Need help choosing a town in the Kearsarge district (New London: rental, house)

[rootsandwings]

We are headed up your way mid June - relocating from Houston. Just in time too - it was 95 degrees here yesterday! Will be renting for the summer while we spend some time in the area looking for a house. We know we want the Kearsarge school district and are leaning toward New London, Wilmot, North Sutton, and northern parts of Newbury. Our budget is at the lower end in those areas though - would like to stay under $300K.
We have 3 kids - aged 15, 13, and 10. Would love some land for horses, but don't want to be too isolated. Husband will be working from home so have to have reliable internet. Son really, really wants access to snowmobile trails (had to bribe him a bit to get him to talk to us again after we told him we're moving!).
Would love to hear your thoughts on the towns in Kearsarge regional area as we start to narrow down our search. Thank you!
Lisa

[FrugalYankee]

That is a nice part of NH that you are looking at! It is going to be pretty rural after living in Houston tough! What's your definition of isolated? Do you want to be able to see your neighbor's house from your land? Are you ok with driving 1/2 to get to shopping? Can you live without box stores on your doorstep?

New London is a lovely town - decent shopping, well maybe not what you are used to in Houston, but the town is attractive and is home to a junior college which keeps things vibrant. Newbury is a good place to live if you are a boater I think as it is on Lake Sunapee. Since it is a tourist destination you stand a good chance of finding a place to rent for the summer while you scope things out. Ain't too much going on in Wilmot, although you shouldn't have a hard time finding a place for $300k with room for horses.

I hope your son can be talked into trying out skiing, as the past few years have been miserable for snowmobilers. Not enough snow or not enough at one time to cover the trails. You can probably pick up a uswed snowmobile for REAL cheap!

[rootsandwings]

Hi Frugal Yankee. Thanks for your response. Will definitely be an adjustment going from urban fringe to rural - I can't wait!! I grew up in the Adirondacks and have been away from the northeast for far too long. My hubby's a native Houstonian, though, so should be an adventure!
Definitely won't miss the big box stores. We live in an area that has grown by more than 1200% in the last 10 years and I've seen enough strip centers to last a lifetime. Isolated for us would mean having to drive a 1/2 hour to get to the closest town or not seeing any neighbors/neighboring farms for miles. Don't want subdivision type atmosphere, but don't want to feel like we're totally off the grid either. Parts of Springfield and Bradford seemed a bit remote like that. Too bad too because the rolling hills and incredible views seem awesome!
My husband loves to sail so being a little closer to the lake would be a nice perk. We are lucky and our realtor has already lined up a rental for us on Lake Winnepocket for the summer while we house hunt.
Pretty sure my son is angling for the snowmobiling "and" the snowboarding! Maybe we can talk him into 4 wheeling instead...
Thanks again for the feedback - really appreciate it!