Part of the Monadnock Region, Keene, 56 miles from Manchester, is Cheshire County’s regional hub. It includes the Chesire Medical Center, Keene State College and a thriving downtown. Rural areas surround Keene’s dense urban core, so nature lovers can enjoy bucolic scenery without long drives out of town. Around 17,000 people work in Keene, which has most of the county's retail, healthcare, science and technical services jobs. As of 2023, Keene has a population of 22,917, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. With more people working from home since the pandemic, New Hampshire is seeing a rise in population due to the lack of sales tax and income tax, along with access to nature, says Diana Elfreich, a resident and real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan in Keene. As Keene grows, the city aims to update its downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, according to Keene’s Comprehensive Master Plan, with sustainability and accessibility in mind.
The city of Keene offers a vast selection of parks, trails, and outdoor opporunities for any adventure seekers.
Some Keene residents enjoy taking a stroll down Main St to explore a multitude of shopping and dining options.
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Mountains, parks and lakes near Keene
Keene has all four seasons, with snow from November through April and summers in the high 70s and low 80s. During the fall and spring, temperatures slowly drop or increase, respectively, gearing up for the next season. “We have lots of leaf peepers,” notes Elfreich. “People come in the fall to look at the leaves.”
Many are drawn to Keene because of its access to nature. With Mount Snow in Vermont a little over an hour away and surrounded by ski resorts, trails, parks and lakes. The city has local and drivable locations where residents can enjoy hot summer days and snowy winter weather. At Wheelock Park, residents may swim in the pool or catch a Little League baseball game at the sports fields. Children can play on the colorful play structure, and bikers can test their moves at the bike park. Bretwood Golf Course is a private, 36-hole course with views of covered bridges over the Ashuelot River. Greater Goose Pond Forest has over 1,000 acres of greenery, veined with trails and a 42-acre pond.
Enter Wheelock Park and explore an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities in Keene.
Immerse yourself in nature and take a hike along the trails inside the Greater Goose Pond State Forest in Keene.
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Multi-unit homes in city center
Many of Keene’s amenities and homes are clustered in its thriving downtown. The gridded streets have commercial buildings alongside single-family, multifamily and multi-unit residences. Outside the city center, single and multifamily homes line winding roadways. Split-level, Colonial Revival and minimal traditional styles are common in the area. The median home price is $350,000, well below the national median of $406,100 reported by the National Association of Realtors. “We have lots of snowbirds,” says Elfreich. “They’ll be in Keene for x amount of months and then go to Florida. They all go at different times.”
Violent crime in Keene decreased 14.28% from 2023 to 2024, while property crime decreased 23.15% from 2023 to 2024.
You'll find a vast selection of Colonial Revival-style homes in Keene.
Minimal Traditional-style homes are becoming more popular in the downtown Keene area.
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Locally owned businesses and national retailers near downtown
Main Street cuts through the center of downtown, bordered by locally owned businesses and restaurants, from Thai to Italian. Artistic centers like The Colonial Theatre, the Keene Public Library and the Cheshire Children’s Museum also inhabit downtown, hosting events and programs throughout the year. For more nationally known retailers and restaurants, residents head less than a mile outside downtown to shopping malls like Riverside Plaza, Monadnock Marketplace and others with businesses like Home Depot, ALDI and Walmart.
Keep an eye on the event calendar at the Colonial Theatre in Keene and catch a show with your family and friends.
The Keene Public Library opened its doors to residents in 1898.
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Keene State College, a major employer
Keene is served by the Keene School District, which receives a C-plus from Niche. The city is also home to Keene State College, a major employer in the area that is known for its programs in education and health sciences.
Keene Middle School has an overall Niche grade of C.
The David F. Putnam Science Center at Keene State College aims to provide students with a wealth of knowledge.
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Commuting on state Routes 9 and 12
Keene is at the intersection of many major roadways. Commuters may reach Manchester and the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, 70 miles away, using state Route 9. By taking state Route 12, residents can reach Boston in 2 hours. Keene has its own bus system, City Express, and has routes around the city with stops by the Cheshire Medical Center and Market Basket.
Ice sculpture competitions
In February, ice sculptures line the streets of downtown as professional ice carvers from all over New England compete. Residents enjoy the sculptures during the Keene Ice and Snow Festival competition while watching street-side circus acts or making s’mores by a campfire. In August, music fills the air during the Keene Music Festival as more than 80 bands perform around downtown Keene, representing different music styles and genres.
Religious holidays and services are held at local houses of worship, such as Monadnock Covenant Church, Congregation Ahavas Achim, The United Church of Christ of Keene and others.
Make sure you walk around downtown Keene and take a look at the professionally carved ice sculptures in February.
You will find ice sculptures around every corner in downtown Keene during the month of February.
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Written By
Isabella Pontecorvo
Photography Contributed By
Kyle Cook
Video By
Everett Hall-McNeill
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Shane Lampinen,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Keene, NH sell after 23 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Keene, NH over the last 12 months is $350,000, down 13% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Charming 1925 Bungalow in N Swanzey, just minutes From downtown Keene and amenities.This 2-bedroom bungalow offers convenient one-level living and a great blend of classic character and modern improvements. Recent upgrades include some new windows and added insulation in the attic and basement for enhanced comfort and efficiency. While the home is move-in ready, it still offers the
Welcome to easy living in this nice 3-bedroom townhouse, ideally located in a desirable Keene community. This thoughtfully designed home offers a sought-after first-floor primary bedroom with en suite bath, providing comfort and convenience for everyday living. Upstairs, you'll find two spacious bedrooms, a full bath, and a convenient second-floor laundry area. The sun-filled porch offers the
Fully Renovated 4-Bedroom Home in the Heart of Downtown Keene!Welcome to this beautifully remodeled single-family home, ideally located in vibrant downtown Keene, NH. Offering the perfect blend of charm, space, and modern updates, this move-in-ready 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home is filled with thoughtful design and quality craftsmanship throughout.Step inside to discover a bright and
Keene’s landmark Colony Mill has been fully renovated, and now features 89 pet-friendly loft apartments with sleek, modern kitchens, in-unit washer/dryer, central air, on-site fitness center, community gathering room, theatre room, Wifi lounge and off-street parking! Residents of Colony Mill are also sure to love the easy walk to Keene’s quaint downtown, which offers an excellent array of dining,
Charming 3-bedroom, 1-bath colonial near the heart of downtown Keene. This spacious home features large, freshly painted bedrooms, a bright and inviting front sun room, recently renovated 2nd floor bathroom, and a private backyard—perfect for relaxing or entertaining. Don’t miss this opportunity to call this lovely single family your home! Off-street parking for 2-4 vehicles. Tenant is
Apartment living located in downtown Keene. Beautiful new apartments with granite counter tops in both the kitchen and bathrooms, stainless steel appliances, washer/ dryer hookups in every apartment, ceiling fans, central air and 24 hour emergency maintenance. When you live at Washington Park of Keene you are only a short walk (one block) away from all that Keene's tree lined main street has
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