tell me all about New Hampshire please:)

[pudge the fish]

Tell me the good, the bad and even the ugly

best grocery stores & grocery prices
rentals for housing/prices (only looking at maybe 18-20 months, so a rental would be needed)
best town to live in in your opinion?
Schools ( high school)
gas prices, the basics one would need to know when coming fom out of state
and all the other things to do in or information about New Hampshire.

Thanks

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

We lived in Boston for many years until we relocated to the Midwest, and I love New Hampshire. It's a beautiful state overall. I'd suggest trying to live in Portsmouth, if possible, or Manchester or Concord if Portsmouth isn't in the cards. The Lakes Region (Laconia, Meredith, Wolfeboro, etc.) is also a lot of fun, but there are fewer jobs there (if that's relevant).

The good:
Close to Boston, close to the ocean, close to the mountains
No sales or income taxes
Lots of things to do outdoors
Great skiing in the winter
Great lakes activities in the summer
Fabulous fall foliage

The bad:
The public schools are pretty weak in many areas
I don't know how the economy is doing, but many people commute into Boston for work because there are not many jobs in New Hampshire
You have to deal with leaf peepers from New York during the fall

The ugly:
The winters can be brutal. Icy cold like few places you have experienced.
The property taxes are atrocious (makes up for the lack of a sales & income tax)

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

A few more things to add:

For grocery stores, Stop & Shop is the kingpin and Hannaford/Market Basket is the lower-priced store chain (or at least they were when we left a few years ago).

Gas prices are less than Massachusetts, or were when I left.

There is no sales tax on wine or liquor. This means lots of people drive up from Massachusetts.

The Manchester airport is fantastic! When we lived in Boston, I would frequently drive to Manchester to fly out instead. Fewer delays, better parking, less traffic, and often better fares.

Nothing in New England is inexpensive. Prep schools are very popular, but they are expensive. Our DD's kindergarten was going to be $32,000 per year, and it goes up from there. One of the reasons we moved away.

 

[merrily]

NH actually has one of the lowest unemployment rate in the nation.

Perhaps you could narrow down where you are thinking of living. Housing rates vary greatly depending on the region. Do you want a larger city or a small town?

Gas prices currently around $2.60, at least where I live.

 

[Jaime4004]

We lived in Boston for many years until we relocated to the Midwest, and I love New Hampshire. It's a beautiful state overall. I'd suggest trying to live in Portsmouth, if possible, or Manchester or Concord if Portsmouth isn't in the cards. The Lakes Region (Laconia, Meredith, Wolfeboro, etc.) is also a lot of fun, but there are fewer jobs there (if that's relevant).

The good:
Close to Boston, close to the ocean, close to the mountains
No sales or income taxes
Lots of things to do outdoors
Great skiing in the winter
Great lakes activities in the summer
Fabulous fall foliage

The bad:
The public schools are pretty weak in many areas
I don't know how the economy is doing, but many people commute into Boston for work because there are not many jobs in New Hampshire
You have to deal with leaf peepers from New York during the fall

The ugly:
The winters can be brutal. Icy cold like few places you have experienced.
The property taxes are atrocious (makes up for the lack of a sales & income tax)

Couldn't have said it better, myself! Except for the public schools, they're really not bad (in Southern NH anyway, don't know anything about the north). I live about 45 mins from boston, 45 mins from the coast. Great location as far as i'm concerned. About 10 mins from Manchester so everything I need is right there. And of course, the most important part, 10 mins from the airport. Way better than dealing with Boston!
Fall here is beautiful. I'm about 2 hrs from the mountains which is fun year-round. Although personally, I hate snow and skiing so tend to avoid going any more north in the winter....
Property taxes are crazy but looks like the OP is looking to rent anyway..

 

[clori]

NH is a small state but still pretty big and many different areas. NH has the seacoast, Lakes Region, mountains, near 3 states etc. It would be helpful if you could narrow down the area you are interested in to get more accurate info.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I am in the Lakes Region. We are all working in my family. Full time, right along during this lousy economy. And not minimum wage jobs. We have no state income tax, but our property tax is high and they get you one way or the other, lol, its expensive to register your vehicles every year. I love it here. The Lakes Region has alot to do, but we do get alot of tourists.

My biggest drawback is the winter, it is very long and brutal. January until March is my worse time of year. The town that we live in does an exceptional job on the roads though.

I noticed that you are from Florida, I am looking forward to wintering in Florida in the next few years! Right now I go for two weeks, it will gradually get longer.

 

[pudge the fish]

it would be near Manchester or in Manchester.

We would be renting as it would be about an 19 - 20 month stay..

I think it is a wonderful area
just really curious to high schools - they can NOT be as bad as the schools in our area -kids have all gone private as we can't handle the Public schools around here-
Some schools are great in Fl- just not around here

and the fact I have NEVER- EVER been in snow, I have never even seen snow (except on TV and in Pictures) ....makes me very nervous

a job is not an issue -

gas in my area is now 2.70- 2.80 a gallon... gas is actually Cheaper at Disney !
we live in tourist central...Bike week. spring break.. race week....
So that's not a big deal I'd probably be a big tourist

Thanks for the replies.. any other info is appreciated!

 

[merrily]

Personally, I would not choose to live in Manchester. It is one of the largest cities. Gangs and crime are reported there more than in other areas. I would look at some of the surrounding areas. The high schools are very large so I'm sure they have a lot to offer. I don't really know much about the Manchester school system except its claim to fame is Adam Sandler!

If you look at Craig's list you will get an idea of rental costs.

 

[deb24k]

Derry and Londonderry are both close to Manchester with excellent highschools/school systems. Property taxes are sky high to support them, but since you would be renting this is not an issue.

 

[Diane♥Disney]

New Hampshire has a lot to offer, mountains, lakes and beaches. I live in Pembroke, which is between Concord and Manchester. Taxes are high but wouldn't be a problem if you are renting. The high school is small compared to the Manchester high schools. They are big. There is a private high school in Manchester if you don't mind the cost.

 

[samshane]

I grew up in Salem - but I wouldn't live there now - LOL! Since there's no sales tax the stores just blew up while I was there. Too much - too crowded.

I had not heard of the public schools being bad - in fact I thought they were pretty good (I am a product of them). My sister works in MA, but lives in Windham NH - it is a great small town near the border, but the houses aren't cheap. She bought in Windham because Salem just exploded too much. Her house is actually some historical home that was owned originally by someone who signed the Constitution (at least I think he did - she has documentation to this effect, and some book was written on it by the town that she has as well).

All this being said - I left about 14yrs ago, and have only been back to visit. I am sure things change over time. I would definitely move back - but I would go further North myself.

Good luck!

 

[DenMig]

I lived in NH for a short time. (97-99). I taught Chemistry at Concord High School and though I can't speak for it now, it was a great public high school. I worked with a great group of teachers and the administration and teachers worked TOGETHER, unlike here in Illinois where we are mortal enemies. I lived in Rochester, frequented Portsmouth ( and loved it), and was very familiar with Manchester from using their airport and mall. I know it didn't take me too long to drive from Concord to Manchester (20 minutes maybe ? ) but I could be wrong and not remembering that correctly. I loved NH and Boston, just missed my roots here in IL and knew I belonged here. Good luck.

 

[Lorix2]

Personally, I would not choose to live in Manchester. It is one of the largest cities. Gangs and crime are reported there more than in other areas. I would look at some of the surrounding areas. The high schools are very large so I'm sure they have a lot to offer. I don't really know much about the Manchester school system except its claim to fame is Adam Sandler!

If you look at Craig's list you will get an idea of rental costs.

I have lived in Manchester for 21 years. Like any big city, it has it's "bad areas". I live on the outskirts of the city. I work in the city and have never been bothered or feared gang activity being there.

My oldest just graduated from the one of the 3 high schools here and my youngest is in middle school. We've never had any problems.

The 3 high schools are Central (AS attended) and West, which are deeper in the city and Manchester Memorial which is on the east side.

This should be helpful: www.mansd.org

 

[Lanshark]

I can't tell you about New Hampshire but I did give a quiz on the 50 states last week and two of my students named

New Hampster

 

[golfgal]

A few more things to add:

For grocery stores, Stop & Shop is the kingpin and Hannaford/Market Basket is the lower-priced store chain (or at least they were when we left a few years ago).

Gas prices are less than Massachusetts, or were when I left.

There is no sales tax on wine or liquor. This means lots of people drive up from Massachusetts.

The Manchester airport is fantastic! When we lived in Boston, I would frequently drive to Manchester to fly out instead. Fewer delays, better parking, less traffic, and often better fares.

Nothing in New England is inexpensive. Prep schools are very popular, but they are expensive. Our DD's kindergarten was going to be $32,000 per year, and it goes up from there. One of the reasons we moved away.

People pay that for KINDERGARTEN

 

[PatsMom]

I live in northern NH but work in Bedford which is very near Manchester. Manchester has a lot going for it. The NH Fisher Cats baseball team, the Monarchs hockey team for sports. Major shows at the Verizon Wireless Arena. The airport is super convenient - that is where we fly out of. Good shopping is available. And several excellent restaurants as well as more mid-priced and chain restaurants.

Manchester is in a good central location. You can take 93 north and be in the mountains or lakes region very quickly. 101 east will take you to the seacoast.

If you don't want to live in the city there are a number of commuter type towns nearby. Bedford, Candia, Deerfield, Chester all come to mind. If high schools are an issue, Bedford has its own school. I've read good things about it - it is a fairly small high school. When Bedford stopped tuitioning kids to Manchester West, West got quite a bit smaller from what I understand. I believe many of the smaller towns still tuition kids to Manchester, although some might use Pinkerton Academy in Derry which is supposed to be an excellent school. For private schools there is Derryfield and Pinkerton, and probably more that I am not thinking of. Along with a catholic high school in Manchester. Tuition is fairly steep.

We do have a rooms and meals tax so when you go out to eat you pay an extra 9%. No sales tax on other items though. No income tax, although there is an interest and dividends tax if you have over $4,800 (married, filing joint) in interest and dividend income - don't quote me on the threshold for that, its been a while since I looked at it. Property taxes vary by town. And they are largely affected by what each town decides to do for education. I understand Bedford is expensive because of the new high school, Manchester is supposed to be more reasonable because they have more industry to help the property owners. The towns with the highest tax rates tend to be towns with no industry and an expensive elementary school to support!

Winters can be tough. But you just deal with whatever happens!

 

[Magicbus]

Tell me the good, the bad and even the ugly.

As a lot of other people have said, the winters can be brutal for non-winter type people. Also I left because of the tax situation. After 45 years in MA & NH, I left and live next to the Mouse now. Fifteen years and counting. But I love NH, miss it terribly. But I can't take so many cold & gray days. I lived in the Nashua area, loved it.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

I live in Northern NH as well (more into the White Mtns, actually), and winters are cold and brutal, but...we live in a ski area...its what is expected...as for Manchester, my husbands uncle used to teach math at the high school there and he loved teaching there until he retired. I too would look at the outskirts of Manchester...there has been a lot more crime in what they call "ManchVegas".
I Manchester airport, it is the easiest airport to get in and out of. And of course the malls are great, for me its a great place to visit maybe once every 3 months

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

People pay that for KINDERGARTEN

Unbelievable, isn't it? Yes, the school where DD was going to go, had we not moved away, is just over $32,000 this year. That includes the book fees and before and after-care programs (we both work, so that would have been mandatory), but not the summer program, which would have been an extra $2,250 per month. We lived nearby, so she would have been a day-student.

Here are the tuition-only costs for the school DD would have attended (she was still on the admissions list so we received the details last spring):

Day Students
Pre-Kindergarten (Half Day) $14,500
Pre-Kindergarten (Full Day) $17,250
Kindergarten $18,500
Grade 1 $19,750
Grade 2 $21,000
Grade 3 $22,000
Grade 4 $23,000
Grade 5 $26,250
Grade 6 $26,500
Grade 7 $26,750
Grade 8 $27,000
Grade 9 $27,250

Domestic Boarding Students
Grade 6 $44,460
Grade 7 $44,710
Grade 8 $44,960
Grade 9 $45,210

Believe it or not, there are far more expensive options in the Boston area, such as Park School in Brookline, where my friend sends his five kids, which has the following on their website:

"Tuition ranges from $20,020 for Pre-Kindergarten to $32,410 for Grade IX. Our tuition includes all expenses for textbooks, athletics, field trips, recess refreshments, and lunch for Grades I–IX."

Yes, it's great to be in the Midwest with the fantastic public schools. I'm a well-established school snob, but even I think it's insane to pay that kind of money for Kindergarten!!!