Saratoga vs Southern NH (Albany, Saratoga Springs: sales, apartments, renting)

[loveautumn]

I would appreciate anyone's comments on the differences between the two areas, especially which you think has the worst winter weather of the two, COL, etc.

thanks!

[thelocalyokel]

Having lived near Saratoga and now living in southern NH (seacoast region), I can offer you my two cents!

At least near the coast in southern NH (Portsmouth, Dover, Newmarket, Exeter, etc.), winters and summers are both milder than those of upstate NY -- still plenty of snow up here in NH, but not quite as bone-chilling.

NH has a much smaller tax burden, so you'll take home way more of your paycheck, though both places have relatively high property taxes (if you're looking to buy a house). To compensate for its lack of income-tax revenue, NH does impose some surprisingly high fees for weird things like car registration, but it's nothing to worry about.

It's a little tough to compare the real-estate market in a specific town (Saratoga) to a whole region (southern NH), but I'll give it a shot: renting or buying in Saratoga would not be terribly cheap -- more expensive than most towns in southern NH, I think, though probably comparable to more upscale places like Portsmouth and Exeter. If you venture a few miles outside Saratoga, though, in pretty much any direction, housing prices will drop dramatically. Despite NH's lack of sales tax, things like grocery shopping will be pretty similar in Saratoga and NH, I think. (Aside from booze, which is obscenely cheap up here.)

Culturally, I think Saratoga probably has more to offer than most places in southern NH, especially considering its proximity to Albany and, to a lesser extent, NYC. Boston is a short train-ride from the NH seacoast, but most towns in NH are pretty bare-bones. Food will be better in NY (a broad generalization, but true, I think!). Both places should be safe.

Again, I haven't lived in Saratoga, so don't necessarily take my word as gospel -- I figured I'd just give it a shot, having a good amount of experience with both areas. Hope this helps, and let me know if you have any more questions!

[loveautumn]

yes, your comments were very helpful. I love Boston, thus the attraction to living in So NH, and also the "no state income taxes" benefit. I would be renting, not buying, and I haven't found any really outstanding apartments online in either area. But, having been born and raised in Western NY, I am still a NY girl at heart, more so than NH...although I haven't lived in the area for like 32 years. Lots to consider....

[ckhthankgod]

Also, Glens Falls could be a cheaper alternative to Saratoga Springs, but is only 20 minutes away. Ballston Spa is a nice little community just outside of SS.

You could also consider some other Upstate NY communities too.

[thelocalyokel]

Yep, I'd second the recommendation for Glens Falls -- a lot cheaper than Saratoga, with easy access to Lake George, the Adirondacks, and, of course, Saratoga. And as ckhthankgod said, there are plenty of other options in the area.

And by the way, the easiest/most pleasant way to get from southern NH to Boston is the Amtrak downeaster, which passes through Dover, Durham, and Exeter in NH. (Several bus lines connect Portsmouth, which would be the hippest place to live in NH, with Boston.) The train also goes through Haverhill, MA, which might be another place to consider? A pretty old mill town that, from what I can tell, had some rough times but is on the rebound.

[1planet]

I actually loves Glens Falls, N.Y! It's a great place to be. If you want to travel here, there is a bus station and train station in Fort edward. You can come and go as you please. The Civic Center is getting better and better. The city is always booming in Glens Falls. Lots of unique artistic people too.

[ShakeyMae]

I grew up in southern NH. Everything the localyokel said is spot on. Just thought I'd add my 2 cents. Growing up there I didn't like it. I was often bored. Most everyone I knew lived in a rural area. It's lots of old country roads, with house after house. Each one surrounded by trees but still able to see and hear neighbors. The stores were accessible by car only and "artsy" places and people were located in pockets in special cities (like Portsmouth). The difference politically between NH and Massachusetts is day and night. If you love Boston and want that vibe then I would suggest living there. Boston proper is a fabulous city with plenty of green spaces.