How far is Hanscom AFB from Nashua, NH? (Manchester, Concord: relocating, real estate)

[alabamafam]

I'm relocating to Hanscom AFB in 5 months and I'm trying to find the best place to buy a home in the MA or NH area. I'm hoping to have a commute of only 20-30 mins each way, so I'm not sure if Nashua is in that range--would appreciate some feedback (also, having an idea of what the commute would be like in snow would be helpful as well. I've heard a good percentage of military folks choose NH over MA because of the cost of living. However, I've also heard that the property taxes in NH are very expensive so you're almost paying the same price for a house in NH that you would've paid in MA without the longer commute.

What's important to and my family?
- Reasonable home prices
- Safe neighborhoods
- Relatively easy commute
- Access to shops, things to do, etc, etc

Schools are not crucial---my twin girls will turn 2 in April of this year and my wife may be staying home to take care of them.

Thanks for the help, I'm looking for some good input

[GregW]

I would estimate it take less than 30 min in all but rush hour traffic to get from Nashua to Hanscomb AFB by expressway. I have no idea of the difference in housing costs. South Nashua has a huge mall and just about every big box and discount store imaginable. It also has a very attractive downtown.

[Valerie C]

In agreement with GregW, just under 30 minutes is what I'd estimate as well, but in snow everything takes longer (esp. at the beginning of winter). Route 3 the state keeps it very well maintained, they go do a great job in NH of getting the roads down to pavement in a very short time. And depending on timing, you'd be going the opposite direction of the majority of traffic once you get onto 95/128 in Mass. Relatively speaking, a short commute.

Nashua has a mix of homes ranging from areas that are mainly rental/multi-fam. to very nice single-fam. homes in subdivisions, sidewalks, etc. Tons of condo neighborhoods as well, with things like playgrounds, pools, etc. There really is something for everyone...

If your wife is staying home with the kids (that's a great decision, SAHM's deserve a round of applause!!) I wonder if she might like to get involved with one of the active "Mom's Clubs" in the area. I don't have the link on this computer, but will get back to you later on with the info.

Property taxes, yes they are significantly higher in NH than Mass, but the property values are much lower. Or should I say that they are assessed at a lower value. Homeowners and auto insurance in MA is also much higher. There are alot of variables that you need to look at... The public access site for the New Hampshire MLS is Northern New England Real Estate Network - Official Website of the Northern New England MLS. (detailed input screen is here: NNEREN)

There is no public access for Mass MLS, but REALTOR.com - Real Estate Listings & Homes For Sale should give you results for home prices, and your real estate agent, should you chose to work with one, can help you with specifics (neighborhood trends, etc)

Shopping in Nashua, well as Greg said, there is South Nashua (right where you'd be getting onto the highway/Rte 3) there is Pheasant Lane mall, stores of whatever you might need (Trader Joes, etc) There is also much more shopping along Route 101A, going toward Amherst/Milford.

[dinalkulp]

We're in Londonderry, and my husband worked on Hanscom AFB for the whole 10 years we've lived here. The problem that you are going to face is that to get a neighborhood like you're looking for; safe, affordable etc. you will not be within 20-30 min in MA because of both distance and traffic - there is very little in the way of mass commuting infrastructure for outlying areas - in other words you'd be commuting back roads with the rest of the town's population. And if you consider schools, it is worse. Lowell, Billerica, Burlington, Chelmsford are all notoriously rough schools especially the first 2. My husband knew people who have had kids in all of them so I got that from the horses mouth. And I am guessing still in Bedford, Lexington, Lincoln, Concord, Westford, Dunstable you won't be able to touch a house for less than 5-600K. Nashua meets your commuting requirements but the schools are bad, and you would need to be careful of the neighborhood you choose - avoid anything on the west side and also the south and east sides of downtown. That really leaves Hudson and Londonderry - good schools, safe, and an easy albeit a bit longer commute. On average from our house my husband was making the trip down 111 across the river to Rt 3 and down to HAFB in about 40-45 min (shave off about 10-15 if commuting from Hudson). But, you are exactly right about the taxes. So it's affordability and the school thing that will really influence location.

[Dwatted Wabbit]

It typically took us an hour or so to get to Hanscom from the Merrimack area.
495 is fubar and there is almost always traffic up the wazoo. I haven't tried the trip at 0300, it might be better then.
Snow removal is a bit haphazard even in NH. There was one heavy snow and the Everett Turnpike had not been plowed as of 0800.
Mass. is very poor about road repair and snow removal, and most other things for that matter except neo-nazi laws.
There are some very nice former housing units at Ft. Devens but I don't recall the prices. The Federals there are beautiful, built during the depression, with all that implies regarding good materials and labor-intensive construction, and they're built like fortresses.

Given the restrictive laws of Mass. I would choose NH.

[cmp1111]

My husband works on the civilian side of Hanscom, and we live in Merrimack, just to the north of Nashua. It takes him 45 minutes (shave 15 if in Nashua) - IF there's no traffic. He's a pilot, so often his commute is in the off hours - that's when it's 40 minutes or so. But, when he has a "show time" of about 9:00 he still has to leave the house by 7:00 because of the traffic. You'll want to consider what time you come and go. He does often drive home at the 5:00 hour, and we estimate at least an hour at that time of day, 1 1/2 on Fridays.

Nashua has many nice residential areas and all the shopping/food you'd want. Property taxes are going up throughout NH, compared to MA - but you still get a lot more house for the money than you would in the MA towns near Hanscom. The poster who said you couldn't touch Bedford or Lexington for much less than 500-600K was dead on.

Hope this helps.

[paradiddle]

I grew up in Burlington and lived in Manchester, NH for awhile and Nashua a little bit. I would stick with the Rt 3 commute. They just widened the roadway in Mass. so it's better commute. Check out Nashua - It's a city so it has it's good and bad. If you live on the edges you'll be fine. May also consider other Rt 3 Mass. towns. Tyngsboro, N. Chelsmford.

I grew up in Burlington, lived in Woburn, married 1st wife from Lexington had great aunt in Bedford etc. I wouldn't live back there because of expense and traffic. Go to NH or near the border.