Daniel Chester French, the sculptor of the impressive figure of Abraham Lincoln sitting in the Lincoln Memorial, was born in Exeter.
Listing all of the well-known artists, writers, politicians and statesmen with ties to Exeter, New Hampshire would take some time. The town, one of the original towns of New Hampshire, has a long history tied to the birth and growth of the United States.
What to Expect in Exeter
Exeter owes some of its prosperity to its location on the Exeter River and its falls. The town has been thriving since the beginning and today serves not only as a suburban oasis but as a strong economic center in its own right. Located about an hour north of Boston, Exeter sits at the junction of Interstate 95 and New Hampshire 101, the main route across the southern portion of the state.
Exeter is chock full of historic landmarks, homes and buildings including many on the grounds of the Phillips Exeter Academy. The academy seems to have a knack for producing famous writers as Dan Brown, Peter Benchley and John Irving all attended Exeter. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg also went to Exeter. Maybe this is the place to be to launch your own version of success!
Don't expect too much in the way of apartment complex living in Exeter. The town is clearly more about house rentals than apartment complexes. That said, there are usually plenty of vacancies so you don't need to plan too far ahead unless you have your heart set on a particular style. There are some unique rentals in historic homes and buildings, so if you don't like being run-of-the-mill, these places may just be worth planning ahead for!
When moving anywhere in Exeter you can expect to pay the first month's rent and another month's rent as the security deposit. You will likely have to pass a credit check or at least show proof of employment.
Neighborhoods of Exeter
Exeter takes up about 20 square miles with New Hampshire Route 111 bisecting the town east to west. Many of the apartments for rent in Exeter are clustered near downtown and to the east. The western side of town gets to be pretty rural.
Downtown Exeter: In town there are several options for townhouses for rent and duplexes for rent. While not your typical apartment complex, developers have converted the old Exeter Mill into high-end apartments providing easy access to town and situated right on the river and the falls.
Eastern Exeter: This area is closer to the New Hampshire 101, so it is a better option for those who need to commute to Boston or Portsmouth to work.
Western Exeter: This is the much more rural and country side of town. If you want peace and quiet and lots of space between you and the neighbors, search for a rental in this area. It will be harder to find but you can't put a price on peace!
Living in Exeter
Exeter has pretty much everything you need for the essentials such as groceries, gas and pharmacies.
Downtown is a big tourist draw, especially in summer, for its unique shops and restaurants. But once you become a local, you too will be frequenting the top restaurants such as Epoch at the Exeter Inn, The Green Bean for a quick lunch or Blue Moon Evolution for organic fare.
The Phillips Exeter Academy is a real focal point for the town. People come from far and wide to walk the grounds and admire the historic and exquisite architecture of the campus. There are trails through woods and you can wind your way into town for some refreshments. Touring the campus is a great activity for visiting friends and family.
The town itself sponsors plenty of activities for residents in every season. Residents can enjoy town basketball and volleyball leagues, wilderness camps and plenty of classes. The town has several parks and an outdoor pool for summer swimming and lessons. There are also special events like the Halloween Parade and the Easter Egg Hunt.
Exeter, NH really is a vibrant community, even after almost 400 years of settlement. If your search for rental apartments is taking you to southern New Hampshire, Exeter is a great place to start.