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There are several reasons to retire in New Hampshire. First, the Granite State boasts some of the lowest retirement taxes of any state in the country. Secondly, MedicareGuide.com rates New Hampshire as the 11th-best state in the country for elderly healthcare. Finally, New Hampshire has one of the lowest crime rates in the United States. Speaking about crime rates, you will want to pay particular attention to property crimes, such as burglary and car theft. If anything, most murders in the United States are committed by friends and acquaintances. From Rye to Hampton, discover below the eight safest towns in New Hampshire for senior living.

Rye

Rye is right next door to Portsmouth and slightly over an hour from Boston, meaning it scores big on access to big-city amenities. Also, Rye sits on the waters of the Â鶹AV’s second-largest ocean, meaning an empty nester here can enjoy fantastic afternoons at the beach, enjoying the breeze while swinging in a hammock. Rye Harbor State Park, to the north of town, provides awesome views of Rye Habor and is a wonderful place to hang out. Alternatively, the immaculately maintained Fuller Gardens, with its blooming variety of colorful roses, is immediately to the south. There is no better place than here to stroll or relax.

Rye has a 3.39 property crime rate per 1,000 residents, compared with a state rate of 8.89. No wonder Safewise ranks it as the fourth-safest city in New Hampshire. Portsmouth Regional Hospital, a 2024 recipient of America's 250 Best Hospitals Award, is a blink away. Here comes the sweetest part: Rye residents have a median age of 55, with those 60 and above comprising 40% of the population.

Peterborough

Peterborough is tucked away in Hillsborough County at the confluence of the Contoocook and Nubanusit rivers. It is well known for its arts and culture and hosts institutions such as Peterborough Players, the region's premiere professional theatre since the Great Depression years. Casalis State Forest offers beautiful wetlands and quiet hiking trails, while Miller State Park, the oldest state-run park in New Hampshire, is a prime spot for raptor viewing. There is also the nearby Pack Monadnock, a much sought-after birder's paradise. Taking the cue, Monadnock State Park is a year-round destination for camping and Nordic skiing.

Peterborough's property crime rate per 1,000 residents is 4.77, compared with the state rate of 8.89 — hence, almost half of what the state posts. On amenities, the highly rated Monadnock Community Hospital is right in town. Alternatively, UMass Memorial in Leominster, about 30 miles down the road, is a three-time Pulmonary Care Excellence Award winner. However, this could be the town’s best appeal: Its residents have a median age of 59, with those 60 and above comprising 49% of the population, meaning nearly 1 in 2 residents are fellow empty nesters. Talk of a reunion.

Exeter

Exeter was founded in 1638 by a group of religious exiles from the Massachusetts Bay colony. It sits on the Exeter River and boasts several historic buildings, including the Gilman Garrison House, whose history goes back more than three centuries. If you love a warm, intimate town with many places to walk and bike, Exeter is what you have in mind. A retiree here will be about an hour from Boston and have access to several outdoor pleasure spots, including the Squamscott River, known for its population of smallmouth bass. There is the Henderson-Swasey Town Forest as well if you want to hike, bike, or run. Moreover, Founders Park, which is right on the Exeter River, is a nice place to relax and people-watch.

Exeter's property crime rate per 1,000 residents is 6.25, compared with the state rate of 8.89. In short, the likelihood of your car being stolen or your house broken into is minimal. Considering a retiree is at the doorstep of the Exeter Hospital, ranked among America's 50 Best Outpatient Prostate Care facilities, there is no reason to worry about healthcare access. Finally, Exeter residents have a median age of 44, with those aged 60 and above comprising 26% of the population.

Bedford

Bedford is another beautiful New Hampshire town that effortlessly meets the expectations of most retirees. With a property crime rate of 4.58 per 1,000 residents — against the state’s 8.89 — Bedford is easily among the safest communities in the state. Amenities here include the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (Boston is just an hour away), several hospitals in next-door Manchester, including the Catholic Medical Center (it is a 2023 recipient of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery Award) — and a nice public library with a thoughtfully curated collection of awesome reads.

How will you be spending time in Bedford? Benedictine Park is nice for walking and sledding — and in the same breadth, the Educational Farm At Joppa Hill is beautifully kept with nice trails to boot. Of course, Manchester, just a hair out of town, provides several outdoor adventure opportunities. For instance, the Merrimack River offers picturesque waterfront views and offers excellent fishing opportunities. Exeter residents have a median age of 44, with those aged 60 and above comprising 26% of the population.

Swanzey

Retiring in Swanzey means one will be close to Pisgah State Park, the largest state park in New Hampshire. There is nothing pleasurable like strolling through its quiet forest trails. Other attractions include Forest Lake, whose sandy beach can be a regular evening destination. There is the Ashuelot River, a cold and warm water fishery filled with Eastern brook trout, walleye, and smallmouth bass.

Swanzey's property crime rate per 1,000 residents is 4.17, compared with the state rate of 8.89. Cheshire Medical Center is in nearby Keene. It is a 2022 recipient of the Patient Safety Excellence Award. On the social side, Swanzey residents have a median age of 52, with those aged 60 and above comprising 37% of the population.

Amherst

Amherst will keep a retiree busy with its myriad of fun spots, including Amherst Country Club & Ponemah Green Family Golf Center, a fantastic golf course with beautiful scenery. If you are not into golf, you may love sites such as the Ponemah Bog Wildlife Sanctuary (look out for its three-acre 'kettlehole' pond), Hodgman State Forest — if you enjoy wandering through the woods — and the Joe English Reservation and Baboosic Lake, an ideal place if you want to commune with nature.

Neighborhoodscout reports that Amherst's property crime rate per 1,000 residents is 4.88, compared with the state rate of 8.89, meaning it is much safer than the average New Hampshire town. On healthcare access, Amherst is close to Nashua, meaning a retiree is minutes away from several award-winning hospitals, such as the St. Joseph Hospital and Southern NH Medical Center. Finally, Amherst residents have a median age of 45, with those 60 and above comprising 28% of the population.

Hanover

Part of Hanover’s uniqueness is that its Main Street is part of the Appalachian Trail, the most famous hiking footpath in the Â鶹AV. Also, Hanover hosts Dartmouth College, making it ideal for those who relish an academically stimulating environment, complete with the vibrancy that the youth always bring to any college town. Moreover, one can always spend time at the Hood Museum of Art, a neat, small art museum with a collection that spans 3000 years.

Hanover's property crime rate per 1,000 residents is 5.41, which is way lower than the state rate of 8.89. And don’t worry about healthcare access. Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital — a 2025 recipient of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Outpatient Prostate Care Award — is next door in Lebanon. Alternatively, Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital, which has been providing medical services to residents in the area since 1932, is also an excellent choice. Finally, although Hanover is perfect for those who want to roll with the young, residents aged 60 and above still comprise 23% of the population.

Hampton

Hampton is a fantastic beach community and features a local coastline that provides lots of fun outdoor activities, including biking, surfing, and boating. The people here are warm and friendly — while Boston, which provides a Â鶹AV of cultural attractions, is just an hour down the road. A retiree here will enjoy spending her morning hours at the Batchelder Pond Trails, lounging on a beautiful, white-sand beach (check out North Beach), or swimming at the Hampton Beach State Park, the venue of choice for fun-filled summer concerts and a sand sculpting competition that draws crowds from all over the region.

Hanover's property crime rate per 1,000 residents is 6.03, which is significantly lower than the state rate of 8.89. On healthcare access, the award-winning Exeter Hospital is just a hair out of town, so no need to make a long, back-breaking trip when indisposed. Finally, Hampton residents have a median age of 50, with those aged 60 and above comprising 32% of the population.

Why New Hampshire Stands Out for Senior Living

If you are cruising into your sunset years and have not thought of spending those golden years in the Granite State, you could be letting a lifetime opportunity slip through your fingers. From excellent healthcare access to a retirement tax regime that leaves one with some cash in the wallet, New Hampshire gets almost everything right. If concerned about safety, New Hampshire boasts one of the lowest crime rates in the United States. The most exciting part? There are chances a New Hampshire retiree will be less than an hour from nearly everything: mountains, cities, orchards, lakes, ocean, forest — name it.