Downtown Nashua
Nashua's lively Main Street and downtown atmosphere
Probably the most popular part of living downtown is being so close to all the action - and within short distance of all the bars and restaurants that Main Street has to offer. "It has that nostalgic kind of feel with brick buildings on either side. It's pretty expansive in terms of options when it comes to restaurant choices and specialty shops," D'Arcangelo says of downtown Nashua. "It's busy and lively."Surf is one of the popular new spots on Main Street, owned by Michael Buckley, who also owns several eateries like Mike's Italian Kitchen and Lost Cowboy Brewing Company. Surf features a fresh seafood menu that includes sushi, Korean barbecue scallops and lobster fries. For something a little spicier, New Taj has some of the best curry, naan and tikka masala in town. Other local favorites include Peddler's Daughter, which is a lively Irish pub right on the riverfront, or Martha's Exchange Restaurant and Brewery, which still has its candy counter from the early 1900s.
North of downtown proper is the corner of Main Street and Railroad Square. Right on the corner is Riverwalk Bakery & Café, which was twice named the best coffee shop in the state by New Hampshire Magazine. Its bright blue exterior and trendy interior make it a modern stop along a historic street. Fody's Great American Tavern next door resides in the oldest brick building in the city. Once serving as a hotel, a brothel and a town meeting place all at different times, Fody's is now a popular spot to have a drink, play trivia on weeknights and peruse a comforting menu of dishes such as, hearty pasta, roasted chicken or cottage pie.
Locals can head 6 miles south on Main Street until it meets up with Route 3 to reach Nashua's major retail district and Pheasant Lane Mall. The mall has dozens of chain stores, shops and restaurants, and surrounding retailers like Costco and Trader Joe's are right on the Massachusetts border. Or, shoppers can head just 2 miles west on Amherst Street to reach spots like Hannaford, Whole Foods and Walmart. Also along Amherst are chain restaurants, car dealerships, Leda Lanes bowling alley and a few friendly dive bars.
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Community events in Downtown Nashua
Main Street hosts the 12 Bars of Christmas Bar Crawl, which gives adults a chance to sample spirits and play pub games on a cold winter’s night. Nashua also hosts a multicultural festival to celebrate food, art, dance and language from various cultures. Nashua Pride Festival & Parade takes place in June and allows locals to celebrate their identities within their community, attend musical performances and take part in the parade. The Nashua Farmers’ Market overtakes Hartshorn Avenue on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., where family farms from neighboring towns bring their homegrown and homemade goods to sell. The Nashua Center for the Arts is a new installation on Main Street that hosts comedians, cover bands and theatrical shows throughout the year.
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Historic New England homes turned into multi-family units
"Homes-wise, downtown is a mixture of single and multifamily properties," says D'Arcangelo. There are several of these modest duplexes and multifamily properties around town. Many were built out of Victorian-inspired buildings from the late 1800s through the 1930s. Units in these buildings can cost between $250,000 and $450,000. For those looking to invest, the buildings themselves can vary wildly in price, between $450,000 for one to three units and upwards of $600,000 for fourplexes. There are even $1 million properties that include parking areas or space for a commercial business.Most locals looking to live close to bars and restaurants will find themselves in residences right on the sidewalk with close neighbors and small driveways. A majority of single-family homes include traditional-style worker's cottages with front-facing gabled roofs. Built around the 1880s and 1930s, they also have Victorian influences but have often gone through several renovations. A few have small sun porches, while others only have little front stoops under short overhangs. These, along with other New England styles like renovated Cape Cods, can cost between $300,000 and $500,000.
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Hikes at Mine Falls Park and summer concerts at Greeley Park Bandstand
If they stroll behind the public library, locals can head down toward the banks of the Nashua River to find a peaceful view of the water and the Jackson Falls Dam. There are a few spots where folks can walk along trails or beneath bridges and tunnels. Mine Falls Park, located in the heart of Nashua, has several trails and spots to launch a kayak. The forests, wetlands, open fields and miles of trails make it a popular spot for hikers and anglers. North of Main Street is Greeley Park, which is where the city hosts its Summer Concert Series. The park's bandstand and acres of open green lawns become filled with people during the summer as they listen to music from blankets and camp chairs. Also at Greeley Park is a playground, gazebo, sports courts for tennis and pickleball, as well as a small wading pool and even a few hiking trails in the forests beyond.
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Nashua District Public Schools
Depending on their address, students can start at one of a few elementary schools, such as Amherst Street School, which is graded a B-minus on Niche. Dr. Norman W. Crisp School is graded a C and is home to the New Hampshire Presidential Primary, and is always closed that day every election year. Students may then attend either Pennichuck Middle School or Fairgrounds Middle School, both of which are graded a C-plus. Most area students then attend Nashua High School North, which is rated a B and offers clubs and activities for students, including robotics and student government. It also has vocational programs for nursing, electrical and HVAC students who want to learn trade skills before graduation.
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Getting around in Nashua and commutes to Boston
Though most Downtown Nashua residents can walk from place to place, hopping over railroad tracks and around construction crews, there are public transportation options, too. Nashua Transit System bus stops are found all over town and take locals to major city destinations and out to shopping amenities. The Everett Turnpike – also known as Route 3 - is located west of downtown and is the route most commuters take. They can head about 20 miles north to Manchester and to the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, which is only about 15 minutes away. Nashua is also about a 50-mile drive from downtown Boston, which takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes when traffic is light. Southern New Hampshire Medical Center is right in the neighborhood for checkups and emergencies.
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Written By
Shelby Sullivan
Photography Contributed By
Todd Beltz
Video By
Daniel Willingham
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Kathy Snyder
Kathy Snyder
Monument Realty
(351) 208-1612
216 Total Sales
3 in Downtown Nashua
$340K - $442K Price Range
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Jessica Marshall
Jessica Marshall
EXP Realty
(978) 925-3391
203 Total Sales
3 in Downtown Nashua
$192K - $474K Price Range
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Lynette Aucoin
Lynette Aucoin
EXP Realty
(207) 501-3991
59 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Nashua
$325,000 Price
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Brandon Sweeney
Brandon Sweeney
Keller Williams Realty
(978) 625-9008
101 Total Sales
2 in Downtown Nashua
$230,000 Price Range
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Rod Clermont
Rod Clermont
Responds QuicklyRE/MAX Innovative Properties
(351) 208-2895
103 Total Sales
3 in Downtown Nashua
$60K - $498K Price Range
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Kathy Perdue
Kathy Perdue
Responds QuicklyRE/MAX Synergy
(603) 288-1401
87 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Nashua
$380,000 Price
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- K to 5th
- Public
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Parks in this Area
Russell Memorial Field
Sargents Park
Ash Street Skate Park
- Skateboard
Los Amigos Park
- Trails
- Playground
- Parking Lot
Sullivan Park
June Caron Park
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Downtown Nashua | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 6 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 7 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 6 | 4 |
| Robbery | 7 | 4 |
| Burglary | 7 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 7 | 4 |
| Larceny | 6 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 7 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Downtown Nashua Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Nashua, Nashua sell after 69 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Nashua, Nashua over the last 12 months is $1,485,000, up 330% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$512,495
Median Sale Price
$1,485,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$599,900
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$385,200
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
22
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
330%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$398
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
404
Number of Homes for Sale
4
Median Year Built
2006
Months of Supply
2.20
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,647
Below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,702
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
982
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
725
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,098
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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$1,862 - $2,930 per month
- The Flats on High Street
- Studio-2 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 518+ Sq Ft
- 44 High St
- Nashua, NH
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
6,921
Median Age
38
Population Density
13 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$46,937
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$62,861
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
82.1%
College Graduates
25.9%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.4%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
65.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
49''
Average Winter Low Temperature
14°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
32''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
53
/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
82
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Hudson
Once home to an exotic animal farm, now home to calm, community-centered streets
Mine Falls Park
Tranquil green oasis 30 minutes from Manchester
North End Nashua
A small Gate City with a bustling Main Street, historic homes and several parks
South End Nashua
A suburban neighborhood with connecting highways to Massachusetts
Southeast Nashua
Residential homes and schools near Pheasant Lane Mall and the Nashua Country Club
Northeast Nashua
Community flanked by picturesque ponds and rivers, proximity to downtown Nashua
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