Hampstead is a quiet New Hampshire community near the state border
Hampstead is a rural community with plenty of outdoor attractions and access to major highways. The town was formed in 1739 after New Hampshire and Massachusetts agreed on a new boundary line. Southern New Hampshire has long been supported by its agricultural industry and in 1816, Hampstead became home to the country's first honey factory. Outside of its farms, the town was originally known to attract seasonal visitors for its many waterfronts. Increased development around the 1950s saw its year-round population boom from 902 people in 1950 to nearly 7,000 residents by 1990. Today, Hampstead serves as a quiet community with access to nearby major cities. “It’s the quintessential southern New Hampshire community,” says Josh Naughton, broker for RE/MAX Innovative Properties, who’s been selling homes in the area for 23 years. “It’s not a ‘happening town,’ but that’s kind of the appeal to it. People like that it’s quiet but also has access to everything.”
Attractions on the water, nearby municipal facilities
The town’s three ponds — Wash Pond, Island Pond and Angle Pond — allow fishing and boating. Hampstead Town Beach is open from May to August and has a small sandy coast and easy swimming access to Wash Pond. "There’s a lot more summertime recreation here, but it's still very outdoorsy,” says Naughton. There are several nature preserves, including the West Road Conservation Area with 6 miles of hiking and biking trails. The Depot Road Field Playground has a playset and sports facilities for baseball and softball. Memorial Gym is a public facility with indoor exercise equipment and a basketball court, as well as outdoor tennis courts. And less than 10 miles east, the Granite Fields Golf Club offers a public 18-hole course for all skill levels.
Commuting via Route 111
There's no public transportation in Hampstead, so residents rely on cars to get around. State Route 111 leads 10 miles south to Salem. It also connects to Interstate 93, which leads 35 miles south to Boston. The closest hospital, Parkland Medical Center, is 10 miles west. Portsmouth International Airport is 40 miles north.
Older waterfront homes, condos and manufactured homes
Homebuyers can find some waterfront properties from the early 1900s, modern colonials, Cape Cods and a handful of contemporary houses built in the past 25 years. The oldest homes are scattered along the town's three ponds. Most properties sit along winding, forested roads with an acre-plus of land, though houses are closer together along Main Street. Single-family homes typically sell for $300,000 to $800,000, but waterfront houses usually range from $1 million to $2 million. Condos in Cranberry Meadows tend to sell for $400,000 to $500,000. There are also two 55-plus communities, Granite Village and Emerson Village, with manufactured homes that range from $100,000 to $400,000.
Well-rated public schools
Students may start at Atkinson Academy, which gets a B-plus from Niche, before going to Hampstead Middle, which earns an A-minus. Timberlane Regional High receives a B-minus and allows students to earn credits outside the classroom.
Shopping and dining in East Hampstead
In the northeast end of town, there’s a shopping center with Hannaford and Walgreens. Popular locally owned dining spots in town include The English Muffin for breakfast and lunch, and Pasta Loft Restaurant for brick oven pizzas. Village Square is another shopping center along Route 111 and includes Jamison’s, an upscale bar and grill. “A lot of border towns have really become more commercialized and developed over the last couple of years,” says Naughton.
Annual events from the Hampstead Civic Club
The Hampstead Civic Club helps put on events throughout the year. The town’s most popular event, the Independence Day Festival, features a craft fair, family activities, live music and fireworks. Each June, the Hampstead Amateur BBQ Competition seeks out the best pulled pork, burnt ends and wings, among other categories. There’s also a kids’ fishing derby in the summer and the town’s Junior Olympics in September, a tradition that's taken place for over 40 years.
Written By
Logan Soter-Reardon
