Keene or Hanover area?! (Concord, Rindge: real estate, for rent, how much)

[annah]

Evening...I am so glad we found this site. The comments and info shared here is great! Its outstanding the way some people will make the time to share info with strangers wanting to move to your home area.
We are relocating to either Hanover or the Keene area and I will probably post a zillion questions in the near future...;o)!

5 questions for now?!

1.) Right now I am wondering if anyone knows how many professional Window Cleaning' businesses are in and around the area of Keene? The second question is how many retail "Hobby" type stores there are there? We are researching what we can online and from various print pub's, but there isn't anything exhaustive really with business listings that we have found so far.

We are a blended family coming from Florida, California and Alaska with wonderful kiddo's from first grade through highschool, (one of whom is 8 years old and lives with Autism), and several cuddly and not-so-warm-and-fuzzy assorted animal friends.

I have found fairly good info about the public school system in NH; there is very, very little here or elsewhere about how progressive NH school administrators are with 'inclusion' for special needs students though; so that remains one educational decision we are concerned about.

2.) My 11 year old girlie will be heading into Middle School/6th grade...she wants me to ask if kids in NH get actual "lockers', if they have 'real P.E. classes and shower facilities' or just run around the tarmac a few circuits and then go back to class - which is basically what constitutes 'P.E.' here ;o( --

and 3.) whether there is a 'school bus' system in place? (Of course, I want to know if there are school bus transportation companies there...how much do they cost per student/child for annual transport - over $300.00 per child here in southern Calif currently.)

We have family over in the lakes region; but its great to be able to hear/get info from the exact town you are planning to move to. When we first arrive, my sweetie will be pursuing an opening in his current career area -- Social Services (either Protective Child Services or Probation Officer -which he has over 14 years experience in); but we value independence (he is originally from NH; I am a former Marine and having lived in several foreign countries and a few states, I have my mind made up about wanting to make a real home in New Hampshire.)

We want to segue into a much more self-sustained lifestyle over these next few years, on a bit of land, but not be too far from a town with a supportive 'community'.

4.) Are there food 'co-op' type organizations or farms in NH where people pay for a monthly or annual membership, donate volunteer 'hours' to the organization and thereby obtain vegies/organics/other local harvests at a lesser rate and better quality than what is available at the box-stores and national supermarkets?

We are so looking forward to moving ... trying to find a large house for rental/lease for a year or so is proving quite hard; but there must be some property that 'needs' us, we just have to keep calling real estate people and etc til we find something.

We don't want to buy until we really make a connection with the area and know that is where we are going to stay put for many years. We will be able to buy a house on a small amount of acreage for approximately $200k to
$275 k.

I know that is modest, but its an honest assessment for us at this point in our lives. We know we want to live in either Keene or Hanover and have been researching all we can about those two areas. Getting info on independent retail businesses and service industry businesses is a huge task!

Thanks in advance for any info you have time to share...
Brightest blessings,
Annah

[Torrey]

What's a 'blended family'?

[Mustard]

Go for Keene.

[nicolem]

Originally Posted by Torrey

What's a 'blended family'?

I think that means two people get married and they each bring children to the marriage?

[nicolem]

I believe the Keene area is more affordable and personally I like the area better.

Hanover has Dartmouth college and Dartmouth Medical center if that type of thing is important to you. They are starting to build some 55+ developments in the surrounding area. I read an article that a lot of 55+ people from other states are moving to the area which is making housing and land prices higher. Hanover is right by Route 89 and close to White River Junction , Vermont. I do not know Hanover as well as I know Keene.

I prefer Keene because it is in the Monadnack region which I love. I have not lived there, but we were married at the Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge, which has a view of Mt. Monadnack. My hubby went to college for 2 years there-before we met. Even though they are growing as every where else, it is still pretty rural-once you get out of the city itself. They recently-last two years have added more shopping-Target, Circuit City, etc. Traffic can be heavy at time in Keene and Keene State College has about 20,000 kids when in session. They have a lovely down town.

The area had VERY BAD FLOODS in October 2005, so please research and be careful before you buy.

We live in Penacook, outside the capital of Concord, about 45 minutes away. We go to the area often to hike, enjoy foliage, etc.

I am sorry I don't really know about the schools or the businesses you asked. If you have any other questions I can try to answer.

Nicole

[dmp1627]

I would choose Keene. I live in Grantham (about 20 mins from Hanover). Both towns are very attractive, but Keene is most likely more affordable. You won't be able to get a decent sized house in Hanover for less than 400K. All the school systems in NH are very good. You don't have to pay for school bus transportation (never heard of that before). High schools for sure have lockers, don't know about middle schools though, my kids when to school in VT. Not sure about PE class either, atleast at either of those towns. NH public schools have good services for students with special needs. Check with each school to see what they offer. You can also check ont the schools websites I would think. Hanover does have a food co-op, but it is very expensive and defeats the whole purpose of a co-op. Not sure what Keene offers, but there are many options for grocery shopping in both areas.

Overall, both towns are beautiful and both are college towns. Keene seems more like a real town. Hanover is mostly Dartmouth college, more upscale/ritzy... not to mention parking in Hanover is horrible.

[annah]

Thanks so much for the replies. *Esp the info that the Keene area had some major flooding in 05...will keep that in mind as we look at homes in the area.

Hope you have a super day; thanks!

Annah

*Note: Yes, the connotation with which I used 'blended' in my post is to describe a family wherein there are conscious choices and decisions made which create a new foundational relationship - ie, divorces, children who perhaps do not have two healthy, loving or socially appropriate and functional biological parent(s), previously single adults, adoption, etc.

[NCOriolesfan]

If you decide on the Keene area, you may want to look into Chesterfield. It will cost more than Keene, but it is well worth it. You won't ever get flooded in Chesterfield. If you don't mind over paying for things New Hampshire is great. Otherwise you should come to North Carolina. Sorry, just trying a little recruiting.

[Torrey]

I just bought some KEEN sandals...... Gives me good vibes hehe..
Too bad they aren't made in KEENE... Need the extra E on the end of the brand name and it would be perfect.