Did you know that Concord is the capital city of New Hampshire? In addition to being a beautiful and tranquil retreat for many visitors across the nation, the history of Concord is very rich and known as one of the best places to live and work in New England. Whether you’re interested in outdoor exploration or access to the seacoast and major cities like Boston, Concord has something for everyone to enjoy.
Located in Merrimack County, Concord has a population of around 42,500 residents – making it a great small city to put down roots. Concord is an affordable city where residents can find great real estate deals. And when compared to other major cities in the state, it has one of the lowest cost of living indexes for housing. But living in Concord offers residents much more than affordable housing prices and access to the great outdoors. So what makes life here in Concord so great? Keep reading to learn more about our favorite city in New Hampshire and why retiring here could be just what you need to make your golden years extra special.
Welcome to Concord: What Is Life Like in New Hampshire’s Capital City?
Amenities
Concord is a city that is happy to welcome people from all walks of life. And because of this, has many different amenities to suit everyone from your vegan friends to the artistic types, outdoor enthusiasts, growing families and history buffs. The city boasts many of the creature comforts that you may find in a larger city that including great parks, fun shopping destinations, excellent restaurants and bars, quaint coffee houses and more – while still maintaining that certain small-town charm that New England is so well-known for. Whether you’re interested in joining a new club or you’re looking for great entertainment options for the holidays, Concord does not disappoint. Some of our favorite area hot spots include:
- Rollins Park – This is one of the best parks that the city has to offer. Great for spending a day with friends and family or even taking an evening stroll on your own. You’ll find everything here from a baseball field to basketball courts, walking paths and a grand playground. In the summer months, the park is home to the city’s largest public pool and during the winter you can check out the ice rink!
- Capitol Center for the Arts - Want to catch a show or maybe even act in one? Then you need to get familiar with the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord. Opened in 1927, this incredible non-profit arts center boasts 1,304 seats and is equipped to welcome today’s high-tech Broadway shows. However, you can find everything from big-budget productions to community performances, pop and country concerts, international performances and more here.
- Concord Antique Gallery – There are few better ways to spend a weekend afternoon than browsing for beautiful and interesting antiques. Even if you are new to the world of antique collecting, you’ll quickly find that the Concord Antique Gallery is a truly special space. Packed wall-to-wall with a huge variety of fun and unique merchandise, this is a favorite shopping destination for residents and visitors alike.
Weather and Climate
The city of Concord only covers an area of about 67.5 square miles but about 3.2 square miles of that is water. Located fully within the Merrimack River watershed, the city is centered on the river and offers many beautiful natural views. Like the rest of New England, we enjoy all 4 seasons in Concord and are particularly well-known for our fall foliage.
As part of a humid continental climate zone, we get to enjoy warm and sometimes humid summers. Concord also has shorter autumn and spring seasons and longer, snowy winters. However, it’s important to note that thaws are frequent throughout the winter months, with average temperatures climbing into the 50's from December into February. If you enjoy getting to experience sunshine, rain, snow and the changing colors of fall – then Concord is an ideal place to settle down and call home!
History of Concord
The area that is now known as Concord was originally settled thousands of years ago by Native Americans called the Pennacook people. The area was an ideal place to settle due to it’s easy access to migrating fish like salmon and sturgeon. Additionally, with access to the Merrimack River, the native people could easily travel from Lake Winnipesaukee down into the Atlantic Ocean.
The area was settled in the early 1720’s by Captain Ebenezer Eastman who came from Haverhill, Massachusetts and was later incorporated in 1734. After the American Revolution, Concord’s ideal geographical location and close proximity to other major cities like Boston made it the best logical choice for New Hampshire's state capital. Later in the 19th century, Concord became a major railroad industry hub and textile manufacturing center. Today, in addition to being known as the capital city, Concord is home to the largest independently owned printing company in the Us and a center for several major insurance providers as well as a health care hub.
Retirement in Concord
Despite being known for sometimes harsh winter weather conditions, Concord is one of the best places to retire in the US. Residents here have access to great amenities, the outdoors and all of the advantages that a capital city has to offer. However, because Concord is a relatively small capital city, life here doesn’t have to include the hustle and bustle of more urban areas – unless you want it to.
Learn More About Our Continuing Care Retirement Community in Concord
Interested in discovering what makes life here in Concord so great? If you’ve been searching for a great city to retire in, then Concord has got you covered. At Havenwood Heritage Heights we are proud to be one of the premier retirement communities in New England and are always happy to welcome new residents. Contact our friendly team online today to learn more about what makes life in Concord so great!
