Main Street shops, surrounding parks, trails and the Colby-Sawyer College
Home to Lake Sunapee, various attractions and million-dollar homes, the town of New London attracts both tourists and locals to its bustling Main Street all year long. “New London is a really cool, classic New England town. It acts as a bedroom community of Lake Sunapee and the Sunapee ski resort,” says Dakota Coburn, a Realtor with Realty One Group Next Level in Concord. “I bring people there all the time because I think it’s such a charming area.” New London is also home to Colby-Sawyer College, a private liberal arts and science college just north of Main Street. Students and professionals convene at local shops and restaurants or hang out at nearby parks and beaches. With plenty to do within a quiet landscape, it’s no wonder house values here have been rising.
Locally owned small businesses on Main Street
Alongside familiar locations like Dunkin’ and Subway are small businesses like the Blue Loon Bakery or Little Brother Burger Company. Grounds is both a coffee shop and pastry counter, and Tucker’s serves the most popular brunch in town. Pleasant Lake Cheesecake Company has an assortment of cheesecakes and cookies for all occasions, and college students like to stop in at Lethbridge Lodge & Galligan’s Pub for a pint and a meal.
On Newport Road, there is a Hannaford and an Ace Hardware, and the New London Hospital is across the street.
New London's indoor and outdoor attractions
New London has both indoor and outdoor recreation opportunities for residents of all ages. Hungry Hearts Gym and Kitchen combines fitness with nutrition and hosts health education talks and events. The Outing Club is a membership organization that brings people together from New London and surrounding towns to join adult and youth sports leagues and help with fitness. They also offer a daytime summer camp.
Hikers can take to the trails at Kidder-Cleveland Conservation Land, while families can head down to Woodward Park’s playground and sports fields for a day outside. Avid golfers can book tee times at either the Lake Sunapee Country Club or Baker Hill Golf Club near Blodgett Landing. Lake Sunapee also has a yacht club for boaters and Lake Sunapee State Park Beach for swimmers.
When it comes to historic sites, folks can check out the John Hay Estate at The Fells and John Hay National Wildlife Refuge. There’s also the Newbury B&M Railroad Museum at the southern tip of Lake Sunapee or the New London History and Archives next to the Tracy Memorial Library.
Historic and modern New England homes and farmhouses
Single-family homes in New London are on the higher end when compared to areas like Warner and Hopkinton. “Home values are on a steady rise. It’s a popular, prominent area, so it’s a good solid investment. Though prices are already pretty high, there are still some great communities to invest in around the neighborhood.”
Little cottages and cabins in the woods from the 1980s, as well as 1950s raised ranch-style homes, can cost between $300,000 and $500,000. Houses that run from $500,000 to $900,000 include renovated farmhouses from the late 1800s, midcentury ranch styles and classic Cape Cods. There are also some more recently built modern and new traditional styles.
When it comes to waterfront properties and large estates, several residences can reach well over $1 million and stretch as high as $7 million. These consist of cottages with their own private beaches or docks on Pleasant Lake or Lake Sunapee. Some have large second-story decks with basement walkouts or spacious garages that hold more than two vehicles.
Near the center of town, off Newport Road, are a series of condo communities, including Fenwood Commons and Hilltop Place, which sell their units at prices between $300,000 and $500,000. Some are apartment-style, with multiple units with small balconies in one large building, while others are more like attached townhouses with their own garages and backyard patios.
Kearsarge Regional public schools
New London students study within the Kearsarge Regional School District, a system that also serves students in Sutton, Newbury, Bradford, Warner, Wilmot and Springfield. Students start at Kearsarge Regional Elementary before moving on to Kearsarge Regional Middle and Kearsarge Regional High School. The district and all three schools are graded an overall B on Niche. Because many towns are part of the district, Kearsarge Regional High students come from all over the area.
Commutes to Concord, Hanover and Manchester
“New London is really convenient, too. You’ve got the lake and the ski resorts, and it’s right off of highway 89. It’s also not far from Dartmouth and Lebanon where the big colleges and hospitals are, so it’s great for doctors and students.” For those who commute, New London is about 30 miles southeast of Hanover, which can be reached by driving north on Interstate 89. Concord is about 37 miles southeast, and most commuters take I-89 to get there in about 45 minutes when traffic is light. Manchester and its regional airport are about 50 miles south via I-89 and take about an hour to reach. Right in town, there is a New Hampshire Park and Ride off of Exit 12 for those who prefer to take a bus. Other than that, most locals get around by car.
Written By
Shelby Sullivan
Photography Contributed By
Todd Beltz
