MOVING TO NH

Self | 2/20/04 | IYAS9YAS

[IYAS9YAS]

I am moving to NH in the near future. Manchester, to be exact. I know there is no sales/income tax there. I also know there are higher property taxes to make up for the former. What can I expect as far as quality of life and the like? Fuel prices, food prices, entertainment, good vehicle to have, vehicles not recommended, leisure activities? I'm from the desert northwest (SW Idaho) and have rural sensibilities. My wife and I are anticipating the move and are looking forward to going.

[IYAS9YAS]

Any information on the Merrimack Valley area would be greatly appreciated!

[MouseyMama]

Hi!
Welcome to NH!
I will try to help, However, First off I am an apartment dweler, not a homeowner. I live in Milford.
I would say manchester is a good place, BUT a high crime area. there is currently a rapist running amock. we lived there,I like it here. Always lock your doors.
For down time, there is Pats Peak in henniker, Maybe 20 miles away. Hampton beach is 20 miles. Portsmouth has tons of history, as does Boston.
IF you have not purchased a home, Don't go to manchester.
If you care to write off list, it would be

mouseymama@hotmail.com

[international american]

If you are going to buy, go 20 miles out and buy as much LAND as you can offord. Otherwise, talk to Mouseymoma

[international american]

What is Hampton Beach like now??

[KPfromDerryNH]

Well, for entertainment you could go contra dancing, candlepin bowling, skiing or work on a political campaign.
Cars not to buy, convertibles.Get something with 4 wheel drive. You may even want to skip the air conditioning.
If you can get a house with a garage do it because shoveling out gets boring real fast. Try to get a mudroom too.
I live in the Merrimack Vally, I think its kinda suburban but sometimes people say it rural.People here are friendly but not wicked friendly. Don't take it personally. Its not you. When you get here introduce yourself to the neighbors anyway. They will be surprised but thats because they are originally from Massachusetts.

[ETERNAL WARMING]

Wish I could move back there! I lived in the North Country..ski country. It's a beautiful state. You need a car with good snowtires and something capable of taking the cold..heavy duty batteries etc. And don't pay alot..they rust out quickly.

The people are good, salt of the earth types. They might not be real friendly at first, but keep on being yourself and they'll come around. Then you will have friends for life thru thick and thin. They're good people. They don't brook much nonsense. They're straightforward in outlook. They don't take government interference lightly. Wages are low, but so is cost of living..barring real estate taxes. I think you'll like it..no, I think you'll love it once you give it a chance. Are you part of the Free State Project?

[IYAS9YAS]

Actually, no. I'm moving because of a new job (feds). But hey, we gotta get a few of us in there working for Uncle Sam, otherwise it'd fill up with the liberals. Gotta keep the sanity, ya know.

[IYAS9YAS]

Thank you!

In comparing cities, it looks like Nampa (about 60,000) has you beat in crime except for robbery. Both in real live numbers and rate per 100,000 people. Isn't NH a concealed carry state? Hope they'll let me transfer my ID CW license without too much hassle. Thanks for the information on buying away from Manchester!

[IYAS9YAS]

Thanks for the information on buying the land...that's really what I want. Is there any available? I've kinda been looking up the maps and all and it seems like you can't get 20 miles from anywhere there, LOL. Not what I'm used to out west. You could drive for a hundred miles and not even see a house, let alone people.

[IYAS9YAS]

Thanks KP!

My wife and I have been looking for a 4x4 of some sort. I've been looking a real estate for the past week there. Not much with garages and "off street parking" seems to be a hot item. LOL. I love dealing with people who are themselves. I hate the superficial types. I'd rather spend a day with a guy who makes things with his hands than with someone who makes a lot of talk.

[IYAS9YAS]

Got any auto racing (besides NASCAR at Loudon) in the area. I really like to watch the locals. Dirt is best, but asphalt is fine, too!

[international american]

You can get realtors on the internet who can help you ahead of time Just tell them what you want and your price range.

[IYAS9YAS]

Yeah, we've been looking at what's out there. Found some nice homes and some junk, think that's the way it is here, too. We were going to rent for 6 months to a year (to make certain the job isn't going to be a bust). But, no reason not to look. I've always wanted to buy an old house to fix up.

My wife can see a junk pile and know exactly what can be made out of it. We did our last house that way. Was a real stinker, but when we were done, we had people from all around the neighborhood commenting on what we'd done with it.

I really do want some land, two to five acres worth.

[NH Liberty]

Welcome! You're gonna *love* NH, but Manchester is not a very nice place. However, there are lovely, more rural places, all around it. I don't live in the Manchester area (it's about a 1/2 hr. away) but whenever I need to go there, it doesn't even seem like NH to me. Those who live nearer to Manchester will have more specific suggestions about the surrounding areas in which you might find pleasant to live.

Buy at least one 4WD vehicle and -- contrary to one of the earlier FReeper suggestions -- I would definitely be sure to have a/c in it. It gets rather hot and humid in the summer and, even if you don't mind the heat, you'll want something to draw out the moisture from the air.

Election time can be either fantastic or unbearable in NH, depending on who is running. Candidates for president practically move to NH at least one year (or more) before an election, and you might actually find some of the candidates on your doorstep. Leading up to the last election (not long after we moved here), we met GWB at least four times -- and one of them was at someone's home nearby.

This year, however, was nearly unbearable for encountering Dems, since they had so many candidates running. (Shudder!) But they've all gone out west, so you're safe to come now...LOL...

[grannie9]

bump

[IYAS9YAS]

Thanks. The way my wife and I adore (sarcasm, with a hint of disdain) politicians, I do hope they darken my door on occasion. Just for the opportunity to show them how much my home and family mean to me.

I'm not sure what to think about Manchester. I live in Nampa, ID. I grew up there and it was pretty rural. It's changed. The city's almost tripled in population since I got out of high school in 1987.

I work in Boise and hate the commute. Boise's over 200 population. To me, it's not a big deal living in the city or country. But, I prefer rural because I like the sounds involved with rural life. But, city doesn't bother me. We have rude people here and we have good people here.

My wife works for a medical laboratory company that has offices in Londonderry (we also have an acquaintance there), Derry, Salem and Concord.

We are actually going to fly out there before signing on (money well spent in my mind) to see if I'd even want to deal with it. I'm certain that I'll like it from all everyone has shared. Thanks much!

[IYAS9YAS]

WHOOPS

Boise's over 200 population.

Boise's over 200,000 in population.