within 30 minute drive of Wolfeboro NH (Rochester, Laconia: new home, school district, living in)

[noisynora]

Looks like my husband will be starting a job in Wolfeboro by the end of the year. We currently live in Newtown CT and he commutes to the Bronx every day (about 1 hr 15 min). Needless to say, this is making him crazy, along with his boss, and change has presented itself...so we're moving on.
Originally from Long Island and moved here to get away from the crowds and (believe it or not), have a better commute, haha.

He has spent enough years commuting to work, so we both agree, less than 30 minutes is important. From reading in these forums, seems Wolfeboro can be crowded in the summer (but, believe me, after LI, nuthin' compares, haha). The idea of living inland away from salt water is unappealing, but the lake area could save us there. We both grew up on salt water, right near the harbor, and would like to get back to water in some form...

I won't be working outside the home, as I'm the Nana/Momma to my 3 yr old grandson...who comes along with his 23 yr old father, with us! So, schools are of concern in the not too distant future. We live 10-15 outside of town now, and I always thought that I would like to be more connected and closer to town on the next move.

How will this area be for my son? He's doesn't need a large group to hang with, but by the demographics, looks like the area is full of alot of older, retirement age white people, haha. And, while on that vein...seems that every time we move...less diversity is in the equation. One thing I loved about LI was that my kids went to school with all kinds of people. When I look at the racial profile for the area, seems like 2% is "other"...hardly diverse. That's okay on it's own, but just don't want narrow thinking to go along with being in a majority.

Well, I've gone off from my original question. Any info or insight to living near or in Wolfeboro is helpful. Oh, and I'm not a shopper per se, but seems as if needing something and finding it would be a trek from this area. Where do you go for furniture, home improvement stuff, larger stores with a selection? I'm used to driving 30 minutes to check out Ikea...guess that's going to end.

any imput is appreciated...

[GregW]

I think property values 10 min or more away from the lake shore may be reasonable. The entire area is dedicated to fleecing tourists and summer residents but the winters are nearly sane. Drive up and spend a week exploring the area and/or use a realestate web site along with google maps for more info.

[Verseau]

Trust me, when people talk about "traffic" in NH... well, you'll probably laugh when you see it.

Wolfeboro is part of the highly-rated Governor Wentworth school district, but all of the adjacent towns in the district (Tuftonboro, Ossipee, Effingham, Brookfield, and New Durham) are even smaller than Wolfeboro, so they probably wouldn't be up your alley. I might make an exception for New Durham, only because it's right off Route 11 and closer to amenities in Farmington and points south.

Considering that you're looking for good schools, your options of towns outside the school district within the 30 minute commute time are limited. Parts of Moultonborough are under 30 minutes away, and this town has a great school system, but in some respects it's even more isolated than Wolfeboro and doesn't even really have a town center (lots of lakeside homes, though).

Center Harbor might be bordering on something closer to a 35 minute commute, but this town is a little more well-connected to amenities in Meredith/Laconia and closer to I-93. It's still a pretty small town, but it does have the added bonus of two big lakes (Winnipesaukee and Squam). It's part of the Inter-Lakes school district which is also highly regarded in the Lakes Region.

If you're really concerned about being too far from shopping and civilization in general, then Gilford is probably the best choice (this is likely where you would do a lot of your shopping if you lived in Wolfeboro). Again, depending on what part of town you're in, it may be closer to a 35 minute commute, but Gilford is much closer to a huge range of amenities in the Laconia/Gilford/Tilton area, not to mention I-93. Like Moultonborough, it does lack a real town center, but being so close to Laconia you won't feel disconnected from civilization. Gilford also has a very good school system, particularly the elementary school.

Many of the towns around Winnipesaukee have a high proportion of retirees, but that just comes with the territory. As long as your grandson gets involved with school and local activities, there are more than enough opportunities to socialize with children in the area. White people do happen to make up the vast majority of New Hampshirites, but I think "narrow thinking" is the last thing you need to worry about here. Rural New England tends to be a lot more open-minded and "live and let live" than most rural areas of the country. Besides, Boston isn't that far of a drive, and regular trips to the big city are a great experience for a kid growing up in NH.

Oh, and the ocean's an hour away from Wolfeboro. That's not so bad. The beach is a great day trip.

[noisynora]

Vers- thanks for the thorough comparison of towns. Looks like Wolfeboro might be the one! And you're right about the traffic...people here complain, and I think...whad'ya mean? at least no one's flippin' you the bird! haha
I personally want a town that I can call my own. Was thinking before this move, of downsizing (land-wise), and getting a place in a town that I could actually walk to for a cup of coffee...don't think that's going to happen here, but still don't want to have a 10 minute drive outside to do so.
Great to hear about the attitude there also. I was getting that feeling, from what I could find online, but still nice to have a person confirm.
We're probably going up first w/e in August to check out the area...that time to really see what all the "summer crowd" adds to the local scene.

[noisynora]

greg- already planning a visit and have been scouring online for all kinds of details and home and such. We may decide to bite the bullet on housing tho, that dream of be nearing water is compelling...thanks

[buck naked]

Wolfeboro is within a half hour to Rochester - Rochester has all the box stores such as Lowes, Home Depot, Kohl's, K-Mart and a variety of grocery stores. Unfortunately Wolfeboro is on the wrong side of the pond to be 'near' anything. However, shopping is available in Alton (20 minutes) and Ossipee (20 minutes) in either direction.


You will find some beautiful brand new homes on nice lots in Milton and Farmington for under $200K.

as for 'flippers', you will find them everywhere....yes, even in Wolfeboro.

[rscalzo]

Just up there today. One of the problems is during peak times the roads can become crowded and there are a limited number of ways in and out without going way out of your way. But the peck times are weekends and only for a few months. Today the town was far from crowded and the roads clear. Weekends would be the problem time and those days may not require travel to the town.

The town is great. I rode a over a hundred miles round trip for a ice cream cone.

[noisynora]

hahahaha...jeez, that must be damn good ice cream!

[rscalzo]

One thing the state has is a lot of great ice cream shops. But I like getting on the back roads and driving up to the lakes area. Wolfeboro was the first town I ever visited years ago. We came up every year for ice diving. The town is great. Once the summer winds down, it gets quiet which is the best time to visit.

[shelbelle72]

I love Wolfeboro! I lived in New Durham for 2 years in the late 80s and attended Kingswood Regional H.S. I would move back in a minute if I thought I could afford it. Magical town.