Bucolic Lyme rich with outdoor recreation and community spirit
Lyme is a rural community on New Hampshire's border with Vermont, 10 miles from Dartmouth College. On the shores of the Connecticut River, the town has patchworks of farmland between rolling hills ripe with opportunities for hiking, snowmobiling and skiing. Residents often lend a helping hand to one another and their community, putting on town events and volunteering. "Bigger picture: Lyme is part of the Upper Valley of New Hampshire, and the draw to the Upper Valley is quality of life," says Lori Shipulski, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices, Upper Valley Realty. Shipulski lives in the Upper Valley and has over seven years of experience in the industry. "This is especially true in Lyme, it's a special little community where people know each other, where you can feel like you're part of the community. It's a very beautiful, bucolic, New England setting in Lyme and just a profound sense of community in that town."
Seasonal community events
"There is a ... town green. They do community gatherings, chili cook-offs, that kind of thing," says Shipulski. "For holidays, they raise money for certain organizations. It's that kind of community with Lymies; they call themselves Lymies." In October, the Pumpkin Festival features ghosts, witches and skeletons parading around the common area. The costumed attendees may participate in games, a pumpkin carving contest and face painting. For the Utility Club's Annual Tree Festival in December, over 70 trees decorate the common. Residents may sponsor a tree or take one home. All proceeds go to civic groups and scholarships. A group of residents formed an organization called Those Guys to help residents in need. "They will go and help with a party. They have a tent you can rent, and they'll come and put it up," says Shipulski. "When someone's bridge was washed out during a flood, they came and rebuilt the bridge." The Lyme Congregational Church and the First Baptist Church of Lyme Center also hold community events such as a Christmas pageant, community breakfasts and a holiday bazaar.
Revival-style homes near major routes and farmland
Homes here are set along winding roadways, and most are surrounded by open space and farmland. The largest concentration of houses is along Dartmouth College Highway, near the municipal buildings and retailers. Most homes rely on septic systems and wells for water and sewage. Colonial Revival, saltbox and Dutch Colonial Revival are common styles. They range from $430,000 to $895,000. Larger homes range from $1.1 million to $2.2 million.
Skiing, snowmobiling and fishing in Lyme's waterways and mountains
Dartmouth Skiway is on Holts Ledge and offers seasonal skiing and snowboarding. The facility also provides lessons and a lodge. Part of the Appalachian Trail passes through Holts Ledge and Smarts Mountain. The Lyme Pinnacle Snowmobile Club maintains trails throughout the area. The club also attends community events in the Upper Valley area. The Lyme Recreation department offers youth programs throughout the year, such as basketball, baseball, soccer and skiing. Chase Beach borders Post Pond and has a sand area for relaxing and swimming, surrounded by open greenery with a boat launch, kayak rental and hard-top courts for tennis and basketball. Anglers may also fish in the pond and other waterways within Lyme, such as Grant Brook. Residents also boat and fish along the Connecticut River.
Students can attend A-rated schools
School Administrative Unit 76 serves the area. Lyme School gets an A from Niche for kindergarten through eighth grade. Students have school choice for high schools and may attend schools in neighboring towns, such as Hanover High, which gets an A-plus, in the School Administrative Unit 70, which gets an A-plus. In March, the high school offers one-week specialty courses that allow students to learn outside the normal curriculum. While each year is different, the intensive classes have included creating children's literature, climate action, cooking, home repair and graphic storytelling.
State Route 10 leads to Dartmouth College and Hanover
Shipulski says Dartmouth College and the medical center are also bring residents to the area. State Route 10 leads 10 miles to Dartmouth College in Hanover and 14 miles to Lebanon. The route also leads 13 miles to Bradford, Vermont. Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center is 13 miles away, and Lebanon Municipal Airport is 20 miles away.
Shopping and dining along Main Street
Stella's Italian Kitchen and Café is on Main Street and serves Greek, Italian and American classics in a cozy, rustic setting. Lyme Country Store offers grab-and-go sandwiches, fresh produce and other groceries and convenience items. The Lyme Inn is home to Ariana's Restaurant, which has an upscale atmosphere and serves modern American food and drinks. Lebanon, 14 miles away, has a collection of shopping centers along its Main Street with stores like Walmart, Best Buy and Target. Groceries are also available in Lebanon at Shaw's and Hannaford.
Possible flooding of waterways
The Connecticut River borders Lyme, and Grant Brook runs through the area. Both may flood during inclement weather. The town of Lyme has resources for residents at risk of flooding and has instituted zoning ordinances for new buildings near waterways. The Connecticut River also has several dams to help with flood control.
![Isabella Pontecorvo]()
Written By
Isabella Pontecorvo
