New Hampshire, anyone?

[Hisgirl]

My DD and hubby and toddler are being transferred to New Hampshire. I know nothing at all about this state but do love New England.

Is anyone here from NH? How would you describe the people, the nature, the weather?

I'm going up to visit in a couple of weeks and currently looking for a safe hotel near Manchester. Is the crime rate low? Thank you!

 

[FastPasser.]

All of my family and relatives still live in NH and Massachusetts. I lived there for most of my adult life but I decided to leave because of the property taxes, endless winters and a couple of other reasons.

I’m very happy with where I ended up,

 

[Tim3888]

I grew up in NH and we moved back 7 years ago after a long time away. It's a wonderful place to raise kids. In terms of crime -- NH is one of the safest states in the country. You're staying in Manchester, which is the biggest city, so like with anywhere use reasonable caution, but relative to other big cities I've lived in, the "bad" parts of Manchester are still pretty safe.

People in NH tend to be more reserved and less outwardly friendly than other places I've lived, and keep to themselves more. They (we) are not unfriendly by any means, it just might feel a bit tougher to find a social circle if that's what you're looking for. If you child will be in pre-school or kindergarten soon, that can help as you'll definitely meet other parents, get invited to child birthday parties, etc.

Southeastern NH is closer to Boston and tends to be a bit more diverse with more to do. The further west and north you go, the more rural it gets, but it is still very nice.... you're just further away from major airports, shopping malls, etc. Not much public transportation, so expect to drive everywhere for the most part.

NH has quite a mild summer (mostly 70s 80s during the day... once in a blue moon it will get into upper 90s). Fall is beautiful and crisp, though we get overrun a bit with tourists during that time. Winter is long and dark, but not as long as it used to be. The last few winters we've seen less snow than I remember growing up, and a lot more dry days or rain / mix, particularly in the southern part of the state. But you should see plenty of snow. If you like skiing or sledding, there are plenty of places to do it. After winter is mud season, the wet / stinky beginning to spring, but otherwise spring is pretty normal

If you like the outdoors, there is lots to do and explore in NH

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I don’t live in NH. I’m from MA, but vacation there often. The white mountains area is beautiful! We love NH

 

[LuvOrlando]

That's great! There are a lot of trees, it is a very very wooded place and outdoorsey. I don't remember feeling unsafe from anything other than unexpected wildlife while we explored but I suppose there can be spots. Maybe check out reviews on Trip Advisor, other guests usually warn about such things.

While there I'd suggest a drive over to visit a great place from Drive ins, Diners and Bars called The Tuckaway Tavern and Butchery. We watched the episode before our visit, the food at the tavern was really good and it was a ton of fun. The attached butchery/deli had home made sausages we took home to cook and there is a very large selection of really good to go deli items for a cooler

If I were to live there I would lean in towards the coast and the ocean.

 

[Buzz Rules]

My DD and hubby and toddler are being transferred to New Hampshire. I know nothing at all about this state but do love New England.

Is anyone here from NH? How would you describe the people, the nature, the weather?

I'm going up to visit in a couple of weeks and currently looking for a safe hotel near Manchester. Is the crime rate low? Thank you!

https://www.visitnh.gov/

https://www.nh.gov/

 

[QueenIsabella]

I assume they're going to be living in the Southeast part of the state--we lived in the Southwest part--DH actually worked in Vermont. My MIL lived in Manchester for 20 years or so, so we visited often--my DD also ran cross-country there sometimes. When we headed east to see MIL, it would be woods, woods, woods, woods, Dunks, woods, woods, woods...

The southern part of the state gets, on average, 5 feet of snow each winter. We typically had a week where it would get down to -10 degrees at night. But, people know how to dress, how to drive, how to shovel, etc. Summer is beautiful, especially if you enjoy the outdoors--many lakes, as well as that bit of ocean. We had a small family ski resort, less than 15 minutes from our house--DH volunteered as ski patrol, which got our kids free passes, rentals, and lessons. The elementary school had "ski club" every Friday--the principal and many teachers would join the families on the slopes.

No sales or income tax, but tourist stuff--hotels and restaurants--are taxed, and property taxes are high.

The state takes its politics very seriously--either side of the aisle. NH holds the first in the nation primary, and they treat that as a mandate to evaluate every single candidate. It's great from a civics point of view, but man--did I get sick of the polling phone calls! I still get them, since my cell phone has a NH area code.

You'll find the people to be reserved, but friendly, and they don't tend to say nice things about people from Vermont or Massachusetts. It's more of a friendly rivalry, though--our Target would be thick with Vermont license plates on weekends.

 

[BrianL]

I don't know much about living there, but my dad would take us camping there when I was a kid and my sister went to college there (in the Rindge/Keene area). I can say that the mountains are beautiful!

 

[pezgirlroy]

I have lived in Amherst, NH for the past 10 years. Overall I very much enjoy living here but a lot of it depends on where you will be living.

In general I would not suggest living in Manchester. If you want to be in Southern NH some great towns are Bedford, Amherst, Mt Vernon, Merrimack. Schools are good in those areas. 4 seasons are real here. We get a fair amount of snow but I love that. In general it is a great place to raise a family but keep in mind that in general it is not a very diverse state.

The crime rate is generally low (outside of Manchester). The nature is honestly one of the main reasons to live here. Portsmouth is also an amazing city. Feel free to reach out with any other questions.

 

[pezgirlroy]

One other thing just to prepare yourself for - as you may know there is no sales or income tax in NH but be prepared property taxes are extremely high.

 

[Pooh2]

We are near the Lakes Region and get a lot of visitors in the summer but we know of the quiet spots to canoe on the rivers or lakes away from the crowds. Ask your new neighbors and they will direct you where to hang out to avoid the weekend crowds.

Winter is cold, summer is warm, spring is muddy and fall is gorgeous!
If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes and it will change!

The price of homes went crazy during covid when everyone was able to telecommute and homes are now as expensive as the southern part of the state.

For your trip, squeeze in trip to Tuckers for breakfast (not to be confused with Tuckaway Tavern as mentioned above, which is also good!).
NH Donuts and Bread and Chocolate in downtown Concord are worth the stops if you are nearby.
Puritan Backroom in Manchester is known for their chicken tenders and ice cream and Adam Sandler will sometimes stop in!

Have a great trip!

 

[Hisgirl]

Okay....family is settled in the apartment and I just returned from a week there to help out. My observations:

I'm from the SE and we have a church practically on every corner. I drove all over middle NH into VT 90 miles away, and saw one church and one sign to a church, haha.

Also the food situation. Yall sure do love your Dunkin Donuts! They were practically on every corner! I actually saw one catty cornered across from another one! So of coursse I had to get doughnuts!

It was odd though. I had to drive and drive to find somewhere to eat outside of the city. Im used to seeing fast food everywhere and I just saw....Dunkin Donuts.

The first day I was there, two different people screamed 'F***" at me while driving. So that was fun. Also, being a southerner, we tend to talk to strangers. That was a big mistake, hahaha.

People looked at me like I had two heads.

But overall, it's going to be a great place for them to live. We got some amazing food, Indian and seafood, and there was such a great selection of shopping! BUT IT WAS SO COLD!!!!!!!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Yall sure do love your Dunkin Donuts! They were practically on every corner! I actually saw one catty cornered across from another one! So of coursse I had to get doughnuts!

That’s donuts! Plus, you must drink iced coffee, even in winter, while wearing shorts and boots!

And remember, as far as driving goes, using a “blinkah’ is giving your secrets away to the enemy.

(j/k, it’s a NE inside joke)

 

[QueenIsabella]

That’s donuts! Plus, you must drink iced coffee, even in winter, while wearing shorts and boots!

And remember, as far as driving goes, using a “blinkah’ is giving your secrets away to the enemy.

(j/k, it’s a NE inside joke)

Ha! My oldest went to Boston University. She was never much into hockey, but it's a religion there. She has a picture of herself over the goal at a hockey game, yelling "BC SUCKS!" and holding a Dunks cup. BU yells "BC SUCKS" at every hockey game, regardless of who their opponent is!

And the shorts are a thing--plenty of photos of kids wearing shorts while playing in the snow.

Shopping is great--visit the outlets for sure. And don't forget the LL Bean outlets! (I think there are 2 in NH, go to the bigger one). You can get some screaming deals, especially on stuff that's been monogrammed wrong. 5 minutes with a seam ripper, and you're golden! I liked the winter gear as well as the canvas bags. And the backpacks.

 

[Hisgirl]

That’s donuts! Plus, you must drink iced coffee, even in winter, while wearing shorts and boots!

And remember, as far as driving goes, using a “blinkah’ is giving your secrets away to the enemy.

(j/k, it’s a NE inside joke)

Hahahaha, YES! I ordered donuts and a latte and when I got to the window (shivering from the cold, not even exaggerating), she handed me an ICED LATTE!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Hahahaha, YES! I ordered donuts and a latte and when I got to the window (shivering from the cold, not even exaggerating), she handed me an ICED LATTE!

Do they even make hot ones? I think that’s more a Starbucks thing! Lol

 

[Hisgirl]

Do they even make hot ones? I think that’s more a Starbucks thing! Lol

Well, I handed it right back to her and said that I wanted it HOT. I was thinking, "Did I say 'iced??' I know I didn't, but up there, maybe it's the assumption. Which is so funny considering how chilly it was!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Well, I handed it right back to her and said that I wanted it HOT. I was thinking, "Did I say 'iced??' I know I didn't, but up there, maybe it's the assumption. Which is so funny considering how chilly it was!!

She probably didn’t know what to do! I will have to inquire about this at my own Dunks!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

BTW I am in MA but have visited NH all my life. One of my siblings lives there in a beautiful lake location, as do many other friends and family, all over the state. Sib loves it, but the winters are very long - longer, it seems, than in MA. They get snow late into the season. Headed up myself later this month for a visit. I hope you enjoy your time there, I think you will.

 

[Hisgirl]

BTW I am in MA but have visited NH all my life. One of my siblings lives there in a beautiful lake location, as do many other friends and family, all over the state. Sib loves it, but the winters are very long - longer, it seems, than in MA. They get snow late into the season. Headed up myself later this month for a visit. I hope you enjoy your time there, I think you will.

I really did enjoy my time! I took a day trip to the Vermont Country Store, which was ten times better than I could have imagined! Also went to a historic tavern and had a fabulous dinner!! Then went to LLBean outlet!