The Housing Market is Hot in Manchester, NH
Explore some of Manchester’s neighborhoods to see what best fits your lifestyle and taste.
If a new place to call home is at the top of your list, stop your search and place your attention on Manchester, NH. This bustling city, located in the southern part of the state, is beckoning you to come join in on the action. Here, residents live lives they love, with access to great jobs, four seasons of outdoor recreation, a cool arts scene, excellent restaurants – the list continues.
“Manchester is centralized. … Boston is one hour south; it’s about an hour to the seacoast or the mountains,” says Drew Childs of The Childs Realty Group, brokered by eXp Realty. “You could go to all these places in one day if you wanted to.”
In addition to these fabulous amenities, Manchester’s housing market is hot right now. (In fact, the Manchester-Nashua area ranked No. 1 for being the hottest metro out of 300 in the country on Realtor.com’s Market Hotness Index in September of 2023.) Thanks to the region’s diverse stock of condominiums, upscale and affordable apartments, classic Victorians, trendy, refurbished lofts, and single-family homes, finding a place to live that meets both your lifestyle and budget will be a breeze.
We spoke with Drew and his husband, Dan, who is also with The Childs Realty Group and grew up in New Hampshire, to get the scoop on some of Manchester’s neighborhoods and what they have to offer. Ahead, find out which one is right for you.
In This Article
Northwest
Northwest (including Amoskeag Village, also known as “Skeag”) is a largely suburban neighborhood bordered by Hooksett to the north, Merrimack River to the east, Rimmon Heights to the south, and Goffstown’s town line to the west.
“There are mixed offerings of multifamily homes, commercial, shopping and dining [in Northwest],” Dan says. “Goffstown and Bedford are very nice suburban towns touching Manchester.”
Outside of the city corridor, there are a variety of small-town neighborhoods.
“The Hackett Hill area of Manchester provides a rural feel with more wooded lots and space between homes,” Dan says. “There are mostly single-family homes and condominiums in this area.”
Straw/Smyth
Named after two former New Hampshire governors, Manchester’s Straw/Smyth neighborhood is made up of homes mostly built throughout the 20th century – as well as a few newer models. Here, individuals can choose from a combination of picturesque Cape Cods, ranch-style and split-level homes, century-old multifamily properties, and contemporary colonials. This neighborhood is bordered by Hooksett’s town line to the north, Interstate 93 to the east, Wellington Road, Bridge and Pearl streets to the south, and Elm Street and Hooksett Road to the west. Straw/Smyth is adjacent to North End, a highly sought-after neighborhood with suburban-style homes and plenty of dining and nightlife options nearby.
“Manchester North End is a mostly residential neighborhood and includes mixed single- and multifamily homes,” Dan says. “There are some great restaurants here, and North End is very close to downtown with highway access.”
Hanover Hill
Located in central Manchester is Hanover Hill, which primarily offers single- and multifamily homes.
“Hanover Hill is high up above downtown geographically, so there are some awesome views of the cityscape from there as well as the Uncanoonuc Mountains,” Dan says. “It’s close to shopping, restaurants and highway access.”
West Side
Manchester’s West Side includes popular neighborhoods like Rimmon Heights, Notre Dame and Mast Road. Rimmon Heights began developing in the late 1800s when manufacturing workers moved to the area. With the neighborhood’s streets mostly aligned like a grid, it features tightly packed single- and multifamily homes, like 1950s ranch-style, 1920s colonials, and conventional homes.
Situated along the Merrimack River, Notre Dame is a neighborhood anchored by Sainte Marie Parish. This area is known for its triple-decker houses, but it also includes single-family homes built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Examples of styles include bungalows, townhouses and Cape Cods.
Mast Road is a suburban area formerly known as the Village of Piscataquog, which means “Place of Much Deer.” It was named by Native Americans who lived in the area. This neighborhood primarily features single-family homes built between the early 1900s and today.
South Manchester
One neighborhood in the South Manchester area is Lower South Willow, positioned along Cohas Brook, an outlet of Lake Massabesic. This area is bordered by Interstate 293 to the north, South Mammoth Road to the east, Londonderry’s town line to the south, and Perimeter Road to the west.
“South Manchester is most well-known for Lower South Willow Street, which is a stretch of commercialized road in the city containing The Mall of New Hampshire, car dealerships, big name stores, many restaurants and fast food,” Dan says.
Other popular neighborhoods in South Manchester include Goffe’s Falls and Crystal Lake. Goffe’s Falls is primarily a commercial neighborhood, while Crystal Lake is more suburban – not to mention a great place to enjoy the water.
City Full of Opportunity
Still perplexed as to which neighborhood you should call home? According to Dan and Drew, you can’t go wrong choosing any of Manchester’s neighborhoods because “all of them are equally great.”
“There’s no best neighborhood in the state, but [there is] the best neighborhood for you,” Drew says. “Whether you’re looking for more space or a city feel, southern New Hampshire has exactly what you want. The small towns have their unique look and feel, downtown has walkability, and the suburbs have space – you can pick an area that fits your desires.”
Plus, living here opens residents up to a plethora of opportunities.
“Growing up here afforded me many opportunities I couldn’t get elsewhere. The supportive community helped me forge my path and build relationships,” Dan says. “My experiences were vast and enabled me to make lifelong friends.”
This article was sponsored by the Manchester Economic Development Office.