MANCHESTER — Stay Work Play released its 2025 Quality of Life Index, the state’s only recurring survey that asks young people directly how it feels to live, work and build a future here. The third installment of the survey — following editions in 2018 and 2023 conducted by the Saint Anselm College Survey Center — captured responses from 517 young people across the state and reveals a nuanced picture: New Hampshire’s core strengths remain strong, but the life stage when people most want to put down roots is getting harder to navigate.
The survey shows a clear pattern across age groups. Young adults 18-25 report high satisfaction and optimism about living in New Hampshire. But satisfaction drops sharply among 26-35-year-olds — a period Stay Work Play is calling the “Bridge to Happiness” — when people are trying to buy homes, start families and advance in their careers. Satisfaction then rises again after age 35, suggesting that those who make it across that bridge rediscover what they love about New Hampshire.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.