$481,939Average Value$303Average Price per Sq Ft8Homes For Sale
A quiet, less populated Lakes Region town
Aside from a few country stores, lakes and an elementary school, Barnstead is all rural land with sprawling residential lots. “People who want to be away from the traffic and vacationers at Lake Winnipesaukee choose Barnstead because it’s more relaxing,” says Associate Broker, Janet Sienko with Verani Realty of Berkshire Hathaway, who has over 30 years of experience in the Lakes Region. “It’s a nice bedroom community with access to New Hampshire amenities in all directions.” Situated under 20 miles from Concord and about 10 miles south of Alton, this sleepy town attracts homebuyers looking to live on the outskirts, a driving distance away from densely populated cities that have undergone more development.
A pair of kayakers on the pass by a row of lakeside homes on the Upper Suncook in Barnstead.
Flowers bloom along the main road in the rural town of Barnstead, NH.
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Getting out on the lakes
Most of Barnstead’s outdoor recreation occurs on the water. “Barnstead has the smaller Suncook Lakes that people use for swimming and fishing. They are lovely,” Sienko says. Roped off swimming areas, beaches and boat ramps can be found on Upper and Lower Suncook Lakes, as well as Halfmoon Lake in the northern section of town. These lakes host summer camps for children, who stay in cabins in the surrounding forested areas. While Barnstead’s local watersheds are fully recreational, Lake Winnipesaukee, about 20 miles away, is a popular vacation spot. As the largest lake in the state, Winnipesaukee has hundreds of islands and miles to explore, along with campgrounds, marinas and resorts.
A boater enjoying the Upper Suncook Lake alongside a row of lakeside homes in Barnstead, NH.
The swimming area at the Endicott Rock Park beach at Weirs Beach in Laconia, NH.
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Farm-to-table goods in Barnstead
Barnstead encourages supporting small, regional businesses, with its only big-box option being the Dollar General. Otherwise, fresh meats are sourced from The Local Butcher and Half A Penny Farm, and the Barnstead Farmers Market sells fresh produce on Saturdays. The White Buffalo Trading Post features a family-run general store and restaurant for dine-in, take-out and delivery. The Fox and Crow Farm & Country Store is known for its locally themed gift shop and farm-sourced food, such as eggs and meats. For more groceries and everyday needs, Alton has a Hannaford, while Rochester offers the closest Market Basket and Walmart.
The White Buffalo Trading Post is a popular local stop for residents in Barnstead, NH.
The Over The Moon Farmstead Taproom has a wide range of award winning beers and wines.
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Coming together for Barnstead events
While Barnstead exudes privacy, locals can gather for the occasional community event. The Barnstead Parade Grounds, where the farmers market takes place, hosts a concert series every Saturday during the summer, spotlighting genres from Broadway show tunes to classic rock. This venue also holds the annual Old Home Day festival, a day with countless activities that celebrate the town. Participants can join the bike parade, peruse the vendors or compete in the cornhole tournaments. For those who want to improve upon their archery skills or send their child to swimming lessons, Barnstead’s Parks & Rec team has classes and sessions during the warmer months.
Classic New England architecture on sizeable lots
Ranch styles, Capes and colonials line the country roads of Barnstead. Typically, streets are void of sidewalks, providing a secluded, rural feel. Most homes have modest front lawns and large back yards with enough space for gazebos, pools or barns. With the exception of a few outliers on either end of the range, houses tend to sell between $350,000 and $500,000. With numerous lakes and reservoirs in the neighborhood, waterfront homes with private docks and small beaches are plentiful and typically hold a higher price tag, up to about $800,000. “Homes on the water tend to be more seasonal, but there are a lot of year-round residents mixed in, too,” Sienko says. Other pricier homes in Barnstead sit on acres of property with expansive farmland for animals and vegetation.
A row of Colonial and Cape Cod inspired homes in the Barnstead neighborhood.
An updated Colonial styled home along main street in Barnstead, NH with solar panels.
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Public schools in Barnstead and Alton
Children in prekindergarten through eighth grade can attend Barnstead Elementary School, which earns a C-minus grade on Niche. Students can then head about 7 to 10 miles northeast to Alton for Prospect Mountain High, which scores a B-minus grade. The Prospect Mountain Timberwolves have 15 different athletic programs to choose from, including Special Olympics Unified Sports teams for soccer, basketball and outdoor track. Niche also ranks Prospect Mountain High in the top 10% for best teachers in the state, and the school’s average graduation rate is over 90%.
An aerial of the Barnstead Elementary School in Barnstead, NH.
Prospect Mountain High School in Alton, NH.
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Barnstead transportation, health care and houses of worship
Because the town lacks public transportation, the area remains heavily car dependent, though residents can be seen walking or biking along the neighborhood’s wide streets. State Route 28 runs through the center of Barnstead, issuing access to Manchester and to Route 202 toward Concord, under 20 miles away. For air travel, the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is under 40 miles away. While many amenities are accessible in nearby small towns, like Alton and Rochester, locals head to the state capital for health care. Concord also has the closest synagogue and masjid, though Barnstead offers a few Christian church options.
An aerial overview of Barnstead, NH with Route 28 running through the town.
The quite roads of the Barnstead neighborhood are a great place to ride a bicycle around town.
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Written By
Grace Pitney
Photography Contributed By
Sam Adams
Video By
Brandon Flash Craigie
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Lee Ann Parks,
an experienced agent in this area.
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.
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On average, homes in Barnstead, NH sell after 38 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Barnstead, NH over the last 12 months is $414,000, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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