Moving to NH in 2008, Help chosing a city (Manchester, Concord: for sale, insurance)

[Zoomy]

Hello Everyone,

MY wife and I currently live in For Lauderdale and have 2 kids 2yrs and 4yrs old. My wife is from Spaford, NH and has always wanted to move back to the state not the city.

I have always lived in Fort Lauderdale so when I hear about problems with places like "Bad Crime", "High Taxes", “Traffic", "High Costs" and "over population" I always assume it has to be better than South Florida. Maybe I've already been desensitized.

Compared to other Metro Areas how bad is Manchester really? I have read many complain about Manchester but when we visit the in-laws in Manchester it seems like a safe town? Comparable speaking.

My Wife's grandfather lives in Ashland and I think that's a little too quite for someone like me who is used to a large Metro area. Plus she is a nurse and I am a programmer so we need to be somewhere where we can actually find work.

I am Hispanic and my wife is Caucasian so I'm a little worried about moving to any rural area? In the south Rural = Racist/Dangerous.

I know many of you will think I am just part of the problem of influx immigrants so just steer me in the direction away from you in NH. Chances are we would want to live in different parts of the state anyways.

ZoomyZoomZoom

[bryfry]

There are a bunch of threads discussing Manchester. Just click on the search tab, go to the advanced section, and type in Manchester. Don't forget to click on the state in the lower right hand corner. You will get loads of stuff pertaining to what you want. Try this first.

[rmcewan]

Compare to S. Florida, L.A (where I was for 13yrs), and every other major metro area, Manchester is a VERY safe place. That makes every other part of NH even safer. That's not to say you shouldn't lock your car, or walk around waving a wad of $100 bills around shouting "Mug Me"!

[kelleybell00]

I was born in Manchester and have lived in Vero Beach, FL for 28 years. Compared to South FL, Manchester is a safe haven. I think you will love it. You have all of the conveniences that you're used to and there are very nice walkable neighborhoods. Finding work won't be a problem and your race won't matter. Here are some comparison links:Moderator cut: linking to competitors sites is not allowed

Hope that helps!

[~Boo~]

I don't think Manchester is a bad place, especially compared to some cities in Cali. I've been to FL too - now there my sixth sense gave me bad vibes (can't remember the city we were in though).

When visiting NH we sometimes stay in Manchester, & I don't get any funky vibes there.

As bryfry suggested, search some previous threads...there's some good things said about Manchester too & you've been there as well - always go with what feels right to you!

Best of luck to you !

[jess31]

Hi,
I live in Manchester NH (I'm actually on here looking for advice on moving to Orlando area). Anyway, I wouldn't suggest Manchester it's definately going downhill (not only crime, shootings and rape, but school system sucks!). Derry, Londonderry, Hudson, Concord, Windham are all nice areas for raising a family (all areas have some mixed races, don't worry!!) Around here there's a mix of people in all towns and cities, there's the snobs, the jerks, and the normal people ( who treat others how they want to be treated ) It's nice in NH if you like quiet, I moved here 11 yrs ago from MA, I do like it better but I'm bored to death here. From October-April theres nothing to do (unless you ski alot) going to the mall and movies get boring real fast!!! At least in FL with 9months of good weather theres lots to do! Good Luck!!!

[Pawporri]

Originally Posted by Zoomy

Hello Everyone,

MY wife and I currently live in For Lauderdale and have 2 kids 2yrs and 4yrs old. My wife is from Spaford, NH and has always wanted to move back to the state not the city.

I have always lived in Fort Lauderdale so when I hear about problems with places like "Bad Crime", "High Taxes", “Traffic", "High Costs" and "over population" I always assume it has to be better than South Florida. Maybe I've already been desensitized.

Compared to other Metro Areas how bad is Manchester really? I have read many complain about Manchester but when we visit the in-laws in Manchester it seems like a safe town? Comparable speaking.

My Wife's grandfather lives in Ashland and I think that's a little too quite for someone like me who is used to a large Metro area. Plus she is a nurse and I am a programmer so we need to be somewhere where we can actually find work.

I am Hispanic and my wife is Caucasian so I'm a little worried about moving to any rural area? In the south Rural = Racist/Dangerous.

I know many of you will think I am just part of the problem of influx immigrants so just steer me in the direction away from you in NH. Chances are we would want to live in different parts of the state anyways.

ZoomyZoomZoom

Check out Concord, it's nice and not far from Manchester...Crime is low as it is in all of New Hampshire. Go here and compare......

NH Business Resource Center

Carrie

[Ken E]

Originally Posted by jess31

Hi,
I live in Manchester NH (I'm actually on here looking for advice on moving to Orlando area). Anyway, I wouldn't suggest Manchester it's definately going downhill (not only crime, shootings and rape, but school system sucks!). Derry, Londonderry, Hudson, Concord, Windham are all nice areas for raising a family (all areas have some mixed races, don't worry!!) Around here there's a mix of people in all towns and cities, there's the snobs, the jerks, and the normal people ( who treat others how they want to be treated ) It's nice in NH if you like quiet, I moved here 11 yrs ago from MA, I do like it better but I'm bored to death here. From October-April theres nothing to do (unless you ski alot) going to the mall and movies get boring real fast!!! At least in FL with 9months of good weather theres lots to do! Good Luck!!!

I've got a nice place real close to the Gulf for sale if your looking in that area. It's just about a hour west of Orlando. As soon as this sells i'm back to N.H. where i belong.

[Zoomy]

Thanks for all of you who have left messages and provided links. I really Appreciate the help.

[Zoomy]

Originally Posted by jess31

Hi,
I live in Manchester NH (I'm actually on here looking for advice on moving to Orlando area). Anyway, I wouldn't suggest Manchester it's definately going downhill (not only crime, shootings and rape, but school system sucks!). Derry, Londonderry, Hudson, Concord, Windham are all nice areas for raising a family (all areas have some mixed races, don't worry!!) Around here there's a mix of people in all towns and cities, there's the snobs, the jerks, and the normal people ( who treat others how they want to be treated ) It's nice in NH if you like quiet, I moved here 11 yrs ago from MA, I do like it better but I'm bored to death here. From October-April theres nothing to do (unless you ski alot) going to the mall and movies get boring real fast!!! At least in FL with 9months of good weather theres lots to do! Good Luck!!!

HI Thanks for your thoughts regarding Manchester. IF your bored with Manchester you may want to rethink Orlando, My sister went to University of Central Florida in Orlando for 4 years and unless you love theme parks there is really nothing to do there but dinner and movies. Plus it's really hot and really dry. The kind of hot and dry where you really can't go outside so you really only get about 5 monts of good weather. All of central florida is having a severe water shortage. Althought it has not made the news the shortage is actually worst than what is going on in Atlanta and the forest fires in CF are pretty common so if you have respiratory problems it's something to consider. Cost of living is the same as Manchester and the taxes are the same but the insurance is higher because we have to pay for winstorm insurtance. Service sector jobs are plenty and education at all levels is fair it's just not as fun as you would expect it to be.

Good Luck

ZoomyZoomZoom