Outdoor recreation and small-town life in Merrimack County
A sparse suburban town in New Hampshire, Pittsfield offers a slowed down life away from bustling nearby cities like Boston, which sits about 83 miles south. The Merrimack County community is anchored by a main village located on the Suncook River in the west-central portion, peppered with local businesses, restaurants and town buildings. Residents are attracted to a simple lifestyle and bucolic setting. Access to outdoor recreation and community events keeps locals connected to nature and each other, while convenience to larger towns offers proximity to everyday essentials. "It's just an old mill town," says real estate agent Erica Bruce of The Masiello Group. "There are establishments that have been there a long time, and they have nice center parks and stores."
New England-style homes dominate Pittsfield’s housing market
Homes in Pittsfield cluster in the town village, whereas properties on more rural roads outside the town center tend to be more spread out and situated on larger lots. Single-family homes range significantly in style, range and price. Vernacular New England styles make up a majority of the housing stock here, though Cape Cods, ranch-style homes and Colonials are also common. New construction sprouting up also reflects classic New England influences. Larger estates sit on sprawling properties in Pittsfield’s more rural areas, boasting sizeable layouts and generous acreage. Land for sale offers the opportunity for custom construction. The median list price for homes here hovers around $385,000, but prices run the gamut from $125,000 for a manufactured home and can climb to $3 million for large estate-like homes, though these tend to be outliers.
Extracurriculars enrich students' lives in Pittsfield public schools
Students in Pittsfield are zoned to attend schools within the Pittsfield School District, rated a D-plus by Niche. Kids may begin their education at Pittsfield Elementary School, a primary school covering prekindergarten through fifth grades. Young learners may advance to Pittsfield Middle School and Pittsfield High School, which share a campus. Home of the Panthers, Pittsfield High School has a strong athletics program that includes baseball, basketball, soccer and more. All three schools earn C-minus grades from Niche.
The Suncook River is central to Pittsfield’s natural appeal
The Suncook River cuts and weaves through Pittsfield, offering scenic water views and outdoor recreation. Many waterside trails like the path at Drake Field in the town center provide spaces to enjoy the river’s natural beauty. Canoers and kayakers take to the river’s waters, and anglers set up along its banks to catch fish. Drake Field also features multipurpose fields and a playground. Sargent Town Forest Nature Trail is a short 2-mile loop within the 5-acre hardwood forest that gives locals the opportunity to observe flora and fauna. Rocky Ridge Town Forest also has additional trails. Graylag Nature Preserve sits along the eastern edge of Pittsfield along Wild Goose Pond, providing access to trails and more water recreation.
Local shops and restaurants line Pittsfield’s small town center
Local services and businesses nestle among homes in Pittsfield's small town center. Residents can stock up on necessities at convenient stores like Family Dollar and Danis Super Market, a local grocery store. Little Red Hen also fosters a small-town feel. "The Red Hen is like an anytime farmers market," Bruce says. "It has food and products from local farms and crafters." Restaurants range from casual spots like Family Pizza to Ping Garden Chinese and Friendly Diner. The diner is a favorite for its comfort American foods like burgers, pastas and desserts. On Pittsfield’s west side, Over The Moon Farmstead Restaurant offers scenic views and a rustic but contemporary atmosphere in a converted barn. "It's been a big addition to the community since it opened a few years ago," Bruce says. The restaurant serves specialty wood-fired pizzas and elevated plates with a farm-to-table feel. For dessert, locals can stop into Appleview Orchard for ice cream. The orchard also offers apple picking, seasonal hayrides and a country gift shop.
Social events and hot air ballon festival foster a small-town feel
Pittsfield offers various events throughout the year that bring the community together and foster a small-town feel. The Josiah Carpenter Library, located in the village, hosts an array of community events, such as book clubs and classes. Every October, the Pittsfield Players puts on a Halloween event complete with trick-or-treating stations, kid-friendly games and a costume contest. In August, a multitude of hot air balloons create a kaleidoscope of color in the sky at the Suncook Valley Rotary Hot Air Balloon Rally. The three-day festival draws folks from the area to enjoy a weekend of hot air balloons, including rides, an up-close look at the balloons and night glow flights. Additional events as part of the festival include a dog jump competition, sunrise yoga sessions, pancake breakfasts and more.
Access to major thoroughfares for a car-dependent community
Due to the fact that there are no public transit options in Pittsfield, residents here are entirely dependent on their own vehicles. Route 107 and Route 28, or Suncook Valley Road, are both main thoroughfares that bisect Pittsfield and connect residents with surrounding communities. The town offers proximity to major highways like Interstate 93, which links to Boston, about 83 miles south.
Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola
