New to Manchester, NH? Find Out How to Get Connected
A transplant details how to make friends and establish roots in the region.
Lively, artsy and brimming with year-round indoor and outdoor activities, Manchester, NH, is becoming the popular choice for people relocating and making it their new home base. As with any move, it might take a little time for the city to feel like home, but Manchester offers several ways for newcomers to get connected, make friends and establish roots.
Keri Pappalardo relocated to the area from Salem, NH, in 2013. Today, she is the director of marketing at Lavallee Brensinger Architects, an architectural, planning and interior design firm, and serves on the Manchester Young Professionals Council.
Why did you decide to relocate to Manchester?
I came here for my job because the company was really great, but I spent a lot of time visiting Manchester before relocating. I had a few friends who lived in the city, and they were always talking about the fun places they were going. The social scene just sounded awesome. My friends were very outdoorsy, so I was initially surprised they had chosen to settle in Manchester, but once I saw the proximity of hiking spots and the popularity of McIntyre Ski Area, I realized there was way more to Manchester than just the downtown. There are so many options, especially for someone just starting out in their young adult life.
How did you go about getting involved in the community?
Luckily, the company that I work for hugely supports community involvement. As an architectural firm, we have a lot of ties to the community. So, when I first relocated, I leaned on client- and city-based events hosted by my employer. Outside of work, lots of young professionals visit the downtown bars and restaurants, which is a great way to stay connected with coworkers and friends. Manchester has some great trivia nights, too!
Although I had a great immediate network within my company and a few established friends within the city, I wanted to get more involved in Manchester’s greater community. I knew a few people involved in Manchester Young Professionals, a local organization meant to connect talented individuals in the area. I simply reached out, and from there, I joined one of their committees. I knew right away that Manchester Young Professionals was a great way to meet a ton of people and network with folks who were outside of my immediate industry.
What does Manchester Young Professionals have to offer?
There’s a bit of a stigma around New Hampshire, saying it’s a “gray state” because the median age is a little bit older. Our goal is to ensure people want to stay here. We do that by offering social connections, professional development opportunities and career advancement opportunities. We try to bring value to members by encouraging them to put their roots down in Manchester and find their unique contributions to the community.
How do you think your life would be different if you hadn’t gotten involved in the community?
My life would be drastically different. I’m so active in the local community now. I have access to all these great resources, but there’s also such a nice small-town vibe that comes with networking in this area. If you know the right 10 people, then you know everybody in the city to some extent. People are very accessible here, down to the aldermen, mayor and major business leaders. I don’t think I would’ve had the confidence to dive into Manchester’s professional world without joining Manchester Young Professionals. The group has given me a great sense of belonging to the city.
What nonprofit organizations and volunteer opportunities can locals participate in?
There are so many nonprofits in Manchester doing great things. To help familiarize newcomers, Manchester Young Professionals hosts a yearly nonprofit job fair called “Find Your Cause,” which is definitely worth checking out.
I’m a co-lead organizer for Manchester’s TED chapter, which is all about spreading unique ideas and getting wheels turning in peoples’ heads. Manchester Proud is another awesome nonprofit that supports local schools, and Queen City Bike Collective advocates for safer and more affordable community bike riding – to name a few options.
I also sit on the local fire commission, and I cannot recommend enough that young professionals visit the city’s website and consider applying for local boards and commissions. The city wants to make these groups as diverse as possible, but they can only make them as diverse as those who apply. I think people sometimes believe these groups are not very accessible or that they’re not their space, but they absolutely are.
How do you think Manchester’s after-work social scene encourages young professionals to unwind and stay connected?
Manchester is a really cool city because there are so many “city-like” amenities, but it’s still incredibly scalable. Cities like Boston – where I used to work – can be a little more intimidating to navigate. Manchester offers the same trendy scene with nightlife, bars, restaurants and entertainment options, but it feels more close-knit and approachable.
There are a lot of great local places, but most young professionals spend time on Elm Street, which is our main downtown area. Most of it is locally owned bars and restaurants, which is great because Manchester feels unique. On a larger scale, yearly events like Queen City Pride, Fourth of July, St. Patrick’s Day and other seasonal celebrations draw the community together in fun, positive spirits.
What would be your advice for someone who just relocated to the Manchester area?
My main piece of advice would be to get out there. There are a lot of really great things happening here in Manchester and a lot of great people working here. Get involved in just one thing. Explore the city. Find people who are passionate about the same things you are passionate about and take off from there.
This article was sponsored by the Manchester Economic Development Office.