You are right about NH. I think Keene State, UNH and Dartmouth dominate those sections of the state. What has happened to the old time Yankee conservatives that were here in NH. I guess we are getting outvoted by the retirees from the liberal states to south and west.
I believe that many have either died off or moved away...my wife was born here, and she doesn't even recognize the town she was born in...mostly people from 'away'; predominantly New Yorkers from suburban NYC. Dartmouth area (Grafton County) is flaming liberal, as is Keene for the reasons you state. Keep in mind (make sure you're sitting down) that VERMONT used to be a conservative state. The liberals from the states to the south and west (along with 'deadheads') overran the place. You're also right about New York...people upstate want NOTHING to do with the city...especially the tax burden. So many people have moved away from New York and Massachusetts that they have lost Congressmen...