MANCHESTER, NH – Livability.com unveiled its 2026 Top 100 Best Places to Live list, with Manchester, NH deservedly earning a spot among the nation’s most vibrant and livable small to mid-sized cities for the fourth year in a row.
In its 13th year, the Livability annual ranking focuses on cities with populations between 75,000 and 500,000 that offers big city opportunities while remaining small enough to feel like home. Per Livability, “In a time of shifting economic tides, Manchester’s inclusion underscores its commitment to maintaining a community where residents can truly thrive.”
"Our 'Top 100' is an annual data-driven collection of what we consider to be the best small to mid-size cities," says Amanda Ellis, Livability.com Editor-in-Chief. "As Americans face consistently evolving work dynamics and a desire for the best quality of life possible amidst inflation and uncertainty, our list celebrates places where people can more realistically build families, launch businesses and lead meaningful lives."
Livability.com works closely with Applied Geographic Solutions (AGS) when using data to construct the Top 100 list across four major city categories: Economy & Housing, Amenities & Environment, Safety, Health & Education, as well as Transportation.
New for this year, Livability.com placed more value on a city’s Housing and Cost of Living category, to highlight those cities excelling above their peers. Manchester excelled in not only housing and cost of living, but scored high marks in amenities and education. Furthermore, Manchester is the only city from New Hampshire on the Livability.com Top 100 Best Places to Live in 2026 list.
“Manchester is a city on the rise,” said Jodie Nazaka, Economic Development Director. “We’re seeing real momentum — new businesses are opening, people are choosing to put down roots here, and the energy in our neighborhoods is undeniable. The best is still ahead of us.”
This distinction comes on the heels of Livability.com also awarding Manchester as one of the Top 25 Best Places to Live in the Northeast in November 2025.
As part of the Cemetery Brook Drain Tunnel Project, a portion of Somerville St. will be closed for a period of time. A detour via Maple Street and Beech Street will be signposted. Concurrently, a portion of Cilley Road will be closed near Queen City Ave. A detour via Willow Street and Pine Street will be signposted. Detour routes will be concurrent and impacted as illustrated in the map below and as directed by signs on site.
- Somerville Street Closure begins: April 20, 2026
- Somerville Street Anticipated reopening: May 22, 2026
- Cilley Road Closure: Ongoing
- Cilley Road Anticipated reopening: April 23, 2026
What to Expect:
- Somerville Street eastbound will be detoured via Shasta Steet.
- Somerville Street westbound will be detoured via Silver Street.
- Queen City Ave. heading eastbound onto Cilley Rd. will be detoured via Shasta Street.
Important Notes:
- Please follow direction from posted traffic signs, police details, flaggers and allow extra travel time through the work zone.
- For lane shifts or temporary lane closures during construction, please be aware of new lane markings, barricaded routes, or traffic cones.
- Parking will be prohibited within the construction area.
- Drivers and pedestrians should use extreme caution when traveling past work zones, especially at night or in adverse weather, when visibility is limited.
- Whenever possible, we encourage drivers to plan ahead and avoid the construction area.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to enhance our community’s infrastructure.
Sincerely,
Environmental Protection Division
Department of Public Works
City of Manchester
Crystal Lake Park will be closed to all visitors until further notice due to extensive construction work on drainage and infrastructure improvements throughout the entirety of the park. In the interest of safety, the construction area will be restricted to authorized personnel only at all hours. This work is anticipated to continue through May 10, 2026.
For more information, please contact the Department of Public Works at 603-624-6444.
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert For Frozen, Dinosaur-Shaped, Ready-To-Eat Chicken Nuggets Due To Traces Of Lead
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-frozen-dinosaur-shaped-ready-eat-chicken-nuggets-due
April 1, 2026 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for frozen, dinosaur-shaped, ready-to-eat chicken nuggets that may be contaminated with unsafe levels of lead. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase. However, FSIS is concerned that some product may still be in consumers’ freezers.
The chicken nuggets were produced on Feb. 10, 2026. The following product is subject to the public health alert [view labels]:
29-oz. plastic bags containing approx. 36 “GREAT VALUE FULLY COOKED DINO SHAPED CHICKEN BREAST NUGGETS” with “BEST IF USED BY” date “FEB 10 2027,” lot code” 0416DPO1215,” and establishment number “P44164” printed on the back of the bag.
These items were shipped to Walmart locations nationwide. FSIS is continuing to investigate this issue.
A special meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen is to be held in the Auditorium of Memorial High School, One Crusader Way, Manchester, NH on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. for the purpose of conducting a public hearing regarding resolutions:
“Appropriating to the Parking Fund the sum of $5,142,275 from parking revenues for the Fiscal Year 2027.”
"Appropriating the sum of $33,804,234 from Sewer User Rental Charges to the Environmental Protection Division for the Fiscal Year 2027.”
“Appropriating to the Manchester Airport Authority the sum of $49,366,765 from Special Airport Revenue Funds for the Fiscal Year 2027.”
“Appropriating to the Manchester Transit Authority the sum of $1,999,838 for the Fiscal Year 2027.”
“Appropriating to the Manchester School District the sum of $234,981,749 for the Fiscal Year 2027.”
“Appropriating all Incremental Meals and Rooms Tax Revenue Received by the City in the Fiscal Year 2027 and held in the Civic Center Fund, for the payment of the City’s Obligations in Said Fiscal Year under the Financing Agreement.”
“Appropriating to the Manchester School Food and Nutrition Services Program the sum of $6,300,000 from School Food and Nutrition Services Revenues for the Fiscal Year 2027.”
“Raising Monies and Making Appropriations of $195,337,885 for the Fiscal Year 2027.”
“Appropriating to the Central Business Service District the sum of $700,000 from Central Business Service District Funds for the Fiscal Year 2027.”
“Continuation of the Central Business Service District.”
“Authorizing the Finance Officer to Make Certain Budgetary Closings for the Fiscal Year 2026.”
In accordance with the procedures established in RSA 44:10 and in satisfaction of any other local, state or federal law that may apply, resolutions will be considered relating to the budget of the City of Manchester for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027, authorizing and raising funds for said budget and authorizing expenditures of Sewer User Rental Charges, Manchester Airport Authority Funds, Parking Funds, Central Business Service District Funds, School Food and Nutrition Revenue Funds, and Meals and Rooms Tax Revenues.
The meeting shall also serve as a public hearing upon the proposed Community Improvement Program for the city of Manchester covering the FY 2027 period for the purpose of receiving comment on the proposed activities and satisfying hearing and proposed use requirements of the Community Development Block Grant, the HOME Program, and any other local, state or federal law that may apply.
The proposed FY 2027 Community Improvement Program calls for the appropriation of $51,203,822. Approximately $1,167,500 of which may be requested from federal, state and private grant fund sources through various grant programs; approximately $2,451,529 in Federal Community Development Block Grant program funds and program income, HOME Funds, and HOME Program Income; $45,657,310 from the issuance of short-term notes and general obligation bonds; and $1,927,483 for projects financed through enterprises and fees.
A portion of the Incremental Meals and Rooms Tax Revenue received by the City in the Fiscal Year 2027 and held in the Civic Center Fund will be appropriated for the payment of the City’s obligations in said fiscal year in accordance with the terms of the Financing Agreement. All remaining Meals and Rooms Tax Revenue shall be transferred to the General Fund.
At the public hearing, those wishing to speak regarding any portion of the appropriations or programs will be given one opportunity to speak. Comments will be limited to three minutes to allow all participants the opportunity to be heard.
The aforementioned resolutions and other information pertaining to the FY 2027 budget are available for public inspection on the City’s website at www.manchesternh.gov. Written comments may be sent via email to cityclerk@manchesternh.gov or regular mail at Office of the City Clerk, One City Hall Plaza, Manchester, NH 03101 prior to the hearing or may be submitted to the City Clerk at the hearing.