Epping is a rural New Hampshire town at the ‘center of the universe’
Epping is a rural New Hampshire town situated in the wooded countryside between Manchester and the coastal city of Portsmouth. The town’s 7,000 residents live on quiet residential streets surrounded by dense forests, trickling creeks and flat farmland. The town is a hub for surrounding rural towns, largely because it sits at the intersection of State Route 101 and 125. It’s also home to two auto tracks that are known to draw a crowd for weekend stock and drag racing. “It’s a nice little town. People call it the ‘center of the universe’ because it’s so close to everything, and it's at the crossroads of two highways. But our big claim to fame is that three New Hampshire governors have lived here,” says Mike Fecteau of Keller Williams Realty, who grew up in Epping and still lives there today.
Homes, townhomes and condos with small-town surroundings
Epping offers a wide range of housing, with everything from vintage Saltbox homes and Folk Victorians to recently built Traditional and Colonial Revival styles. The town’s Main Street area feels a bit more like small-town America, with older homes and vintage architecture, but newer subdivisions and large rural properties are also available. “The people who are moving are here are looking for a small town with a slower pace of life. We get a lot of folks looking to get out of the city,” Fecteau says. Prices range from $400,000 to $1 million, depending on their size, age and acreage. Those looking for less upkeep might also consider a condo or town home. They typically sell for between $400,000 and $700,000.
Outdoor recreation is never far away in Epping
Locals can take advantage of plenty of community parks, trails and woodland reserves in the area. Among the most popular is Pawtuckaway State Park, just west of Epping. It’s one of the largest state parks in southern New Hampshire, extending from Pawtuckaway Lake out to the rolling hills and mountains outside Manchester. It draws thousands of visitors in the summertime for boating, fishing and hiking along the water. Within Epping, residents can play little league ball at Mary Blair Park or get some exercise on the Alphabet Trail at Fox Run Conservation Area. There's also the Rockingham Recreational Trail, a multi-use trail that cuts through town along the site of a former rail line.
Main Street shops, restaurants and big box stores
Epping’s Main Street area is home to a handful of local shops and restaurants. Holy Grail Food & Spirits is a popular Irish pub in a renovated, century-old church building. “It’s a destination restaurant. People come from miles around to visit,” Fecteau says. Down the street, the community gathers at Telly’s Restaurant & Pizzeria for pizza and live music. Big box stores, grocers and chain restaurants are found near the intersection of routes 101 and 125, including a Walmart, a Lowe’s and a Market Basket grocery store. Auto racing is part of the culture in Epping. There are two tracks with weekly events — New England Dragway and Star Speedway. “The racetracks have been there since I was kid. New England Dragway has some big national events, but they also do a grudge night every Wednesday where anyone can race,” Fecteau says.
Students attend schools in the Epping School District
Students can start their education at Epping Elementary School, which gets a C-plus rating from Niche. The next step is Epping Middle High School, right next door. Although Epping Middle High School is considered one entity, the middle and high school are rated separately by Niche, and both get a C-plus. The school offers a wide range of AP courses, extracurriculars and career technical education for those who want to learn a trade. Its graduation rate is 86%, and about half of the school’s students go on to a two- or four-year college.
Getting around southeast New Hampshire
Epping sits at the crossroads of State Routes 101 and 125, both heavily trafficked commuter corridors. It’s about 23 miles west of Manchester and 19 miles east of coastal Portsmouth, the two nearest cities. Boston is about 62 miles away — or just over an hour without traffic. The town doesn’t have any public transportation options, so residents will likely need a car to get around. Elliot Hospital in Manchester is the nearest medical center.
