Choosing between North Conway and Bartlett means deciding what kind of White Mountain lifestyle fits you best. Both towns sit in New Hampshire's Carroll County and offer access to hiking, skiing, and mountain views—but they deliver completely different experiences. North Conway brings shopping, restaurants, and a busy village center. Bartlett offers quiet roads, backcountry access, and a slower pace. If you're considering a move to either town, the team at Pinkham Real Estate knows both communities inside and out and can help you find the right property match.

Let's break down how these two towns compare across the factors that matter most.

Quick Comparison Snapshot

Location and Geography

North Conway sits at the southern end of the Mount Washington Valley along Route 16. The village center clusters around Main Street, where most shops and restaurants concentrate within a half-mile stretch. You can walk to dinner, grocery stores, and coffee shops if you live in the village proper.

Bartlett spreads across a larger geographic area with no defined downtown. The town follows Route 302 (the Kancamagus Highway) and includes the villages of Glen and Intervale. Properties sit on larger lots with more space between neighbors.

Here's what this means for daily life:

North Conway feels more suburban. You'll see traffic lights, crosswalks, and sidewalks. Bartlett feels more rural. Most properties require a car to reach services, and you'll drive on two-lane roads through forested stretches.

Shopping and Dining Options

This is where North Conway really separates itself.

North Conway

The Settlers Green outlet mall anchors the commercial district with over 60 stores. Because New Hampshire has no sales tax, shoppers drive from Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont to hit brands like L.L.Bean, Nike, and Patagonia.

The restaurant scene covers most preferences:

• Fine dining at Delaney's Hole in the Wall
• Brewpubs like Tuckerman Brewing Company
• Family spots like Chef's Market Bistro
• Quick options along Route 16

You'll also find three grocery stores (Hannaford, Shaw's, Market Basket), multiple pharmacies, and standard chain services.

Bartlett

Bartlett keeps it simple. The Villager Motel Restaurant serves breakfast and lunch. Glen Junction Restaurant operates seasonally. Most residents drive 15-20 minutes to North Conway for major shopping trips.

What Bartlett does have: easier access to the Attitash Marketplace and Mountain Fare Inn for locally-sourced meals in a quieter setting.

Bottom line: If you want walkable variety, North Conway wins. If you prefer cooking at home and avoiding crowds, Bartlett's minimal commercial presence becomes an advantage.

Outdoor Recreation and Trail Access

Both towns put you in the heart of White Mountain National Forest, but the specific activities differ.

Skiing and Winter Sports

North Conway sits five minutes from Cranmore Mountain Resort—a family-friendly ski area with 57 trails and night skiing. It's perfect for beginners and intermediate skiers who want quick after-work runs.

Bartlett borders Attitash Mountain Resort, which offers more advanced terrain and connects to Bear Peak. The resort spans 300 acres and tends to be less crowded than larger areas like Loon or Waterville Valley.

Cross-country skiers favor Bartlett for direct access to the Bear Notch Road network and backcountry trails that start from your driveway.

Hiking and Summer Activities

North Conway provides easy access to:

• Cathedral Ledge and White Horse Ledge (rock climbing)
• Diana's Baths (family-friendly waterfall walk)
• Echo Lake State Park

Bartlett offers trailheads for:

• Mount Carrigain (one of the 48 4,000-footers)
• Arethusa Falls (New Hampshire's tallest waterfall)
• The entire western stretch of the Kancamagus Highway

Pro Tip: Foliage Season Strategy

If you live in North Conway during peak foliage (late September to mid-October), expect Route 16 to become a parking lot on weekends. Bartlett sees leaf-peeper traffic on Route 302, but it flows more smoothly because the road connects to Vermont rather than ending at a tourist hub.

Real Estate and Housing Market

Let's talk numbers and what you actually get for your money.

North Conway Real Estate

Properties in the village center command premium prices in North Conway real estate because of walkability. A single-family home within a mile of Main Street typically runs $500,000–$800,000. You'll get a smaller lot (often under an acre) but gain convenience.

Move three miles out from the village, and prices drop to $400,000-$550,000 for similar square footage on more land.

Condos and townhouses start around $250,000-$350,000 and appeal to second-home buyers who want rental income potential.

Bartlett Real Estate

Bartlett real estate typically include more acreage. A $450,000 budget might get you a three-bedroom home on 5-10 acres with mountain views and stream frontage—hard to find at that price in North Conway.

The trade-off? Older homes and fewer new construction options. Many Bartlett properties are 1970s-1990s builds that need updates.

Rental income potential: North Conway wins for short-term vacation rentals because tourists want village access. Bartlett works better for long-term rentals to ski resort workers or seasonal employees.

Schools and Family Considerations

Both towns fall under SAU 9 (Conway School District).

Students attend:

• Pine Tree Elementary (PreK-2)
• John Fuller Elementary (3-5)
• Kennett Middle School (6-8)
• Kennett High School (9-12)

The schools rank in the middle for New Hampshire—solid but not elite. Class sizes stay reasonable (15-20 students per class at elementary level).

Family Activities

North Conway has more structured options for kids:

• Summer camps at Cranmore
• Movie theater (Majestic Theatre)
• Swimming at Echo Lake
• Library programs

Bartlett families tend toward outdoor activities: fishing, mountain biking, and exploring the national forest.

Tourism Impact and Seasonal Changes

You can't ignore this factor—tourism shapes both towns differently.

North Conway transforms during peak seasons:

• Winter weekends: Ski traffic clogs Route 16 from 3-7pm
• Summer: Outlet shoppers and hikers pack restaurants
• Foliage: October brings the biggest crowds and longest waits

Bartlett experiences tourism too, but it's outdoor-focused rather than commercial. You'll see more skiers and hikers, fewer shoppers. Traffic increases but doesn't gridlock.

Some people love the energy tourists bring. Others find it exhausting. Think about which side you fall on.

Transportation and Commuting

Neither town is a commuter hub, but here's how they differ.

North Conway sits at the intersection of Routes 16 and 302, making it the natural stopping point for travelers heading to Maine, Vermont, or points north. This creates more through-traffic but also means better access to services.

Drive times from North Conway:

• Portland, ME: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Boston, MA: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Manchester, NH: 1 hour 45 minutes

Bartlett is slightly more remote:

• Portland, ME: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Boston, MA: 3 hours
• Manchester, NH: 2 hours

If you work remotely, both towns function fine. If you commute regularly, North Conway's location saves 15-30 minutes each way.

Community Atmosphere and Culture

Here's where personal preference really matters.

North Conway

The community has two distinct groups: year-round locals and seasonal residents/tourists. The year-round population supports:

• Local sports leagues
• Mountain Valley Arts Council events
• Farmers markets (summer)

The atmosphere leans practical rather than quirky. It's a working town that happens to have tourist amenities, not a resort town trying to feel authentic.

Bartlett

Bartlett feels more tight-knit because the smaller population means you recognize faces at the post office and local gatherings. The community skews toward:

• Outdoor professionals (ski instructors, guides)
• Retirees seeking quiet
• Families with older kids

Annual events like the Bartlett Village Field Day bring people together, but there's less structured programming than North Conway.

FAQ

Which town has better property values long-term?

North Conway maintains steadier values because of its commercial base and convenience factor. Bartlett offers more opportunity for appreciation if you buy right, but the market moves slower.

Can I run a vacation rental in both towns?

Yes, but check specific zoning for your property. North Conway has more established vacation rental infrastructure. Bartlett allows them but has fewer management companies to help.

What about internet for remote work?

Both towns have decent options in populated areas. Bartlett's remote properties may have limited choices—verify before buying if you need high-speed, reliable connections.

Which town gets more snow?

Bartlett typically sees 5-10 inches more annual snowfall due to elevation differences. Both towns require serious snow management plans.

Are either towns good for year-round living or just seasonal?

Both support year-round living. North Conway has more year-round jobs available. Bartlett works better if you're retired or work remotely.

How do the towns compare for raising teenagers?

North Conway gives teens more independence because they can walk to jobs, friends, and activities. Bartlett requires parents to drive kids everywhere. Both attend the same high school.

Find Your Perfect White Mountain Home

Whether you're drawn to North Conway's village convenience or Bartlett's backcountry access, the right property is out there waiting for you.

Pinkham Real Estate has helped families find homes throughout the Mount Washington Valley for years. We know which neighborhoods flood, which properties have the best mountain views, and which sellers are motivated. More importantly, we listen to what you actually need—not just what you think you want—and match you with properties that fit your lifestyle.

Ready to explore listings in North Conway or Bartlett? Contact Pinkham Real Estate today for a no-pressure consultation about your White Mountain property search.