Merrimack, New Hampshire Ranks in top 100 Places to Live

CNN/Money Magazine recently released its 100 top places to live and Merrimack, New Hampshire was ranked 86 out of 100!

Merrimack, NH offers its citizens a unique quality of life experience not found in many areas. The population was 25,494 at the 2010 census, making it the eighth-largest municipality in New Hampshire.   Residents enjoy life in a small town yet have access to the many conveniences found in larger cities.   Merrimack, NH is conveniently located near the state’s two largest cities; it is just north of Nashua (also named as one of the top 100 places to live in 1987 and 1997) and approximately 10 miles south of Manchester, NH.  It is only 1 hour away from Boston.

Legend has it that the first log cabin was built in Merrimack in about 1665, settlement did not begin until the 1720s.  The town was separated from Dunstable (Nashua) in 1746 and it was incorporated as Merrimack, after the river. In 1766, a ferry concession was granted to Edward Lutwyche, to facilitate trade and traffic between Litchfield and Merrimack and in 1784, the ferry was granted to Revolutionary War patriot Matthew Thornton, an area still known as Thornton's Ferry.  Origionally, there were four villages in the town: (formerly known as Merrimack Village, Souhegan Village), Thorton's Ferry, Reeds Ferry and South Merrimack.

Merrimack is rich in history. For example, Matthew Thornton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, lived in Merrimack until his death in 1803.

The job market is healthy in Merrimack, NH.  Fidelity recently moved more than 1,000 jobs to Merrimack.  Since 1970 it has been the home to the Anheuser-Busch brewery and  locals and tourists enjoy the brewery tour and viewing the Budweiser Clydesdales. GT Advanced Technologies, formerly GT Solar, a leading global provider of polysilicon production technology, and sapphire and silicon crystalline growth system and materials for the solar, LED and other industrial markets is located in Merrimack.

The are six public schools in Merrimack which are managed by the Merrimack School District:  Thorntons Ferry Elementary School, Reeds Ferry Elementary School, James Mastricola Elementary School, James Mastricola Upper Elementary School, Merrimack Middle School and Merrimack High School.   In addition, there is a charter school, the Academy for Science and Design, established for the 2007-08 academic year, which is New Hampshire's first charter school to concentrate on science, math, engineering, and design.  It is tuition free for Merrimack, NH students.

The town government consists of a 7-member town counsel. This form of government was recently adopted by a ballot measure on May 25, 2006.d

Merrimack was the home to Roy's Variety in South Merrimack which sported a sign that read  “Eat Here and Get Gas” !

There are affordable houses available in Merrimack, NH ranging from condominiums to single family homes. Give me a call, I would love to show you around.

Discover the New Hampshire Advantage.  New Hampshire was named the Most Livable State in Americafor the 6th year in a row!   New Hampshire is the Safest State in America, 2010  and the Third Healthiest State in America!

 If  you are interested in finding out more about the New Hampshire real estate market, contact me. I would welcome the opportunity to assist you!

____Disclaimer: Information herein may come from various sources, some of which may not be reliable and may change without any notice. Joan Whitebook does not guarantee or is any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog and information provided is without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Information on this blog represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments by others may not express the views of the author. Joan Whiteook, BHG, The Masiello Group, Andrew White, managing broker. Copyright © 2011 By Joan Whitebook, Merrimack, New Hampshire (photos& blog) " Merrimack, New Hampshire Ranks in top 100 Places to Live"