Top Neighborhoods
Derry CDP punches way above its weight class. You've got colonial-era Main Street charm, legit commuter suburbs, and rural-luxe pockets—all within a 10-mile radius. Picking wrong means either a brutal commute or overpaying for a zip code that doesn't fit your life.
Quick Compare: Top Neighborhoods in Derry CDP
| Neighborhood | Vibe | Rent Range | Best For | Walk Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Derry Village | Historic walkable core | $1,600-$2,100 | Young professionals, downtown lovers | ~78 |
| East Derry | Family suburban | $1,400-$1,800 | Commuters, school-focused families | ~45 |
| West Derry | Quiet residential | $1,350-$1,700 | Budget-conscious renters, remote workers | ~35 |
| Londonderry Border | Rural-luxe | $1,800-$2,400 | Upscale families, space seekers | ~25 |
| South Derry | Commuter corridor | $1,500-$1,900 | Boston commuters, convenience buyers | ~40 |
Derry Village
Overview: The beating heart of Derry. Centered around Hood Park and the historic Main Street corridor, this is where you'll find the only true walkable neighborhood in town. The brick sidewalks and Victorian homes aren't for show—you're living in a real community here.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,600 - $2,100/mo (1BR) | $2,000 - $2,600/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $450k - $525k
- 🚗 Commute: 15 min to Manchester | 45 min to Boston (off-peak)
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~78 (Very walkable)
Local Intel: Parking is a nightmare during Derry's Summerfest and any Friday night at the local eateries. The sweet spot is renting on the fringes—like near the Derry Public Library—where you can walk to everything but avoid the Main Street gridlock. The commuter bus (Route 3) runs every 30 minutes from the park-and-ride on Hood Road, but it fills up by 7:15 AM.
Who Thrives Here: Remote workers who want coffee shop hopping and young professionals who need a social life without driving to Manchester.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Only true walkable neighborhood with Walk Score near 80
- ✅ Real landmarks: Hood Park (summer concerts), Derry Public Library, and the historic Town Hall
- ❌ Premium pricing—expect to pay 15-20% above town median
- ❌ Older housing stock means drafty windows and quirky plumbing (budget $100/mo extra for heating)
Schools: Derry School District. Average overall, but Derry Village Elementary is above district average (7/10 GreatSchools). Middle schoolers feed to West Running Brook (5/10).
The Verdict: Move here if you want a walkable small-town feel with city-level amenities. Avoid if you need modern apartment amenities or have a strict budget under $1,600.
East Derry
Overview: The classic American suburb, but with New Hampshire granite bones. Centered around the Derry Country Club and the sprawling subdivisions off East Derry Road, this is where families plant roots and stay put. The streets are named after trees; the lawns are measured in acres.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,400 - $1,800/mo (1BR) | $1,700 - $2,200/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $380k - $440k
- 🚗 Commute: 12 min to Manchester | 50 min to Boston (rush hour)
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~45 (Car-dependent)
Local Intel: The secret hack is the "East Derry Loop"—a backroad route using Range Road and Mammoth Road to avoid the I-93 bottleneck at Exit 4N. Takes 8 minutes longer but saves your sanity. The Derry Country Club is semi-private but has a public driving range and the best 9-hole course in the area. Avoid renting on East Derry Road itself—too much commuter traffic.
Who Thrives Here: School-focused families with two cars and a flexible work-from-home day.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Top-tier elementary schools: East Derry Memorial Elementary (8/10 GreatSchools)
- ✅ Real landmarks: Derry Country Club, Derry Ice House (seasonal), and the massive Derry Public Park playground
- ❌ Zero walkability—everything is a 5-10 minute drive
- ❌ Traffic nightmare on East Derry Road during school drop-off (7:45-8:15 AM) and pick-up (2:30-3:00 PM)
Schools: Derry School District. East Derry Memorial Elementary is the district's best. Pinkerton Academy (regional high school) is solid but large (1,800 students).
The Verdict: Perfect for families prioritizing elementary schools and yard space. Skip it if you're a single professional who wants a social life without driving.
West Derry
Overview: The affordable, no-frills side of town. West Derry runs along the Derry rail trail and is dominated by 1960s-70s ranch homes and smaller apartment complexes. It's the "renter's gateway" to Derry—less polished, but the value is undeniable.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,350 - $1,700/mo (1BR) | $1,600 - $2,000/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $320k - $380k
- 🚗 Commute: 18 min to Manchester | 55 min to Boston (rush hour)
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~35 (Very car-dependent)
Local Intel: The Derry Rail Trail is your hidden amenity—it runs right through here and connects to Manchester's trail system. The best access point is near the West Derry Community Church. The area near the intersection of W. Broadway and Range Road has the cheapest gas and basic services in town. Crime is low, but car break-ins spike near the rail trail parking lots—don't leave valuables visible.
Who Thrives Here: Budget-conscious renters, remote workers who want space for the money, and cyclists who live for the trail network.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Best value in Derry—rents $200-300 below village core
- ✅ Real landmarks: Derry Rail Trail access, West Derry Community Church, and the Range Road Diner (cash-only breakfast)
- ❌ Housing stock is dated—expect original windows and minimal insulation
- ❌ No real walkable destinations; you're driving for coffee and groceries
Schools: Derry School District. Fairmount Elementary is average (6/10). Older housing means busing to West Running Brook Middle can be a long ride for kids on the western edge.
The Verdict: Your best bet for affordability without leaving Derry proper. Avoid if you need modern finishes or want to walk to dinner.
Londonderry Border
Overview: This is where Derry bleeds into Londonderry, and the property values reflect it. Think 1990s+ colonials on half-acre lots, cul-de-sacs, and the faint smell of money. The border area is centered around the Derry/Londonderry line on Route 102, giving you access to both towns' amenities.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,800 - $2,400/mo (1BR) | $2,200 - $2,800/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $475k - $575k
- 🚗 Commute: 10 min to Manchester | 48 min to Boston (using backroads)
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~25 (You're driving everywhere)
Local Intel: The Londonderry Toll Road (Route 128) is your secret weapon for Boston commutes—pays for itself in gas and time if you go more than 3x/week. The Derry/Londonderry border area has the best grocery options: Market Basket on the Londonderry side is 24/7 and significantly better than Derry's options. The neighborhood is served by the Londonderry Trailways, which is more reliable than Derry's bus system.
Who Thrives Here: Upscale families who want newer homes and don't mind driving 5 minutes for everything.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Newer housing stock (1990s+) means better insulation and modern layouts
- ✅ Real landmarks: Londonderry Mall (yes, it's still called that), Derry/Londonderry Country Club, and the 24/7 Market Basket
- ❌ You're paying a premium but still have zero walkability
- ❌ Londonderry side has slightly higher property taxes (offset by better services)
Schools: Derry School District for the Derry side, Londonderry for the other. Londonderry schools are generally rated higher (Londonderry High is 8/10 vs. Pinkerton's 7/10).
The Verdict: Ideal for families wanting newer construction and top-tier schools. Skip if you value character over square footage or want any urban walkability.
South Derry
Overview: The commuter's compromise. South Derry hugs the I-93 corridor and is dominated by apartment complexes and starter-home subdivisions. It's the closest you can get to the highway without living on it, making it the go-to for Boston commuters who need a quick escape.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,500 - $1,900/mo (1BR) | $1,800 - $2,300/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $350k - $420k
- 🚗 Commute: 8 min to Manchester | 40 min to Boston (off-peak) / 65 min (rush hour)
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~40 (Car-dependent)
Local Intel: The I-93 Exit 4S ramp is your lifeline, but it's a double-edged sword. The secret is leaving before 6:45 AM or after 9:00 AM. The South Derry Park & Ride on S. Main Street has 200 spots and fills by 7:00 AM. The Derry Diner on S. Main is a local institution—cash only, open 5 AM, and the unofficial meeting spot for contractors and early commuters.
Who Thrives Here: Boston commuters who need a quick highway hop and don't mind apartment living.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Fastest access to I-93 in Derry—critical for Boston commuters
- ✅ Real landmarks: South Derry Park & Ride, Derry Diner, and the S. Main Street shopping plaza
- ❌ Highway noise is real—check apartments on the west side of I-93
- ❌ Traffic backups at Exit 4S during evening rush can add 15-20 minutes to your commute home
Schools: Derry School District. South Memorial Elementary is average (6/10). The area is zoned for Pinkerton Academy, which is a 10-minute drive.
The Verdict: Your best bet if you're commuting to Boston 4+ days/week and need to minimize drive time. Avoid if you want a quiet neighborhood feel or have school-age kids you hope to walk to school.
Final Advice
For young professionals, Derry Village is the clear winner—pay the premium for walkability and a social life that doesn't require driving to Manchester. Families should default to East Derry for the elementary schools or Londonderry Border for newer homes, but be honest about your tolerance for driving everywhere. Retirees and remote workers will find the best value in West Derry, especially if you can leverage the rail trail.
Traffic patterns are non-negotiable: I-93 at Exit 4 is a bottleneck from 7:00-8:30 AM and 4:00-6:00 PM. If you're commuting to Boston, South Derry's highway access will save your sanity, but you'll sacrifice neighborhood character. Counterintuitive pick: West Derry's rail trail access is genuinely underrated—if you're a cyclist or runner, the value proposition beats everything else in town.