Merrimack County New Hampshire

A brace of lilacs shades a white L-shaped farmhouse, while colorful phlox spill from an ancient stone wall. Even a small city in Merrimack County New Hampshire is lively, and bustles with culture.

Merrimack County serves as the political nerve center for the state. A drive down a side road ends with an antique shop, apple orchard or panoramic view. The drive down another side road brings the roar and hustle of a NASCAR Sprint Cup racetrack. Merrimack County has it all.

Concord, the state capital, is an appealing small city with a political bent: the golden-domed State House has its frontage on Main Street. When the legislature is in session, state senators, representatives, lobbyists and the media converge on the complex. But Concord is more than roll call votes. Main Street, restored to favor in recent years, boasts specialty shops ranging from the Viking Scandinavian gift shop to Pachamama, a purveyor of mystical and Eastern goods. The Granite State Candy Shoppe on Warren Street is a boutique for chocolate lovers, while French's Toy Shop on the corner of State and Warren has been a Concord fixture since the 1950s.

The arts scene includes the Capitol Theater, a beautifully-restored Art Deco venue hosting local and national performers; the City Auditorium, home of the popular Walker Lecture Series; and the Red River Theater, showing classic and alternative films. St. Paul's School, a short drive up Pleasant Street, opens many of its events to the public.

Concord's satellite towns have a lot to offer, too. A drive West on Interstate 89 or the scenic Route 103 brings you to the postcard villages of Hopkinton, Contoocook and Warner. Warner is home to the Mount Kearsarge Indian Museum and the mountain itself, a good afternoon hike for novice to experienced climbers. Loudon, to the east, is the home of the New Hampshire International Speedway.

While there are plenty of activities for seniors and singles, Merrimack County is also a good place to raise families, with weekend outings to the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, the Museum of New Hampshire History, or a simple drive for an ice-cream cone. The pace is slower than the Seacoast but faster than the North Woods. And there's housing for just about any need from great starter homes, and apartments to luxury hilltop estates.

Giovanni Verani, Senior Vice President of Prudential Verani Realty, has been placing people in Merrimack County homes for 15 years. "People like it because it's pretty central," he says, "It's only an hour to Boston, the ocean, or the Lakes Region."

The culture is family-and community-based, Verani observes, and the Merrimack County, NH home prices are affordable. "It's a good balance of employment opportunities, aesthetics and community-based programs, with a low crime rate," says Verani.

In the 2000 census, Concord families had a median income of $52,418, a median household income of $42,447, and a per capita income of $21,976. Major private employers include Concord Hospital, 2,811 and Steeplegate Mall, 1,100.

Prudential Verani Real Estate has helped hundreds of families call Merrimack County "home." Available real estate ranges from city condos to starter homes to majestic old farmsteads. There's something for everyone, and something for everyone to do.