New Hampshire
15 Best Places in New Hampshire for a Couple to Live on Only Social Security
In this article, we will discuss the 15 best places in New Hampshire for a couple to live on only social security. You may skip our detailed discussion on inflationary pressures for women in the US and see the 5 Best Places in New Hampshire for a Couple to Live on Only Social Security.
According to Gallup’s annual Economy and Personal Finance Poll this year, 41% of Americans believe inflation or the high cost of living is the most important financial problem facing their family. This marks the third year in a row that inflation concerns have hit a record high among respondents. For context, during the economic crisis of 2008, the percentage of Americans who believed inflation to be their most important financial concern was 18%.
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Inflationary Pressures on Women
While inflationary pressures impact all Americans, studies show that such pressures can be particularly troublesome for certain demographics. For example, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2022, 4.4% of all women in the labor force were likely to be among the working poor in comparison to 3.7% of men. Alarmingly, 13.1% of families maintained by women earners were likely to be living below the poverty level. In contrast, 6.5% of families maintained by male earners were likely to be living below the poverty level.
The reasons women tend to be more susceptible to the risks of inflation tend to revolve around factors such as gender pay gaps, barriers in access to education & professional opportunities, and a lack of financial literacy. While households relying on women workers are the ones most significantly impacted by such dynamics, research from Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA) suggests that it may also impact the economy in general. According to Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), closing the U.S. gender gap in labor force participation could boost the country’s GDP by an impressive 5%.
Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA) is one of the 50 largest institutional asset managers globally. In the last year, the company has managed to surpass analysts’ expectations for earnings in 3 separate quarters. On August 1st, the company released its Q2 2024 financial results in which it achieved a revenue of $2.03 billion. Adjusted operating EPS for the period were $2.27 which managed to surpass analyst expectations by 3.5%. The management credited its impressive earnings performance to strong fee-based revenues in the Wealth and Investment Management segments, which allowed it to offset its aggregate loss ratios in its Health segment.
Apart from achieving consistent growth in revenue and earnings, the company has improved its dividend payouts considerably over the last 2 years. During the first 2 quarters of 2024, Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA) paid out common stock dividends of $0.4 per share. Last month, the company declared a 12.5% increase in its common stock dividend, increasing it to $0.45 per share. With its impressive financial performance and stable outlook, Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA) looks to be one of the best dividend stocks in its industry.
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Retiring in New Hampshire
Results from Gallup’s Economy and Personal Finance Poll this year show that the second biggest financial concern for retirees is housing costs. 14% of respondents believe that the cost of owning or renting a home is their single biggest financial concern. Our article on the Best Places in Wisconsin for a Couple to Live on Only Social Security shows how households struggling to afford housing often have to compromise on their long-term savings in order to make ends meet in the short term. In such circumstances, individuals are compelled to withdraw funds from their retirement accounts, putting them at risk of being financially insecure in retirement.
For individuals retiring in states such as New Hampshire, these risks are amplified by the fact that it is quite an expensive state to retire in. In fact, according to Zillow Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: Z), the average home price in the state is currently $485,943. In comparison to the rest of the country, Zillow Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: Z) reports that the average home price in New Hampshire is 34% more expensive.
However, one advantage of retiring in the Granite State is that it has no state income tax. Thus, individuals looking to retire on social security alone will be glad to know that the state does not tax social security or other forms of retirement income. In addition, while some of the best places to retire in New Hampshire are quite expensive, there are numerous lesser-known locations that are among the cheapest.
Join us as we take a look at the best places in New Hampshire for a couple to live on only social security.
15 Best Places in New Hampshire for a Couple to Live on Only Social Security
Methodology
To develop our list of best places in New Hampshire for a couple to live on only social security, we initially picked out the most recommended places in New Hampshire for a couple to live on only social security on the internet. We used 10+ sources including Movoto, Smart Asset, and World Atlas to develop a shortlist. Further research was narrowed down to these places only.
Among these best places, we developed a scorecard using metrics such as livability scores, cost of living, and average rent. Livability scores were sourced from Area Vibes while average rent was obtained from Zillow Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: Z). By standardizing these metrics on a linear scale, each place was scored, based on which we sorted our list in descending order. The top 15 places were chosen for our list of best places in New Hampshire for a couple to live on only social security.
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Here are the 15 Best Places in New Hampshire for a Couple to Live on only Social Security.
15. Lincoln
Insider Monkey Score: 7.54
Livability Score: 64
Median Rent: $2,000
IM Cost of Living: 94.4
In terms of rent, Lincoln is the most expensive destination on our list. However, the cost of living in the city is 5.6% lower than the national average. Residents can enjoy excursions all year round, with opportunities for skiing & snowboarding in the winters and enjoying mountain biking adventures in the summers.
14. Franklin
Insider Monkey Score: 7.90
Livability Score: 66
Median Rent: $1,650
IM Cost of Living: 100.4
If you’re looking for small & affordable New England towns you should consider Franklin. It is located about 20 miles north of Concord, the state capital. With a median rent of just $1,650 and easy access to Concord’s amenities, Franklin is one of the best places in New Hampshire for a couple to live on only social security.
13. Derry
Insider Monkey Score: 7.98
Livability Score: 79
Median Rent: $1,752
IM Cost of Living: 117.0
Just southeast of Manchester lies Derry. Derry offers an excellent blend of culture, history, and natural beauty. One downside of retiring to Derry is that in terms of cost of living, it is the most expensive destination on our list.
12. North Conway
Insider Monkey Score: 8.15
Livability Score: 74
Median Rent: $1,913
IM Cost of Living: 105.4
North Conway is a popular tourist destination located in the Mount Washington Valley. However, it is also one of the best places in New Hampshire for a couple to live on only social security. It is bustling with activities and excursions all around the year, ranging from ski slopes to indoor water parks and even railroad tours.
11. Littleton
Insider Monkey Score: 8.58
Livability Score: 64
Median Rent: $1,500
IM Cost of Living: 94.4
Located near the Connecticut and Ammonoosuc Rivers, Littleton is a small town surrounded by a myriad of natural attractions. Apart from hiking trails and state parks, it is also home to attractions such as the Littleton Historical Museum and the Littleton Opera House. Since the town is located on the interstate highway 93, it also offers plenty of opportunities for road trips across the region.
10. Conway
Insider Monkey Score: 8.65
Livability Score: 73
Median Rent: $1,588
IM Cost of Living: 105.4
A few miles south of North Conway lies the town of Conway. While the cost of living in both places is similar, housing costs in Conway are much more affordable than in North Conway. Residents in Conway can enjoy access to the sights and sounds of the Echo Lake State Park, engaging in activities such as swimming, hiking, non-motorized boating, and fishing.
9. Manchester
Insider Monkey Score: 8.73
Livability Score: 80
Median Rent: $1,875
IM Cost of Living: 109.9
Manchester is the largest city in New Hampshire. It is the perfect destination for retirees who wish to have access to big city amenities and lifestyles. It is particularly appealing to art lovers as it is home to the Currier Museum of Art and several galleries and theatres.
8. Laconia
Insider Monkey Score: 8.97
Livability Score: 76
Median Rent: $1,900
IM Cost of Living: 101.6
Laconia is located on the shores of two stunning lakes Lake Winnipesaukee and Winnisquam Lake. It is an excellent retirement destination for sports enthusiasts due to its array of watersports. It is also home to the New Hampshire Fighting Spirit hockey team and the Winnipesaukee Muskrats baseball team.
7. Somersworth
Insider Monkey Score: 9.27
Livability Score: 79
Median Rent: $1,900
IM Cost of Living: 103.4
Somersworth lies in eastern New Hampshire, just a few miles from Maine. Whilst being a small and suburban city itself, it lies in close proximity to other more populated centers such as Dover.
6. Rochester
Insider Monkey Score: 9.53
Livability Score: 80
Median Rent: $1,800
IM Cost of Living: 104.4
Just 7 miles from Somersworth lies Rochester. The city offers an incredible balance of nature and culture, making it one of the best places in New Hampshire for a couple to live on only social security.
5. Newport
Insider Monkey Score: 10.76
Livability Score: 73
Median Rent: $1,500
IM Cost of Living: 89.1
In terms of both rent and cost of living, Newport is one of the most affordable places to retire in New Hampshire. It is the perfect destination for retirees looking to explore natural beauty during their golden years. It is home to attractions such as the Pollard Mill Falls, an incredible cascading waterfall feature that draws tourists from all over New England.
4. Concord
Insider Monkey Score: 10.89
Livability Score: 88
Median Rent: $1,850
IM Cost of Living: 103.7
Concord is the state capital of New Hampshire. It is one of the places that offers a perfect blend of vibrant city life along with access to plenty of serene natural wonders. In terms of affordability, the cost of living in Concord is 3.7% higher than the national average, however, its median rent is $1850, which is significantly lower than the national median.
3. Berlin
Insider Monkey Score: 10.18
Livability Score: 65
Median Rent: $1,300
IM Cost of Living: 85.8
In terms of affordability, Berlin is the best place in New Hampshire for a couple to live on only social security. Its median rent is $1,300 while its cost of living is 14.2% lower than the national average. Both these scores are the lowest out of all the destinations on our list.
2. Keene
Insider Monkey Score: 11.53
Livability Score: 86
Median Rent: $1,700
IM Cost of Living: 98.1
Keene is located in southern New Hampshire. It lies close to several natural attractions, such as the Horatio Colony Nature Preserve and the Green Mountain National Forest. It also hosts the Keene Music Festival every summer, which is one of the largest music festivals in New England.
1. Claremont
Insider Monkey Score: 12.85
Livability Score: 88
Median Rent: $1,600
IM Cost of Living: 91.6
Claremont is located in western New Hampshire, just 10 miles from the state border with Vermont. Whilst it is a small city, this close-knit community is the best place in New Hampshire for a couple to live on only social security. It is quite affordable in terms of both housing and cost of living. In addition, it is surrounded by acres of stunning forests and parks.
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Disclosure: None. 15 Best Places in New Hampshire for a Couple to Live on Only Social Security is originally published on Insider Monkey.
PORTSMOUTH — Serving approximately 500 LGBTQ+ youth across the state, the nonprofit New Hampshire Outright has increased its programming by 25% over the past year.
Portsmouth Pride, the organization’s largest annual event, is set for Saturday, June 20, with roughly 5,000 people expected to attend the parade and events in the city throughout the weekend.
“We are serving more young people and families than ever before. Our impact is just growing day by day, year over year in terms of folks we’re able to serve and advocate for,” said Heidi Carrington Heath, NH Outright’s executive director.
The parade will step off at Pleasant Street around 12:30 p.m. Saturday, then loop through downtown to Strawbery Banke Museum, where the mainstage will host drag performances and musical acts from 1 to 5 p.m.
Heath, LGBTQ+ advocates oppose several bills before NH Gov. Kelly Ayotte
The moment is not without its challenges for the LGBTQ+ community. Heath pointed to three bills in the New Hampshire legislature that have her and other LGBTQ+ advocates around the state concerned.
The first, Senate Bill 552, awaits possible approval from New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte. The New Hampshire House of Representatives and Senate both approved the bill, sponsored by three Senate Republicans, which proposes to separate people by their biological sex in certain places, including bathrooms, locker rooms, involuntary detention facilities and sporting events.
Critics of the latest bathroom bill initiative oppose its implications for transgender youth and adults across the state, if it were to be signed into law by Ayotte. Both Ayotte and prior New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu vetoed restroom-focused bills in the past.
“We really pride ourselves on individuality and individual freedom,” Heath said. “I want us to return to those Granite State values in a variety of arenas. There is a very real cost to our kids to watching the people whose job it should be to protect you to debate your personhood in public.”
Ayotte faces another Republican bill – SB 430 – opposed by LGBTQ+ leaders in the state.
The bill, amended and adopted in both the state House and Senate, would require New Hampshire teachers and school employees to “honestly and completely” answer written requests from parents and legal guardians about their children.
The language of the bill does not directly address the LGBTQ+ community, but opponents worry that teachers may be forced to disclose a student’s gender identity or sexual orientation. If it becomes law, the mandate would take effect in New Hampshire’s schools Jan. 1.
“They just want to be kids,” Heath said of LGBTQ+ youth. “That is the gift of the work we do at New Hampshire Outright. We allow them to do that. They are navigating this in every arena of their life, out in their world, at school, etc. They just want to be kids. I want that for them, too. I really do.”
In addition, Republican Senate Bill 434, a book challenging measure, sits on Ayotte’s desk.
“No later than November 1, 2027, each local school board shall adopt a procedure to be used to address complaints submitted by parents or guardians alleging that material that is harmful to minors, age-inappropriate, or otherwise offensive or inappropriate for use in the child’s school,” the House and Senate-passed bill reads.
Complaints would be filed with the superintendent of a school district or a designee, per the bill.
What events are being held before and after Portsmouth Pride?
Before the Pride parade, from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, attendees will be welcomed at the John Paul Jones House in Portsmouth to make flags and buttons for the event.
New this year, a ticketed New Hampshire Outright Pride after party with appetizers, drinks and dancing will be hosted by The Hawthorn, a Jewell Court events center, from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday.
The weekend’s closing event — a ticketed drag brunch at the Music Hall Lounge in collaboration with Gather and New Hampshire Outright — will be held Sunday, June 21 at 10 a.m. The drag brunch is for ages 21 and older.
Ahead of Portsmouth Pride, Heath reported New Hampshire Outright has already led or assisted in organizing nine events this year throughout the New Hampshire and Maine Seacoast region.
“We are so excited about this weekend,” Heath said. “Pride is a protest. Pride is a celebration. We are just looking forward to welcoming the community to celebrate with us at Pride and showing up big, particularly for showing young people that their identity is their superpower.”
Want to get married? Ordained minister plans to marry LGBTQ+ couples after Portsmouth Pride
Rollinsford resident Jen Walton is the daughter of a gay woman. Throughout Walton’s upbringing, she experienced taunts and isolation at school as her mother hid parts of her identity from the public eye.
Some of Walton’s earliest memories are of attending Pride parades with her mother. Now an ordained minister, Walton plans to offer 10-minute wedding ceremonies following the Portsmouth Pride parade Saturday afternoon, an idea that took shape in recent days.
“I would love to just marry as many people as I can,” Walton said.
Walton, friend and fellow ordained minister Katie Brochu and friends will station themselves at the Prescott Park fountain Saturday afternoon following the Portsmouth Pride Parade.
Couples need to bring identification, a marriage license and $20 to be approved for an impromptu Pride park wedding, according to Walton.
Three different wedding ceremony styles will be offered to couples looking to tie the knot. Walton and her friends will be on hand from 1 to 5 p.m. as the Portsmouth Pride mainstage performances occur simultaneously nearby.
“We’re really all supposed to be in this together,” Walton said. “You learn from a very young age that people are individuals and not everybody is going to think, feel and believe the same thing. For me, it’s super important that I’m an ally. I’ve said it for years and years and I’ll say it for years and years, because it’s hard.”
The event is not sanctioned by New Hampshire Outright but has Heath’s and the organization’s full backing.
“It never ceases to amaze me and bring me joy the things that people want to do around Pride month,” Heath said.
All proceeds will be split evenly between New Hampshire Outright and the Trevor Project, an LGBTQ+ suicide prevention nonprofit.
New Hampshire
Concord celebrates 237 years of Constitution ratification with festivities – Concord Monitor
On June 20, 1788, New Hampshire’s delegates met to debate ratifying the U.S. Constitution. After officially breaking for the day, the delegates met at the Walker House on North Main Street in Concord, where they continued their discussions over drinks.
They met again the next day, this time at the Old North Meeting House, to ratify one of America’s founding documents. With their signatures, New Hampshire became the ninth state to formally approve the Constitution, completing the two-thirds majority needed for it to go into effect.
This Saturday, 237 years later, the Concord Historical Society will host “Liberty and Legacy: Civic Saturday Social” from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The old-fashioned block party will celebrate New Hampshire’s democratic history in the lead up to America 250 and Concord 300.
The event will kick off at 1 p.m. in front of the Walker House at 276 North Main St. with a toast of sparking cider by Mayor Byron Champlin accompanied by a musket salute courtesy of the Bell’s Company NH 2nd Regiment reenactors. The toast and salute will be repeated at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Outside of the toasts, the Bell’s Company reenactors will be at the Pierce Manse open house for interviews. There will be a historical reenactment of the Declaration of Independence on Sparkey Stage at 2:10 p.m., and a 19th-century magic show at 2:45 p.m. at the Kimball Jenkins Carriage House.
Learn about Concord’s history at the Carriage House with Ward 3 City Councilor Jennifer Kretovic at 1:45 p.m. and 4 p.m., including stories from 1726 to 1776. You can also join Binnie Media at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. for a tour of the historic building where the Constitution was ratified. At 5 p.m., Bob Pollock will talk on the Kimball Jenkins Mansion lawn about some of the historic trees planted along North Main Street.
There will also be multiple exhibitions during the event. A replica of the original Concord Coach will be on show, accompanied by other historic vehicles. The Kimball Jenkins Mansion will have an open house to display the “History Woven Through Time” art exhibition, with 30-minute organ recitals at 3 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
For craftspeople and artists, there will be plenty of activities to enjoy. The Nulhegan Band of Abenaki will present their national needlework project “America’s Tapestry,” and attendees can learn beading and embroidery techniques from those who worked on the tapestry. The Guild of NH Woodworkers will also be hosting a woodworking demo throughout the day.
The Concordia Church Lawn will hold many activities throughout the day, including leather stamping, pottery, face painting, sidewalk chalk and historic games. From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Miles Smith Farm will host their Extreme Cow Experience, where you can interact with their Scottish Highland cows. A Parlor Quoits (Cornhole) Tournament will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., with team and individual sign ups from 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Individuals will be paired as needed, and teams of two will be matched before the tournament begins.
On the Sparkey Stage, the Avaloch Farm Music Institute will hold a performance at 1:15 p.m., and musician Mike Morris will take the stage at 2:30 p.m. for his FreeStyle Folk Music Concert.
Food will be offered throughout the day. Domino’s will be partnering with Made By Us in offering pizza and civic information, and Stacy’s Grill food truck will be right next to Sparkey Stage. New Hampshah’s Mini Donuts and Nice Ice Baby Sno Cones will be available, as well as popcorn, cookies and cotton candy.
Parking will be available at Bennie Media, the Boys and Girls Club, Milestone Construction and the Merrimack County Savings Bank. Handicap parking will be available at the end of Horseshoe Pond Lane.
North Main Street will be closed from Kimball Jenkins Estate to where Horseshoe Pond Lane begins.
BRENTWOOD — A Maine woman was indicted this month on charges that she killed her 88‑year‑old mother‑in‑law in her Exeter apartment in 2025.
Danielle Kelsen, 55, was indicted by a Rockingham County grand jury in June on one count of second‑degree murder for “recklessly” causing the death of Janet Kelsen “by inflicting blunt force injuries.” She was also indicted on a misdemeanor charge of wiretapping and eavesdropping for allegedly recording conversations between the two without consent.
An indictment is not an indication of guilt; it means the grand jury found enough evidence to move the case forward to trial.
Janet Kelsen was found dead in her apartment at 133 Front St. in Exeter on the night of Feb. 9, 2025. An autopsy later revealed the cause of death — and confirmed it was a homicide.
Kelsen was arrested in November of 2025 in Southwest Harbor, Maine, as a fugitive from justice and held without bail in the Hancock County Jail. She initially fought extradition, which forced prosecutors to seek a governor’s warrant to bring her back to New Hampshire.
Benjamin Agati, a senior NH assistant attorney general, previously said the investigation involved a lengthy examination of the physical evidence, interviewing witnesses and verifying statements. An arrest warrant for Danielle Kelsen was obtained only after authorities had sufficient evidence, he said.
The court has sealed the arrest warrant that outlines the evidence in Kelsen’s case.
On March 3, Kelsen made her first in‑state court appearance in Brentwood District Court and was ordered held without bail.
If convicted of second‑degree murder, she faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment without parole or “for such term as the court may order,” according to New Hampshire law.
Kelsen is scheduled to be arraigned in Rockingham Superior Court on June 29 at 10 a.m.
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