Living In N.h. Info Needed (Concord, Laconia: rental, health insurance, low crime)

[Peacelover]

I have been to N.H. many times and like the people and atmosphere. I need information on what it is REALLY like to live there. I need information on rental costs, (houses not apts.), jobs, wages, transportation especially in the winter, safe areas, cost of living, etc. I would appreciate information on all areas of N.H. from those who have lived there for long enough to really know.
Any and all information I will appreciate.
Thanks!!!

[Annabelle]

Here's a link to a detailed website I posted a while back regarding employment in NH: http://www.nhes.state.nh.us/elmi/oesfiles.htm

[DareToDream]

Originally Posted by Peacelover

I have been to N.H. many times and like the people and atmosphere. I need information on what it is REALLY like to live there. I need information on rental costs, (houses not apts.), jobs, wages, transportation especially in the winter, safe areas, cost of living, etc. I would appreciate information on all areas of N.H. from those who have lived there for long enough to really know.
Any and all information I will appreciate.
Thanks!!!

Can you give a more specific area in which you are interested?

[Peacelover]

The areas I have visited the most are Allenstown, Concord, Lake Winnepesaukee. I am looking for nice areas (low crime, well kept houses, quiet, good neighbors), low flood areas. I need though to be able to make a good enough living, meaning more than just being pay check to paycheck. Pet friendly is a must for us also.
Again any honest information and/or suggestions will be appreciated.

[DareToDream]

Originally Posted by Peacelover

The areas I have visited the most are Allenstown, Concord, Lake Winnepesaukee. I am looking for nice areas (low crime, well kept houses, quiet, good neighbors), low flood areas. I need though to be able to make a good enough living, meaning more than just being pay check to paycheck. Pet friendly is a must for us also.
Again any honest information and/or suggestions will be appreciated.

You're interested in areas south of where we are, so I can't help you out, but now that the holidays are over, I would imagine someone who knows those areas will be around at some point.....good luck in your search!

[GregW]

Judging by the last month of 2007 I suggest you bring a snow shovel. Given the locations you have listed I think a tourist related business or self-employment/internet/ grounds maintenance snow - removal service is the likeliest to yield an income above the "paycheck to paycheck" level. There just are not very many industrial or management jobs available in that area.

Oh - Happy New Year Gang!

[Katlakat]

Originally Posted by GregW

Judging by the last month of 2007 I suggest you bring a snow shovel. Given the locations you have listed I think a tourist related business or self-employment/internet/ grounds maintenance snow - removal service is the likeliest to yield an income above the "paycheck to paycheck" level. There just are not very many industrial or management jobs available in that area.

Oh - Happy New Year Gang!

Greg hits the nail here. The lakes region has businesses, but unless you are going into a set job in a set profession, welcome to paycheck to paycheck NH style. From the water cooler talk when I was temping, lots of factories are laying off workers. The one I temped at basically became a storage facility for their products as they now make their goods overseas in china. I see people in their jobs for years and years, not job hopping at all like I saw in Dallas. Jobs are harder to find up here if you're not a nurse or professional. Our family took about 3 months to find stable full time work, and two of our jobs are without benefits, but the pay is higher with a stipend for personal health insurance purchase.

I live close to the lakes, near Laconia, and we found a rental house for $1500 per month. Granted, we took what we could find to fit three people and three dogs. Most landlords wouldn't let us in with animals. But homes for rent vary from town to town. We are fortunate to be out in the country, but close to major highways for commute.

Hubby has to drive 1 hour commute one way to work each day, because we didn't listen to Greg. LOL hugs Greg, I tried to get us farther south for work, but MIL just wouldn't have it. And now she's in a job she loves and we finally are on our feet, but it was sheer luck + determination.

We are located in Belmont. Its safe out here in the woods, but in town I wouldn't live in any of the homes, they look a bit run down. I notice there are lots of ride-share commute parking lots, and they keep the roads very clear in the wintertime. We are close to roads, shopping, and schools. The cost of living is average with the wages, IMO out here. I'm about to start a bank position making $3.00 dollars more per hour than I did in Dallas, where the cost of beef was 4x what it is here. And THEY HAVE COWS EVERYWHERE DOWN THERE! LOL
I find the food here very cheap compared to Illinois and Dallas. I'm talking grocery store food, not dining out.

On a good note, to everyone too many to name; who suggested internet/work from home work when living out in the north country...THANK YOU! MIL has applied for college to begin courses in medical transcription work from home. Never would have ever imagined her doing that, but she's so excited, she gets all teary eyed. I'm so proud of her! Ok sorry to thread jack.......I'll look to windchimes and Dare to dream for input to pass along to MIL.