Sandown is a small, rural town in Rockingham County near the Massachusetts border, characterized by forested land, several ponds, and a lack of significant commercial development. The town's historic one-room schoolhouses and covered bridge reflect its rural New England roots.

Phillips Pond offers swimming and fishing close to home, and the town's low density and winding rural roads give Sandown a quieter character than some of its more commercially developed neighbors. Most retail and dining trips require driving to nearby Derry or Plaistow.

Housing in Sandown consists mostly of single-family homes on larger lots, drawing families and commuters who want rural space within reach of southern New Hampshire's job centers. The town's limited services mean residents rely on neighboring communities for most everyday needs.