Swanzey offers rural history just outside Keene
Nestled in the heart of the Monadnock region, Swanzey is a rural town less than 5 miles south of downtown Keene. Founded in 1753, this community of just over 7,200 residents is also home to various historic sites, including several covered bridges. “You’ll see people lined up along the road just to take pictures at these bridges, they’re so beautifully made,” says Diana Elfreich , a Swanzey resident and licensed real estate agent with Keller Williams Metropolitan. One of the largest draws of Swanzey is its countryside setting, which is full of outdoor destinations. “I love the rural part of living here, and we get to enjoy all four seasons,” Elfreich says. “And we still easily get to all kinds of amenities and conveniences, in both Swanzey and nearby Keene.” The town has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average score of 4.
Mix of historic and new homes on spacious lots
Swanzey’s housing mix is mostly single-family homes, but potential homebuyers can also find a small selection of condo units and townhouses. “There have been some newer apartment complexes going up around Swanzey’s town hall, which shows some of the steady growth in this area,” Elfreich says. “For single-family homes, you see a lot of Garrisons and ranch styles, as well as some historic homes and farmhouses.” Most turnkey single-family properties range from approximately $230,000 to $550,000, while some larger estates on multiple acres can cost up to $850,000. Townhouses and condo units typically cost between $220,000 and $340,000. With a median lot size of one acre, residents can expect to find spacious properties surrounded by forested areas and farmland.
Zoning for Monadnock Regional School District
Students living in Swanzey are zoned for the Monadnock Regional School District, which receives an overall C-plus from Niche. Prekindergarten through second-grade students can start their academic journeys at the C-rated Cutler School. Mount Caesar School, rated a B-plus, serves grades three through six. All seventh through 12th-grade students attend the consolidated Monadnock Regional Middle/High School; the middle school receives a C-minus rating, and the high school is rated C.
Mount Monadnock and Swanzey Lake draw nature lovers
Swanzey’s natural landscape is dotted with parks and recreation amenities. Little League teams can play games at the Town of Swanzey Ball Fields, while other youth groups can enroll in summer camp programs at Swanzey Lake. “Swanzey Lake is a well-known spot for locals, but you have to be a resident of Swanzey to go to the lakefront Richardson Park there,” Elfreich says. “Ashuelot River and Wilson Pond are also in town and are popular spots for kayakers and fishermen.” Several campgrounds are located throughout Swanzey, mostly along bodies of water like the Ashuelot River and Swanzey Lake. A prominent recreational draw to this area is its proximity to Mount Monadnock, a 3,165-foot summit in nearby Monadnock State Park. “It’s been said that Mount Monadnock is the second-most climbed mountain in the world, right after Mount Fuji in Japan,” Elfreich says. “And because of Mount Monadnock, we’ve got smaller mountains and hiking trails all over the place.” Honey Hill Trail is one of many hiking corridors that weave through the town’s forests and rolling hills.
Farm stands, diners and breweries offer small-town flavor
Shopping and dining amenities in Swanzey are primarily located along Monadnock Highway and Swanzey Road. Residents can find lots of local farm stands and farmers' markets, as well as some grocery chains like Market Basket. “Nordshire Farm is a popular local bakery that draws people in from all over the region,” she says. “We also have some stores here like Salvation Army and Begin Again, where you can find things second-hand that still have the tags on them.” There are several local breweries and restaurants in Swanzey, including Jeanne’s Family Diner, Frogg Brewing and Papagallos, an Italian eatery. Monadnock Marketplace is 5 miles from town and has big-box stores like Home Depot, Target and Price Chopper.
Hosting the annual Cheshire Fair
Swanzey hosts the county’s annual Cheshire Fair at a large fairgrounds complex along Monadnock Highway. Established in 1938, the fair takes place over the course of several days between the end of July and early August. Attendees can view the livestock shows at the arena, listen to live entertainment at the Community Stage, and find dozens of vendors and carnival rides throughout the fair.
Driving through the Monadnock Region
Swanzey is almost entirely car-dependent, as there are no public transit options in town. Route 12, also known as Monadnock Highway, and Route 10, also called Swanzey Road, are the main thoroughfares that stem from Keene and run through the eastern and western parts of town. Keene Dillant-Hopkins Airport is located in Swanzey, but is limited to charter service. The nearest airport that offers commercial flights, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, is 58 miles away. Cheshire Medical Center is a 15-minute drive from Swanzey and has a 24-hour emergency department.
