Norwich

Directly across the Connecticut River from Hanover, New Hampshire — home of Dartmouth College — Norwich has long benefited from its proximity to a major academic institution while maintaining its own distinct identity. The town was chartered in 1761 and settled by families from Norwich, Connecticut, who gave it its name.

Norwich's village center, with Dan & Whit's General Store at its heart, is a model of the walkable Vermont town. The store has operated continuously since 1891 and sells everything from groceries to hardware. The town's population of about 3,540 includes Dartmouth faculty, professionals who commute to Lebanon or White River Junction, and families drawn by the strong school system.

The King Arthur Flour Company (now King Arthur Baking Company) was headquartered in Norwich for years before moving to a larger facility in nearby Norwich — the company's baking education center remains a destination. The town governs through a selectboard and town meeting, and the level of civic engagement is high. Budget discussions and school board elections here are taken seriously by a community that values both tradition and thoughtful governance.