A welcoming atmosphere in New Hampshire's second-largest city
Once southern New Hampshire’s “Gate City,” where travelers would pass through to head north to the mountains, Nashua has become a popular place to settle down and stay. Though the remnants of historic industrial textile mills line the river, the modern shops and restaurants built within them emphasize the city’s strides toward modernity and progress. “There’s a lot to be excited about in Nashua right now. We are making a lot of livability improvements for current residents and opening opportunities for new ones,” says Kathleen Palmer, communications & events specialist in the Offices of the Mayor and Economic Development, who has lived in the city for most of her life.
Nashua is the second-largest city in New Hampshire and over the last 200 years has transitioned from textile mills to tech. Major employers in the region include DAE Defense Systems, Oracle and major medical centers. “Our two major hospitals are Southern New Hampshire Medical Center and Saint Joseph Hospital. Both are huge employers in town and are always looking for help,” Palmer says. Commuters who work in Boston and students at Northeastern University benefit from extensive bus routes, Lowell's train station and light traffic on Route 3. Small business owners thrive on Main Street, where downtown's post-industrial New England village feel meets a lively weekend crowd.
Downtown Nashua offers vibrant shops, dining & historic sites, perfect for a day of exploring.
You can find colorful art work and sculptures along Main Street in Nashua.
You can find a variety of shops along Main Street in Downtown Nashua.
A golfer tees up at the Nashua Country Club located in the South End of Nashua.
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Community festivals and events on Main Street and at Greeley Park
Nashua hosts its summer concert series at Greeley Park’s bandstand, but Main Street is home to most of the city's big events. “We do a lot of events in Nashua...those would include our end-of-June annual Pride Festival and parade, as well as our end-of-July Summer Stroll. We block off Main Street so people can walk around, eat at food trucks and listen to live music on our big city stage,” Palmer says. “We also have our Winter Holiday Stroll the Saturday after Thanksgiving, where all of us hearty New Englanders go out into the cold to have a candlelight parade and light the Christmas tree at the top of Main Street.” More than 23,000 people came to the Winter Holiday Stroll in 2024, creating lasting community memories.
A young boy gets to hold a harris hawk at the Birds of Prey event in Greely Park, Nashua.
Main Street's small businesses, national chains on Amherst Street and the Pheasant Lane Mall
Long-time downtown staples include Martha’s Exchange Restaurant & Brewery, Fody's Great American Tavern, The Peddler’s Daughter and Hayward’s Ice Cream. “It has this old-fashioned downtown feel, with different options of restaurants and shopping,” says Julie D’Arcangelo, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty based in nearby Pelham. “It’s beautiful, especially in the winter. It’s kind of wonderful, and it’s big enough that it’s not like you blink and miss it.” Overall, though, Nashua isn’t a nightlife town. However, the city’s 10-year plan - Imagine Nashua - includes goals that involve redeveloping Main Street, upgrading public transportation, enhancing parks and natural areas and celebrating local businesses. “We also recently built the Nashua Center of the Arts, which has brought literally tens of thousands of visitors in the last year. We are also improving infrastructure to create a more walkable city, which has led to an entire renovation of the riverside park area, which will be called the Nashua Riverwalk," Palmer says.
For longer shopping trips, national chains along Amherst Street include Market Basket and Target. Right on the border of Massachusetts is Pheasant Lane Mall and dozens of surrounding stores and restaurants, such as Chili’s, Trader Joe’s and Best Buy. Visitors often cross the border into New Hampshire to take advantage of the state’s lack of sales tax for shopping sprees.
Spend an afternoon shopping at Pheasant Lane Mall in Southeast Nashua.
Pheasant Lane Mall in Southeast Nashua includes large stores like Target.
In Downtown Nashua, you can find a variety of boutiques, speciality shops, & dining options.
One of the top grocery stores in Northwest Nashua is this Whole Foods.
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New England homes from the 20th Century with high property taxes and historic charm
Nashua’s housing options vary throughout the city. Downtown’s multi-family homes, which were built out of older Victorians and colonial-inspired buildings, accommodate the area’s growing population. Southwest Nashua and West Hollis have a more suburban atmosphere, giving way to larger lawns and split-levels, or modest Cape Cods. Northwest Nashua has a variety of townhouses and condos near the bustling shopping districts on Amherst Street, and North End Nashua is home to historic 1800s mansions, once owned by mill owners and ship captains.
Though New Hampshire has no sales tax and no state income tax, the state makes up for it with property taxes, which are much higher than in most states. The home values in the city are lowest downtown, in the South End, North End and surrounding Mines Falls Park, costing between $475,000 and $550,000 on average. More suburban areas like West Hollis, Northeast Nashua and the south end of the city have an average price of around $650,000 to $700,000.
Downtown Nashua features multi-family houses that blend historic charm with modern living.
A new traditional style home in Southwest Nashua is on a large plot of land with shady trees
Queen Anne homes in North End Nashua feature ornate trim, turrets & elegant Victorian charm.
Discover condos in Northwest Nashua that combine comfort and style providing a perfect home.
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Dozens of parks, trails and the upcoming Nashua Riverwalk
Nashua has dozens of opportunities for indoor and outdoor recreation, from golf courses, bowling alleys and playgrounds to spots to hike and walk along the river. “The Nashua River is the reason Nashua exists in the first place. The city began 200 years ago by building factories along the river, making it a really important part of our city. We want people to be able to enjoy it more easily,” Palmer says. The Nashua River Rail Trail runs along the waterway and dips about 11 miles south into Massachusetts. Mine Falls Park, which hugs both sides of the east-west Nashua River, spans 325 acres. “Mine Falls Park is very popular. People walk and bike there. The high schoolers run there. It’s got miles of trails that run through a beautiful forest,” Palmer says. “I’m really lucky that I live in a neighborhood with a street that leads into Mine Falls Park.”
Families flock to playgrounds and ballfields at locations like Greeley Park, Matt Dube Field and KirkPatrick Park. “We’ve updated and refreshed many of the playground parks here. Our Public Works department has done a lot of infrastructure improvements. We’ve put in soft mulch, pickleball courts and new equipment,” Palmer says. Sports fans can catch a ballgame at Holman Stadium, where the Nashua Silver Knights play. Nashua is also roughly 90 minutes from the White Mountain National Forest, a mountain range brimming with ski resorts like Waterville Valley Resort and Loon Mountain Resort.
You can enjoy walking on miles of trails at Mine Falls Park in Nashua.
You can find art along the Nashua River Rail Trail that starts in Nashua and ends in Ayer.
The Nashua Skate Park in Mine Falls Park is a great place to spend an afternoon.
Greeley Park in North End Nashua offers gazebos for shade and a playground for children.
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Nashua's public and private school programs and Rivier University
Nashua’s public school system includes more than a dozen elementary schools, two major high schools and the newly built Brian S. McCarthy Middle School, which replaced the historic Elm Street Middle School. McCarthy Middle was named after a former alderman who was instrumental in encouraging science and math programs for Nashua’s youth. His focus on NASA and space-related science helped children all over the city pursue STEM careers. The Nashua School District has roughly 10,000 students enrolled and is rated an overall B on Niche. Nashua is also home to private Catholic schools like Bishop Guertin High School, which is graded an A-minus, and Rivier University, which is rated a B-minus.
Bishop Guertin High School in South End Nashua serves grades 9-12.
Located in Nashua, the Elm Street Middle School serves surrounding communities.
Rivier University is a Catholic university in Nashua offering a variety of degree programs.
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Commutes south to Boston and north to Manchester, with public transit all over the city
The city of Nashua has a popular public transit system, with affordable bus rides for students – just $1 – and free for those who are 65 and older. Nashua Transit System buses stop at several major destinations, such as Greeley Park, Pheasant Lane Mall and all along Main Street. “You get all different sort of age groups, and it’s a great commuter location. For people who want to commute to Boston, you can do so. It also works for people who are commuting to Manchester or Concord,” D’Arcangelo says. Many people take the train from Lowel to Boston or drive. Major highways include the Daniel Webster Highway and Route 3, which is commonly known as the Everett Turnpike.
Crime, safety and environmental impacts
Figures from the state of New Hampshire show that violent crime in Nashua dropped 19% in 2023, while property crime fell by 24%. According to statistics from the FBI, Nashua's property crime rate is well below the national figure. Because of the major highways that run through it, such as Route 3 and Daniel Webster Highway, traffic noise can be loud. Waterways like the Nashua and Merrimack Rivers may flood during times of heavy rainfall to a depth of over two feet. The city has an average snowfall of between 50 and 55 inches annually. However, locals love to ski and snowboard, so proximity to some of the most popular ski resorts in the northeast makes it a popular spot for outdoorsy folks to live.
Connie's journey in real estate began in 2010 when she navigated the complexities of bank-owned properties. This formative experience instilled in her a deep understanding of the market, resilience, what the lenders were looking for, and meticulous attention to detail. However, Connie's true passion lies in fostering connections and guiding individuals through one of life's most significant decisions—buying or selling a home. Thus, she transitioned to traditional real estate, where she spent years honing her skills in working with buyers and sellers.In 2015, driven by a desire to build a collaborative and supportive environment, Connie opened her own brokerage. With a focus on organic growth, she meticulously built a team of several talented agents, fostering a culture that prioritizes both professional excellence and personal well-being. Connie's story exemplifies dedication, vision, and a commitment to building a life filled with professional success and personal fulfillment. Her passion for real estate is evident in her unwavering commitment to her clients, her team, and the growth of her brokerage.
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.
