Plymouth is a college town near vacation hotspots
Plymouth, 60 miles from Manchester, sits at the base of the White Mountains in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. The town is centered around Plymouth State University, making students and staff the primary residents. Those who work in the nearby vacation hotspots such as Conway, Laconia and Ossipee also settle in the area. “Plymouth is at the edge of the Lakes Region, and its biggest draw is Plymouth State University. The houses I've sold there are all related to the college,” says Phil Bates, a real estate agent with Galactic Realty Group. Bates has worked in the industry for 8 years. “It’s also a bedroom community for hospitality people who work in the Lakes Region, like Lake Winnipesaukee and the ski areas. A lot of them stay in the Plymouth area. It's reasonably priced because it's a college town. One town in any direction and prices jump up $100,000.” The median sales price in Plymouth is $367,000, whereas in places such as Conway, the median sales price is $480,000.
Dining and nightlife along Main Street
Most eateries are along Main Street and double as bars to accommodate student nightlife. This is the case with the rustic Lucky Dog Tavern & Grill, which serves casual American fare upstairs and has pool tables and a bar downstairs. Panther Pub & Grille serves hearty American comfort food and hand-crafted cocktails alongside brews on tap. Along Daniel Webster Highway, Italian Farmhouse is a part of the New Hampshire Common Man restaurant collective and serves classic pasta dishes along with steaks and salads. Popular retailers and chain restaurants such as Walmart, Dollar General and Burger King are along Tenney Mountain Highway. Hannaford and Market Basket are also along this route for groceries.
Homes near Plymouth State University
Gridded streets surround Plymouth State University, and homes sit on sidewalk-lined lots surrounded by mature trees. Farther from the college, houses line winding roadways on large lots near open greenery. These homes often have wells and septic systems. The Pemigewasset River borders the town and is prone to flooding. “Flooding is an issue on the river,” says Bates. “It happens every 10 years, it doesn’t usually affect any of the town, but it affects parking lots and athletic fields for the college. The last house I sold had to have flood insurance.” Cape Cod, Colonial Revival and National homes are common, though some postmodern homes are available. Single and multifamily residences range from $130,000 to $850,000, and condos and townhouses range from $150,000 to $320,000. Most houses near the university are rented out to students.
Summer concerts and winter sports highlight Plymouth’s parks
In the heart of Plymouth is the Plymouth Town Common, a stretch of greenery with a gazebo. The park holds a free summer concert series from July through August. Fox Park Pond Park and Keniston Woods are near Texas Hill Road. Residents may hike in the woods or take a stroll around the pond. There’s also a colorful playground where little ones can run around. The Walter-Newton Natural Area near Cummings Hill Road has a trail that's about 1.5 miles and leads to Rainbow Falls, a scenic waterfall that spills into the Glove Hollow Brook. Tenney Mountain Resort has a lodge and offers ski lessons, tubing and snowboarding. The lodge also hosts events like Oktoberfest and fall foliage chairlift rides.
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Children can attend Plymouth Elementary, which gets a B-plus from Niche and teaches pre-kindergarten through eighth. Plymouth Regional High earns a B and offers concentrations in subjects including media arts, marketing and health sciences. The public Plymouth State University receives a C-plus and includes bachelor’s to master’s degrees in programs including exercise science, business administration and mental health.
Commuting to Moultonborough, Laconia, Manchester and Conway
Those who do not attend or work for the university may commute to popular vacation areas throughout the region. U.S. Route 3 leads 19 miles to Moultonborough. Interstate 93 leads 24 miles to Laconia and 60 miles to Manchester. State Route 171 leads 36 miles to Ossipee, and state Route 109 leads 37 miles to Wolfeboro. Using state Route 25, Conway is 46 miles away. Speare Memorial Hospital is in Plymouth, and Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is 65 miles away. Houses of worship such as Plymouth Congregational Church and St. Matthew Church are near Plymouth State University.
Flying Monkey performing arts, sports events at Plymouth State
The Flying Monkey is a performing arts theater on Main Street. It hosts live concerts and performances and screens new and old movies. Plymouth State University's athletic fields are just across the Pemigewasset River, where fans can watch the Panthers play football, baseball and hockey.
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Written By
Isabella Pontecorvo
