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Chichester

Chichester

Neighborhood in New Hampshire

Merrimack County 03258

$542,760 Average Value
$292 Average Price per Sq Ft
4 Homes For Sale

Rural living and family-owned businesses just a few miles from Concord

Branching off Route 202, Chichester is a semi-rural town east of Concord, with secluded homes on wooded lots and a sense of peace and quiet. “Chichester offers the best of everything you could want. It’s quiet and rural, but it’s also close to Boston and Manchester, and Route 4 takes you all the way to the coast and into Hillsboro,” says Alicha Kingsbury, a long-time Loudon local and broker at Bear Hill Properties. "This is a tough area for first-time homebuyers. Property taxes are on the rise, and it can be a challenge, but the benefits of living here make it worth it." Though it isn’t far from the state capital, Chichester has a small-town atmosphere, with RV dealerships and family-owned businesses lining Dover Road. Locals can hike through wooded trails, snowmobile in winter, or picnic near the Suncook River in the summer. Commuting into the city takes less than 20 minutes when traffic is light, and drivers can take Route 202 to Interstate 393 to access Interstate 93 South into Manchester. With quiet streets, secluded homes and nearby amenities, areas like Chichester have become possible options for those who work in the city. The CAP Index Score for Chichester is 1 out of 10, which is significantly lower than the national average of 4.

Locally owned shops and restaurants off Route 202 and Main Street

Living in Chichester means spending time on Route 202, which is the area’s major thoroughfare and home to most of the local shops and restaurants. Though nearby Concord has a much more vibrant nightlife, familiar chains and convenience stores mean that locals don’t always have to drive into the city to get what they need. "There are so many great family-owned restaurants and shops in the area. A lot of small, crafty businesses—no franchises, just people following their dreams and offering creative, unique products. There are some fantastic spots like Cook'N Circle Restaurant, Beanies Bar & Grill and the Flannel Tavern. Everything feels local, comfortable and friendly. Chichester Country Store has the best homemade donuts in the area. It's one of the biggest draws for visitors.” Congregating around Route 202’s traffic roundabout, named for officers Jeremy Charron and Michael Briggs, are big-name brands like Dunkin’, Subway and McDonald’s. That’s also where locals will find Country Cook’n, an American breakfast diner serving up tall stacks of pancakes and fresh bacon. When it comes to grocery shopping, folks can stop at the nearby Dollar General, or head west toward Concord to reach Aldi, Shaw’s and Walmart near the highway.

Classic New England housing styles and small farms

Residential neighborhoods are hidden on streets that branch off of Route 202. Chichester houses include a mix of styles, many dating back to the mid-20th century, though there are several new constructions around town. “There are mostly farms and single-family homes,” says Darcy Mantel, a Realtor with BHHS Verani Concord, who has been helping buyers and sellers for over 9 years in Chichester, Concord and the surrounding areas. “Lots of 'New Englander' styles plus new construction colonials.” Most of the area is rural, with houses sitting back from the road on wooded lots. Modest, midcentury Cape Cods with one-and-a-half stories or ranch-style cottages can cost between $200,000 and $450,000. Houses rising above that price include wide, colonial-inspired builds that were actually constructed in the 2000s, as well as renovated 1970s and 1980s wooden cabins hidden in the forest and more modern 1990s Cape Cods with attached garages. Most of these homes, which can range between $500,000 and $850,000, feature contemporary finishes and large windows, with the addition of finished basements, open-concept floor plans and long, paved driveways.

Things to consider about rural living outside of Concord

Because of Chichester's rural nature, there are some things that homebuyers need to know. "When you move out of the city, be prepared—power outages happen, and you'll need to shovel snow. But that's part of the charm of living here—it’s relaxed and friendly, and you’re never far from help,” Kingsbury says. Though some people move here to have hobby farms or horses, there are some restrictions that apply depending on what kind of property they buy. "One big misconception when moving from the city to the country is that there are no rules. But there are restrictions depending on the town—whether it's having livestock, chickens, or horses, it's important to know what to expect,” Kingsbury says.

Outdoor attractions like snowmobile trails, hikes and riverside picnics

Chichester's rural nature gives way to dozens of outdoor attractions around town. "Chuckster's in Chichester is a great place to take the kids," Kingsbury says. "It's the perfect place for a fun day out or a birthday party." This small, outdoor theme park has bumper boats, batting cages, go-karts, mini-golf and a zip-line. Horse owners can board their steeds at Rocky Rest Stable, while families and avid readers can head over to the Chichester Town Library. For a scenic walk or riverside picnic, folks can head to Thunder Bridge, a historic landmark that was built in 1887 by the Berlin Iron Bridge Co. The structure is the only one of its kind in the state and was made to carry the Depot Road over the Suncook River. The area is also agricultural in nature. "There are a lot of horse farms around, like Stony Brook Farm, where you can take lessons and camps. Though Chichester is not just about the farms, people love visiting them, interacting with the animals, and even staying in Airbnb’s such as Miles Smith Farm to experience it all," Kingsbury says. For avid hikers, the Shaw Pasture Loop Trail stretches almost a mile into the Madeline Sanborn Conservation Area. It weaves throughout the forests and marshlands beyond Main Street, where hikers can park at the trail’s small gravel lot. Marksmen can spend weekends at CS Paintball on Dover Road to engage in friendly combat with friends or coworkers, and in wintertime, outdoor enthusiasts can snowmobile around town. "We have tons of snowmobile trails—Loudon, Chichester and the surrounding towns maintain some of the best trails around. It’s an outdoor lover’s dream," Kingsbury says.

Community gatherings and programs at the Chichester Town Library

The Chichester Town Library is a community meeting space, as well as a place for groups to gather and for quiet reading sessions for all residents. “We offer the Libby App for our patrons and even out-of-town cards. We host a big summer reading program and regularly partner with other organizations in town,” says Caroline Pynes, librarian with the Chichester Town Library. “We just want to make the library as welcoming as possible.” The library also hosts several programs and clubs, including Storytime for children, a reading room for students to study in, knitting clubs and book groups. The library has an active trustee board that works well with other organizations in town, and the historic building gives visitors a glimpse into the town’s past. “It is a small library, but it’s very cozy and warm and has that historical atmosphere. The library was actually built in 1847 as a town meeting house, and until the 90s, the library was on the top floor, with the fire station in the basement and a kindergarten on the main level.” Pynes is working hard to earn grants for the library to improve the building to be more ADA compliant, and the library has in the past earned a grant to supply nearly $2,000 in free books.

Chichester public school programs and achievements

Students first start at Chichester Central School which is on Main Street in town. The school teaches kindergarten through eighth grade and is rated an overall B-minus on Niche. The school supports green initiatives like plastic collection and hosts local events like the town’s Winter Carnival. New Hampshire then allows students to transfer to other public schools outside of their zoned district. Since Chichester does not have its own high school, students may travel to nearby areas like Pembroke or Concord to attend ninth through 12th grade. Pembroke Academy is graded a C and Concord High School is rated a B-minus.

Commutes to Concord and south to Manchester

Chichester is about 9 miles northeast of Concord, the state capital. “Concord is a great capital city. Lots of shopping, restaurants, entertainment so it's very nice to live in a suburb like Chichester where you can be in Concord within minutes,” Mantel says. Commuters can reach the city by driving for about 15 minutes on Route 202. Manchester is about 26 miles south down Interstate 93 and takes about 30 minutes to reach. Manchester is home to the area’s nearest major airport, Manchester-Boston Regional. Chichester’s nearest medical center is Concord Hospital, which is about 10 miles southwest.

Shelby Sullivan
Written By
Shelby Sullivan
Todd Beltz
Photography Contributed By
Todd Beltz
Britt Lyle
Video By
Britt Lyle

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Maria Shute, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Transit

Airport

Manchester Boston Regional

52 min drive

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Chichester US
Homicide 1 4
Sexual Assault 1 4
Assault with Weapon 1 4
Robbery 1 4
Burglary 1 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 1 4
Larceny 1 4
Crime Score 1 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$522,000
Median Single Family Price
$510,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$715,354
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$292
Number of Homes for Sale
4
Last 12 months Home Sales
31
Months of Supply
1.50
Median List Price
$549,900
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-2%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
829
Median Year Built
1986
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,167
Above the national average
1,935
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,826
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
147,015

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Apr 26
    12 - 4pm

    7 John Hardie Way, Chichester, NH 03258

    $775,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 2,062 Sq Ft
    • 7 John Hardie Way
    • New 30 days ago

    Rare resale at The White Birches of Chichester, a 55+ community offering ENERGY STAR-certified ICF Concrete Construction for one-level, open-concept living. This ranch-style home includes a primary suite with large walk-in closet with built-ins & huge shower. High-end finishes include 9-foot ceilings, hardwood floors, central air, and a convenient laundry room near the two-stall direct-entry

    Agent Photo
    Darcy Mantel
    BHHS Verani Concord
    (844) 228-5554
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  • Saturday, Apr 26
    12 - 4pm

    7 John Hardie Way, Chichester, NH 03258

    $775,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 2,062 Sq Ft
    • 7 John Hardie Way

    Rare resale at The White Birches of Chichester, a 55+ community offering ENERGY STAR-certified ICF Concrete Construction for one-level, open-concept living. This ranch-style home includes a primary suite with large walk-in closet with built-ins & huge shower. High-end finishes include 9-foot ceilings, hardwood floors, central air, and a convenient laundry room near the two-stall direct-entry

    Agent Photo
    Darcy Mantel
    BHHS Verani Concord
    (844) 942-3972
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  • Saturday, Apr 26
    12 - 1:30pm

    127 Kaime Rd, Pittsfield, NH 03263

    $750,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,168 Sq Ft
    • 127 Kaime Rd

    Discover your dream home with this brand-new construction on 3.4 acres of peaceful country living! This stunning 3-bed, 3-bath home is set back from the road, offering privacy and tranquility. With direct access to snowmobile trails just across the street, outdoor enthusiasts will love the year-round adventure opportunities. There's still time to personalize—choose your cabinet color,

    Cynthia Anderson Coldwell Banker Realty Bedford NH

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Maria Shute, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
2,882
Median Age
45
Population under 18
20.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
22.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$117,956
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$120,031

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
96.2%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
33.9%
Advanced Degrees
11.2%
% Population in Labor Force
75.5%
Above the national average
65.1%

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

24 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

1 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Chichester