Hinsdale, New Hampshire

Just across the Connecticut River from the larger town of Brattleboro, Vermont is Hinsdale, New Hampshire. With a population of just over 4,000, Hinsdale is actually one of the more populous towns in Cheshire County, but it is by no means extensively developed. On the contrary, Hinsdale is exceptionally pretty, characterized by the softly hilly landscape and dense forests that so many New Englanders love.

Hinsdale is tucked away in the southwesternmost corner of the state, sharing borders with both Vermont and Massachusetts. The town has an alluringly secluded feel with its lovely rural setting, yet its location almost directly in the center of New England means that trips to cities throughout the region never take long. Boston and Providence, for example, are each just two hours away, while Portland, Maine and New York can both be reached in just over three hours.

One of the great draws of southwest New Hampshire is how scenic the surroundings are, and fortunately much of the land in the region is protected as state parks and wilderness areas. One of the prettiest state parks in New Hampshire, Pisgah State Park, actually borders Hinsdale, and it is the largest state park in the entire state. Within Pisgah are gorgeous ponds for swimming, miles of hiking and biking trails, and access in the winter for nordic skiers and snowshoers. Other places in the area that are great fun to visit and explore include Spofford Lake in nearby Chesterfield, the Wantastiquet Mountain Natural Area, Madame Sherri Forest, and Bear Mountain State Forest.

In the town of Hinsdale are two public schools: Hinsdale Elementary School and Hinsdale Middle & High School. Hinsdale Elementary School serves about 300 students between pre-kindergarten and 5th grade, while Hinsdale Middle & High School serves approximately 270 students between 6th grade and 12th grade. For the Hinsdale School district as a whole, the teacher-to-student ratio is about 1 to 9.

The town of Hinsdale offers exactly what is so desirable about living in southern New Hampshire. It is centrally located in New England, so it is quite accessible, yet the town has a completely relaxed feel and a picturesqueness that can only be found in the Connecticut River Valley.