Is Londonderry, NH A Good Place to Live?

Londonderry ranks as one of the top places to live in New Hampshire. We may be partial as a local home builder, but it’s hard to find a bad place to live in the Granite State, and Londonderry still manages to stand out. Safe neighborhoods, strong schools, convenient commuting, and plenty of local amenities make it an easy community to call home.

Londonderry is close to major NH cities, but is home to only about 26,000 residents in its 42 square miles of pastoral green landscape. Most residents own their homes, creating a true community feel. You can tell a lot about a town from its calendar. Londonderry’s town calendar is bursting with activities ranging from youth sports leagues, community parades, and much more including fall and seasonal recreation. Did you know Londonderry is even home to several apple orchards?

With no state income or sales tax and the opportunity to cast your votes at the venerable yearly town and school budget meetings, you’ll have a direct say in how your property tax dollars are spent. That said, while Londonderry residents have historically opted to invest in robust services and schools, the overall 2025 tax rate of $14.47 per $1000 of valuation reflects a measured approach, somewhat higher than some NH towns, significantly lower than others.

Speaking of that, Londonderry schools are among the best in New Hampshire, and the residents recently voted to expand the kindergarten program to a full day, making this an especially good time for busy young families to move here.

While Londonderry doesn’t have what you might consider a traditional main street, it is surrounded by shopping, services, and attractions along Route 28 and close to the I-93 corridor. You won’t have to drive far to access everything you need.

Safety: As a state, New Hampshire ranks among the safest, and Londonderry is one of New Hampshire’s safest towns, with a safety score of 92/100. If you’re moving from a typical urban center or from out of state, you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised by the high degree of safety. Londonderry has its own well-staffed and equipped police and fire departments. At the time of this publishing, the police department is notable for holding a CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies) accreditation for professionalism since November 19, 2021, a distinction only shared by about 4% of law enforcement agencies nationwide.

Schools: Londonderry schools, some of the best in the state, cover all age ranges through high school. They include four elementary schools and one each middle and high school.  With the voters’ approval of the addition of full-day kindergarten in each elementary school starting in 2026, Londonderry has continued to improve its school offerings. All regularly enrolled students in Londonderry schools are signed up for transportation to and from school from their home address.

Commuting: With its southern NH location and close proximity to I-93, major urban hubs including Boston, Manchester, and Nashua are all easily accessible. There are two I-93 exits bisecting Londonderry, making getting on and off easy in either direction. Typically, you can reach Boston in about 40-45 minutes, Manchester in 10-15, and Nashua in about 20-25 minutes. Of course, traffic always bears watching and can impact your commute times.

If you want a break from driving or a ride to Boston-Logan Airport, single ride and commuter passes are available through Boston Express which operates a bus terminal adjacent to Exit 5 of I-93. Of course, there are also flights out of Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, located in Londonderry’s own backyard.

What’s for Coffee, Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner? There are lots of great places to sit back and relax while enjoying some great beverages and eats. Check out just a few of the local Londonderry offerings: 

Troy’s Fresh Kitchen and Juice Bar – A scratch kitchen offering great breakfast and lunch selections including vegetarian and gluten free options. Particularly notable are the locally brewed coffee drinks, power smoothies, and much more.

The Stumble Inn Bar and Grill – A local favorite, you’ll find hearty lunch and dinner options, a weekend brunch menu, and an extensive selection of drinks.

Renegade’s Pub – If you’re craving pub fare, this is the place. Known for its standout burgers, craft drinks, whiskey,  and rotating craft beer selection on tap, Renegade’s is the perfect place to while away an afternoon or evening.

Lucciano’s – Ready for a more upscale dining experience? Lucciano’s is a chef-owned and family run restaurant featuring classic Italian dishes. From the homemade loaf of bread that greets you after you sit down to the homemade pasta and meat dishes, you are sure to leave both full and happy.

There are too many great restaurants, take-out, and delivery options in Londonderry to list here. A quick online search or a drive around town will help you find your new favorites!

What To Do In and Around Londonderry:

Londonderry has so much to offer when it comes to the great outdoors or just plain fun. Home to three working orchards, Mack’s Apples, Merrill Farm, and Sunnycrest Farm, you’ll find activities year round.

Love to experience nature? With over 1,000 acres of conservation land, Londonderry is home to some beautiful hiking and biking trails, including the Betty Mack, the Londonderry Rail Trail, and the Overlook Trail.

If you have children, or are a child at heart, you won’t want to miss Mel’s Funway Park in Litchfield, NH, open from April to October. There you’ll find go-karts, mini golf, batting cages, bumper boats, laser tag, laser maze, and a mini park just for the younger set. And don’t forget the spooky season! Each fall, Mel’s Funway Park transforms into Spooky World, New England’s largest haunted attraction. With over 80 acres of fear, it’s been named “Scariest Haunt 2025” by America Haunts and took home gold in the Best of the 603 awards.

For more fun, check out Xtreme Craze, an indoor entertainment center featuring an inflatable air park and multi-level laser tag.

Looking for your ticket to something more educational, outdoorsy, or just fun? Check out more great ideas of things to do near Londonderry here.

So, what do you think? Does Londonderry sound like a great place to call home? We think so. To learn more about new homes for sale in Londonderry, get in touch with us.