Worst places in N.H. (Manchester, Concord: housing, condos, rental)

[Valerie C]

Hi Autumn
I'd like to offer my help if you're seriously considering a move. I see all the different areas of Manchester on a fairly regular basis, and yes there are some areas of the inner city that you may not feel safe walking after dark. Honestly, during daylight hours, I've been in the worst of neighborhoods, and have never, ever felt nervous outside. However, once or twice when going INSIDE buildings to show property, I've had the hair stand on the back of my neck, and I ALWAYS listen to my instincts when they say "Leave NOW!"

There are a number of condo developments (both garden/single story and townhome/2-story) throughout the city, some very nice places on the outskirts. I'll do a little thinking and will post my thoughts here. There are some places that are marketed as being tippity top, and in reality, are NOT!

[Valerie C]

OK, a couple of places are coming to mind. In Manchester, Valley Vista townhomes are new construction homes, they are in the middle of the city, but very nice and well built as well. Fox Hollow (exit 8, Route 93), is a beautiful area. The entire Wellington Road area is full full full of condos, both townhomes and across the street, many MANY Brady Sullivan condos for rent and sale.

Granite Hill (exit 11 to Route 3 would be an EASY ride to Concord) may be worth considering as well.

If you're thinking at all of staying in Concord, maybe consider Oakbridge on Fisherville Road (lots of amenities such as possible underground parking, possible extra storage, indoor pool, hot tub, gym, huge clubhouse room). If you may be interested in Oakbridge, let me know. There are some specifics that the sales team doesn't volunteer! They also love it when people show up there without an agent, because they can legally then NOT allow you to work with an agent if you so chose.

Seriously, if you have any more questions, please let me know. I'm happy to help

[paradiddle]

West Side around West High School is shaky... Granite st, Conant, Dubuque area.

Other than that West Side is great.....

[autumnleaf07]

Hi Valerie,

Thanks so much for your quick and friendly reply! It's greatly appreciated!

Yes, I'm seriously considering a move, especially since renting isn't helping me out - it's just giving my landlords more money to go out to dinner with!

I'm 33 years old and a first-time home buyer who has been doing her homework! The idea all sprung out of a brief conversation I had with one of my bosses. A few days later she handed me a Brady-Sullivan brochure she'd received in the mail and encouraged me to check it out! I did, it was beautiful and I fell in love with the place, but it's all the way in Laconia and way out of my price range! A few weekends later I checked out Oak Bridge, which is nice, but I really like the townhouse design and the amount of sunlight that comes in at Moulton Cove.

I haven't found a buyer's agent yet, I'm just getting to that point and really want to finalize the questions to ask before I start interviewing folks. But, now I'm really curious - if folks can legally force me not to use an agent even if I wanted to - aren't I the one who gets screwed? I mean it seems like it would be in my best interest to have one, so does that little loophole apply to all Brady-Sullivan properties or only the ones I've looked at so far? 'Cause I haven't gotten down to Manchester to scope any of those out, but it seems like I should get one before I go to any more Open Houses!

And it also seems that I'll be able to stretch my dollar a bit further if I buy in Manchester as compared to Concord. It seems that I'll be able to get a nicer, bigger place in Manchester than I would be able to afford in Concord. I've been looking through NNEREN and found a couple of places that look nice for around $70,000 (one bedroom, one bath). One of them is at Tall Pines, the other at Maxwell Pond. The place in Tall Pines has just been refurbished and looks like it's ready to move in. And since, Maxwell Pond is a Brady-Sullivan property and is located in more of a family-focused zip-code I'm a bit more hestitate about it now. Any thoughts?

Many thanks!

[Valerie C]

Autumn, all Brady-Sullivan listings have a little blurb in MLS remarks (only agents can see this) that states "Agents must accompany their Buyers to ALL visits to Brady-Sullivan properties." Other than Brady-Sullivan, the majority of Seller's Agents will recognize a Buyer Agency if you let them know that you are working with an agent. However, it's best to visit properties with your agent, because it's easy to get loose-lips when the agent on duty is so nice and friendly and asking seemingly innocent questions. Remember that their job is to get that property sold at the highest price, and any information that you give can and will be shared with the Seller.

I should have worded my previous post differently. (I should stop posting after midnight!) What they may do is refuse to compensate a Buyer Agent, leaving a Buyer responsible to pay the percentage agreed to on the Buyer Agency agreement. What I as a Buyer Agent would do in a case like this is contact Brady Sullivan, explain the situation, and ask them directly if they will or will not honor my agency relationship, including compensation at closing. There are alot of properties available, and if push comes to shove, they'd rather share the commission than lose out on a sale altogether. I've found that by being direct, but not demanding, they can be just fine to work with.

Originally Posted by autumnleaf07

I haven't found a buyer's agent yet, I'm just getting to that point and really want to finalize the questions to ask before I start interviewing folks. But, now I'm really curious - if folks can legally force me not to use an agent even if I wanted to - aren't I the one who gets screwed? I mean it seems like it would be in my best interest to have one, so does that little loophole apply to all Brady-Sullivan properties or only the ones I've looked at so far? 'Cause I haven't gotten down to Manchester to scope any of those out, but it seems like I should get one before I go to any more Open Houses!

[gdowler]

The complaining about the crime rate in Manchester is so ridiculous...even when you try and back it up with "statistics", because if you compare the statistics to any other city with a population of 100,000+ people, you will see that it is very foolish to tell people to stay out of Manchester because of the crime. People get so spoiled, you need to take more trips to other cities.

[Newboy2002]

Well I came from out of NH in 2002. It was a great decision. Air is great. No traffic. Good food. No crime. All relative see. I depends from where you came, and how your level of awareness. And the seasons are wonderful.

NH is changing though. NH is attracting new money from "out of staters". Tourism, 2nd home buyers, work. Yes I said work. Just check it out. There are some very successful companies here that have NH, MA, ME plates in their parking lot. They even have other state plates on shorter term contracts.

So NH is getting busier. And it seems that crime is increasing. It probably is, but still 'nothing' relatively. I figure because I gotten used to the utopia of NH, I will get tired of the change. But I cannot think of anywhere else in the USA I would live.

[thomas paine]

Each town needs to pass ordinances to fine and terminate business licenses that hire undocumented workers. The state needs to cut off any and all aid to undocumented aliens. End the handouts, fine business, and execute laws. Then you rid yourselves of illegals. No tickee (legal resident), no laundry.

[thomas paine]

my folks moved to NH in the 70's..the best time to be there to present day. I say this because it was truly a conservative state..when the Union Leader was a conservative paper. There was little or no crime. Manchester was basically all French Catholic with no crime worth mentioning. The airport was a one terminal..Delta..The Mass. people only vacationed to NH...I'll always remember the bumper sticker..thanks for coming, no w go home...ha. The difference between NH and MA was similar to that of Ron Paul and Hilary Clinton..very distinct; one was true American (Paul) and the other, truly socialistic (Sweden), Hilary. The roads were **** and span clean..no trash. The restaurants were absolutely clean..everything was top notch. Now, I've seen lots of litter on the roads, unclean beaches, too much crime for New Hampshire..and it is just changing, not in a positive way. This is not progress.

[buck naked]

"Each town needs to pass ordinances to fine and terminate business licenses that hire undocumented workers. The state needs to cut off any and all aid to undocumented aliens. End the handouts, fine business, and execute laws. Then you rid yourselves of illegals. No tickee (legal resident), no laundry."


Despite his tough talk on immigration, apparently Mitt Romney fired the landscaping company that continued to hire undocumented workers. According to an article on Boston.com: “Even after a Globe story in December 2006 highlighted Mitt Romney’s use of a landscaping company that employs illegal immigrants to tend to his grounds, Romney continued to employ Community Lawn Service With a Heart — The company continued to employ illegal immigrants.”


these same people do the work at his five homes on Lake Winnipesaukee.
My two cents: Making immigration the centerpiece of a campaign is a mistake that will come at a high cost for candidates who choose to do so. He continues hiring illegals and it should affect his campaign.....if people really cared.