Tired of people telling me to not move to Keene (Merrimack: neighborhood, homeschool)

[Suzet2262]

Originally Posted by DareToDream

Suzet - Yes, things did work out for us. As you know, I also have panic disorder and that was the one thing I was concerned about with our move - leaving my "safe zone" - until I realized that the "safe zone" is something you create for yourself and you just carry it with you <g>.

My ex was much like your husband, and frankly that's one of the reasons he is now my ex. Once I left him and started my "new life" a lot of the panic issues subsided and even disappeared. He and our marriage was a major stressor and trigger for me, for various reasons.

In any case - you'll get to NH when the time is right for you and at the time you are meant to be here. Things have a way of working themselves out so you end up in the right place when the time is right

Dare, thank you for the post. I agree with the whole hubby being a stress factor. For us, it is up and down. It is very hard for people that dont have the disorder we do. They just dont get it. He is trying again to be more understanding....we shall see for how long this time.

I am so happy that things are going really good for you. I love it when us anxiety people get happy. I know what you mean about the "safe zone". I finally figured out, I can have a panic attack anywhere, even in my safe zone..so what the heck. I just work my way through themas best as I can. I wont be a prisoner to my home ever again.

I am sure I will get out to NH when it is time. As you and I have said many times, when it is the right time, it will surely happen. Whats meant to be is meant to be.

mikekilo, thanks for the link. I am glad you are happy in NH, and welcome to the NH forum. I will go look at the pics later today when I have more time. I can never get enough of looking at pictures of NH. They are all so gorgeous.

[cormier]

Hi Suzet,
I, too, have had dreams of relocating to New England. I'm in the Los Angeles area and am quite tired of the atmosphere here. But certain issues remain for me in Keene such as employment opportunities and heating a home in cold winters with ever-rising fuel prices, among others. Moving sounds great to me, however, I still need to work to pay bills. Also, my current employer provides my medical insurance. That is a major necessity I have for me and my family.
When I was a kid, my family often visited Burlington VT when we lived close by in Quebec. I have some of the fondest memories of Burlington except I sort of ruled out VT since I feel that the lack of population in the state may create more of a tax burden on those who live there. Maine may not be an option because of their welfare state mentality. Again, a greater tax liability rests upon those who work hard. We have that issue right here in California as you may well know. (One bumper sticker says it all: Work harder. Millions depend on your income.) Also, the Northridge earthquake finally gave me the startling reality that those acts of nature are among the worst to be in. I lived 2 miles from the epicenter.
Just curious, where in S. Cal are you? What type of employment would you find to sustain yourself in Keene? I'm just now starting out looking for alternative places to live. Funny how the latest data shows more growth is occurring in the sun belt and we are looking for colder spots.

[opelske]

QUOTE from Cormier:
"I sort of ruled out VT since I feel that the lack of population in the state may create more of a tax burden on those who live there. Maine may not be an option because of their welfare state mentality."

Cormier:
The tax burden on Eastern and Western coasts are some of the highest in the Nation and they are also the most populated. It all depends on the community, county, town, or village in which one lives and the politics. For instance, Long Island, nassau and suffolk counties - overcrowded and extremely high real estate, county and public school taxes, very over the top public school taxes. As for Maine, I'm sure there are some very beautiful places to live and the 'welfare state mentality' you speak of is part of many towns in many States in the USA, not only in parts of Maine. NYC being one such place. The something for nothing crowd are everywhere. But, I love New England too, and I hope to buy something in the future in coastal Maine or Connecticut depending on the real estate/school tax burden. California is a beautiful State but expensive, and NY is much the same.

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by Suzet2262

My family and I just got back from having dinner. We ran into a friend of ours we havent seen in many years. He asked what we were up to, I told him about our plans for moving to Keene, and before I could finish, he was like NO dont do it!!! He then proceeded to give a list of reasons for us not moving out there. I guess tonight it really got to me. For the first time I actually feel confused. Can someone from So Cali really be happy back east? Sigh, I dont know. I am just really tired of people always telling me we are making a HUGE mistake by moving. Yes I know it will be a different way of life, but that is what we are looking for. One of my daughters wants to stay back here in Cali, and we are fine with that (well not fine, I will miss her very very much!! But she is 22 and time for her to live her life). I understand it gets cold in NH, I personally love the cold. I love cloudy days, I prefer them to just plain sunny skies. I love rain (when we get it). Yes we arent experienced with snow, but should that be a reason for not moving? There are mother nature issues in EVERY state. I dont know how many of you have been through an earthquake, but let me tell you, I have never experienced a more terrifing(sp?) feeling in my life. And I dont want to be out here for "The Big One", the thought of it keeps me up at night. So dealing with snow to me, seems like not that big of a deal. Haha, I say that now, only because I have never dealt with it. Ask me again, after my first spin out or driving off the road...LOL

Out here we have heat, heat, and more heat, then we have heat mixed with smog. I am just tired of the whole Cali way of life. Sigh, I dont know what I am really saying, I am just confused I guess I am looking for someone to say hey, that is a great idea, and I wish you and your family luck on your move. I am tired of people making me feel like I am nuts for wanting to move.

Follow your heart along with being sure you can afford the move and obtaining work if you have not already. Maybe those telling you negative things about NH are secretly jealous, just a thought. I'm in Alaska but I absolutely love the New England States. Good luck.

[bluegreen]

Suzet, As a native to NH, I must say that Keene is beautiful. It is quiet and peaceful. With that said, it is a long drive to Boston and airports. Have you considered Lyndeborough at all..that would be an easier drive to Manchester airport as well as Boston. we are in the seacoast of NH and feel it is the best of both worlds..couple hours to White Mts, 1 hr to Boston, couple hours to Keene, hour to Portland Maine....good luck!

[Suzet2262]

Hi cormier, welcome to the NH Forum.

I am living in The Santa Clarita Valley. We got hit very hard from the Northridge Earthquake. My brother was a Sergant for the Sheriffs Dept at the time, and we used to make pizza runs for him and all the deputys that were out guiding the traffic and stopping people from crashing into the huge holes in the roads. Believe it or not, our Dominos Pizza place was up and running a day after..haha. I remember being in the building waiting for our pizzas and having an after shock hit, and we would all run out of the building. All I can say is that I am not too anxious for the next big one to hit.

As far as source of income, my hubby and I own an investment corporation, we had an advertising company, but sold it. It was a pain in the butt. So for work, he could do it from anywhere.

We originally were looking at Vermont. Mainly Manchester, Dorset or Bennington. The more we looked into it, we thought it might be a bit too rual for us. Might be too much of a shock for us.

Alaskapa, following ones heart is always good advice. That is what we intend to do. It is more of a timing thing for us now.

bluegreen, I think we are actually going to check out the seacoast too. I have been researching Exeter. When we get out there, I think we will just have to go around and see what is what..But either way, we are looking forward to just getting out there.

[flyfish29]

Reviving a somewhat old thread- I live in Keene, NH right now and my family loves it. We moved our east from Kansas City 8 years ago so my wife could attend Antioch University New England and have not regretted it. We first moved to Groton MA, but too many taxes, people, etc. Was a nice little town, but very little. We then moved to the Keene area and like most everything about it. We have a few larger big name stores such as Target, Circuit city, Sears, etc., but for the most part we still have our small town stores my family likes to support for appliances, furniture, shoes, etc. There is a wide variety of job opportunities in the area. You have to remember Keene is only one town in the Monadnock Region which includes dozens of towns all within a 30 minute radius of Keene. So it depends on your job requirements, but there are many jobs to be had. If you have an specific questions about Keene or the Monadnock Region just let me know. The biggest thing I *don't* like about Keene is that I can't get an iPhone here due to the lack of ATT coverage

[fallfanatic]

I have really enjoyed this thread!! I am only begining to research the area so I haven't decided on any specific places. I just wanted to say what a wonderful bunch you all seem to be and how helpful and informative your posts are!!! So Thank you!!!

[newhampshiregirl]

Hi Fallfanatic! Where are you looking in NH?

[fallfanatic]

I haven't really narrowed anything down yet. A few that I am really researching right now are Keene, Londonderry, and Merrimack. And hi to you too newhmpshiregirl!!!!