9 Best Towns In New Hampshire For Retirees
According to the US News & World Report in May 2025, New Hampshire was ranked the safest state in the nation. The state has a violent crime rate of 107 per 100,000 people. Compared to the most recently compiled data from the national average of 363.8 per the same number, these rates are extremely low. This, among other factors such as its natural beauty, New England hospitality, and the accessibility provided amongst its quaint little towns, makes New Hampshire a prime place to retire to and settle into your golden years. It also has no state income tax or sales tax!
Newmarket
The small town of Newmarket, just shy of 10,000 residents at the last census, is nestled along the Lamprey River in eastern New Hampshire. This town is perfect for people who love the water, as it is within very close driving distance of both the Great Bay and the state's small strip of Atlantic coastline. Newmarket also has a quaint but popular riverfront downtown area with plenty of things to do, maintaining a family-friendly feel, which is perfect for retirees and their kids and grandkids.
Some of those aforementioned things to do include The Big Bean Kitchen, a very highly rated local cafe serving breakfast and coffee, or The Oak House, a popular spot for dinner. For a drink with friends, Deciduous Brewing Company might fit the vibe, and if you would rather pick up a bottle of wine and entertain guests at home, Newberry Farms Market, a locally-owned grocery store, would have you covered. If you are looking to make new friends, Sunrise Sunset Center, a community center and activity hub for older Newmarket residents, is a great place to do just that.
According to Niche, current residents find this area to be very safe, as well. On their website, they list zero murders in 2025 so far, and an overall crime rate that is less than the national average. Newmarket is also cheaper than nearby beach towns such as Rye or Hampton, despite being within a brief driving distance of the coast.
Claremont
With around 13,000 people, Claremont is a small city located near another large urban area, Lebanon, and therefore has plenty of access to amenities and resources for retirees. Despite the convenient location, it is highly affordable, with Zillow's median home list price for 2025 at around $300,000. That is among the lowest averages on this list and is certain to fit into many retirement budgets.
According to HealthGrades, healthcare in the city is great too, with Valley Regional Health centers, which have several branches in the city, being highly rated by respondents on their website who have received specialized care from the organization. If extra care is needed as you age, there are nine different 55 and up communities in the Claremont area, ranging from fully independent living to assisted living. For community fun plus helpful programs for residents, the Claremont Senior Center has a fully packed activity schedule and offers help with things like meal delivery and transportation downtown for appointments.
Speaking of downtown, there is a lot to do in Claremont, especially if you are a lover of the arts. The Claremont Opera House is a beautiful historic theater that offers live musical performances, including opera, of course, and other presentations. If you prefer to get outside, Moody Park and Arrowhead Recreation Center are both solid options, nestled in lovely, peaceful woodlands where you can take a walk or fish. For dinner, a local favorite, The Common Man Inn, cannot be missed; it is highly rated and has an expansive menu.
Derry
The town of Derry sits in the southern part of the state, close to the urban center of Manchester, New Hampshire, as well as both the cultural hubs of Boston and Salem, Massachusetts. Derry has established itself as a great place to live by providing amenities close to home and being affordable. As of April 2025, Zillow reports the average home value at around $440,000, which is not very high by New Hampshire's standards. It is much cheaper than the nearest big cities, while still being within driving distance of them.
Derry is a good spot to retire for multiple reasons. According to Healthy Aging Data Reports, around 14% of the town's population is aged 65 or older. The excellent air quality of the area, combined with a community focus on keeping resources available for older people, keeps residents healthy for longer. There is also a fantastic hospital, Parkland Medical Center, in Derry, which has received an A for safety for the last 12 years from The Leapfrog Group. The town is home to two senior activity centers as well, plus at least eight different facilities providing home care assistance.
As far as entertainment is concerned, there are many things in Derry to keep you busy. The Stockbridge Theatre at Pinkerton Academy always has something going on for live performances, from plays to live music. The same can be said for the Tupelo Music Hall. There are several highly rated and interesting food options as well, such as Destination India and Americus Restaurant, which is located on the grounds of the LaBelle Winery.
Keene
For older folks searching for a town with plenty of amenities, look no further than Keene, located in the Connecticut River Valley. Keene is a college town, but it is great for people of all ages and dreamy for those who value the peace offered by the outdoors. Within city limits alone, you will find Ashuelot River Park, with beautiful paved riverside walking paths and gardens, and Robin Hood Park, which has more accessible trails, plus an outdoor community pool.
According to Realtor.com, the median listing price for homes in 2025 is around $379,000, which can barely be beat in the state of New Hampshire. Of course, it is much farther from the coast, but the two-hour drive to the ocean is still quite an easy day trip. Plus, Keene is extremely close to the beautiful scenery that can be found in Green Mountain National Forest, and there is also plenty to do in the town itself.
For example, go to see some stunning art indoors at the Thorne Sagendorph Art Gallery, located on the Keene State College campus. Or, if your grandkids are visiting, take them to the interactive Cheshire Children's Museum to play and make core memories together. The Keene Senior Center has excellent programs for people of all ages, too, such as dance classes and book clubs, as well as activities that are exclusive to people older than 70. Plus, Keene's Cheshire Medical Center is noted by US News for being high performing in multiple medical procedures, including heart failure interventions and hip replacements, so you can be assured you would get quality medical care in Keene.
New London
A small town with only 4,400 residents, New London is noteworthy for its New England charm and gorgeous surrounding scenery. It is within very close proximity of Mount Sunapee, its namesake resort and lake, Wadleigh State Park, and Gile State Forest, creating endless outdoor recreational opportunities. During winter months, it is sometimes hard to get out of town, but luckily, if you live there and want to switch it up, the Mount Sunapee Resort is perfect for a staycation, boasting over 60 skiing trails ranging from very easy to master level difficulty, and three lodges on site with all the amenities.
During the summer months, the town becomes very popular with many tourists visiting Lake Sunapee. The beach there, Newbury Beach, is a great summer attraction for both visitors and residents. The income earned by local businesses in this busy season sustains the town long-term, keeping New London comfortable and thriving for year-round residents and maintaining its feel as a picture-perfect lake town.
Main Street in New London is lined with picturesque historic boutique inns rather than big box hotels, and dotted with small businesses. Local-owned restaurants include places like Tucker's and Little Brother Burger Company, and one of the several boutique stores includes Morgan Hill Bookstore. On the same main drag, you will find some places dedicated specifically to retirees, such as the Council on Aging's Chapin Senior Center. If you need a little help as you gracefully age, Woodcrest Village Assisted Living is right downtown also, ready to meet any additional needs. New London Hospital, the closest medical center to downtown, is also known for being highly qualified in caring for the town's aging residents.
Laconia
The area known as the "Lakes Region" of New Hampshire is a highly sought-after part of the state, both to visit and to live in full-time. Laconia, one of these destinations for lakefront living, is a small city surrounded by water. Lake Winnisquam stretches to the western side of the town. Two bays, the smaller Opechee Bay and larger Paugus Bay, cut through the middle of Laconia, and along the northeastern side of town, you can find some of the many beachfront areas of the massive Lake Winnipesaukee.
Interestingly, despite the multiple lakefront and bayfront areas, which are also busy, most of the year-round businesses and activities are located around the river, which runs through the middle of the city between Opechee Bay and Lake Winnisquam's shores. This river is more of a runoff from the bay than an actual river, but it is beautiful nonetheless, and the lovely downtown area concentrated around it is packed with a ton of entertainment options. So, if you are not at the beach, some top-rated restaurant options include The Natural Pickle, Trillium Farm to Table, and Wayfarer Coffee Roasters.
You might think that with a ton of recreation available as well as other amenities, Laconia would be pricey like some of the state's other beach towns. But this lakefront city is surprisingly affordable compared to the rest of New Hampshire and even national averages. In 2025 so far, Realtor.com lists the median sold home price at around $417,000, which is reasonable considering what you would be paying for. Laconia has quite a high population of senior citizens, around 22% of the total population, and offers many resources for aging, such as Concord Hospital, and multiple assisted living facilities.
Ossipee
Another rural town similar in size to New London, Ossipee would be a great place for retirees focused on finding peace and quiet in their later decades, maybe trying to escape busy city life but still being within driving distance of larger towns. Here, the breathtaking natural beauty of New Hampshire can truly be appreciated, with the town being dropped smack in the middle between the aforementioned lakes region and the state's huge mountain ranges. The town also has its own lake, the aptly named Ossipee Lake.
It is very affordable here as well. Rocket's housing market report for 2025 so far indicates that the median list price for Ossipee is around $435,000, and unlike some other very competitive markets in the state, Rocket states that the houses sold so far this year have sold for very close to the asking price.
According to Nextdoor, the town is also an overall safe place to live. They list the crime rate as lower than the national average, and law enforcement is listed as very responsive when needed. Most of the things to do here are outdoor activities, which is great for people who are trying to keep active while they age, and rest assured, you can feel safe while doing these things. Some of those activities might include golfing at the Indian Mound Golf Club, playing disc golf at Constitution Park, eating dinner at MountainView Station, or grabbing a drink at the Sap House Meadery.
Conway
North of the lakes region, nestled among the White Mountains, an iconic selling point for the state of New Hampshire, you will find Conway, a small town with less than 10,000 people in a prime location. Despite this awesome and scenic location, Zillow's housing market records for 2025 so far indicate that the average home value is sitting around $430,000, which is pretty on par with the rest of this list. This is definitely affordable when you consider what a hotspot for tourism this town is, especially during the summer months when families flock here to enjoy the endless outdoor amenities, many of which can certainly be enjoyed by senior residents of the town alongside their younger family members.
Some of these aforementioned amenities include enjoying the beautiful natural areas around the mountains, of course, such as Echo Lake State Park, Thompson Falls, or riding on the iconic Conway Scenic Railroad. For entertaining grandchildren, there is also a family-friendly indoor water park, Kahuna Laguna, and Uber Blast, an indoor amusement park with a popular mini golf course that is accessible for all ages.
There are several sources that affirm that Conway is a great town for retirees. The Mount Washington Valley Age Friendly Community operates in Conway, and provides resources for seniors, plus assists in organizing events and helping older residents make connections with new friends with commonalities. Plus, right in town, you can find the Gibson Center for Senior Services, which works with MWVAF, doing outreach activities. They participate in things like providing free meals, which not only help aging folks who want to continue living independently, but might have trouble cooking for themselves, and also those who are homebound. They also offer a thrift store that sells clothing at heavily discounted prices and provide bus services around town.
Berlin
In the northernmost part of the state, toward the top of the White Mountain range, is the friendly city of Berlin. Like some of the other rural towns on the list, the outdoor recreation is the main draw here. Mt Cabot, which is the highest peak in the northern region of the mountain range, does not have accessible hiking trails, but even for people who cannot do difficult hikes, it presents some stunning scenery. The Maine border is just to the east of Berlin as well, presenting more opportunities for exploration.
The closest place that will be easy to access for older residents is Jericho State Park, only 10 minutes from downtown. This park offers a variety of activities that are great for all ages, like boating, fishing, and horseback riding. In downtown itself, despite Berlin being a small city, there are some good spots for dining and socializing. A few recommended by locals include La Casita Mexican Restaurant and Chai Thai Cuisine.
The best part about Berlin is that it is, by far, the least expensive place to buy a home on this list. In 2025, Rocket Homes reports that the median list price is only $160,000, which is insanely low for New Hampshire, and in comparison to national averages as well. There are plenty of houses available on the market as well. The town is also rated by Nextdoor as having a much lower crime rate than the national average, meaning it is not only affordable, but safe too. Finally, US News Report lists Berlin's Androscoggin Valley Hospital as the third best in the state, on its "100 Best Hospitals in New Hampshire" list.
Your Next Chapter Starts Here
When a person reaches their retirement age, and they have worked their whole life to earn uninhibited rest and relaxation, there are a few things that sound universally appealing: sitting on your porch with a beautiful view, perhaps one of the Granite State's many stunning mountains or quarries, and soaking in the peace and quiet. Or maybe, it is going into town and having a cup of coffee or a glass of wine with friends. Most importantly, it is feeling safe and protected in your home. New Hampshire can offer all of this and more!
