To the less than 10,000 residents of Stratham, New Hampshire, small-town history is important. Incorporated in 1716, the town’s early economy was backed by fishing, agriculture and milling, supported by proximity to the Squamscott River. Over time, the town evolved into a vibrant community, establishing schools, a library and a volunteer fire department that continues to serve residents to this day. While manufacturing largely supports Stratham’s current economy, residents can learn about their town’s heritage at the Stratham Historical Society, located in an old library building. Plus, this Rockingham County community near the Maine border has a country feel, with homes on spacious lots, mature trees dotting front lawns, a river flowing to the east and the Atlantic Ocean lapping to the west.
Nearby parks and cultural institutions
Stratham’s nearby outdoor spaces offer something for everyone. Stratham Hill Park is fairly undeveloped, with a trail system that loops across open fields, through forests and past small, glassy ponds. The over 5-mile trail loop is popular with hikers and mountain bikers, while those looking for a more passive outdoor experience can rent one of the park’s pavilions. The nearby Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge spans over 1,000 acres – one of the Great Bay’s most extended stretches of undeveloped shoreline. Here, visitors can wander through swamps, fields and forests. Hunting is also permitted in the refuge. Golfers enjoy Stratham’s proximity to The Golf Club of New England, designed by Arnold Palmer. On this 450-acre course, old stone walls border the fairways, which pass oak trees and streams. For a beach day, it’s about a 10-mile drive to the rocky shores of North Hampton State Beach.
The Stratham Historical Society, located in the historic 1912 Wiggin Memorial Library building, is pivotal in preserving the town’s heritage. The building itself is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places, and the society keeps artifacts, documents and genealogical records that actively promote the study of Stratham’s past through exhibitions and educational programs. The current Wiggin Memorial Library lies in a brick building on Bunker Hill Avenue, a tree-lined street that’s mostly residential. Here, visitors can bring their children to storytimes, join a club or spend quiet time with a book.
Single-family homes, townhouses and condos along country roads
Most homes in Stratham sit on winding country roads. Mature oak and pine trees line roadsides, peppering sprawling front lawns. Lots are spacious, and there’s typically a lot of room between properties, offering residents a sense of privacy and seclusion. The town’s median home price is $829,000, and potential homebuyers can find Cape Cods or Colonial Revivals for between about $500,000 and $800,000, while New Traditional houses or modern-style builds can run in the $900,000 to $2.2 million range, with lot size and luxury features like pools mostly accounting for higher home prices. Townhouses and condos are also available, some as rooms within Cape Cod or Colonial Revival houses, while others occupy contemporary constructions. They can range in price from $265,000 to $790,000.
Shopping and dining along Portsmouth Avenue
Stratham’s main commercial corridor lies along Portsmouth Avenue. Residents can grocery shop at Market Basket and Shaw’s or dine out at restaurants like 110 Grill, which serves casual American fare, and Tailgate Tavern, where pub grub and beers are on tap. Big-box retailers like Ocean State Job Lot and Harbor Freight make running errands easy. For a greater concentration of shopping and dining options, it’s a 4-mile drive to Exeter and 10 miles to Portsmouth. Both towns also have hospitals. Additionally, Statham is the headquarters of Timberland Co. and has the country’s only Lindt & Sprüngli chocolate factory.
Students attend Exeter Region Cooperative School District
Stratham students are zoned for the Exeter Region Cooperative School District, which spans the area and Exeter, the next town over. Stratham Memorial School gets a B-plus from Niche, Cooperative Middle School gets an A-minus and Exeter High School receives a B-plus.
Getting around Stratham
Stratham is well-connected, and major roadways allow for travel to nearby towns and throughout the state. New Hampshire state Route 108 runs north-to-south through the town, linking Stratham to Exeter 4 miles south and Durham and Dover, both less than 20 miles away, to the north. New Hampshire state Route 33 begins at the central Stratham Traffic Circle, intersecting with Route 108 and extending east to Portsmouth, providing access to U.S. Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1. Additionally, New Hampshire state Route 101 passes through the southern part of Stratham and heads east-to-west toward Manchester and the seacoast.
Tom has worked in Real Estate since 2004 after spending 8 years in California working on Sitcoms for Paramount Studios. He holds a Bachelor's degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY and a Master's degree from Emerson College, Boston, MA.
Specializing in Beach Properties, Tom is well-known on Hampton Beach as a member of the McGuirk family -- whose Restaurant has been a landmark on Hampton Beach since 1991.
Tom is respected as a expect in the hospitality industry as well as land use (serving as Chair of Hampton's Zoning Board of Adjustment and as an Associate Broker with Weichert REALTORS Yankee Trader, licensed in NH and MA
His knowlegde base and hard work will serve you well when searching for Second Home, Investment and Resort Properties on the Seacoast.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
