Birchwood at Brambleton
Brambleton, Virginia
Manchester, New Hampshire
What It Is Like to Retire in Manchester
Manchester, a small city of about 116,000, in 2020, is the largest city in New Hampshire. It is home to several small colleges as well as being the economic center of this part of New Hampshire and Vermont. The city has been named 2nd tax friendliest city, best place to live and start a business, and one of America's Cheapest Places to Live. Photo of Manch Mills and photo of Downtown Manchester looking south along Elm Street, courtesy of Wikipedia and Mikespenard, photo of Manchester-View of downtown from the north, courtesy of Wikipedia (public domain), Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Where to Retire in Manchester and Home Prices
There are many different neighborhoods to live in, as well as some choices of active adult communities in the surrounding area. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median sale price of a home in the 1st quarter of 2023 was $441,900.
What Is Special about Manchester
Manchester has great shopping with a number of outlet malls capitalizing on New Hampshire's lack of sales tax. It offers a somewhat urban environment with ready access to the outdoor recreation opportunities along with the beauty of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Manchester has won numerous "best cities" awards, with most having to do with low costs and tax-friendliness.
What Is Not Special about Manchester
It's very busy place, and is cold in the winter.
Who Will Like Retirement in Manchester
Retirees looking for a town with all four seasons and a lot to do in each of them, would enjoy Manchester. There is a lake for boating (with restrictions), and about 50 miles of fire roads on Manchester Water Works Land are accessible to the public for running, hiking and biking use around the lake. Manchester also offers public bus transportation, a very active senior center, several health care facilities and volunteer opportunities. Southern New Hampshire University is located nearby, and the Fisher Cats, a minor league baseball team plays here.
Local Economy Is Driven by
Retail and manufacturing drive the economy. The largest employers are the hospitals and the schools.
Climate and Physical Environment
January's average temperature is 26 degrees, with July's average at 74 degrees. Manchester gets about 58 inches of snow annually.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
Manchester has many good restaurants according to reviews on TripAdvisor.com; Culturally, there are events Manchester is home to the Palace Theater for concerts and performances, and the Currier Museum, a science center and Millyard Museum. For the Best in cultural events, Boston is only about 50 miles away.
Crime
The crime rate in Manchester is a little above the national average.
Medical facilities
Elliot Heath System and Catholic Medical Center service Manchester.
Transportation
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is located here, and Boston Logan International Airport is 55 miles away.
Comments on "Manchester"
Peter B. says:
Do not, under any circumstances move to or retire in Manchester NH. I have lived here for 9 months in the heart of downtown, and can tell you that the noise level here is unlike anything I have encountered in my 72 years on the planet. There are drug addicts on the street. People who live on the street. Harleys and hot rods constantly revving their engines. Hit-and-runs are very popular here. If you want to live in this area, Bedford, just across the Merrimack River is very nice.
Toni G. says:
I want to correct an important point to your article about Manchester. Regarding the lake: There is no public beach at Lake Massabesic as the lake serves as the regions water supply. There is no swimming and people cannot even enter into the water. Strict guidelines apply. However, there is an area where people can picnic and walk on a short trail to enjoy the views. What you bring in, you take with you.
Thank you.
Jane at topretirements says:
Thank you Toni G for your correction about Lake Massabesic. We have made the correction in our write-up of Manchester that there is no public beach, and there are boating restrictions. We appreciate your input.