Small-town charm and waterfront access in New Hampshire
Milton is a quiet community centered around the Three Ponds along the New Hampshire/Maine border, 85 miles northwest of Boston. "We have ponds, lakes and streams. It's amazing," says Lisa Kaminski, a Realtor with Re/Max Innovative Properties who has over 25 years of experience. "We're so incredibly green it almost hurts your eyes." Tourism and manufacturing are key industries, but many workers commute to other towns, like Portsmouth, for employment. "You'll have both community and privacy," Kaminski says. "You're living in New Hampshire, an amazing state with amazing water views and access, and you're only a mile and a half from the highway. What's not to love?"
Three Ponds, trails and parks
Town House Pond, Milton Pond and Northeast Pond are the main attractions in Milton. "The whole area is called 'Three Ponds,'" Kaminski says. "People are fishing, swimming, boating, jet skiing... It's a nice area." Milton Town Beach is on Town House Pond, offering sand volleyball, a nautical-themed playground, and picnic tables and grills for a cookout. Anglers can cast their lines in the pond for largemouth bass and white perch. In Plummer's Ridge Forest & Farm, hikers and dog walkers can explore the Branch River Trail System; birders may spot ovenbirds, red-eyed vireos and black-capped chickadees. Waumbeck Park is another highlight for its charming gazebo and tranquil dam that cascades over the spillway.
Historic homes and waterfront views
Milton's single-family homes are generally a mix of farmhouse, ranch and bungalow styles from the mid- to late 20th century, but there are a handful of historic 19th-century homes as well. "These are not estate-sized lots," Kaminski says. "They're cottage lots, an acre or under." Waterfront homes on the Three Ponds are at the top of the town's price range, typically set along country roads lined with mature trees. Decks, private docks and multi-car garages are frequent additions. There are also a few pockets of minimal manufactured homes built over the past 25 years. "For most people, this is a primary residence," Kaminski says. "Some cabins and cottages are little weekend places, but people are here year-round." The median home price in Milton is about $430,000, compared to $800,000 in Portsmouth.
Attending Milton District schools
Milton is part of the Milton School District, which serves about 500 students and receives a D-minus from Niche. State test scores show that 17% of students are proficient in math and 26% in reading. The district is working to improve its performance by upgrading facilities, supporting teacher development and gathering community input. Teens at Nute High may take dual-enrollment courses for college credit through the Community College System of NH partnership.
Grabbing a bite in town
There are a handful of small businesses in town. McKenzie's Farm offers fresh produce, baked goods and locally sourced meats and dairy. To start the morning, there's a Dunkin' for coffee and pastries, and cash-only Bucky's Skillet is across the street with homestyle brunch fare, like cast iron cheddar biscuits smothered in sausage gravy. For a quick bite, New China Pond has takeout favorites like shrimp pad thai and Szechuan-spiced pork, while family-owned Pizza Nook serves up comfort food like chicken tenders, footlong subs and specialty pizzas. For beer and billiards, Three Ponds Tavern & Restaurant is a laid-back dive with New England seafood, including clam chowder and fried haddock.
Events to celebrate the seasons
Milton Town Beach hosts the annual Milton Summer Kick-Off each June to celebrate community and warm weather. The event includes games, vendors and food trucks. Throughout the year, there are also a handful of holiday traditions, like costumed trunk-or-treating at the Halloween Spooktacular and photo ops and pancakes at Breakfast with Santa.
Getting around from Milton
Residents drive to get around. State Routes 135 and 16 pass through Milton; the latter grants leads to Portsmouth, 32 miles away, and Boston, 85 miles away. Ten miles away in Rochester, Cooperative Alliance For Seacoast Transportation buses offer a direct route to Portsmouth. Huggins Hospital is 19 miles away, and Portsmouth International Airport is 29 miles away.
Winter snow and flood zones
Milton receives 63 inches of snow annually, which can cause travel and school delays. Homes around the Three Ponds have a 1% annual risk of flooding.
