3 Reasons Why New Hampshire Is the Best Place To Retire

New Hampshire is similar to its New England neighbors in many ways, including its natural landscapes, weather, charming small-town culture, history, and more. But there are a few unique things about the stunning state that truly make it a standout choice for potential retirees.

Weather, Climate, and Natural Beauty

With a more rugged mountainous terrain than most of its neighbors, New Hampshire draws the interest of many outdoorsy people with its towering peaks (including the tallest mountain in the northeast and one of the most climbed mountains in the world). Glacier activity left plentiful exposed granite and scattered boulders throughout the state, something that was further highlighted when forests were cleared for farmland. This led to many famous landmarks and the state’s nickname, "The Granite State." Outside of the rock, there are also plentiful lakes, forests, and rivers, as well as a very small (but popular) coastline. 

Retirees looking for four distinct seasons will find New Hampshire ideal. Winter in general can be daunting for some elderly residents, but as one of the snowiest states in the US, New Hampshire has developed quick ways to handle the cold weather. Additionally, they have found ways to capitalize on it through copious winter sports, including niche options like ice climbing (thanks to the plentiful mountains) and snowkiting. Spring is a tale of two weathers, with half more akin to winter and half bordering on summer, leading to a true rebirth of flora and fauna. It also happens to be one of the best times for fishing. Summer is warm and humid, but not hot, leading to a large lake and boating culture during the season. Of course, autumn is the most popular season for tourists due to fall foliage and fishing. 

Unique Lifestyle Benefits of New Hampshire

As the site of some of the oldest colonial buildings in the United States, New Hampshire has many towns and cities that have retained their historical charm. This has led to a distinctly warm and somewhat romantic small-town feeling for many areas, despite how rural or busy they may be. The locals are kind and very community-oriented, eager to highlight their gorgeous state as often as they can. 

The state has gained traction as a big site for festivals, especially unique ones. Back in 1899, the governor of New Hampshire realized he needed to help revitalize shrinking small towns, so the idea of Old Home Days was born. This is where communities would highlight their charms with local goods, events, parades, contests, music, and more. It did the trick, and the festivals still remain in many parts of the state and are held in the summer, with variations depending on the town they reside in. This appreciation for festival culture has evolved into common festivals like craft and art shows, as well as holiday events, but also into more unique offerings such as a sandwich festival, a pumpkin regatta, a maple syrup festival, and events revolving around skiing, hot air balloons, and more.

Overall Quality of Life

People looking to retire soon often look for places that can provide peace, a strong community, gorgeous nature, and fun things to do (all of which New Hampshire offers), but there are a few other things that any retiree looking to move to New Hampshire should know. In terms of affordability, as in most states, prices go up near bigger cities and drop in more rural areas. However, New Hampshire is thought of as one of the most tax-friendly states for retirees, with no state income tax on wages, no sales tax, and no tax on pensions, 401(k)s, and Social Security benefits for the elderly, among other tax breaks. Although most towns feel very safe, retirees are starting to look at a few New Hampshire towns in particular for their retirement years, including Exeter, Portsmouth, Littleton, Hanover, Concord, and Wolfeboro. 

So, there you have it. New Hampshire is a state that anyone could live in and enjoy to the fullest, but there’s just something special about it that makes it extra appealing to retirees. Ready to start planning your next trip? Try Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.