Tired of people telling me to not move to Keene (houses, live)

[leavingnh]

Originally Posted by newhampshiregirl

Gosh leavingnh, where the heck do you live? Read my post below for my thoughts. My husband and I COMBINED earn well under the six figure mark (not even high five figures!) and have owned our own home on 2 acres of land for over 20 years.

I hope you, too, find what you're looking for. If not, we'll welcome you home to NH.

I'm in the (barf) south end of the state...you have it made in the area you are in, but very few people would be able to avail themselves of living in the area that you do...I can't imagine ANYONE being able to find work where you live (which, admittedly, is quite pretty). The only thing I am looking for is the exit. The ONLY reason I am here is the same reason other miserable people found themselves trapped here...family; specifically, in-laws. I have gone from Heaven (Appalachia) to Hell in a few months, and am obviously quite bitter. These forums have a nasty habit of painting a rosier picture than reality; and I hate to see people get sucked in by a false/biased portrait of living in NH. Please, friends...don't listen to me; don't listen to them...DO THE RESEARCH yourself; THEN make the decision you will have to live with. Simple as that. :-)

[leavingnh]

Originally Posted by newhampshiregirl

Gosh leavingnh, where the heck do you live? Read my post below for my thoughts. My husband and I COMBINED earn well under the six figure mark (not even high five figures!) and have owned our own home on 2 acres of land for over 20 years.

I hope you, too, find what you're looking for. If not, we'll welcome you home to NH.

My apologies; I almost forgot...even though I was born in the north, and have lived here before; my HOME, HEART, and SOUL are in Tennessee. :-)

[newhampshiregirl]

Originally Posted by leavingnh

I'm in the (barf) south end of the state...you have it made in the area you are in, but very few people would be able to avail themselves of living in the area that you do...I can't imagine ANYONE being able to find work where you live (which, admittedly, is quite pretty). The only thing I am looking for is the exit. The ONLY reason I am here is the same reason other miserable people found themselves trapped here...family; specifically, in-laws. I have gone from Heaven (Appalachia) to Hell in a few months, and am obviously quite bitter. These forums have a nasty habit of painting a rosier picture than reality; and I hate to see people get sucked in by a false/biased portrait of living in NH. Please, friends...don't listen to me; don't listen to them...DO THE RESEARCH yourself; THEN make the decision you will have to live with. Simple as that. :-)

You're absolutely right. People interested in moving to NH need to do the research (which includes reading posts like both of ours) before moving here.

I paint a rosy picture about living in NH because I truly am rosy! I don't get paid each time someone drives a U-Haul over the Mass. border. I write what I write because I really love living here and enjoy sharing my passion with others.

You mentioned that you can't imagine anyone finding work where I live. I don't know what you're looking for or speaking of, because my husband's been self-employed for most of his life and has hardly struggled finding jobs. I actually don't know one single unemployed person in my area. If you're looking for a six figure salary job in this area, then you better look elsewhere. It's all relative really. We lead a rather simple lifestyle and don't have a lot of work-related stress or problems. We'd gladly pass on earning the big bucks you can earn in a more urban area for the quality of life in our area. We're never going to be millionaires and we'll probably have to work until we die, but hopefully we won't be laying on our death bed saying, "Oh....if only I'd worked a little harder."

[leavingnh]

Originally Posted by newhampshiregirl

You're absolutely right. People interested in moving to NH need to do the research (which includes reading posts like both of ours) before moving here.

I paint a rosy picture about living in NH because I truly am rosy! I don't get paid each time someone drives a U-Haul over the Mass. border. I write what I write because I really love living here and enjoy sharing my passion with others.

You mentioned that you can't imagine anyone finding work where I live. I don't know what you're looking for or speaking of, because my husband's been self-employed for most of his life and has hardly struggled finding jobs. I actually don't know one single unemployed person in my area. If you're looking for a six figure salary job in this area, then you better look elsewhere. It's all relative really. We lead a rather simple lifestyle and don't have a lot of work-related stress or problems. We'd gladly pass on earning the big bucks you can earn in a more urban area for the quality of life in our area. We're never going to be millionaires and we'll probably have to work until we die, but hopefully we won't be laying on our death bed saying, "Oh....if only I'd worked a little harder."

Oh my gosh, no. I don't have the SLIGHTEST interest in a six-figure salary...I'd be content with a small cabin with a garden in the back. But to live COMFORTABLY in southern NH (where the jobs are, you have to admit...any headhunter will tell you that); you will need SERIOUS money. You can find rents for $1000 month in southern NH, but you are probably going to wind up in a ramshackle apartment building that may very well wind up burning to the ground this coming winter. (I lost count of all the fatal fires in this area earlier this year, and I didn't get here until March.) The heat, the car registration, the property taxes...it adds up, and then you are talking real money. Some people like cities, but I am NOT one of them.

[newhampshiregirl]

Thanks for clarifying, leavingnh.

But, what kind of job(s) are you talking about? High-tech? White collar? Again, it's all relative. There are plenty of jobs in my area, including white collar, high-tech, service industry, factory, tourism...but, of course, this is a pond compared to the ocean of jobs in the southern part of the state.

It sounds like your living situation is not good and is somewhat out of your control...that's a big huge bummer.

I hope things get better for you soon.

[leavingnh]

Originally Posted by newhampshiregirl

Thanks for clarifying, leavingnh.

But, what kind of job(s) are you talking about? High-tech? White collar? Again, it's all relative. There are plenty of jobs in my area, including white collar, high-tech, service industry, factory, tourism...but, of course, this is a pond compared to the ocean of jobs in the southern part of the state.

It sounds like your living situation is not good and is somewhat out of your control...that's a big huge bummer.

I hope things get better for you soon.

Bummer doesn't even cover it. Hope to get out of here in January, in time to start my seedlings back in February. The bummer? There is SUCH a demand for rental trucks heading SOUTH that is costs FOUR TIMES as much in rental fees to go south as it does to come north. Wonder why? :-) As for jobs in your area...you had better tip off the job agencies...they are under the impression there is NOTHING available, outside of Littleton.

[Suzet2262]

Thank you all for the good thoughts!!

I do realize the leaving So Cali and moving anywhere will be a shock. I literally have almost everything and anything at my disposal. Short drives to get here and there. Stores open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. But along with all that comes all the negitive things. Traffic, crime, way over crowding, etc, etc. etc. Sometimes having everything right in front of you at all times isnt what it is cracked up to be. We dont have to worry about the job market, but my hubby worries about the snow. That is his biggest fear. Every place you go has something you have to deal with. I am sure for people who have lived in NH all their lives, you might come to hate the snow and cold. We are the same out here with the heat and sun. All we can do is find what works for us and make the best of it.

[DareToDream]

Originally Posted by Suzet2262

Thank you all for the good thoughts!!

I do realize the leaving So Cali and moving anywhere will be a shock. I literally have almost everything and anything at my disposal. Short drives to get here and there. Stores open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. But along with all that comes all the negitive things. Traffic, crime, way over crowding, etc, etc. etc. Sometimes having everything right in front of you at all times isnt what it is cracked up to be. We dont have to worry about the job market, but my hubby worries about the snow. That is his biggest fear. Every place you go has something you have to deal with. I am sure for people who have lived in NH all their lives, you might come to hate the snow and cold. We are the same out here with the heat and sun. All we can do is find what works for us and make the best of it.

Suzette - I can't speak for the Keene area, as I've never been there, let alone lived there, but (you knew there'd be a but, didn't you...go on admit it) - We moved from an area with a lot of stores, open at least until 10 or 11 p.m., some all night, some all night diners, etc. While we had snow, it wasn't as much as up here, so we were used to driving in lousy weather, not like it would be for you or your husband.

All that being said, we do have 1 store that's open 24 hours....granted, it's a Cumberland Farms, but it is open! <g> Most of the places on Main Street are closed by 9 in the summer, some by 8, with a few open later. We have "crime" but it's not the type you see in places like where we came from or where you are.

The snow this year was a lot, however, we were still pleasantly surprised at how well the roads were taken care of - many times they were not plowed to bare pavement, but they were plowed/sanded/salted so people could get around. Even with the large amt of snow this past winter, my husband, who works about 30 mins from here, never missed a day of work due to the weather, nor was he late to work. Once your husband learns how to drive in the snow, he should be fine. With the right type of vehicle, tires and maybe even taking a couple of lessons on how to drive in the snow, it wouldn't be an insurmountable (is that a word????) problem.

[CometVoyager]

Originally Posted by Suzet2262

Thank you all for the good thoughts!!

I do realize the leaving So Cali and moving anywhere will be a shock. I literally have almost everything and anything at my disposal. Short drives to get here and there. Stores open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. But along with all that comes all the negitive things. Traffic, crime, way over crowding, etc, etc. etc. Sometimes having everything right in front of you at all times isnt what it is cracked up to be. We dont have to worry about the job market, but my hubby worries about the snow. That is his biggest fear. Every place you go has something you have to deal with. I am sure for people who have lived in NH all their lives, you might come to hate the snow and cold. We are the same out here with the heat and sun. All we can do is find what works for us and make the best of it.

I understand how CA is such a convenience oriented state but I do think from all that I have read from your posts you and your family would fit in well with the New Hampshire Temperament! And yes, there is running water, electricity and even garage door openers!

When you travel out this fall I think it will seal the deal for you and your family! Would love for all of us guys to meet at the diner and have Malts and burgers!

[Suzet2262]

Haha, there is always a "but". LOL. You are asking me if insurmountable is a word, lmao. As you can all tell my english sucks. However, yes, I am sure it is a word I just keep thinking if we can get out there, that NH will speak for itself. I wont need to sell him on moving there. Atleast that is the plan.

Driving in the snow has me kind of nervous, but I think it will be exciting, the first few times I do it. Then you will see me complaining about it. Haha.

Ohh Comet, you are on with the burgers and malts. I love vanilla malts. You forgot to throw in the onion rings.

I didnt know NH actually had running water, electricity or garage door openers. Hahaha. And let me guess, no out houses either?? I was looking forward to running outside to the potty during a blizzard or when it is -20. Now my whole idea of what NH is, is ruined. Geez. LOL.

Oh and btw, I have been looking into other towns too. Portsmouth looks pretty nice.

Originally Posted by DareToDream

Suzette - I can't speak for the Keene area, as I've never been there, let alone lived there, but (you knew there'd be a but, didn't you...go on admit it) - We moved from an area with a lot of stores, open at least until 10 or 11 p.m., some all night, some all night diners, etc. While we had snow, it wasn't as much as up here, so we were used to driving in lousy weather, not like it would be for you or your husband.

All that being said, we do have 1 store that's open 24 hours....granted, it's a Cumberland Farms, but it is open! <g> Most of the places on Main Street are closed by 9 in the summer, some by 8, with a few open later. We have "crime" but it's not the type you see in places like where we came from or where you are.

The snow this year was a lot, however, we were still pleasantly surprised at how well the roads were taken care of - many times they were not plowed to bare pavement, but they were plowed/sanded/salted so people could get around. Even with the large amt of snow this past winter, my husband, who works about 30 mins from here, never missed a day of work due to the weather, nor was he late to work. Once your husband learns how to drive in the snow, he should be fine. With the right type of vehicle, tires and maybe even taking a couple of lessons on how to drive in the snow, it wouldn't be an insurmountable (is that a word????) problem.