1. First steps before moving to New Hampshire
Find a reliable moving company, truck rental or moving container
For your move to New Hampshire, you will need to hire a reliable moving company or take on the move yourself. To find the best moving company in New Hampshire, look for helpful reviews, a professional-looking website, and years of experience.
Planning a move to New Hampshire? Take a look at our selection of:
- The Best Moving Companies in Manchester
- The Best Moving Companies in Nashua
Finding a job
As of September 2023, New Hampshire has an unemployment rate of 2%, compared to an August rate of 1.8%. It has the second-highest unemployment rate since April 2023, at 2.1%.
Jobs that are often in high demand are registered nurses, dental assistant, electricians, and plumbers.
Finding a job in New Hampshire is easier if you search online for job openings. Popular websites for this include LinkedIn, Indeed, and SimplyHired.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics (Oct 2023)
Getting there
Below are some travel options to get to New Hampshire from different parts of the country include:
Flying: Flying is the most convenient way to move to New Hampshire. Book a flight from your departure city to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, depending on your destination within New Hampshire.
Train: You can also take the train with Amtrak as an alternative.
Bus: If you want another way to travel, New Hampshire cities have bus services like Greyhound, and Flixbus, that can get you there.
If you are flying and require assistance with moving your belongings, you can explore options provided by reputable moving companies.
Must dos before your arrival
Moving to New Hampshire may be exciting and will challenge you in many ways. By knowing these things beforehand, you will be better prepared for your new life in the city.
- If you’re moving to New Hampshire permanently and expect significant mail (excluding packages), consider USPS’s mail forwarding service. It redirects your mail to your new address for a specified time. The initial fee for regular mail forwarding is slightly over a dollar for six months, extendable for about $20 for an additional six months. Start the process by signing up on USPS’s website or at your local Post Office.
- When moving to New Hampshire, sell or donate what you won’t need to simplify your move. Sell or donate household items and personal belongings that won’t be useful. Decide if you want to sell them on sites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, or donate to a non-profit organization
2. Upon your arrival in New Hampshire
Must dos right upon your arrival
- Get familiar with your neighborhood, and make sure to take note of the important emergency numbers.
- If you roam around the city for work or just simply checking on it, it would be great to purchase a daily pass to save money.
- Locate the essential facilities like the nearest hospital, police station, and fire department for your safety and in case of emergency.
You can easily get around in New Hampshire. There are several options available.
- Well-maintained local roads, interstate highways, local buses and train facilities are easily available in New Hampshire.
- Check out the New Hampshire Department of Transportation to find out all the bus and rail routes in New Hampshire.
Exchanging your driver’s license
Once you move to New Hampshire and establish residency, you must transfer your out-of-state driver’s license within 60 day. In order to transfer your out-of-state driver’s license, you’ll need to visit your local NH DMV office in person, along with some documents. You will have to submit the Application for Driver’s License or Non-Driver ID Card (Form DSMV450) and pay a $50 fee when applying for registration. You will receive your license via mail. You will have to pass the vision test. Also, if your out-of-state license is expired, you will also have to pass the knowledge test.
Register your vehicle
If you have just moved to New Hampshire, you’ll have to register your out-of-state vehicle within 90 days of establishing residency. Failure to do so might result in penalties and additional charges. To get your car registered in New Hampshire:
If you have just moved to New Hampshire, you’ll have to register your out-of-state vehicle within 60 days of becoming a resident.
- Submit your certificate of title and proof of your NH residency at the town clerk’s office in person. The DMV has a list of required documents for your reference. In New Hampshire, vehicles are not required to undergo emissions inspection prior to registering.
Change your address
Along with mail forwarding, you will also have to update your new address with the concerned authorities in New Hampshire, like the DMV. After you move to a new home in New Hampshire, you will have to inform the New Hampshire DMV either in person or by mail.
Submit a Record Change Request (Form DSMV 30) to your local NH DMV office to do so. To exercise your right to vote in New Hampshire, you must first register to vote. You can register to vote in person, at a Town or City Clerk’s Office.
Changing your address with your employer, bank, doctor, insurer, and service providers so that you can avoid any complications further down the road.
Setting up a bank account
Obtaining a bank account in New Hampshire is a straightforward process. You only need to present a copy of your valid state or government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or passport. The largest bank in New Hampshire for easy access is Bank of New Hampshire. Bank of NH, headquartered in Laconia, is the largest bank in New Hampshire, ranking fifth in market share with 3.6 percent, $1.2 billion in deposits, and 25 branches.
Getting health insurance
Getting health insurance is an excellent way to get peace of mind when it comes to your health. With health insurance, you will not have to worry about spending a ton of money in case of a health-related emergency. Healthcare is regulated by the state in the US, and so the state of New Hampshire proposes a website to help you with your health insurance search. Simply choose New Hampshire as your state and create an account.
Type of healthcare | Cost |
Employer-sponsored health insurance | $155.25 |
Non-employer-sponsored health insurance | $486.00 |
Gym | $50.00 |
Numbeo (Oct 2023) & EHealthInsurance (Oct 2023)
3. Best places to live in New Hampshire
If you are a couple, you might want to consider living in Portsmouth. It is one of the most exciting cities in New Hampshire. It has a low unemployment rate, delicious food options, low crime rate and a thriving nightlife.
If you are a family, you might want to consider Hanover. Hanover has a beautiful and safe community and is an ideal place to raise a family. It has some top-rated public schools, good housing facilities, plenty of leisure options and good job opportunities.
If you are single, you should consider moving to Hanover. Hanover is home to the prestigious Dartmouth College, which draws many young professionals in this city. Hanover is safe and has good job opportunities.
Setting up home services
Setting up essential home services like electricity, water, and internet in New Hampshire is a straightforward process.
- The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission is authorized with control over electric, natural gas, water, and sewer utilities for matters such as quality of service, rates, finance, accounting, and safety. You can visit their website and compare rates, search for electricity, water and gas providers, and even reach out to them if you have any inquiry.
- The best internet providers in New Hampshire will have bundling options, various speeds, and multiple package options at reasonable prices.
Should you rent or buy?
The average New Hampshire home value is $449,799, increased by 6.2% from 2022. New Hampshire’s price per square foot to buy an apartment outside the center is $371.61.
Finding an apartment for rent in New Hampshire is easy, utilize websites like Zillow, Apartmentguide, and Apartments.com. When seeking a house, these websites—Zillow, Realtor, and Century21—will assist you in your search for a home in New Hampshire.
Cost of rent in New Hampshire
Area/Neighborhood | 1-bed apartment | 3-bed apartment |
Concord (Outside of Center) | $1,416.67 | $2,100.00 |
Cost of buying a property in New Hampshire
Area/Neighborhood | Average home price |
Manchester | $449,799 |
Numbeo (Oct 2023)&Zillow (Oct 2023)
Consider getting home insurance
Getting home insurance is essential, whichever state you are residing in. It is a type of financial protection that will cover for your expenses if a natural disaster damages your home. If your home is located in a high-risk area in New Hampshire (near to the coastline), you should immediately get a home insurance plan. Some common natural disasters in New Hampshire include severe winter storms, hurricane-force winds, and house fires.
4. Cost of living in New Hampshire
Category | Monthly cost |
1 bed apt rent outside city center | $1,416.67 |
Groceries Numbeo’s grocery list ($56.09 multiplied by 4) | $224.36 |
Utilities Electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage | $191.87 |
Internet with 60 Mbps | $79.50 |
Transit pass | $40.00 |
Entertainment Meal, taxi, movie | $92.00 |
Gym membership | $50.00 |
Total | $2,094.40 |
5. The weather in New Hampshire
On average, there are 198 sunny days per year in New Hampshire. The highest temperature in Summers is 80° and the Winter low is 09 degrees. New Hampshire averages 68 inches of snow per year and 46 inches of rain.
New Hampshire experiences some of the coldest winters in the country. It gets a lot of snow. During winters, you can enjoy one of the most amazing networks of cross-country ski trails.
Summers in New Hampshire are humid and warm, the perfect time to relax at the beach, lake, and rivers. Some summer activities in New Hampshire include Kayaking, surfing, and canoeing.
If you are a foliage lover, falls in New Hampshire will seem like a dream come true. It’s colorful and breathtaking.
6. What to do as a local in New Hampshire
After you are done settling into your new home in New Hampshire, you will want to familiarize yourself with the state and all its attractions. Some of the most popular activities and locations in New Hampshire include:
Mount Washington – From waterfalls to scenic drives and breathtaking views. There is a lot to do at this top attraction.
Hampton Beach State Park – Hampton beach is ranked as one of the best beaches in the country. It’s a nice place to relax, and do activities such as fishing, swimming, picnicking and camping.
Ice Castles – An amazing frozen attraction that consists of fountains, frozen thrones, LED-lit sculptures, and ice carved tunnels.
Common grocery stores in New Hampshire include Hannaford Supermarket, Aldi, and Save-a-lot
The two most popular big chain stores are Walmart and Big Lots.
Must-visit food places in New Hampshire are Red Arrow Diner and Tuckaway Tavern and Butchery.
Visit the popular cities in New Hampshire: Manchester, Concord, Portsmouth, Nashua.
7. Fun facts about New Hampshire
- Fun Fact #1: New Hampshire is known as the Granite State.
- Fun Fact #2: The first free library in the US was established in New Hampshire.
- Fun Fact #3: A lot of residents of New Hampshire live by the motto “Live free or Die”.
Conclusion
New Hampshire offers stunning natural landscapes, including the White Mountains, lakes, and picturesque rural areas, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. Additionally, New Hampshire is one of the few states with no sales tax, which can save you money on everyday purchases, and its proximity to major cities like Boston and Portland offers more job opportunities.
While moving to New Hampshire has its pros and cons, checking the cost of living is essential to making sure you will live comfortably in this city and call it home. It’s a good idea to research specific neighborhoods within the state and consider your priorities to determine if New Hampshire is the right fit for you and your family.
Need a trusted moving company for the area? Discover the 5 best movers in New Hampshire.
