’s lifestyle here. New residents are drawn to the diverse topography in the state, and the distinct beauty these regions afford across all four seasons — from racing down ski slopes in the winter to relaxing on the shores of Hampton Beach in the summer. And while the Granite State may have only 18 miles of coastline, it still has 18 miles more coastline than neighboring Vermont…something New Hampshire touts whenever Vermont brings up maple syrup.

The cost of living in New Hampshire is higher than the national average but lower than most states in New England and New York. But at $77,923, the annual household income is also significantly above the national average, and the poverty rate is over four points lower than in the rest of the country. Real estate will cost you in New Hampshire, but perhaps not as much as you might expect in New England. The median sales price for a single family home is $440,000 and condos go for $345,000, considerably higher than the national average. According to the U.S. News & World Report, New Hampshire is ranked the #8 wealthiest state in America.

New Hampshire has several distinct geographic regions, from the southeastern seaside to the central Lakes Region to the peaks of the White Mountain National Forest in the north. No matter where you go, you’re unlikely to find snarled, rush-hour traffic…unless it’s a passel of migrating scarlet tanagers, which avid birders may slow down to watch. Most residents are clustered in three metropolitan areas — Hillsborough, Rockingham and Strafford Counties — which claim 63% of the state population.

MANCHESTER AND NASHUA IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

The most populous and industrialized area in New Hampshire is Hillsborough County in the southern part of the state. Over a third of New Hampshire’s population lives here – 424,079 people – a gain of over 20,000 in the last ten years. Manchester and Nashua are the county’s biggest cities. 91,124 people live in Nashua, a gain of roughly 5,000 people since 2010. Money Magazine recently named Nashua, New Hampshire one of the best places to live in America.

The area’s primary economic industries are paper, steel, and computer and electrical components. But, what’s the draw to this inland region? The forests, for one thing. White pines ring the area’s many lakes, joined by spruce, maple, and firs, creating a spectacular show of color in fall, and an evergreen haven for the long winter. Not surprisingly, state parks abound.

CONCORD IN MERRIMACK COUNTY

Tucked into central New Hampshire is the capital city of Concord, part of Merrimack County, the third-most populous area in the state. Just over 44,000 call Concord home, and the state’s population has grown only slightly over the last ten years. The median home value in Concord is $239,300 and the average rent is $1,104. Not surprisingly, politics is the principal industry in this state capital, but it also takes tremendous pride in its burgeoning arts and food scene. The city of the area has invested millions in its downtown district and hosts the annual Capital Arts Festival in the fall.