Moving to Southern NH - recommendations for family (Derry, Salem: hardwood floor, budget)

[kitcat06]

We're moving to NH and since we'll be working from home, we are allowed to be anywhere.

Can we and where should we look to find a 4 bedroom rental that's no more than $1400/mo?

How much should I budget for electric, water, and gas?

We can't live in an apartment. I need a yard for the kids. Schools don't matter (homeschooling), but I must feel safe in my home and yard.

Any recommendations of towns and where to look for rental places? We want to stay fairly close to the MA border near Haverhill.

Thanks!

[CityGirl52]

You could possibly look through either Londonderry, Salem, Windham or Derry area? I just saw a great site www.Cooper (broken link) Rentals.com and they had/have house rentals in your price range on it. They're actually home builders as well as property owners. May be if you get in touch with them, they'll steer you in the right direction on getting one sooner than you think?

There was a home for rent up near me in the Dover Point area, in a new sub-division. It's a huge 3 level 4b, 3b, w/a large deck, as well as hardwood floors, but it was going for $2000 a month + utilities. I looked on seacoast online, but chalk that site up! The homes for rent on it are mostly going for $2000 and up on it. In fact, quite a lot for $3000 a month. Out of my price range too!

Hope you find just what you're looking for! I think the Salem area like I said, would be ideal to get to Haverhill from that part of southern NH.

Good luck!

[deportallofthem]

Hollis, Londonderry, Windham, Kingston, Derry, Hampstead (That's about the best I can think of right now)

[rmcewan]

Originally Posted by kitcat06

How much should I budget for electric, water, and gas?

OIL. Most houses have oil furnaces for heat and hot water. The disclosures on the 4 bed homes I've been looking at in the seacoast area are using between 800 and 1200 gallons a year. At around 2.50 a gallon, that's $2-3000 a year in oil, less if you keep the thermostat down (if you're working from home, it might be more because most people will keep it colder while out at work). Your electric will be low with oil heat. Water and sewer are free if you have private well and septic and rent (landlord should pay maintenance).

Where are you coming from?

[Valerie C]

That's my neck of the woods. If you're trying to stay somewhat close to Haverhill, and schools don't matter, you may be able to find something in your price range in Sandown, Danville, Kingston, Newton, or Salem. Plaistow or Atkinson will be $$, as will Hampstead. Hollis is pretty far from Haverhill, Windham as well. CityGirl mentioned Cooper Homes. They're out of Derry, and once upon a time a "Cooper-built home" was the best you could find. However, it's a different generation running the show now, and things have changed...

If it would be helpful, I can do some checking around for you. I live and work in the general area, so I'm always hearing about things, sometimes before they are made publicly available. I'm around at least every couple of days, so feel free to email me or send me a private message with more info

[dinalkulp]

[quote=rmcewan;1726054]OIL. Most houses have oil furnaces for heat and hot water. The disclosures on the 4 bed homes I've been looking at in the seacoast area are using between 800 and 1200 gallons a year. At around 2.50 a gallon, that's $2-3000 a year in oil, less if you keep the thermostat down (if you're working from home, it might be more because most people will keep it colder while out at work). Your electric will be low with oil heat. Water and sewer are free if you have private well and septic and rent (landlord should pay maintenance).quote]

Last year we only filled half a tank rather than a full tank each time. Our average monthly oil heating costs from Jan to June 2007 was $330./mo. We keep the temp set to 68 degrees during the day and 60 at night. That was with our old drafty windows. Anticipating our new windows will make it nice and toasty this winter!

Incidently, we have a 4 bedroom home with 3 school-aged children who like the house warm in the mornings.