What’s It Like Living in Exeter, NH? – A Local Guide

Hunter Letendre
2 days ago
6 min read

Exeter, New Hampshire is a town in Rockingham County, in New Hampshire’s Seacoast region. It was founded in 1638 and carries a deep historic legacy. According to recent estimates, its population is about 16,000.

The town blends historic charm—mill buildings, old architecture, riverside settings—with modern conveniences. The downtown core features walkable streets, local shops and cafés, while outer areas include more commercial corridors, larger retail, and newer housing. The town lies roughly 50 minutes north of Boston and similarly an hour south of Portland, ME along I-95, making it accessible for regional commuting.

What are the neighborhoods & housing patterns like?

Historic home, condo and luxury home - Exeter, NH

Historic core / Downtown

In the center of town you’ll find the more compact, older‐home neighborhoods near the rivers, the waterfront, and around the downtown shops on Water Street. These tend to have shorter lots, more walkability, access to restaurants and local services, and a pronounced historic New England feel.

Outer commercial & newer housing zones

As you move outward from the downtown nucleus toward major roads like Portsmouth Avenue, Route 101 access, you’ll hit more commercial development—big-box retail, shopping centres, newer subdivisions, condos and multi‐unit housing. The housing lots tend to be larger, newer construction more common, and car usage more necessary.

Housing market & cost

Housing in Exeter is in strong demand: median sale prices are around $632,000 as of September 2025, up about 10.6% year-over-year. Homes are typically selling quickly (with average days on market dropping). For example, June 2025 saw a median sold price of around $741,000 and many homes sold above asking. The market is competitive and pricing is higher compared to many New Hampshire towns.

Home value estimates (Zillow) show typical home value around $596,748, up slightly. For renters or buyers this means budget adjustments are likely needed.

What about schools & education?

Lincoln Street Elementary School, Exeter Regional High School, Phillips Exeter Academy

Public schools

The town is served by public school districts: Exeter School District (elementary) and Exeter Region Cooperative School District (grades 6–12). According to Niche:

Exeter School District (PK–5) has a student-teacher ratio of about 10:1, math proficiency 58% and reading proficiency 59%.
Exeter High School (grades 9-12) has about 1,380 students, a student-teacher ratio of 13:1, 52% of students proficient in math and 74% in reading. Graduation rate is 95%.

These figures suggest strong teacher ratios and respected performance, though like all districts there are trade-offs in resources, offerings and class sizes.

Private / boarding school

The town is also home to the prestigious Phillips Exeter Academy (PEA), a well-known private boarding secondary school dating to 1781.

What is employment & job opportunity like?

Headquarters of Bauer Hockey, Sig Sauer Gun Manufacturing Facility, Commuter Rail to Boston and Portland

The town presents both local‐job opportunities and commuter access. Locally, there are small to medium businesses, retail along major roads (Portsmouth Avenue, Route 111), light manufacturing/industrial parks, and institutions (such as education and health) that provide employment. The town’s economic development page highlights that Exeter is well positioned for businesses and offers resources.

For regional commuting, the location is beneficial—residents can reach major employment hubs (e.g., Boston region) by train or I-95 and Route 101 (east-west) access. This broadens job pull beyond the immediate town. Many households may commute rather than work strictly locally, depending on role and industry.

What’s everyday life like, and what amenities are available?

Water Street Bookstore and Shops, Walking trails, Farmer's Market

Life in Exeter often blends the relaxed pace of a smaller New England town with access to a range of amenities:

Walkability in downtown: In and around the historic core you’ll find local shops, cafés, restaurants, the riverside, parks and sidewalks that make walking feasible for daily errands.
Outdoor access: The town offers natural features—river access (Exeter River meets Squamscott River), trails, conservation areas, and nearby beaches in the region.
Community feel and events: The town hosts farmers’ markets, local arts, historic festivals and seasonal events.
Commuting & errands: While downtown is compact, many errands (shopping, larger retail, outlying subdivisions) will require driving. Commercial corridors and outer housing zones are more car‐dependent.
Traffic / congestion: Peak commuting times (especially heading toward Boston or regional employment hubs) may include delays, and major roads (Route 101, I-95) can carry commuter and through traffic.
Modern vs. small‐town trade-off: While the town has modern amenities, it is not a large city—so choices for very large‐scale cultural institutions, transit options or diverse nightlife may be more limited than in metropolitan centers.

What’s the cost of living & regional comparison?

60 Minutes to Boston,, MA; 60 Minutes to Portland, ME; 25 Minutes to Jenness Beach, Rye, NH

Population of Exeter is approximately 16,000 (town total) and its density reflects a semi-suburban/seacoast mix.
Median household income (per school district data) is around $96,483 in Exeter region.
Home values are elevated compared to many New Hampshire towns, as noted above (median sale $632K, typical value $596K).
In comparison regionally: Compared to more rural interior New Hampshire towns, Exeter’s pricing and cost levels are higher—but compared to suburbs closer to Boston, Exeter may offer slightly more value depending on commute and location.
Commute times to key regional points:
- Boston (downtown): 50–60 minutes depending on traffic and route.
- Portland, ME: 60 minutes north via I-95/Route 1.
- Nearby beaches and Seacoast: 10–20 minutes depending on specific location.These estimates reflect typical drive times rather than exact mileage.
For households considering “living in Exeter NH,” the cost of housing and property taxes are notable factors; balancing budget vs. benefits is important.

What are the pros & cons of living in Exeter, NH?

Outdoor Concert at the Gazebo, Holiday Parade, Festival of Trees

Pros

Rich historic character and attractive downtown environment.
Well-regarded public and private educational options.
Strong outdoor and nature access (rivers, trails, coast).
Convenient location for regional employment and commuting.
Good mix of small town charm with modern amenities.

Cons

Higher housing costs and competition for homes.
Some dependence on vehicle travel, especially outside the downtown core.
Commute/corridor traffic can become a factor during peak hours.
While amenities are strong for a town this size, large-city scale infrastructure (major airports, heavy rail transit, very large cultural venues) is more limited.
Subdivisions and newer developments may feel less “historic” or compact than older neighborhoods.

How does living in Exeter compare to other towns in the region?

American Independence Museum, Squamscott River, Sea Dog Brewing Company

Compared to many smaller or more remote New Hampshire towns, Exeter offers superior access to employment hubs, better school options and more amenities—but comes with higher costs and more traffic. Compared to suburbs immediately adjacent to Boston, Exeter may offer more space and somewhat more favorable tax/valuation in some cases, but the commute will likely be longer or more traffic-dependent. For someone seeking “living in Exeter NH,” you’re choosing a blend of historic/seacoast New England lifestyle with regional connectivity—favourable for many, but not identical to inner-suburb convenience.

#ThingsToDoInExeter

Powder Keg & Chili Festival, Easter Egg Hunt, Word Barn & Meadow Outdoor Concert

Here are specific activities and places to explore in Exeter:

Visit the American Independence Museum (Ladd-Gilman House & Folsom Tavern) for historic tours and Revolutionary-era exhibits.
Stroll downtown on Water Street: boutique shops, cafés, the historic bandstand, and dining spots.
Attend the weekly Farmers’ Market in the summer and seasonal festivals (such as the fall beer & chili festival) hosted by the town.
Kayaking or river-walks along the Exeter River / Squamscott River; enjoy trails and conservation lands.
Ice skating or hockey at The Rinks At Exeter (indoor rink) for recreation.
Historic architecture tour: Front Street Historic District, 18th & 19th century homes and landmarks.
Dining & craft brewery experiences: e.g., Sea Dog Brewing, Czar’s Brewing around the downtown core.

Final Thoughts

Water Street Commerce, Sea Dog Brewery on the Exeter River, Inn by the Bandstand

If you’re exploring the idea of living in Exeter NH, here’s the takeaway: you’ll find a town that offers a well-rounded and engaging lifestyle—with strong schools, rich history, outdoor access and regional connectivity. You will trade off higher housing and cost of living, and some dependence on commuting or driving—but many residents find the balance appealing.

If you’re considering relocating, buying or renting in Exeter, or perhaps exploring nearby towns in New Hampshire, Maine or Massachusetts, I’d love to help. I’m an area expert across NH, ME and MA—whether you’re interested in Exeter or a nearby town—reach out and I can guide you through the market, neighbourhoods, current listings and match your lifestyle and budget needs.