Gilford, NH: An Ideal Community

12-11-15_featured_gilfordNH Did you ever stop to consider how unique a town like Gilford is? There are a lot of reasons why so many people stop by our realty offices wanting to see homes in Gilford. The truth is that if all the urban planners got together, they could not plan a community such as Gilford. They simply could not manipulate the location, manufacture the natural beauty, duplicate the character, and create the lifestyle.

Aspen, Colorado was recently named Ski Magazine’s “2015 Top Ski Town.” There is no question that few ski areas can compete with Aspen. But reality sets in when you learn that the medium single-family home price is $4,600,000 and that “waiters, plumbers, ski instructors, doctors, and realtors benefit from…a government subsidized housing program, which covers some 2,800 units.” This is not most people’s idea of the American Dream.

Many factors converge to make Gilford an ideal place for a family to live and these factors draw people to this community. The average price for a single-family home in Gilford is about $234,000. There are no Rocky Mountain ski areas, but 10 minutes up the road from Gilford’s quaint main street is a phenomenal family ski area, Gunstock. Along with alpine skiing there is snowboarding, Nordic skiing, night skiing, tubing, hiking, camping, and a host of winter and summer programs. Gilford is also strategically located for summer activities. From the center of the village, the Town Beach is only 5 minutes down the road. This amazing spot encompasses 13 acres with 1800 feet of breathtaking shorefront on Winnipesaukee. Ellacoya State Park with 600 feet of Winnipesaukee beachfront is less than 10 minutes from the village.

12-11-15_gilfordNHWhy do these factors make Gilford ideal? Well if a family is sitting in their $4,600,000 home in Aspen, there is a good chance they are still more than 10 minutes from the ski lift lines. And when summer comes along, will the Aspen family have a beautiful sandy beach only 5 minutes away? Will their boat be sitting at a marina 10 minutes away? Could they drive to an organic farm in 3 minutes? To an airport in 7? Ocean beaches are 1 hour and 10 minutes from Gilford. A drive to the Pacific Ocean from Aspen is at least a 20-hour-haul for a family.

This same scenario is true for most places. They may have one or two attractions nearby, but Gilford has it all. And what Gilford does not have within its town limits can be found a reasonable distance away. The entertainment and culture of Boston, for instance, is only a 1-hour and 50-minute drive from the village center. The Mount Washington area is 1 ½ hours north and the Canadian border is only another hour or so beyond.

Here are a just few of the many activities and advantages Gilford has to offer:

– Gilford’s lovely historic district includes the circa 1838 Benjamin Rowe House, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. It serves as one of Gilford Village’s museum buildings. The rooms are furnished with items donated by Arthur A. Tilton and his family which are typical of an 1800s and early 1900s farmhouse.

– The newer Gilford Town Library serves as a cultural and educational resource, providing high quality books and a wealth of programs and activities for every age. Next door is the Gilford Youth Center with educational, athletic, and events for youth and adults. The beautiful Community Church is also tucked away in this corner of Gilford. In addition to nourishing the soul, it provides many other activities. Today it is hosting its annual Christmas Fair from 9-1.

– The excellent Gilford school system includes the High School located in the historic center of Gilford Village on about twenty acres, and the well-respected Middle and Elementary Schools.

Gilford Village Field has four lighted tennis courts, soccer field, lighted basketball court, two baseball diamonds, picnic area, and bandstand on 28 acres.

Lincoln Park offers a scenic waterfront and picnic area on Lake Winnipesaukee.

– The Arthur A. Tilton Gilford Ice Rink has an outdoor covered ice skating rink with lights.

– During the summer, the Bank of NH Meadowbrook Pavilion comes alive with the sound of top-notch music. This award-winning, 8000-seat amphitheater hosts some of music’s biggest names.

– Gilford has a surplus of interesting dining choices. Kitchen Cravings serves original dishes made from scratch using only cage free eggs, real butter, and the purest products available. It was awarded TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence from 2013 to 2015. Ellacoya Bar & Grille has an eclectic menu coupled with wine and local beers in a circa 1843 restored barn. Patrick’s Pub & Eatery serves quality food in a comfortable setting, making it a favorite of diners from miles around. The nostalgic feeling at Sawyer’s Dairy Bar has made it a “family tradition since 1945.” Their homemade ice cream has been made in-house for 70 years.

Ramblin’ Vewe Farm maintains a flock of registered purebred sheep and produces high quality meat, wool, and breeding stock replacements for the local and New England market. They have set aside 245 acres for forestry and recreation with a trail network for walkers and bikers.

– Gilford has fairs and events throughout the year. To brighten this Christmas season, there is the annual Gilford Village Country Candlelight Stroll on Saturday, December 12th from 5 to 7 pm. People can walk through the village lit by hundreds of candles and take an old-fashioned horse and wagon ride to the sound of carolers. A bonfire will roar in Village Field and provide the atmosphere for toasting marshmallows. On December 20th at the high school auditorium, over 50 talented musicians from the Gilford Community Band will perform a Christmas concert. Every August, Gilford has its famous Old Home Day.

Probably the most important factor that draws people to Gilford is that a home is attainable for the average family and a family at every price point. For as low as $60,000, you can purchase a condominium at a community such as Misty Harbor. This complex comes with unmatched amenities including a 335-foot sugar sand beach. At the higher end of the spectrum are neighborhoods such as Governor’s Island. Accessed by a scenic bridge, this island has luxury lakefront homes dotting the expansive shoreline. Current asking prices for waterfront homes range from 2.3 to 10 million dollars. Simply put, there is something for everyone in Gilford. Aside from homes located on quaint streets or overlooking a breathtaking lake or mountain, there are countless communities that offer the best of four-season living, including Samoset, Gunstock Acres, Broadview, Yacht Club Vista, Dockham Shore Estates, and many more.

Gilford is no Aspen. But at the same time, Aspen is no Gilford. Few places can offer the average family the lifestyle Gilford can provide, a lifestyle usually reserved for the rich and famous. In many ways, Gilford’s lifestyle surpasses the Aspens of the world – skiing, skating, hiking, boating, swimming, sports facilities, shopping, dining, music, airport, and a host of other amenities all within a 10-minute radius of reasonably priced homes in the village. Gilford certainly is unique.

This post was written by Mary O’Neill.

Four Seasons Condominiums, located at 883 Weirs Boulevard and Paugus Bay.

5 Years of Sales Activity at Four Seasons Condominiums

When you navigate the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee and Paugus Bay, there are many water-access ...
Read More →
5 Years of Sales Activity at Paugus Bay Racquet Club

5 Years of Sales Activity at Paugus Bay Racquet Club

When you navigate the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee and Paugus Bay, there are many water-access ...
Read More →
Waldron Bay on Lake Winnisquam with 3,482 feet of shorefront.

Exclusive Waldron Bay Market Report: Is It Time to Cash In?

There are so many water-access communities in the Lakes Region to consider when looking for ...
Read More →
Winter Wonders in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region: A Season of Adventure and Tradition

Winter Wonders in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region: A Season of Adventure and Tradition

As snow covers the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, the area becomes a winter destination ...
Read More →
Balmoral – One of Winnipesaukee’s Original Water Access Communities

Balmoral – One of Winnipesaukee’s Original Water Access Communities

There are so many water-access communities in the Lakes Region that provide great memories. Let’s ...
Read More →
Four Years of Sales Activity at the Village of Winnipesaukee

Four Years of Sales Activity at the Village at Winnipesaukee

The Lakes Region of New Hampshire is known for its rural communities, quaint towns, scenic ...
Read More →
Suissevale on Lake Winnipesaukee – a Popular Community in Moultonborough

Suissevale on Lake Winnipesaukee – a Popular Community in Moultonborough

When you navigate the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, there are 71 square miles of water ...
Read More →
Gunstock Acres in Gilford: 7 Years of Sales Activity

Gunstock Acres in Gilford: 7 Years of Sales Activity

We have so many interesting communities in the Lakes Region. Let’s take a look at ...
Read More →
Lakeside Setting at Long Bay and South Down Shores

Four Years of Sales Activity at South Down Shores and Long Bay

South Down Shores and Long Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee are two very popular water access ...
Read More →
Real Estate Goals: From Dream to Reality in 2025

Real Estate Goals: From Dream to Reality in 2025

As we approach the new year, it’s the perfect time to turn your real estate ...
Read More →
Wolfeboro New Hampshire Community Bandstand

New Hampshire’s Real Estate Data to Date

The excitement of the holiday season and Christmas approaching this week often comes from the ...
Read More →
Why Home Inspection by Licensed Home Inspectors are Critical

Why Home Inspections Are Critical

We have a competitive market here in the Lakes Region due to the lack of ...
Read More →
Lakes Region's Future: Balancing Natural Beauty and Urban Growth

Lakes Region’s Future: Balancing Natural Beauty and Urban Growth

When you drive around the Lakes Region, you will see a considerable amount of new ...
Read More →
12 Essential Winter Home Maintenance Tips for New Hampshire Homeowners

12 Winter Home Maintenance Must-Dos for New Hampshire

Winter in New Hampshire brings its unique set of challenges for homeowners. From freezing temperatures, ...
Read More →
Roche Realty Group Launches Toys for Tots Drive in Meredith

Roche Realty Group Launches Toys for Tots Drive in Meredith

Spreading Holiday Cheer in the Lakes Region! Roche Realty Group is happy to announce its ...
Read More →
Shop Local at Small Business Saturday in NH’s Lakes Region

Shop Local at Small Business Saturday in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region

We have so many things to be thankful for here in New Hampshire: plenty of ...
Read More →
Emily Brock Joins Roche Realty Group

Emily Brock Joins Roche Realty Group

MEREDITH – Frank Roche, President of Roche Realty Group, Inc, is pleased to announce that ...
Read More →
Inflated Asset Classes and the National Debt

Inflated Asset Classes and the National Debt

A question all of us get asked is have we gotten ahead of ourselves in ...
Read More →
Waterfront Home Sales Activity on 10 of our Lakes Region Area Lakes

Waterfront Home Sales Activity on 10 of our Area Lakes

Most of the leaves have fallen, and political signs are disappearing in the Lakes Region. ...
Read More →
Woman hiking at Artist's Bluff in autumn. View of Echo Lake. Fall colours in Franconia Notch State Park. White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire, USA

New Hampshire Named Second Safest State in America

In recent years, the country has faced increasing public safety challenges and severe climate events. ...
Read More →
Lots Of Activities Left in The Lake’s Region heading towards the end of fall

Lots Of Activities Left in The Lake’s Region Before Winter Arrives

A burst of warm weather & the crisp air of autumn has extended our fall ...
Read More →
join us for a festive celebration at Twin Barns in Meredith on Sunday, October 20th starting at noon as we raise a glass to the release of the Official Beer of the NH Pumpkin Festival!

NH Pumpkin Festival’s Beer Release Party at Twin Barn in Meredith

The peak foliage and perfect fall weather is as good as it gets in the ...
Read More →
Wolfeboro Waterfront New Hampshire Lakes Region Market Update for 9 Months

Lakes Region Market Update for 9 Months

It’s Columbus Day weekend, with lots of visitors enjoying the fall spectacle of color. I ...
Read More →
The Evolution of the Lakes Region: Balancing Growth and Tranquility

The Evolution of the Lakes Region: Balancing Growth and Tranquility

The Lakes Region of New Hampshire, known for its picturesque landscapes, serene waters, and small-town ...
Read More →
Mountain Bliss: Hiking the Peaks of New Hampshire in Autumn

Mountain Bliss: Hiking the Peaks of New Hampshire in Autumn

This past Tuesday was a bright, sunny autumn day, and I had no appointments scheduled, ...
Read More →
Why Fall is the Perfect Time to Sell Your Home in the Lakes Region

Why Fall is the Perfect Time to Sell Your Home in the Lakes Region

The fall season in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region offers a unique and strategic opportunity for ...
Read More →
Important Fed Decision and The Fall Market in The Lakes Region

Important Fed Decision and The Fall Market in The Lakes Region

On Wednesday, we received the much-anticipated Federal Reserve decision to slash its key overnight borrowing ...
Read More →
New Hampshire Housing Market Trends Broadview Condos in Gilford, New Hampshire

New Hampshire Housing Market Trends

New Hampshire’s housing market has been hitting the national airwaves and the Granite State has ...
Read More →
Second Home Market in The Lakes Region

Second Home Market in The Lakes Region

While practicing real estate in the Lakes Region during the past 48 years, I’ve always ...
Read More →
Meredith, New Hampshire. As summer fades into fall, the Lakes Region bids farewell to another season of sun-soaked days and bustling activity.

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall

This summer has been one for the books in the Lakes Region. The area saw ...
Read More →
Disadvantages of Lockboxes and Unassisted Showings

Disadvantages of Lockboxes and Unassisted Showings

I was talking with one of our agents the other day, and she showed a ...
Read More →
Price Drops and Hot Sales: Inside New Hampshire’s Housing Market

Price Drops and Hot Sales: Inside New Hampshire’s Housing Market

On August 10th, I was reading an article on SmartNews called “If you live in ...
Read More →
Lakes Region Market Update for 7 Months

Lakes Region Market Update for 7 Months

Summer has been flying by, so I researched the closed real estate market activity for ...
Read More →
New Restaurant Hotspots You Need to Visit in the Lakes Region

New Must-visit Restaurants in the Lakes Region

The restaurant industry is a driver of economic growth and an integral part of the ...
Read More →
New Hampshire Housing Trends and Forecast

New Hampshire Housing Trends and Forecast

The New Hampshire housing market in 2024 is marked by increasing home prices and a ...
Read More →
Significant Land Sales in New Hampshire

Significant Land Sales in New Hampshire

As the summer of 2024 unfolds, the New Hampshire real estate market has seen a ...
Read More →

Inventory Shortage Impacts New Hampshire Housing Affordability

Real estate prices have continued to accelerate in New Hampshire after we saw a historic ...
Read More →
New Hampshire Advantage and Lakes Region Accolades

The New Hampshire and Lakes Region Advantage

We had a great Fourth of July in the Lakes Region, where we celebrated our ...
Read More →
New Hampshire's Fourth of July and Real Estate Boom

New Hampshire’s Fourth of July and Real Estate Boom

The Summer season is off and running, and it’s time to break out those fireworks! ...
Read More →
Summer in the Lakes Region on Little Squam

Ready, Set, Summer in the Lakes Region!

As the rumble of motorcycle engines fades into the background, the Lakes Region of New ...
Read More →
Manchester, New Hampshire, USA Skyline on the Merrimack River at dusk.

New Hampshire Cities in Top Hottest Housing Markets

New Hampshire keeps showing up on the radar as one of the hottest housing markets ...
Read More →
South Down Shores & Long Bay: Real Estate Market Analysis

South Down Shores and Long Bay: Market Trends

South Down Shores and Long Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee are two very popular water access ...
Read More →
Lake House Dreaming: Steps to Make It a Reality

Lake House Dreaming: Make It a Reality

Owning a waterfront home in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region is a treasured experience. For many ...
Read More →
Memorial Day

Beyond the BBQ: A Symphony of Remembrance and Summer Joy in the NH Lakes Region

Memorial Day serves as the official kick-off to summer in the Lakes Region. Towns ready ...
Read More →
Welcome to New Hampshire's Lakes Region

Welcome to New Hampshire’s Lakes Region

New Hampshire’s Lakes Region is one of the most stunningly beautiful places in the United ...
Read More →
The Granite State: Top Spot for Relocation in 2024

The Granite State: Top Spot for Relocation in 2024

New Hampshire just garnered major recognition as the best state to relocate to in 2024 ...
Read More →
Real Estate Sales Insights: Lakes Region Market Update

Real Estate Sales Insights: Lakes Region Market Update

It’s hard to believe we’ve already churned through 4 months of 2024. I researched the ...
Read More →
Market Trends – Spring 2024

Market Trends – Spring 2024

As a Realtor®, I’m always paying attention to the real estate market. I’m often asked ...
Read More →
Temperance Tavern in Gilmanton Sold

The Historic Temperance Tavern in Gilmanton Sold

Gilmanton—According to Frank Roche of Roche Realty Group in Meredith, the historic Temperance Tavern in ...
Read More →
Needs and Wants When Buying a Home Balanced

Balancing Needs and Wants When Buying a Home

In the current housing market, where choices are often limited, and demand frequently outstrips supply, ...
Read More →

Leave a Comment