Bethlehem offers small town living in the White Mountains
In the foothills of New Hampshire’s scenic White Mountains range, Bethlehem is a community-driven village defined by abundant outdoor amenities and a history dating back to the late 18th century. Elizabeth “Beth” Horan, Realtor and broker associate with Badger Peabody & Smith Realty, says many people come to this rural area for its year-round outdoor activities and natural destinations. “Recreational tourism is a big thing around here. Ski resorts and state parks are some of Bethlehem’s largest employers,” she says. “Families are also drawn by the good schools and small class sizes.” While Bethlehem’s commercial amenities are limited, residents are less than 10 minutes from nearby Littleton, which has a more established downtown and shopping at big-box retailers. Bethlehem has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, significantly lower than the national average of 4 and the lowest possible score.
Housing options range from starter homes to vacation estates
Bethlehem features a wide array of housing options, spanning starter homes to vacation estates. “There’s a lot of older New England real estate around here, lots of historic chalets and farmhouses,” Horan says. People often buy vacant lots in the more rural parts of town to build custom homes. Bethlehem’s historic downtown and village center offers Craftsman-style homes, American Foursquares and renovated New Englanders. Ranchers and manufactured homes dot downtown and rural Bethlehem. While pricing varies significantly from place to place, most turnkey single-family homes here cost between $190,000 and $490,000. Larger mountainside estates with scenic views have sold from $650,000 to just over $1 million. Many are second homes or vacation properties and are occupied seasonally. Overall, Bethlehem’s median single-family home price hovers around $370,000.
Four-season recreation covers hiking trails to ski resorts
Bethlehem’s rural setting in the White Mountains region makes it an ideal spot to access nature and outdoor recreation that lasts all four seasons. “It’s so nice here that vacation homeowners often come for summer and end up staying throughout the fall, winter and even spring, because there’s always something to do,” Horan says. She notes that in the summertime, the Bethlehem Gazebo park area hosts a free concert series with live music every Sunday. Hiking and biking trails weave throughout the area, and places like Bretzfelder Memorial Park, town forests and Mount Agassiz all offer trail access. In the winter, many trails are used for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Horan says nearby resorts like Bretton Woods and Cannon Mountain offer Alpine and Nordic skiing. There are two 18-hole golf courses in Bethlehem, one open to the public at Maplewood Golf Course and Inn, and one at Bethlehem Country Club, a private facility. The village’s parks and recreation department maintains community athletic amenities, including the town pool, tennis courts and a skate park.
Profile School earns A ratings
White Mountains School Administration Unit 35, also known as SAU 35, is the regional school district that serves students across Bethlehem and three other nearby towns: Easton, Franconia and Sugar Hill. Prekindergarten through sixth-grade students can attend Bethlehem Elementary School, which receives an A-minus rating from Niche. SAU 35 has one junior high school and one senior high school that students from all four towns go to. Both schools are housed in the same building, collectively known as the Profile School. Grades seven and eight learn at the A-rated Profile Junior High School, while ninth through 12th-grade students attend Profile Senior High, rated A-minus.
Dining in downtown Bethlehem, big shopping in Littleton
Bethlehem’s shopping and dining options line Main Street in the historic downtown area. There are several local cafes and restaurants here, including Rosa Flamingos, a cozy Italian eatery, and the active Rek-Lis Brewing Company, where patrons can enjoy pub grub, pints and live entertainment. Antique and vintage stores, small businesses and farm cooperatives make up the rest of the town’s commercial scene. Bethlehem Village Store sells basic groceries and household goods, but people often run errands in nearby Littleton. Less than 7 miles away, the Littleton Commons shopping area has Shaw’s supermarket and big-box retailers like Walmart, Home Depot and T.J. Maxx. Downtown Littleton packs boutiques, event venues and art galleries in a walkable area along the Ammonoosuc River.
U.S. Route 302 serves commuters
There is no public transit system in Bethlehem or nearby Littleton, so people rely on cars for daily transportation. U.S. Route 302 runs through the village and downtown area; commuters can take the route east to access U.S. Route 3 or travel west toward Littleton and Interstate 93. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport and Burlington International Airport each take about two hours to drive to without traffic. Littleton Regional Healthcare is 10 miles away and operates a 24-hour emergency department.
