With soaring mountain ranges, New Hampshire is often called the Switzerland of America. Fortunately, New Hampshire real estate prices compare favorably to Switzerland.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire is a state with beautiful scenery that takes on the full effect of each season of the year. Spring and summer are tailor made for fishing, hiking and water sports along the state coastline. Fall is an explosion of color as the leaves turn, while winter is the time to hit the slopes. The overall contour of the state is mountainous in the north; fields, lakes and forest in the central area; and little villages and beach resorts on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. It is hard to believe such a small state could contain so many things to do throughout the year.

Portsmouth

Located on the coast, Portsmouth is a classic New England town with a bevy of colonial architecture and charm. Portsmouth Harbor looks like something out of a post card with red brick buildings and colonial white churches crowding the water. The city has two dominant charms of note. First, it appears as though it hasnt grown in size much over the last hundred years. Second, this is truly a city with a small town feel. People are friendly and it is great place to raise a family if you can afford it.

Hanover

Located just across the border from Vermont, Hanover is home to Dartmouth College. A fairly isolated location, Hanover is great little town in which a college atmosphere battles with traditional northeast influences. Red brick buildings dot the town and there is something very impressive about walking through Dartmouth. You simply get the feeling this is what a college should feel like. The best way to investigate Hanover is to visit and stay in one of the bed & breakfast homes.

New Hampshire Real Estate

New Hampshire real estate is generally not as expensive as you might think. A single-family home in Portsmouth will set you back $340,000 while the same home in Hanover will cost nearly $500,000. While not exactly inexpensive, the prices are reasonable when compared to New York and surrounding areas. In 2005, New Hampshire real estate appreciated at a solid 12.5 percent.