Wakefield blends recreation with a small-town atmosphere
Known for its large number of lakes, Wakefield offers a recreational playground blended with a close-knit community feel along the New Hampshire-Maine state line. “The lakes are Wakefield’s biggest draw,” says local Realtor Nicole Shamlian of Maxfield Real Estate. “People who live here love it because it has such a high concentration of bodies of water.” Along with access to swimming, boating and fishing, Wakefield provides a tight-knit vibe that echoes through the town’s six independent villages. These are anchored by a town center in the primary village of Sanbornville. “Wakefield has a small-town feel and there’s not a lot of development,” Shamlian says, emphasizing that the town maintains its rural charm and supports a variety of lifestyles. “If you want to meet people, it’s easy to do so by going downtown and being part of community events. But if you want your privacy, you can have that also.”
Cape Cods and ranches dominate Wakefield’s housing mix
The mix of villages offers a variety of residential architecture. “You can have a rolling farmhouse with significant acreage next to a whole row of capes or ranchers, so there’s not one particular architectural style,” Shamlian says, though she notes all homes commonly reflect their traditional New England roots. “There’s a mish-mosh of everything, from mobile homes to historic homes.” The bulk of the housing inventory is made up of New England Cape Cods and ranch styles, with some modern architecture more prevalent in new developments. The median list price hovers around $460,000, though prices range significantly, from $150,000 to $1.7 million. Lakefront homes often boast the highest prices.
Lakes and ponds offer year-round swimming, boating and fishing
Wakefield’s collection of lakes and ponds offers year-round recreation and continues to draw visitors and residents alike. The larger bodies of water include Great East Lake and Province Lake; the latter provides a popular swimming beach and campgrounds. Many lakes feature access points for boating, fishing and swimming. “Pine River Pond is, in my opinion, the most beautiful,” Shamlian says. “They call it a pond, but it’s big. It’s five miles long so it’s great for water skiing.” Lovell Lake is situated next to Sanbornville and offers a swimming beach, campsites and boat ramps. For those who prefer to stay on land, Wakefield is close to the hiking trails of Pine River State Forest and the Province Lake Golf Course, a public course nestled next to Province Lake across the Maine state line.
Kids attend regional schools in New Hampshire
School-aged kids are part of the Governor Wentworth Regional School District, which serves over 2,000 students and earns a B-minus from Niche. Children may begin their education at Paul Elementary School, which receives a D-plus and serves about 425 kids from prekindergarten through eighth grade. Students may then continue to Kingswood Regional High School, a C-plus-rated school with above average scores for academics and teachers. The high school also offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including a highly esteemed theater and performing arts program, to enrich learning opportunities.
Dining, essentials and big-box stores all within easy reach
Sanbornville is Wakefield’s primary village and features a cluster of restaurants and establishments that reflect the town’s charm. “There are a number of family-owned restaurants that have been in operation for a while,” Shamlian says, emphasizing favorites like Tumbledown Farm to Fork and Poor People’s Pub. Longmeadow Farm & Home Supply is a one-stop-shop for hardware and other necessities, while Lovell Lake Village Market fulfills grocery essentials. Other nearby grocery options include Hannaford and Hunter’s Shop 'n Save in Wolfeboro, about 13 miles west. “One of the nice things about Wakefield is that everything is 1 hour away,” Shamlian says. “You’re right on 16 so you’re really close to big-box stores and anything else you need.”
Route 153 and Highway 16 connect Wakefield to nearby cities
Route 153 is one of the main thoroughfares within the town, connecting villages to each other. Wakefield is a car-dependent community, and residents rely heavily on Highway 16 to link to larger cities such as Portsmouth, where travelers can connect to Interstate 95. Boston is about 95 miles south via I-95. Nearby airports include Portsmouth International Airport, 38 miles away.
Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola
