Want to live and work in Keene?

Keene falls below the Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire averages for housing costs. Studios and one-bedroom apartments near the downtown tend to be less expensive than in Manchester or Nashua, and two- or three-bedroom houses in residential neighborhoods still appear at accessible price points for those coming from larger cities.

Groceries and restaurants are comparable to other mid-sized inland New England cities. Supermarkets such as Hannaford, Market Basket, and Price Chopper are available, along with farmers markets downtown during warm-weather months. New Hampshire has no sales tax, which helps with daily expenses, but property tax is high and weighs on homeowners.

The long winter raises heating costs, typically oil, propane, or wood. A car is practically required outside the downtown and campus. Health insurance, car insurance, and internet follow state-standard rates, with no notable discounts based on location.

Keene's labor market is anchored by three pillars: education, healthcare, and industry. Keene State College and Antioch University New England employ hundreds in teaching, research, and administration. Cheshire Medical Center, part of the Dartmouth Health system, is the largest single employer and draws nurses, physicians, and technicians from across the region.

In the private sector, C&S Wholesale Grocers is headquartered in Keene and is one of the largest food distributors in the United States. Small manufacturers of components, plastics, medical equipment, and wood products round out the industrial picture, a legacy of a city once strong in furniture and machinery in the 20th century.

For newcomers, opportunities arise in healthcare, education, hospitality, retail, and technical services. Wages tend to be lower than in Boston or Manchester, but the cost of living partially offsets this. Remote work is also common among residents who maintain ties to companies in Massachusetts.

Healthcare in Keene centers on Cheshire Medical Center, a general hospital affiliated with the Dartmouth Health system. The institution offers an emergency department, maternity, surgery, oncology, and various specialties, reducing the need for patients in the region to travel to Lebanon or Boston for most procedures.

Around the hospital, there are family, pediatrics, orthopedics, and mental health clinics integrated into the system. For complex cases, the natural referral is Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, about one hour north, which provides tertiary care and clinical trials.

Immigrants can access assistance programs through Cheshire Medical and local nonprofits for Medicaid, marketplace plans, and language-accessible care, though interpreter availability remains limited compared to larger cities. Twenty-four-hour pharmacies are available through chains such as Walgreens and CVS.

Keene's downtown is one of the most walkable areas in New England, with Main Street, Central Square, and Railroad Square concentrating shops, restaurants, and cultural institutions within walking distance of the Keene State campus. Those who live or study in the central area can handle most daily needs without a car.

Beyond the downtown, however, a car becomes practically essential. The City Express system offers limited local bus routes with reduced schedules, sufficient for basic trips but not for a full daily routine. There is no passenger rail, and Greyhound and C&J Bus Lines provide connections to Boston, Manchester, and Brattleboro.

Dillant-Hopkins Airport (EEN), in Swanzey, serves general aviation and cargo with no scheduled commercial flights. For air travel, residents use Manchester-Boston Regional (MHT) or Boston Logan (BOS), both one to two hours away by car. Cyclists have access to the Cheshire Rail Trail, a former rail bed converted into a multi-use path.

For a city of Keene's size, the cultural offerings are surprisingly rich. The Colonial Theatre, restored in 2021, hosts music, comedy, dance, and independent film. The Redfern Arts Center, on the Keene State campus, programs concerts and university productions open to the public. In Railroad Square, bars and cafes offer live music several nights a week.

The city is nationally known for the Keene Pumpkin Festival, which once broke the world record for lit jack-o'-lanterns in a single location. Other notable events include the Clarence DeMar Marathon in autumn, the Ice and Snow Festival in winter, and the Art Walk, which opens galleries and studios throughout the downtown.

At the table, New England cuisine dominates: clam chowder, lobster roll in summer, local maple syrup on pancakes, pub comfort food, and craft breweries such as Branch & Blade. Ethnic restaurants have grown, with sushi, Thai, Indian, and Nepali options alongside traditional diners.

Keene is not a city of mass immigration, but it has small, stable communities that have grown over recent decades. Nepali and Bhutanese families resettled through refugee programs found work in industries and hospitals. Indian professionals arrived mainly through medical and technical positions at Cheshire Medical Center.

Latinos form another growing group, primarily Mexicans, Dominicans, and Salvadorans employed in construction, hospitality, agriculture, and services. The older French-Canadian heritage still appears in surnames, some churches, and dishes such as poutine found throughout the region. International students from China, South Korea, and European countries pass through Keene State and Antioch.

Resources for immigrants come partly from regional organizations based in Manchester and Concord, with extensions in Keene. Local nonprofits, parishes, and the public school system offer ESL, Medicaid guidance, school enrollment assistance, and multicultural events throughout the year.