Moving to or from Rochester?
New Hampshire's 'Lilac City' (named after the state flower) in the Seacoast region — a historic mill town on the Cocheco River with a revitalizing downtown, Skyhaven Airport, and easy access to both Portsmouth (20 min) and Maine's Lakes Region.
- 32,000 City population
- 430,000 Metro area
- 1722 Founded
- Seacoast New Hampshire / Strafford County Region
Why people move to Rochester.
- Being 'The Lilac City' — New Hampshire's state flower
- Annual Lilac Time Festival every May
- Being Strafford County's seat
- Historic mill-town heritage
- Skyhaven Airport (general aviation)
- NH's no state income tax or sales tax advantage
Rochester is nicknamed 'The Lilac City' because it officially named the purple lilac as New Hampshire's state flower in 1919 — the movement was spearheaded by Rochester residents who wanted to honor the flower that blooms throughout the city every spring. Rochester's annual Lilac Time Festival every May celebrates the bloom. The city planted thousands of lilacs throughout the downtown as part of the campaign.
Where people live in Rochester.
A quick guide to Rochester's most moved-to neighborhoods.
-
Downtown
Historic core with preserved brick commercial buildings
-
East Rochester
Residential neighborhood
-
Gonic
Village within Rochester with historic character
-
North Rochester
Rural-feel residential
-
Barrington (adjacent)
Small neighboring town
-
Farmington (nearby)
Small town further north
Where people spend their time in Rochester.
- Rochester Opera House Downtown
- Lilac Time Festival (May) Central Rochester
- Rochester Museum of Fine Arts Downtown
- Rochester Fair (since 1875) Central Rochester
- Ravine Park Central Rochester
- Skyhaven Airport Central Rochester
Planning a Rochester move.
- NH has no state income tax or sales tax
- Portsmouth (with BAE Systems/Navy Yard jobs) is 20 minutes east
- Winter is severe; plan weather-buffer days November-March
- Boston commute is 75-90 minutes
Moving in Rochester: FAQ.
Is Rochester NH the same as Rochester MN or NY?
No — different states with different characters. Rochester NH (32K) is a small New Hampshire Seacoast city. Rochester MN (120K) is home to the Mayo Clinic. Rochester NY (210K) is the Kodak/Xerox historical city. When hiring movers, always confirm state.
Let's find the right mover for your Rochester move.
Free advice from people who know the Rochester market. No obligation, no spam, no sales pressure.
Replies within 1 hour during business hours, 9am to 5pm ET, Mon-Fri.