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Last weekend my wife and I went up to the White Mountains to camp and tackle another NH 4,000 footer.
We were planning on hiking near Crawford Notch (one of the most beautiful parts of the White Mountains); however, we did not have a campground picked out.
We decided to give Crawford Notch General Store and Campground a try, and it was a hit!
After being there for the weekend, I have decided that Crawford Notch General Store and Campground is one of the best campgrounds for newer campers.
To start, the store is jam-packed with everything you may need/forgot on your trip. Many camp sores have firewood, a poncho, and some water/snacks…but this place had it ALL. Whether you forgot a small item, or you showed up empty-handed, the store at the campground had everything you would need for weeks.
Bathrooms and showers are always a concern for those new to camping. Some campgrounds have porterpotties, some have pit toilets, and others have no bathrooms or showers at all.
This campground had full bath houses with coin-operated hot water showers and fully flushable toilets.
Another concern for newer campers is water – both for drinking and for cleaning. This place had water stations ALL OVER the campground. And unlike many campgrounds, which ask you not to wash your dishes near their water source, Crawford Notch Campground had a table and recommended using it to clean dishes.
This campground had a variety of sites which was great to see. There are smaller sites near the road, larger and private sites along the Saco River, and even tipis and cabins for those looking for a more “glamping” experience.
If you plan on floating in the Saco River, hiking a 4,000-footer, or doing a smaller hike in or around Crawford Notch, this campground is at the center of it all.
You can get to downtown North Conway in 30 minutes, or you can get to a trailhead in half that time.
There is something for everyone and I would recommend the Crawford Notch Campground to ANY camper – inexperienced or seasoned.
Gallery Credit: Angela Underwood
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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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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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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Crime
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) — A man connected to a homicide in New Hampshire was fatally shot by police on a bridge that connects the state to Maine. An 8-year-old child was found shot to death in the man’s car, the attorney general’s office said Thursday.
The Piscataqua River Bridge along Interstate 95 has been closed since about 3 a.m. and traffic was backed up on both sides as drivers were diverted to two other bridges. The Piscataqua bridge connects Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to Kittery, Maine.
The incident appears to have started with a man killing a woman at a home overnight in Troy, New Hampshire, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) away in the western part of the state, and then driving to the bridge, Attorney General John Formella said in a news release.
“Early this morning police engaged with the adult male on the bridge in an incident that ended with the male being fatally shot. The Maine Attorney General’s Office is now investigating that officer-involved shooting incident,” the news release said.
“Police on the bridge also found an 8-year-old child fatally shot” in the man’s vehicle, the news release said. “The exact circumstances surrounding this incident remain under active investigation.”
There was no threat to the public and the bridge remained closed in both directions because of the investigation, the news release said.
No names have been released.
Between 70,000 and 80,000 vehicles use the Piscataqua bridge each day, according to the Maine Department of Transportation.
Associated Press reporters David Sharp in Portland, Maine, and Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire, contributed to this report.
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