Center Harbor, New Hampshire

Population: 9,906
Located in Belknap County

Center Harbor is so named as it is the central point of land that separates two lakes, Winnisquam (Beautiful Water) and Winnipesaukee (Smile of the Great Spirit). The Indian heritage of the area is reflected in their names. The wonderful, expressive language of the American Indian has bestowed a unique spirit on the region.

With the advent of computerization, home/work opportunities and the proximity of a large metropolitan area, Laconia provides an unparalleled opportunity for a family to live in a rural, yet sophisticated setting within reach of a myriad of opportunities.

Center Harbor is known as part of the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. This region's history dates back to Indian lore, to Colonial times, and to Henry David Thoreau's trek up the Merrimack River where he boarded a Concord coach to seek the big lake. Like Thoreau who stood in silent wonder at the lake, many people still lose their breath when first looking at the lakes from Center Harbor.

In fact, although the Region boasts a collective 15 major lakes and ponds, none can match the grandeur of Winnipesaukee, whose name in ancient Abenaki language means "Smile of the Great Spirit." By far New Hampshire's largest lake, it has a surface area of 72 square miles and fronts nine towns with 240 miles of shoreline. From Center Harbor in the north to Alton Bay in the south, the Big Lake spans 28 miles and offers a total of 274 habitable islands.

Three mountain ranges surround Winnipesaukee and cup the lake in rugged forested land. To the east, the Ossipee Mountains feature the Castle in the Clouds where one can view the complex of Winnipesaukee. T to the north, the Squam mountains signal the first high peaks as preface to the fabled Presidential Range, and to the south, the Belknap Range with the stellar Gunstock Mountain invites the skier and snowshoer in the winter and the camper and hiker in the summer.

Contemporary housing options range from custom built homes to a variety of community living options such as townhouses and apartments. The multitude of basketball hoops on garages and barbecue grills on tidy decks reveals a simple, yet important, fact: Center Harbor is a community built around families. Lake views are extremely popular, and populous, but come at a slightly steeper price than those homes just off the lake.

A three bedroom home on either lake, built on an acre can set a prospective buyer back to the tune of $1,000,000. The same type of home just off the lake is $359,000. There are several large, custom homes selling for more than $2,500,000, each with their own docks, and all the latest amenities. But, land is still available too, and ranges from $50,000 to $200,00 depending on size and location. There are also several small cottages, ideal as vacation homes, or rental properties for short term leases that sell for $150,000. Many people choose to buy a second home in Center Lake, although with tele-commuting there are more executives choosing to live in the solitude that Center Harbor offers, and work from home. You're still close enough to the big cities to make this a viable option.

For those seeking to slow down, looking for a good place to raise a family and a wonderful place to call home, then you've come to the right place! Center Harbor offers all you could want and desire - come and see!

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