Top Cities in New Hamphire

Alan Woods

5,590 views

New Hampshire at a Glance

Often referred to as the Granite State because of its large and varied deposits and stone quarries. New Hampshire is one of the most popular New England states because of its proximity to Boston, its varied topography and its charming small towns. It is the fifth-smallest state in size and the ninth least populated, but it has a long history and lives large. It has little coastline, but an abundance of lakes, rivers and streams, rolling hills, mountains, and a climate that beckons visitors during every season. It has ski lodges and cross country trails, is popular for snowmobiling, and boasts Mount Washington, the highest point of land in the northeastern U.S. It also has the distinction of having the shortest coastline of any state that borders water -- only 18 miles!

Portsmouth is the only city of any size between Boston and Portland, Maine, and it's a charming seacoast village, known for its shipbuilding past, and its totally enjoyable present. It is home to Portsmouth Naval Yard, which is charged with service and maintenance of the U.S. fleet of Los Angeles-class submarines.

The former British colony was the first to write its own constitution and became one of the 13 original states; today its residents vote every four years in the first primary election held for president of the United States. One of its residents, Franklin Pierce, actually served as president.

Tourists flock to New Hampshire to enjoy the fall foliage, to take part in winter sports, to enjoy the largely natural beauty of the central part of the state, and to hike pristine stretches of the White Mountain National Forest linking Vermont and Maine portions of the Appalachian Trail.

Top Cities in New Hamphire

Why You'll Love Living in New Hampshire

Apart from its beauty, New Hampshire is a great place to live because there is no general sales tax, and no state-mandated personal income tax, except on dividends and interest. Its communities do levy some of the highest property tax rates in the country, but New Hampshire also has the seventh-highest household income in the nation, and counts the eighth-highest number of millionaires per capita in the country. That's certainly in its favor!

Its energy consumption, as well as energy costs, are relatively low. Thirty percent of its power comes from the largest nuclear reactor in New England, located near Portsmouth, but it also has coal-burning and natural gas-fired power plants. The state has potential for alternative energy sources including wind power, hydroelectric and wood-fired energy.

The capital is Concord, but the Manchester-Nashua area represents one of the hottest real estate markets in the country, with an extremely low vacancy rate. Considered close enough to Boston to be practical for commuters, Manchester's Airport is also the choice of savvy travelers as an alternative to Boston's congested Logan Airport.

The state has the lowest poverty rate in the United States, and its government is generally considered responsible and responsive. It is the only state in the union that does not require seat belt use in private automobiles. If you have any doubts about making your home in New Hampshire, a visit will probably be all it takes to convince you! At least that's what current New Hampshire residents claim.