Exeter, NH

Exeter, New Hampshire, has a way of feeling both historic and lived-in at the same time, like a well-worn leather chair that happens to be an antique. It’s the kind of town where the downtown brick sidewalks are genuinely used, not just for postcards, and where the Exeter River running through the center isn’t a backdrop—it’s where people actually fish, kayak, and walk their dogs along the banks. With a population just over 10,100, it’s compact enough to know faces at the co-op but big enough to have its own identity, anchored by Phillips Exeter Academy and a surprisingly robust downtown for a town its size.

The Daily Rhythm: Work, School, and the Commute Trade-Off

Daily life in Exeter revolves around a few fixed points. The Academy is the gravitational center—not just for its 1,100 students, but for the town’s calendar, architecture, and even its dining scene. On a typical weekday, you’ll see parents dropping kids at the town’s highly-rated elementary and middle schools, professionals heading to Portsmouth (a 15-minute drive) or Boston (about an hour by train from the Exeter station), and retirees walking the rail trail. The average commute here is just under 24 minutes, which is a real advantage—most people aren’t spending their lives in a car. Locals shop at the Exeter Farmers Market on Water Street (Saturdays, May through October) or grab basics at the Market Basket in Stratham, five minutes north. For a town of its size, Exeter has a surprising number of independent restaurants: The Green Bean is the go-to for coffee and a working-lunch vibe, while Otto’s Pizza and Lexie’s (burgers and soft serve) are family staples. Weekends often mean a hike at nearby Pawtuckaway State Park or a drive to the coast at Hampton Beach, just 20 minutes away.

Who Fits In Here: Affluence, Education, and a Certain Pace

Exeter tends to attract people who value education, history, and a slower but not sleepy pace. The median household income is around $83,900, and over 52% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, which is well above the national average. That academic tilt shows up in the local bookshop (Water Street Bookstore, which hosts author events), the town’s lecture series, and the sheer number of people you’ll see reading in coffee shops. The median age is 44.2, so it’s not a college town despite the Academy—it’s more of a place for established professionals, empty nesters, and families with school-age kids. The cost of living index sits at 131, meaning it’s about 31% pricier than the average U.S. town, and that’s mostly housing. The median home value is $349,300, which is steep for New Hampshire outside the Seacoast, but still well below Boston suburbs. If you’re a single person in your 20s looking for nightlife, this probably isn’t your spot. But if you’re a family or a couple who wants good schools, walkable downtown, and a community that actually knows your name, Exeter fits like a glove.

Sports, Seasons, and What People Actually Do for Fun

Sports here are more participatory than spectator, but there’s genuine local pride in the high school teams—Exeter High School’s football and hockey games draw solid crowds, especially when they play rival Winnacunnet. There’s no college or pro team in town, but the Red Sox and Patriots fandom is strong; you’ll see jerseys at the Exeter Inn bar during games. The real entertainment, though, is seasonal and outdoors. Summer means the Exeter River Festival (canoe races, live music, a rubber duck race), the Exeter Summer Concert Series in Swasey Parkway, and endless yard sales. Fall is peak: the Exeter Fall Festival on Water Street draws thousands for craft vendors, pie-eating contests, and a parade. Winter is quieter, but the Exeter Christmas Parade and tree lighting are genuine community events—people bundle up and stand on the sidewalk for an hour. The biggest cultural quirk? Exeter is a town that still does things like “Old Home Day” (a late-summer tradition with a road race, chicken barbecue, and fireworks) and means it. It’s not ironic or retro; it’s just how people connect.

The Honest Trade-Offs: What Locals Love and What Grinds Their Gears

Longtime residents will tell you they love the walkability—you can live downtown and walk to the post office, the bank, the library, and three restaurants without getting in a car. They love the schools (Exeter’s public schools are consistently ranked among the best in the state) and the fact that the town feels safe—violent crime is very low at 61.6 incidents per 100,000 people, well below national averages. What frustrates them? Housing costs and availability are the number one complaint; inventory is tight, and even a modest three-bedroom ranch can run $400,000+. Traffic on Route 27 and through the downtown can jam up during school drop-off and summer tourist season. And while the town has a lot going on, some residents wish for more evening options—a later-closing restaurant, a music venue that isn’t a church basement, or a bar that isn’t also a restaurant. The weather is classic New England: beautiful falls, muddy springs, and winters that can feel long (average snowfall is around 60 inches). But the trade-off is a community that actually shows up for each other—when the river floods, which it does occasionally, neighbors sandbag together. That’s the Exeter trade: you trade some convenience and nightlife for a place where people know your name and the town still feels like a town.