Shopping, recreation and transportation in Raymond
Raymond, a small community at the intersection of rural and suburban living, is 16 miles from Manchester. This small town in New Hampshire's Rockingham County offers access to parks, recreation, shopping and transportation. "You have a mix of your smaller like mom-and-pop shops and familiar chain stores and amenities close to you in the Raymond area," says Amanda Bradford, a real estate agent with RE/MAX Synergy. Bradford has worked in the industry for seven years. "You get that rural town feel, but you're not too far off the grid."
Single-family homes, townhouses and condos among rolling hills
The rolling hills of Raymond are dotted with homes and roadways branch off state Route 101. Homes near shopping centers and on the lakes tend to be closer together with smaller lots. In comparison, homes surrounded by open land are built farther apart on larger lots. "In Rockingham County, in general, we have a lot of new construction," says Bradford. "They're building whatever they can, wherever they can. Raymond has a fair amount of new construction ... so you have the option of new construction or subdivisions with single-family colonials." While Raymond has mainly full-time residents, out-of-towners appreciate the town's beauty and purchase second homes along Onway Lake and Governors Lake. Most homes are in the Colonial Revival, split-level and Cape Cod styles. Single-family homes range from $250,000 to $725,000, while townhouses and condos range from $260,000 to $475,000.
Walking trails, disc golf and boating
Riverside Park is a 62-acre wooded area with walking trails, horseshoe pits and a playground. The park also includes the 18-hole Cam Baer Memorial Disc Golf Course and the Raymond Dog Bark Park. Onway Lake is popular for ice fishing and boating. Swimming is not allowed, but motorized boats are permitted. The 27-mile Rockingham Recreational Trail was once the Portsmouth Branch of the Boston and Maine railroad and passes near Onway Lake and the Cammett Recreation Fields, which have soccer and baseball fields for pickup games. The trail is popular for birding and cross-country skiing. Part of the Pawtuckaway State Park is here and offers a beach for swimming, camping, fishing and hiking.
Shopping and dining along Freetown Road and state Route 27
Raymond has several strip malls and restaurants bordering Freetown Road and state Route 27, such as Tuckaway Tavern and Butchery, a butcher shop and restaurant serving sandwiches, steaks and burgers. “For Tuckaway Tavern, you have to be there when they open, or you won't get in," says Bradford. Cork N' Keg Grill is another local gathering spot off Freetown Road. The grill serves American pub food and often hosts DIY art events such as landscape painting, shell decorating and scented candle making. Raymond Shopping Center, a strip mall off Freetown Road, includes a Dollar Tree, a post office and a few restaurants. Less than a mile up the road is a Hannaford for groceries.
Access to major routes
Five state routes pass through Raymond, giving residents access to Interstates 95 and 93. Manchester is about 15 miles west on state Route 101. Using I-95, residents can be in Massachusetts in an hour or less. The Elliot Hospital is 16 miles west of Manchester, and the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is 20 miles away on Route 101. Several houses of worship are in the area, including the Raymond Baptist Church along state Route 27, the Raymond United Methodist Church along Main Street and the Congregational Church of Raymond along Church Road.
Students attend school in Raymond
The Raymond School District, which gets a C from Niche, serves the town. Children attend Lamprey River Elementary School, which also gets a C, and Iber Holmes Gove Middle School, which gets a B-minus. Students continue to Raymond High School, which receives a C, where students can takes classes including computer science, culinary arts and welding at the Seacoast School of Technology.
Community events around town
The Dudley-Tucker Library hosts weekly programs and events, including a LEGO club, storytimes, arts and crafts, movies and other community events. In July, the town gathers for the Raymond Town Fair, which includes live music, exhibits, vendors, outhouse racing and a fireworks show along Epping Street. The fair also has a dog parade, where pets are dressed in costumes and a children's parade, where children's wagons and bikes are made into elaborate floats.
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Written By
Isabella Pontecorvo
