Looking to move to Hudson or Merrimack, NH (Nashua, Derry: middle-class, condos)

[Maryjyaya]

Hi,

I could use some advice from people who live or are familiar with Hudson, NH and Merrimack, NH. I'm looking to move this summer. We have 2 girls, one going into grade 8 and one into grade 9. Good schools are really important to us. I'm afraid that they might not be accepted or they might get bullied? Not sure how had that is in NH. We are coming from MA and my oldest has been bullied so much here - that's why we are looking for nicer people. Also, my sister and I were born in NH and I've always loved the area.
Thank you.

[Maryjyaya]

Any other thoughts on good schools in southern NH would be greatly appreciated.

[GotBackHome]

I don't think Hudson or Merrimack are known for their great schools. Hollis, Derry, Amherst... are. unfortunately bullying tends to be found pretty much everywhere - kids are cruel - but I don't think those towns have a big problem with it.

[Valerie C]

Good Morning. I'm just wondering what draws you to these two communities, in particular. For many folks that I've worked with previously, the main draw to Hudson is Alvirne High School. In addition to traditional learning/college-prep classes, there is a vocational/technical center that offers real-life learning/working experience (From their website: finance, accounting, agriculture mechanics/diesel technology, banking, engineering, multi-media, mechanical drawing, building trades, business, culinary arts, early childhood education, horticulture, health science, landscaping, marketing, natural resource management/forestry, agriculture business management, and veterinary science) I'm a big fan of students learning actual skills for the real world.

Merrimack is a good community, great rec. programs, and a very sports-oriented school. Oh, another thing that both high schools have are very active marching bands. If either of your daughters plays an instrument, marching band could be a good way to make friends with similar interests, do some traveling, etc.

[Maryjyaya]

What are your thoughts on Londonderry, NH?

I appreciate your thoughts on Hudson and Merrimack.

[GregW]

My wife and I have lived in Londonderry for over 25 years. Although the town has grown a huge amount it still remains a livable community with very good schools and a lot of community organizations. the only difficulty might be Rt 102 becones quite crowded during the commuting hours but there are back roads to the middle of Merrimack from the middle of Londonderry.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

What is the demographic like in Hudson? Is it mainly upper middle class?

Would 40 - 50something couples with no kids / singles be completely out of place?

In terms of properties, SHF, single / split levels w/ basements, 10K square foot + lot sizes. Looking at the usual sites I see several properties which seem to fit the bill.

[avlis13013]

I wouldn't consider Hudson upper middle class. More middle class.

Whether or not you would be out of place depends on your lifestyle. If you like motorcycles, like to store lots of stuff in your yard, don't like to worry about property maintenance, don't mind traffic passing through from surrounding cities (Lowell, Nashua), have a contracting business with trucks, have lots of "toys" (camper, snowmobiles, ATVs, ect), then Hudson may be right up your alley.

[Valerie C]

Hudson is a typical middle-class town, with a mix of white & blue collar workers. There are a couple of 55+ neighborhoods that won't have kids running around, however most of these would be condos (with monthly or yearly association fees).

A 10K square foot lot would be very small in many places, unless that neighborhood was served by public water & public sewer. Hudson has many of these neighborhoods as well-they are typically homes built from 1960 to 1980, and would be a mix of split level, ranches, etc.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by Valerie C

Hudson is a typical middle-class town, with a mix of white & blue collar workers. There are a couple of 55+ neighborhoods that won't have kids running around, however most of these would be condos (with monthly or yearly association fees).

A 10K square foot lot would be very small in many places, unless that neighborhood was served by public water & public sewer. Hudson has many of these neighborhoods as well-they are typically homes built from 1960 to 1980, and would be a mix of split level, ranches, etc.

Is it as "WT" as the above depiction by avlis13013? Or was that a bit of exaggeration?