Boston vs. NH (Arlington, Needham: sales, house, to buy)

[puffle]

I am from California so I would like someone to explain to me what the apparent rivalry is all about between Boston and New Hampshire? The two seem to despise each other, but why? How can one state over claim to be so much friendlier (NH from Ma.) than Ma? Is there some kind of underlying jeolousy? I would really like to know how this started and I have only come to this conclusion by reading the Ma. and NH posts. Is NH really that much more affordable than places just outside of Boston? Seems the taxes are pretty hefty and the choices of great schools is much less in NH, so what's the deal?

[findingmesomeday]

Puffle:

MA is the most liberal state in New England, if not the whole United States. New Hampshire is the polar opposite ("Live Free or Die" is the state motto). People in MA consider themselves cosmopolitan, politically correct, socially and environmentally aware and many think that the people of NH are just uneducated rednecks, though they sure like to vaction up there, spend their hard earned money and purchase second homes! And let's not forget where people from MA flock to when they want to make large purchases and save a few bucks in sales tax.

The people of NH are anything but uneducated rednecks. I'm not sure why there should even be a rivalry. The two states should recognize and appreciate each other's differences. Personally, I think that NH has its feet planted more firmly on the ground but that's just me.

[NY'er lost in MA]

Originally Posted by webfootma

Puffle:

MA is the most liberal state in New England, if not the whole United States. New Hampshire is the polar opposite ("Live Free or Die" is the state motto). People in MA consider themselves cosmopolitan, politically correct, socially and environmentally aware and many think that the people of NH are just uneducated rednecks, though they sure like to vaction up there, spend their hard earned money and purchase second homes! And let's not forget where people from MA flock to when they want to make large purchases and save a few bucks in sales tax.

The people of NH are anything but uneducated rednecks. I'm not sure why there should even be a rivalry. The two states should recognize and appreciate each other's differences. Personally, I think that NH has its feet planted more firmly on the ground but that's just me.

I think you meant MA is the most conservative state; right? That makes sense because NH is so liberal.

Almost everyone I know in NH is from MA, so I don't really understand the issue between everyone. Perhaps it does come down to different ideologies?

With gas prices as they are, I no longer drive up to save on sales tax...

[Parsec]

Originally Posted by NY'er lost in MA

I think you meant MA is the most conservative state; right? That makes sense because NH is so liberal.

Almost everyone I know in NH is from MA, so I don't really understand the issue between everyone. Perhaps it does come down to different ideologies?

With gas prices as they are, I no longer drive up to save on sales tax...

?? No, MA is the most liberal state. That's the first time I've ever heard anyone call MA conservative. Although now that you mention it, we do have some pretty conservative liquor laws and Western Mass is still pretty conservative. Overall MA is still one of the largest democratic strongholds in the nation, while NH is predominantly republican.

[LeavingMA]

I guess it would depend on how your defining liberal. If your using liberal the way they do in politics than MA is very liberal, especially around Boston.

MA is in conservative in the sense it doesn't want to change anything, and the state stays in the status quo of thinking they've done everything correctly and don't need to try anything different.

[puffle]

Could someone please address the question about affordability in both states? With the high property taxes I have heard about in NH, is it more affordable than most areas surrounding Boston, or does it equal out in the end?

[smarty]

Originally Posted by puffle

Could someone please address the question about affordability in both states? With the high property taxes I have heard about in NH, is it more affordable than most areas surrounding Boston, or does it equal out in the end?

Puffle,

Look at it this way and please do not think I am being snooty. Why would anyone want to commute an extra hour or two every day if they are equally affordable? I would much rather have a 4-bedroom 3000 sq ft house with an acre of land in downtown Boston if they are the same price as in NH.

[puffle]

I realize that anything in Boston will be more than New Hampshire which is why I am comparing New Hampshire prices to the suburbs of Boston, like Needham,Arlington, or the North Shore. Can you buy something of equal value of these places for less, despite the high prop taxes in New Hampshire??

[smarty]

Originally Posted by puffle

I realize that anything in Boston will be more than New Hampshire which is why I am comparing New Hampshire prices to the suburbs of Boston, like Needham,Arlington, or the North Shore. Can you buy something of equal value of these places for less, despite the high prop taxes in New Hampshire??

The simple answer is NO.

If they are "equal value", why would anyone pay less or more? House in NH in general is less than MA. The same size/condition house will cost less in NH. If you are paying the same price in NH as in MA, you are most likely getting a nicer place. Many move to NH simply because they cannot afford the $350K entry level house around Boston.

Taxes is a different issue.

[puffle]

Originally Posted by smarty

The simple answer is NO.

If they are "equal value", why would anyone pay less or more? House in NH in general is less than MA. The same size/condition house will cost less in NH. If you are paying the same price in NH as in MA, you are most likely getting a nicer place. Many move to NH simply because they cannot afford the $350K entry level house around Boston.

Taxes is a different issue.

My question to you then is when you figure taxes into it and the possibility of them getting higher in the next five years, does it make sense to buy in NH instead adding in quality of health care and costs, schools, recreation, culture, etc.? Would you live there?