12 New Hampshire towns to consider for retirement

New Hampshire was ranked the No. 1 best state to retire in for 2025, according to Bankrate.com's 2025 rankings. Thanks to its top-tier safety, high-quality health care, tax-friendly environment, natural beauty, and quality of life, it is an ideal choice for retirees. I thought I would look around the state and point out some of the communities that stand out. I have not selected them in order of preference; they are random and in alphabetical order.

There are so many others if I had the space to enlarge.

Bethlehem/Littleton: Littleton was ranked as the No. 5 best places to retire in NH by Niche, and neighboring Bethlehem was ranked No. 1 by Niche. Littleton‘s award-winning Main Street and historic charm ranked the community as “one of the nicest places in America” by Reader's Digest and a “Top 10 small town/dream town” by Outside Magazine. The town features the world’s largest candy counter at 112 feet, situated along the Ammonooauc River in the White Mountains. Bethlehem is only five miles from Littleton and was recognized for having the best Main Street by USA Today. It has a well-respected culinary scene, historic hub, art scene, and scenic beauty with hiking, skiing, and the Rocks Estates, a 1,400-acre property owned by the Forest Society, cultivated as a Christmas Tree Farm.

Exeter: Exeter is a good-sized town with a population of 16,098. The town offers highly ranked schools and is home to Phillips Exeter Academy, founded in 1781 with a 700-acre campus that is highly renowned. The walkable downtown has a rich colonial history, where the town was settled in 1638. The riverside setting, the Henderson-Swasey town forest trails, Swasey Parkway, the American Independence Museum, Gilman Park, and downtown waterfront are popular amenities.

Gilford: Considered one of the most desirable retirement towns in New Hampshire, Gilford frequently ranks in the top 10 statewide because of its scenic location on Lake Winnipesaukee, Gunstock Ski Area in its backyard, a superb 1700-foot town beach and town docks, Ellacoya State Beach, Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, hiking trails in the Belknaps, and a quiet, small-town atmosphere with easy access to shops and restaurants. Niche ranked Gilford as the No. 6 best place to retire in New Hampshire for 2025.

Hanover: Hanover is consistently ranked as a top retirement town in New Hampshire. Favored for its vibrant intellectual community, Dartmouth College amenities, its walkable, charming downtown, and top-tier health care. Outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and lake activities nearby make the town a premier destination. Fine restaurants, shops, and cultural activities dominate this Ivy League town, set along the Connecticut River with a section of the Appalachian Trail running through Main Street. The Hopkins Center for the Performing Arts at Dartmouth presents 500 events annually, plus concerts, and Dartmouth football games offer fun activities.

Keene: Keene is a college town with cultural activities, a nice walking community with a brick-lined Main Street leading to the historic Colonial Theatre, shops, and a seasonal farmers' market. Homes are more affordably priced. The Cheshire Rail Trail and Stonewall Farm provide easy walking routes, live music, lectures, and a close-knit arts scene with a college environment, keeping retirees stimulated.

Laconia: Always considered a good, affordable, and scenic retirement spot in NH’s Lakes Region. Kiplinger ranked Laconia as the No. 4 town for retirement in New England in 2025. The city offers a laid-back, lake-centric lifestyle with easy access to Lake Winnipesaukee, Lake Winnisquam, and Opechee. The city provides reasonable housing costs with medical access to Concord Hospital - Laconia. Swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, skiing, with local theater at The Colonial and Lakeport Opera House. The Taylor Community is a 104-acre campus featuring close to 200 independent living cottages and apartments. Weirs Beach is a renowned summer resort, with the Mount Washington boat headquarters, town docks, boardwalk, and arcades.

Laconia offers a multitude of housing choices from single-family homes and waterfront associations to unlimited condominium home choices.

Meredith: Meredith is a highly regarded, award-winning destination in the heart of the Lakes Region. Travel + Leisure rated Meredith as one of the top 10 best small towns on the East Coast.

Reader's Digest recognized Meredith as “The most charming small town in New Hampshire.”

The town docks on Lake Winnipesaukee, and the sculpture walk along the bay leads to the Inn and Spa at Mill Falls and Church Landing. The Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad is based in town.

There are numerous craft fairs, fishing derbies, pond hockey tournaments, fine restaurants, pubs, cafés, and shops throughout the village to enjoy this unbearably cute East Coast town.

Peterborough: Known as a vibrant, historic community with a strong art scene, located along the Contoocook River in the Monadnock region. Niche recently ranked Peterborough as the No. 3 best place to retire in New Hampshire. The town offers a dense suburban feel, with lots of restaurants, parks, an active cultural scene, Miller State Park, and the famous Mt. Monadnock, which offers great hikes. The Wapack National Wildlife Refuge and the Peterborough Players Theater Company are popular attractions.

Plymouth: Plymouth, with its university campus and quaint idyllic downtown, is a vibrant community at the foothills of the White Mountains, the Lakes Region, and the Pemi River.

Speare Memorial Hospital is in the center of town. The shops and restaurant choices are varied. The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center and campus events are plentiful, with lots of skiing, hiking trails, and outdoor activities nearby.

Portsmouth: Portsmouth has attracted all ages; it’s ranked the best place for young professionals in New Hampshire and is also ranked the No. 2 place to retire in New Hampshire by Niche. With a population of approximately 23,000, it’s a gorgeous historic coastal town, offering a multitude of restaurants, pubs, cafés, and shops to browse. Tugboats in the harbor present a Currier and Ives setting. It’s highly walkable, close to Atlantic beaches and parks.

It’s a bit touristy with a higher cost of living.

Wolfeboro: Established in 1759, Wolfeboro is known as “the oldest summer resort in America.” It’s also referred to as “the jewel of Lake Winnipesaukee.” The town is nestled between Lake Winnipesaukee and Lake Wentworth with a walkable downtown featuring quaint shops, waterside cafés, pubs, and restaurants. Boat tours on the M/S Mount Washington and Millie B. are popular. Travel + Leisure recently named Wolfeboro as “the 2nd best small town in the USA,” and Country Living ranked it the No. 5 best “small lake town in the USA.”

I’ve highlighted a few popular towns in NH to enjoy retirement with a lifestyle characterized by major tax advantages, high safety ratings, a low crime rate, and stunning natural beauty. There are so many towns in New Hampshire to consider. 

This article was written by Frank Roche, president of Roche Realty Group located in Meredith, and can be reached at 603-279-7046. Visit rocherealty.com to learn more about the Lakes Region and its real estate market.