Northwood has lakeside living and highly rated schools
Northwood is a rural community about 13 miles from Rochester known for its pastural setting, outdoor activities and highly rated schools. Most commercial activities take place on US Route 4, which cuts through the area. “The biggest reason people move there is that Northwood has a lot of lakes,” says Heather Heigis, a broker and owner of Heigis Real Estate LLC. Heigis, who has worked in the industry for seven years, says another big draw is the education. “We also have a fantastic school system; you can go to the private Coe-Brown Academy for free.”
Fishing and boating at Northwood lakes
Lakes are prevalent here and include Northwood, Harvey, Lucas Pond and part of Bowl. Most allow fishing and boating and have public launches. Fishing derbies are held year-round. Bowl and Northwood lakes have private beaches open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The Northwood Meadows State Park comprises over 674 acres of woods and wetlands with hiking trails. For more hiking, swimming and boating opportunities, residents head to the North Hampton State Beach, 35 miles away.
Homes along the Franklin Pierce Highway or Northwood Lake
Homes surround lakes and border US Route 4. “We have a lot of people who have second homes on the lakes,” Heigis says. Most are built back from the road on large lots with a canopy of maple and fir trees. Colonial Revival, cabin and ranch styles are common. Single-family homes range from $290,000 to $650,000, while those on Northwood Lake range from $700,000 to $1.1 million. There are two 55-plus and 62-plus communities under construction with units ranging from $355,000 to $672,000.
Highly rated schools
The School Administrative Unit #44 serves the Northwood area. Children may attend Northwood Elementary School for kindergarten through eighth grade, which receives a B from Niche. Students then continue to A-minus rated Coe-Brown Northwood Academy, a private high school the district pays for Northwood students to attend. The academy offers an internship program to seniors that allows them to gain workplace experience while earning an extra credit per semester.
Shopping and dining along US Route 4
U.S. Route 4 is home to a collection of malls and shopping centers. The Northwood Brewing Company serves cold beer, pizza and pub fare. Ma’s Café & Tavern is another local favorite and offers American comfort food with occasional live music. For groceries, shoppers head to Hannaford. “This corridor along Route 4 used to be referred to as antique alley because there are many antique shops,” Heigis says. Some antique shops along the route include Northwood Antique & Collectible Center, R.S. Butler’s Trading Company and Parker-French Antiques.
Commuters use US Routes 202 and 4
US routes 202 and 4 pass through Northwood, leading east to Dover, 16 miles away and Rochester, 13 miles away. Concord is 26 miles away along the same route. Residents can also reach Lawrence, Massachusetts, 48 miles south, in just over an hour using Interstates 95 and 93.
The Dover Emergency Room is 15 miles east, and the Wentworth-Douglas Hospital is 17 miles away using US Route 4. Both medical centers are in Dover. The Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is 29 miles away. Most houses of worship in Northwood are on or near US Route 4, such as St. Joseph’s Church, Northwood Congregational Church and Northwood Advent Christian Church.
Programs at the Chelsey Memorial Library
The Chesley Memorial Library hosts events throughout the year and has programs for all ages. This includes a biweekly adult writers’ group and a Monday senior café for a hot drink and a treat. The library offers a summer reading challenge and storytimes for children and young adults.
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Written By
Isabella Pontecorvo
