Atkinson blends rural living with suburban accessibility
Atkinson is a rural town that borders Salem, New Hampshire, and Haverhill, Massachusetts. Proximity to these larger communities has brought residential development to Atkinson. “It still has a country feel, but there’s easy access to travel and shopping,” says Angeline Gorham, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices who has lived in the region for around 30 years.
Volunteer groups work to maintain the town’s historic character and to protect the remaining forests and undeveloped land. “At one time, it was a farming and dairy community, but nearby interstates allowed it to become more of a bedroom community,” says Kate Rochford, the president of the Atkinson Historical Society. “We still have a few working farms that sell produce in the summertime.”
Historic homes and newer developments
Knee-high stone walls line the edges of Main Street, and behind them rest Colonial-era homes and Cape Cods. Side streets fan outward from there, leading to wooded neighborhoods. Atkinson has a mix of historic housing and newer, traditional-style residences in planned developments. Single-family home sales generally fall between $450,000 and $1.65 million, and owners maintain their own wells and septic systems.
Buyers may also find stand-alone condos or units in multistory complexes, and prices often range from $460,000 to $1.04 million. Townhouses tend to sell between $420,000 and $720,000. Condos and townhouses are connected to shared septic systems and wells.
Schools in Atkinson and Plaistow
From prekindergarten through fifth grade, children may attend Atkinson Academy, which earns a B-plus on Niche. The school dates back to 1803, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Timberlane Regional Middle School and Timberlane Regional High School share a campus in neighboring Plaistow, and both rate a B-minus. The campus is also home to a science pond and the Timberland Performing Arts Center, a nearly 1,000-seat theater where students perform concerts and plays.
Trails, golf and equestrian training
Atkinson residents have access to a variety of recreation. Lacrosse teams can practice at the Collins Park fields. Woodlock Park offers ballfields, tennis courts and a playground. The Atkinson Riding Academy specializes in training horses and riders for competitive jumping and dressage, and the Atkinson Resort & Country Club has an 18-hole golf course that is open to the public.
The Atkinson Conservation Commission protects the town's eight forests, each of which has walking trails. The Caroline Orr Town Forest spans almost 60 acres behind the Atkinson Community Center, and its trails are open for hiking, seasonal bow hunting and walking leashed dogs. Ruth Stickney Town Forest has a multiuse loop trail along the edges of Big Island Pond. There’s a small canoe and kayak launch along the trail, and some hunting is allowed in the fall.
Seasonal events and community engagement in Atkinson
Locals gather for events throughout the year. “People are very engaged in supporting our community,” Gorham says. The Memorial Day Parade runs from the town hall to Dow Common, where a monument honors soldiers. There is a town-wide cookout at the fire station afterwards. The fire department and the Atkinson Lions Club also organize a summertime antique car show at the town common. “In December, Santa comes and lights up the tree in Dow Common. Kids can sit on Santa’s lap, and then people go into the firehouse for treats and activities,” Gorham says.
In-town businesses, plus more options in Plaistow and Salem
Although Atkinson is relatively rural, there are a few in-town businesses. The Atkinson Village Store stocks snacks and craft beer, and it also offers subs and lobster bisque for takeout. Sit-down dining is available at the Stagecoach Grille, an upscale restaurant overlooking the Atkinson Resort & Country Club’s golf course.
Plaistow is directly east of town, and it has Shaw’s and Market Basket, as well as big-box stores like Walmart and Home Depot. The Mall at Rockingham Park, in nearby Salem, is less than 10 miles from most Atkinson homes. A variety of restaurants line South Broadway in Salem, including Tomo Japanese Steakhouse and Kashmir Indian Cuisine.
Proximity to highways, train travel and emergency care
Residents depend on cars for travel, and state Route 121 runs through the center of the community. Interstate 495 is about 5 miles south, in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Downtown Haverhill also has a train station where riders can catch Amtrak trains or link up with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter rail system. The closest emergency facility is the Plaistow Emergency Room, approximately 3 miles from the center of town, and the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is around 20 miles northwest.
