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FYI Durham has some of the highest property taxes in the state, rye some of the lowest. Also, in Durham you have to deal with the awful Spaulding turnpike during rush hours.
It's true that the property taxes in Durham aren't among the lowest in the state (in fact they're quite high), but that cost is fairly well reflected in the school system. If I weren't looking to raise a family and enroll them into a top-flight public school system, I might pick Rye, Portsmouth or Hampton.
If schools are among my priorities though, Durham is closer to the top of my list.
That and the access to the cultural events at the university (music, theatre, stand-up comics, UNH hockey, gallery showings, etc) along with many of the other small town family-freindly aspects would lead me to consider Durham as well.
I've been to the town many times and I think I've been on the Spaulding Turnpike on at least a few occasions (is that the road to Portsmouth?). The traffic was light and the drive was short for me most times.
Alternatively, I've tried to traverse half a mile in Rye a couple of summers ago and wished I'd packed a lunch for the trip.
I guess the traffic can find you wherever you go. Especially by the coast.
The best bet is to visit the respective towns, schools and all, and get a real feel for them. Seasons can skew that experience, so that ought to be factored in as well.
Hampton Falls or Seabrook. Seabrook is probably the most affordable (lowest taxes, nuke plant), and has plenty of retail jobs during summer season.
The downside to Seabrook, of course, is that the elementary and middle school are in need of improvement. To be fair, they are going through a real turnaround, and are getting a lot of attention. For the short term, Sacred Heart School is really good, and they are very reasonable for low income families.
For the long term, Winnacunnet is already a great high school by public school standards (Hampton Falls, Seabrook, North Hampton), and the Seabrook schools will both be better in the next couple of years.
Seacoast towns - any more ideas (housing range $700-1mil)
I am looking to relocate to the seacoast as well. Anyone know anything about North Hampton? I have two young kids (1 and 3) and would like a place with a sense of community. Any ideas?
Newington, Portsmouth, Rye, North Hampton and Durham are the best seacoast areas. Lee is also wonderful, but a little more rural for my taste. Even though the towns I listed are pricey, you get what you pay for in NH. If you see something thats too good to be true, it is. I have lived here my whole life, and I know all the reputations. Stay away from Dover, Somersworth area...cheaper but the schools are horrible and so is the commute on the small 2 lane highway to Portsmouth area.
Check out Newington... one of the lowest tax rates in NH.... lots of amenities... country living within 5 miles of down town Portsmouth... great elementary school, then Portsmouth schools.... love my 5 acres and cape in Newington but am putting it on the market next week.... I want to spend my Golden Years in The Villages, FL.
Check out Newington... one of the lowest tax rates in NH.... lots of amenities... country living within 5 miles of down town Portsmouth... great elementary school, then Portsmouth schools.... love my 5 acres and cape in Newington but am putting it on the market next week.... I want to spend my Golden Years in The Villages, FL.
Send me a link to the listing when you put it on the market.
there's a couple comments about it at the end of the thread "Creating a Free State in NH" it get stalked about a lot in general, you could do a search on "Exeter NH" and check the various threads on it.
Check out Newington... one of the lowest tax rates in NH.... lots of amenities... country living within 5 miles of down town Portsmouth... great elementary school, then Portsmouth schools.... love my 5 acres and cape in Newington but am putting it on the market next week.... I want to spend my Golden Years in The Villages, FL.
By the way, what's the airport noise like in Newington? I'm a pilot myself so aircraft noise doesn't necessarily bother me but I also don't want jet traffic overhead all the time.
By the way, what's the airport noise like in Newington? I'm a pilot myself so aircraft noise doesn't necessarily bother me but I also don't want jet traffic overhead all the time.
It's not a commercial airport any longer So you usually get the aircraft from the Guard - so it's definitely not all the time
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