10 Reasons Young Professionals Love Manchester, NH
Find out why YPs are drawn to – and thrive – in New Hampshire’s largest city.
People often recognize Manchester, NH, as the business capital of northern New England. Tucked away in the southern portion of the state, this city encourages enthusiastic young professionals to come and settle into their dream career paths while enjoying its relaxed urban lifestyle. Here are just 10 reasons young professionals love Manchester.
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1. There’s plenty to do after work in Manchester, NH.
Picture yourself winding down after a long workday. Are you in nature? Sipping on a frosted cocktail? Manchester’s buzzing downtown and catalog of outdoorsy spots ensure everyone has their perfect work-life balance.
Local nature hubs like Livingston Park and Stark Park offer quiet scenery and meditative trails, while miles of bike paths cater to those looking for a faster, breezier pace. Many locals look forward to Thursday evenings at the Currier Museum of Art for “Art After Work,” a program offering free public access and live music. For something livelier, dozens of local restaurants host weekly trivia nights, happy hours and themed events.
2. It’s easy to network in Manchester, NH.
“Young professionals are all in that weird age group where they’re still learning social rules,” says Samantha Blinder, a Manchester local and an account executive at Montagne Powers, a strategic communications firm. “A networking event doesn’t typically sound super exciting, but if you put us at a restaurant table for trivia or bring us together doing yoga at the park, we can connect with each other without worrying too much about the conversation running stale.”
City programs, like Manchester Young Professionals, organize diverse networking events to ease individuals into important connections.
3. There are a variety of great jobs in Manchester, NH.
From classrooms to computer-clad cubicles, Manchester bustles with career opportunities. For example, the city is home to the largest health care provider in southern New Hampshire, Elliot Health System. Plus, Southern New Hampshire University cultivates a prolific academic community for those with a knack for teaching, administration, IT, athletics, etc.
There’s also a prominent space for artists. Dave Hady, the creative director at Orbit Group, which supports economic development initiatives, urban planning and creative placemaking in the Greater Manchester region, says the arts scene has taken some major steps in the last few years.
“There are art festivals, art walks, multiple galleries, artist-in-residency programs and murals everywhere,” he says. “Those who put themselves into the community network find it very close-knit and welcoming.”
4. There are colleges and universities in and around Manchester, NH.
Considering graduate school? Want to take a couple of classes to boost your work portfolio?
Several public and private colleges await your enrollment in and around the Manchester area, meaning locals working and playing in the city don’t have to entirely uproot their lives to pursue an education.
Even if you aren’t applying, the presence of colleges and universities still benefits the city.
“The schools keep a big group of young people here that support the food, retail, job and real estate markets. Many students graduate and find work here afterward, which is a huge plus to the city,” Hady says.
5. It’s easy to travel in Manchester, NH.
If your job has you jumping on and off planes, living in Manchester will make your on-the-go lifestyle quite a bit easier. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport was named Readers’ Favorite Domestic Airport by Travel + Leisure in 2023.
6. You can get involved and make a difference in Manchester, NH.
“I find that one of the city’s biggest advantages is its size. It’s not so small that nothing happens, and it’s not so big that your voice gets lost in the ocean of people,” Hady says.
Although Manchester is a metropolis of employment, the community also maintains an endearing small-town intimacy. Neighbors care for one another, and a multitude of nonprofits and volunteer centers operate daily to protect and support community members in need. Whether you have a free Saturday to sign up for volunteer shifts at the New Hampshire Food Bank or you have long-term dreams of getting behind the scenes of a nonprofit, you can certainly find your place in Manchester.
7. Commutes aren’t bad, and downtown Manchester, NH, is very walkable (and bikeable).
“It takes about 15 minutes to get anywhere in Manchester,” Hady says. “If you happen to live and work downtown, the pedestrian-friendly streets allow you to walk or bike to work, saving you money on gas and encouraging some leisurely exercise.”
Over 10 miles of bike trails loop around downtown, while over a dozen more trails encourage two-wheeled transit in surrounding areas.
8. Manchester, NH, is affordable.
As housing prices rapidly increase in other New England cities, such as Boston and Portland, Manchester remains relatively affordable in comparison. New Hampshire has no state tax on wages, salaries or a general sales tax.
Also, while other larger cities rely on public transit and hefty parking fees, most Manchester locals save money by commuting by car, walking or utilizing designated bike paths.
9. You don’t have to travel far from Manchester, NH, for a getaway.
Part of being a career-driven professional is knowing when to take a break. Vacation time is hard to give up, though, so why waste it on extra travel days? Manchester is a gravitational core for vacation spots and seasonal resorts. The area is home to McIntyre Ski Area, and locals are about an hour from Boston and roughly 40 minutes from Hampton Beach, a popular oceanfront destination.
10. Manchester, NH, has the resources of an urban city, but the charm of a small town.
Manchester is an urban oasis cushioned by layers of quaint communities. While Manchester embraces its diverse social scene and widespread employment options, the locals maintain the warm disposition of a traditional New England town.
“I have a very close-knit circle in my neighborhood,” Blinder says. “We’re vastly different ages but all close friends. I like unexpected communities. These are people that I probably would have never interacted with in a city like Boston, but because we’re here together in Manchester, we get this unique connection.”
This article was sponsored by the Manchester Economic Development Office.