What's it like living in Bow? (Manchester, Nashua: for sale, houses, neighborhoods)

[KarynO]

Any good info is appreciated.

Thanks

[GraniteStater]

It is a nice town with very well regarded schools. It has a wooded semi-suburban and semi-rural feel to it while being very close to Concord as well as a short drive to Manchester. Property taxes are EXTREMELY high. Even small raised ranches and splits run over 6K in taxes.

[square peg]

People used to move from Concord to Bow to escape the crazy taxes. I guess that may no longer be the case. But it is a nice bedroom community with quite a few beautiful homes. Most of my family has resided there at one time or another and I've never heard any real complaints. You're right next to Concord, I-89, I-93 and Manchester is 20 minutes away and still, there is some space between neighbors. Not bad at all. If I ever move back to NH, Bow is one town I'd give some serious consideration.

[GraniteStater]

^
Bow has a tax rate of 22 per thousand. Thus, an average colonial house has taxes between 6-7K which is extremely spendy. Houses with views and small acerage (not enough for current use status) can have even higher taxes (assesment builds in view amount). I have seen house(s) on Putney and Audley Divide for sale with taxes in the 10-14K range, but they were large.

[GregW]

There are usually strings attached.

[KarynO]

What do you mean by that?

[Jennymcb]

The school is good b/c of the community, not because the teachers/administration are better than anywhere else. There is no town center unless you count the bandstand or the community center.
For your taxes, you get better snow plowing than nearby towns and an excellent library with great parking and activities for all ages.
It's a good place to raise a family safely, but if I were to do it over again, I would have liked my kids in a larger high school with better teachers teaching real classes instead of team combined social science/english classes, better course selections, less emphasis on sports and more emphasis on academics for all students.

[Positiveone]

You mentioned its a good place to raise your family safely. Are the surrounding lower taxed suburbs of Concord not as safe as Bow? If so, which should be avoided when raising a family?

Originally Posted by Jennymcb

The school is good b/c of the community, not because the teachers/administration are better than anywhere else. There is no town center unless you count the bandstand or the community center.
For your taxes, you get better snow plowing than nearby towns and an excellent library with great parking and activities for all ages.
It's a good place to raise a family safely, but if I were to do it over again, I would have liked my kids in a larger high school with better teachers teaching real classes instead of team combined social science/english classes, better course selections, less emphasis on sports and more emphasis on academics for all students.

[Jennymcb]

Hadn't considered how that would sound, "raise a family safely" when compared to other areas of the country. By saying that, I would mean that there are no gangs, we watch out for each other and call when we see strange cars in the middle of the day at neighbors' homes when they aren't there.
There can be bullying and the "Queen B want to bees" that can be tough for kids, but by high school these kids aren't so influential.
Compared to some neighborhoods in Nashua or Manchester, Bow is safer. Overall, I love New Hampshire and the quality of life here.

[GregW]

"some strings attached" Bows come with strings. That was a pun.