Future development planned for rural Newton
Sitting along the state’s border with Massachusetts, Newton is a rural community close to major thoroughfares and just 15 miles from Hampton’s sandy beaches. The town is mostly residential, though there are also farms throughout and an industrial park in the south end. While Rockingham County has worked to preserve the rural identity of towns like East Kingston, Realtor Heather Hanlon says growth is on the agenda for this part of the state. “I think it's safe to say that most of the towns in southern New Hampshire are focused on development,” says Hanlon, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Residential who’s been selling homes in the area for eight years. Recently, millions of dollars have been invested in the Southern New Hampshire Chamber of Commerce for future investments in the region’s office buildings, business parks and infrastructure. Most of the recent development is in the nearby communities of Windham and Atkinson, though improvements are also set for state Route 108 in Newton.
Traditional-style, contemporary homes starting in the $400,000s
Newton features Colonial homes from as early as 1750, more modern Cape Cods and ranch-style houses and contemporary homes built in the past 25 years. There are a few subdivisions throughout town, but most homes sit along winding roads on larger plots of land. “For the most part, lot sizes start at an acre and go up from there,” says Hanlon. “Prices are in line with the rest of Rockingham County, which is the highest priced county in the state.” Homes tend to stay on the market for about three weeks and typically sell for $400,000 to $800,000. There are also new condo communities like Palmer Woods, and the 55-plus Sargent Woods, that range from $500,000 to $650,000.
Close to the beach, public golf course
One of Newton’s biggest draws is its proximity to Seabrook and Hampton beaches, just 15 miles east. The beaches offer sandy coasts along the Atlantic Ocean, as well as marinas for boating access and areas for fishing. Golfers can head 5 miles west to Granite Fields Golf Club for a public 18-hole course. And 7 miles north, Kingston State Park has a looping trail, sports facilities, a playground and water-based activities on Great Pond.
Sanborn Regional School District
Students in Newton are served by the Sanborn Regional School District, which earns a C from Niche. Daniel J. Bakie School teaches kindergarten through second grade, while Memorial School teaches third to fifth grade. They may then attend Sanborn Regional Middle School and Sanborn Regional High School, the latter of which operates with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12-to-1.
Shopping and dining along Main Street
Along Main Street, the Route 108 General Store and the A&M Junction Market provide pre-packaged goods to Newton. There are popular locally owned eateries like The Hen House for pints, pub food and for musical bingo on Tuesday nights, as well as Chris’ Pizza Box and Acio’s Family Take Out for Italian food. Residents can also head 5 miles west to Plaistow for grocers like Market Basket and big-box stores like Walmart.
Commuting via Route 108, I-495
Newton is heavily car dependent because of its rural nature. Commuters can take state Route 108 south 5 miles to connect to Interstate 495. I-495 also connects to Interstate 93, which runs an additional 25 miles south to Boston. Merrimack Valley Hospital is 9 miles south of Newton, while Portsmouth International Airport is 29 miles north.
Written By
Logan Soter-Reardon
