9 Best Towns In New Hampshire To Retire Comfortably

When thinking about towns to retire to, planning is everything. You want to make sure that you can move and live there comfortably, that there are things you can do, a strong community you can connect with, and excellent scenery.

While that can describe many other states, New Hampshire is an excellent choice. Broadly speaking, New Hampshire has low crime rates, outstanding medical care, and a low tax rate on retirement income. Beyond that, the blend of four seasons, history, culture, and living in charming towns with coastal beauty are other reasons to consider retiring here. If you're considering retiring to New Hampshire, consider the following for fresh inspiration.

Wolfeboro

Starting off our list is one of America's oldest summer resort towns, Wolfeboro, in New Hampshire's Lakes Region. Wolfeboro is near Lake Winnipesaukee, unmatched in scenic beauty and filled with New England charm. Wolfeboro also has several amenities close by, alongside an attractive housing market, with the average sale price of houses averaging $435,000.

As far as things to do, Wolfeboro is rich in history and natural beauty. First is the nationally significant Wright Museum of World War II, which shows off its robust military vehicle collection and World War II history. The Wentworth State Park is another excellent spot with a beach, picnic area, and hiking trails. Beyond that, Wolfeboro also has several cafés and restaurants to try out. One that is particularly thematic for Wolfeboro is the Wolfetrap Grill & Rawbar. It's a seafood restaurant that's situated near the waterfront. They have a patio that leads out to the waterside, and they serve fresh oysters.

Newmarket

Resting on the banks of the Lamprey River, Newmarket is a quiet and peaceful town that is excellent for retirees. Its downtown district is clean and well-maintained, with greenery everywhere. Beyond that, New Market attracts many families and young professionals, making amenities and quality healthcare accessible and affordable. With a median home value of $384,900, housing is also below average by New Hampshire's standards.

Newmarket is great for retirees looking to feel younger, as Newmarket has a variety of recreational activities and programs. Painting Your Peace is a fantastic wellness workshop where everyone can paint to their heart's content. You can even learn to make sourdough through fitness coach Talia Walley's Sourdough Workshop. Alternatively, visiting Newmarket's Main Street is a treat with a mix of historic mill buildings, local shops, and restaurants with a lot of charm.

Lebanon

If the country is where you want to go, Lebanon is a solid option, as it contains some of the most beautiful countries in the world. Lebanon is defined by its ridgelines and the bottomlands of two rivers, which together make the area's terrain undulating but strong. The average cost of a home is around $462,000, which makes living in the countryside all the easier. Retirees also have excellent healthcare options within the town and neighbouring towns.

Lebanon has put much into its community through various recreational activities, parks, and arts. Walk through a beautiful riverfront trail and see countless wildflowers at the Alana Cole Conservation Area. If you're up for some golf, the Fore-U Golf Centre includes a driving range, mini golf, and batting cages and offers golf lessons to those wanting to get into the sport. You can also experience something truly unique at Opera North, which was once a grassroots community theater troupe that has now become a regional opera company offering multiple live performances.

Lincoln

Once a logging town, Lincoln is now a tourist destination. Its quaint charm makes it excellent for retirees who want to remain active. Lincoln is also very affordable, with the average cost of a home at $437,500.

In the summertime, Lincoln hosts a variety of shows, dramas, comedy acts, and more for the North Country for the Arts at Jean's Playhouse. The hilly region is also perfect for skiing the day away in the winter. Of course, because Lincoln is a mountain area, there are several iconic trails you can walk through any day of the year, such as Lincoln Woods, Georgiana Falls, and Mount Pemigewasset. There is much to explore and experience around this town, which is no surprise that so many people visit.

Bethlehem

Rooted in deep culture, the "highest town in New Hampshire," Bethlehem, is another great small hillside village with a perfect blend of outdoor adventure and things to do in town. Even their average housing is lower than average at roughly $362,000. The Littleton Regional Healthcare Center provides healthcare for the surrounding area, making it suitable for those needing treatment. In addition, Bethlehem has Cottage Hospital and a level IV Trauma Center nearby.

While many people are pulled into the White Mountains for their scenery, these hillside towns boast many things to do in their respective towns. As you might have noted from Lincoln, the theater production is robust, and Bethlehem is no different from its Colonial Theatre. Bethlehem also has a relaxing local brewery in Rek-lis that is perfect for family and friends to gather. You can also spend an entire day going through various trails in the surrounding area. The Appalachian Trail is just up the road, just waiting to be explored.

Keene

Going from the mountains to more gorgeous scenery, we have Keene. Filled with that New England architecture similar to Wolfeboro, Keene is a town rich with history, award-winning entertainment, engaging museums, and many festivals. You'll find no shortage of things to do, as well as being able to live in comfort, with amenities and healthcare close by. Housing is relatively cheap, with average houses costing approximately $392,000.

Keene is one of New Hampshire's best-kept secrets, as they have several festivals yearly. One of these is their annual Pumpkin Festival, which broke a world record in 2013 for the most lit jack-o'-lanterns. Things to enjoy all year round include the Meditation Labyrinth that's available to the public, where you can walk, breathe, and enjoy at your leisure, as well as Madame Sherri Forest, where you can explore a 513-acre forest and find historic ruins, ponds, and hiking trails.

Rochester

Also called Lilac City, Rochester is the largest city in the seacoast region and still has that small-town feel. With a strong community, loads of fun, and a gateway to several regional landmarks, Rochester feels overqualified to be a place to retire. Even its housing market is affordable, with the average house costing approximately $396,000.

For the outdoor enthusiast, there is the Dominicus Hanson Park, often called "The Pines." The name is clear, as the park has thirty acres of old-growth pine trees. There is an outdoor pool, playground, basketball courts, and trails to explore the nearby Cocheco River. Rochester also has its own Rochester Opera House with various shows and performances, and their downtown district has no shortage of other amenities and services, including the Rochester Historical Society and Museum and the Rochester Public Library. Rochester is a solid pick for those wanting to live the city life while still in a small town.

Laconia

The small city of Laconia is distinguished by four bodies of water that border or are within city limits. For this reason, Laconia is gorgeous in scenery. It's pulled in quite a tourist crowd, but Laconia is also a great place to retire, with amenities nearby, good healthcare, and housing costing about $359,000.

Laconia residents can enjoy several beaches, including Bond Beach, which is surrounded by several bodies of water. The city also has several notable and vibrant festivals, like the Laconia Multicultural and Folk Festival and the Laconia Motorcycle Week. These events draw in crowds and offer local food and live music.

Peterborough

Resting along the Contookook River is a gem in one of the nation's safest states: Peterborough. Home to MacDowell and renowned artists, this town is bursting with culture and crafts and is a comfortable place to live. Even the housing is reasonable, with the average home costing approximately $499,000. It's even home to the Monadnock Regional Hospital, which makes healthcare easily accessible.

You can live a comfortable and balanced lifestyle here, with Peterborough offering many things to do and places to experience. For starters, there's the Peterborough Farmers' Market, which is filled with local ingredients and crafts. You can also find great food at several restaurants, including the Waterhouse. Peterborough even has its recently renovated public library, the Peterborough Town Library.

Thanks to the multiple rivers and lakes scattered throughout New Hampshire, there is much to discover and appreciate. But even looking beyond the natural beauty, you'll find tight-knit communities offering their comfort style.

Get pulled in by the mountain towns of Lincoln or Bethlehem's theatrical performances, or take a load off in Wolfeboro's calming coastal atmosphere. Or maybe you want to play it safe and relax in Rochester or Peterborough, where you are in no rush to explore the many wonders and things to do in the area. Whatever suits you, New Hampshire is a place where you can retire comfortably and do so safely, without a doubt.