Manchester is the largest city in both New Hampshire and in northern New England with a population of about 109,000 people. Manchester has very cold and long winters, with an average of 64 inches of snow a season. The summers are warm and can be humid. Manchester has a low cost of living, and is considered to be a top place to live in the country. The crime rate is quite low there. Those moving to Manchester will find a lovely area, and a city that is constantly re-creating itself.
Economy:
Manchester is considered one of the best places in the country to do business. In 2009, it was listed as 13th in the best places to live and do business by CNN Money Magazine. In that same year, Forbes Magazine placed the region of Manchester top on its list of ‘America's Cheapest Places to Live' and Kiplinger voted the city the second most tax-friendly city in the nation. Manchester's median household income is slightly lower than the rest of the state, and the cost of living is higher than the national average. Unemployment there is 5.9 percent. Manchester is home to more than 200 manufacturing companies. The largest employers in Manchester include Verizon Communications, Citizen's Bank and Banknorth. Manchester has no sales tax. Businesses moving to Manchester find a very pro-business atmosphere there.
History:
Because of the nearby falls on the Merrimack River, the local Penacook Indians named the area ‘Namoskeag' or ‘good fishing place.' The name of the falls became Amoskeag Falls. The first European settlers came to the area in 1722. John Goffe built a dam and sawmill there. In 1727, it was called Tyngstown, named after Captain William Tyng. The town was chartered in 1751 as Derryfield. Samuel Blodget built a canal system around the falls in 1807, opening up river travel down the Merrimack River to Boston. He built it based on a canal in Manchester, England, and this is why the city was renamed in 1810. In 1809, a cotton spinning mill had been built there, and this was purchased by a group of merchants in 1825. The mill was expanded, and became the largest cotton mill in the world. Manchester was incorporated in 1846. The mill was responsible for the majority of growth in Manchester for almost100 years, creating businesses to support its employees and importing laborers by the thousands. The mill went bankrupt in 1935, but by then, Manchester was a large and successful city in its own right.
Tourism:
The Millyard Museum has exhibits relating to the history of the area. The Amoskeag Fishways Learning and Visitors Center has interactive exhibits about the Merrimack River. The Manchester Historic Association has exhibits and tours. The Zimmerman House is a historic home designed and built by Frank Lloyd Wright, and you can tour there. There are art galleries in Manchester, and there is skiing and snowboarding in the area. There is a golf course.