What You Need to Know Before You Move to NH or VT
Thinking about a move to the Upper Valley? You’re in good company. Every week, we talk to buyers relocating from bigger cities and busier states who are looking for the same thing: a place with good schools, real community, and a little more breathing room, without giving up access to good jobs, good healthcare, and good food. The Upper Valley of New Hampshire and Vermont checks every one of those boxes, and then some.
I’ve called this region home for nearly two decades! I’ve spent that whole time helping people buy and sell real estate on both sides of the Connecticut River. For me and my team, it’s never just about the transaction, it’s helping you find a place that actually fits your life. So consider this your friendly, no-fluff guide to the region, straight from the people who live here too. Consider it us Keeping YOU In The Know.
What Exactly Is “The Upper Valley”?
Great question, and one we get a lot from people relocating here for the first time. The Upper Valley isn’t an official city or county. It’s the name locals use for the cluster of towns straddling the Connecticut River in west-central New Hampshire and east-central Vermont.
On the Vermont side, you’ve got towns like Norwich, Hartford (home to White River Junction), Woodstock, Thetford, Strafford, Randolph, Royalton, Sharon, Pomfret, Barnard, Bethel, Bridgewater, Hartland, Windsor, West Windsor, Weathersfield, Chelsea, Vershire, West Fairlee, Tunbridge, and Corinth.
On the New Hampshire side, we’ve got Hanover, Lebanon, Enfield, Canaan, Lyme, Orford, Piermont, Dorchester, Grafton, Orange, Claremont, Newport, Charlestown, Unity, Plainfield, Cornish, Croydon, Grantham, Springfield, Sunapee, and New London.
Every one of these towns has its own personality. Part of our job is helping you figure out which one actually fits how you want to live. The map is just a jumping-off point!.
Why So Many People Are Choosing the Upper Valley
A Job Market That Actually Holds Up
Between Dartmouth College in Hanover and Dartmouth Health in Lebanon, this region has an economic backbone that a lot of small towns simply don’t. Add in the growing healthcare, education, and tech scene, and it makes sense why so many professionals relocating for work end up putting down roots here for good.
Outdoor Living, All Four Seasons
This isn’t a “nice view from the car” kind of place. Skiing at Killington and the Dartmouth Skiway, hiking the Appalachian Trail, paddling the Connecticut River, biking the back roads. Out here, outdoor recreation is any day.
Real Small-Town Character
There are walkable downtowns, local restaurants, farmers markets, and genuine culture, all while being minutes from open farmland and forest. It’s the best of both worlds, and it’s part of why people fall in love with this area the moment they visit.
A Community That Actually Feels Like One
This might be the hardest thing to put into words. It’s the thing people mention most once they’ve settled in. This kind of community isn’t something you can manufacture. It’s a huge part of why so many of our clients end up staying for good, or coming back to us years later when it’s time for the next move.
Tax Perks Worth Knowing About
New Hampshire has no state income or sales tax, which is a big draw for people relocating from higher-tax states. Vermont has its own homestead and property tax programs that are worth understanding before you buy. We’re always happy to walk you through what that actually looks like for your specific situation.
Thinking about a move to the Upper Valley? Reach out to Kate & Co. We’re here to keep you in the know, every step of the way.
—
*Kate & Co, led by Katie Ladue Gilbert, is a local real estate team serving the Upper Valley region of New Hampshire and Vermont, licensed in VT & NH, and specializing in Hanover, Norwich, Windsor, Claremont, Springfield, Lebanon, Woodstock, Hartford, White River Junction, Thetford, Lyme, Enfield, Canaan, New London, and surrounding towns.*
