Peaceful rural living in Candia
Candia is a rural town in Rockingham County, southeastern New Hampshire, with a population of about 4,100. Homes are nestled among maple trees and wooded areas, with farms, stone walls and flowing rivers scattered across the landscape. Candia has little commerce, and shopping and dining options are in the neighboring towns of Hookset and Raymond. The town shares a public school district with Hooksett and Auburn, and major state routes pass through the community. “It’s a small town with lots of farms that has easy access to Route 101,” says Angeline Gorham, who is a Realtor at BHHS Verani Realty Hampstead with over 5 years of experience. “And it’s a place where you can get a bit more land and privacy.”
Single-family homes in Candia have a wide price range
Tucked behind dense woodlands, houses in Candia are spread apart and sit alongside winding country roads. Properties were built throughout the ages, spanning from the 1800s to the 2020s. The median home price is $570,000, which is higher than the national median of approximately $400,000. Single-family Cape Cods, ranch-styles, split-levels and raised ranches can go from $300,000 to about $600,000. Larger Colonial Revivals and farmhouses, those over 2,500 square feet, often sell between $650,000 and $950,000. Several sprawling custom-built mansions with private barns and stables can list close to $2 million.
Outdoor recreation places around Candia
The town has many conservation lands, and popular hiking areas include Deerfield Road and Dennis Lewis Town Forests and Tower Hill Pond Trail. Moore Park features an athletic field, a skateboard park, a playground and a basketball court. The nine-hole Candia Woods Golf Links is open to the public and offers tee times, instructions, and events such as couples golf nights. Candia Youth Athletic Association offers many youth sports programs. The southeastern tip of Bear Brook State Park falls into Candia. The park offers 40 miles of trails for hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers. Beaver Pond is a popular fishing and swimming spot at the state park. “People can also take Route 101 and head to the beach,” Gorham says. ”Hampton is about 30 minutes away.”
Candia is part of School Administrative Unit 15
Candia is served by School Administrative Unit 15. Henry W. Moore School serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade and gets a B rating from Niche. For grades nine through 12, students may attend Pinkerton Academy, which has a C-plus score and is an independent school contracted by the school district. Pinkerton offers many career pathway programs, including animal science, engineering and environmental science. The private Christian high school, Jesse Remington High School, rates a B-plus.
Shopping and dining options in Hooksett and Manchester
Several establishments are located along Old Candia Road, including The Town Cabin Deli & Pub. Stubby's Diner is about a block away and serves breakfast classics. Bordering Candia on the west side, the neighboring town of Hooksett has many shopping options, ranging from chain grocery stores like Shaw’s and Market Basket to big-box retailers such as Target and Walmart. “Manchester is about 15 minutes away, and there are all sorts of shopping and dining options,” Gorham says.
Navigating to the Seacoast region of New Hampshire
New Hampshire state Routes 27, 43 and 101 pass through Candia. Route 101 provides access to the state’s Seacoast region, which includes towns such as Dover and Portsmouth. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is about 15 miles southwest, and Elliot Hospital is about 10 miles away.
Community events in Candia
Located on the west side of town, Charmingfare Farms has a petting zoo and many community events throughout the year, including a teddy bear picnic in the summer, a pumpkin festival in October, and holiday festivities like Santa’s Big Party, Sleigh Ride Social and Lighted Winter Wonderland. Candia Old Home Day celebrates the town with a parade, and the community has a monthly farmers market day in the summer.
