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 into 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, but it continues to grow as more people move to the area for a lower cost of living. 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 in January 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 area 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 competition while watching streetside circus acts or making s’mores by a campfire. In the summer, music fills the air 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
Michelle Peterson,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Keene, NH sell after 30 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Keene, NH over the last 12 months is $375,000, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Quaint cottage only minutes from bustling downtown Keene. This 2 bed 1 bath home features 60 ft frontage on scenic Wilson Pond with private backyard. Includes updated kitchen, some hardwood floors, and multi-car driveway. Ideal for first timers or those looking for a tranquil second home away from home.
Offered for the first time, this custom-built 3-bedroom, 4-bath residence is privately sited at the end of a tree-lined drive on nearly 10 acres of manicured grounds, meadows, and woodland in a cherished location in Keene. With enduring quality and craftsmanship, the home features a light-filled layout with soaring ceilings, custom millwork, and a seamless flow between spaces. The gourmet kitchen
Welcome to Kennedy Drive Keene NH! This New Construction Home is just getting started which makes for great timing to pick the colors and finishes and make this home your own! 3 bedroom 2 full bath home featuring large open kitchen dining and living room with cathedral ceiling and access to the back deck. Primary bedroom with dual closets and full bathroom, two additional bedrooms with common
Quaint cottage only minutes from bustling downtown Keene. This 2 bed 1 bath home features 60 ft frontage on scenic Wilson Pond with private backyard. Includes updated kitchen, some hardwood floors, and multi-car driveway. Ideal for first timers or those looking for a tranquil second home away from home.
Offered for the first time, this custom-built 3-bedroom, 4-bath residence is privately sited at the end of a tree-lined drive on nearly 10 acres of manicured grounds, meadows, and woodland in a cherished location in Keene. With enduring quality and craftsmanship, the home features a light-filled layout with soaring ceilings, custom millwork, and a seamless flow between spaces. The gourmet kitchen
Welcome to Kennedy Drive Keene NH! This New Construction Home is just getting started which makes for great timing to pick the colors and finishes and make this home your own! 3 bedroom 2 full bath home featuring large open kitchen dining and living room with cathedral ceiling and access to the back deck. Primary bedroom with dual closets and full bathroom, two additional bedrooms with common
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,
Introducing an exceptional 3BD/2BA townhouse apartment in the sought-after West Keene area! This rental opportunity offers a prime location near the Rail/trail system, shopping, schools, and the Keene Country Club. The apartment boasts a stunning updated kitchen with granite counters, under mount sink, electric range top, recessed lights, and pantry. Throughout the space, you'll find beautiful
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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