Vacation Home in White Mountains/Benton, NH? (Haverhill, Lisbon: low crime, buying)
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My husband and I are thinking about buying a vacation home in the White Mountains - possibly in Benton. We have three young children (all under age 12). Could someone please tell me what they think about Benton? Is it a relatively safe place to have a vacation home? Any worries about safety or crime? Are people relatively friendly? I would like to know a little more about Benton - pros and cons... Thanks for any and all input!
My husband and I are thinking about buying a vacation home in the White Mountains - possibly in Benton. We have three young children (all under age 12). Could someone please tell me what they think about Benton? Is it a relatively safe place to have a vacation home? Any worries about safety or crime? Are people relatively friendly? I would like to know a little more about Benton - pros and cons... Thanks for any and all input!
Low crime and low taxes, but, I suppose it depends on what you are looking for in a vacation home. If you are looking to hike and be near ski areas I think the location would be nice. You will not be able to walk anywhere though which is rather annoying at times.
Thanks Aptor. We really just want a quiet place to relax and get away. No problem about having to drive since we are already very "car dependent" now (unfortunately). My biggest concern is safety and not worrying about a break-in when we're not there.
if you have year round neighbors, it's a good idea to get to know them a little. We have nearly all of our neighbors keeping an eye out on our house for us. One of them chases the kids out of our driveway (and sometimes garage - which is luckily vacant) in the summer, and we have someone keeping the lawn mowed during grass season. People are nice, and if they know a place is being taken care of so it doesn't look an eyesore, and they meet you and you're nice, they'll look out for you. NH is like that.
Try looking in the Lisbon & Landaff area. I have relatives in the area and there are other kids around. Many NH "summer" communities have a lot of grey beards but not many kids.
I got in-laws in Landaff, Lisbon and Benton, and I concur with what Greg says...nice place, though I must say, I prefer Maine. (LOL)
One thing is better than Maine though, the police departments. Lisbon is top notch for a town of 1100 people. 4 full time police officers, polite, professional and fast responders...as I said, top notch. I am sure Woodsville, Sugar Hill and Bath are just as top notch.
If you are thinking of Benton, you may want to check out the Mountain Lakes development which is located in the neighboring town of Haverhill. It is right on the Kancamangus and has its own association so its very safe with shared amenities like the lake, hiking trails, etc. Given the large number of second homes there I'm sure they have folks whose sole job it is to look after them.
I'm curious how you chose Benton, it is not in the White Mountains. It is reasonably close to I-91 in Vermont, however, if that is one of your requirements.
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