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Hello! I have been lurking and researching on the NH boards for about 6 weeks. My husband may soon have the opportunity to work in Lebanon. We'd be relocating from the Annapolis, MD area. The job isn't a coincidence - for about 6 months we have been exploring opportunities to relocate to a nicer place to raise our kids (8 and 4) and have focused on 1) central PA, which is close to family, and a transition spot on our way to... 2) New England (because we love it there and want to retire there someday so why not start the better quality of life ASAP.)
You've heard it all before - done with the rat race, want a slower pace, better access to the outdoors activities we love (hiking, boating, skiing, etc.), etc.
I've initially focused on the I-89 corridor between Lebanon and Sutton (possibly as far as Warner) because it seems to be within 30-ish minutes of where DH's job would be and close enough to Concord which is where most of my employment opportunities would be...I think (I currently work in public policy at the federal level so state government and legislative affairs stuff, universities, nonprofits, is what I'm drawn to off the top of my head. Concord and Hanover seem the obvious choices?) There is a possibility I would initially transfer to our Boston office and telecommute most of the time but stay overnight in Boston for a night or two, so I need to focus on places not *too* far for now, and under 2 hours each way once a week yet still 30 minutes from Lebanon is tolerable for now. Yes, I know this is anti-simplification and anti-slower pace but I'll take "progress toward" if I can't get there immediately, all at once. :-)
From the great info on the NH boards I've read lots of nice things about Sunapee, Grantham, New London, Newbury, etc. We're looking for the usual - good public schools (Kearsarge and Sunapee?) and safe neighborhoods. Tell me about the bus commute for the kids in these towns, though - I grew up in the 'burbs and DH in a small college town so we are unfamiliar with regional schools set-ups like Kearsarge. I don't want my kids on a bus for an hour each way...where do I need to live to avoid that in the Kearsarge district?
Beyond that, we'd like to be in a place that fits what we like to do and how we like to live (our values, etc.) That stuff can generally be described as follows:
We don't want to bring DC/Annapolis with us - we're moving to a smaller town/city because we like what it has to offer. That said - we are socially liberal, fiscally moderate, open-minded, and not particularly religious. DH is an atheist/agnostic, I am a recovering Catholic (though more because of my personal experiences with organized religion than the "existence" or not of God per se.) We like a good mix of religions, backgrounds, etc. because it is often indicative of a tolerant, open minded place that is open to "strangers." I want to be around interesting people who can see beyond the town they grew up in. We love to travel. I want access to locally grown, sustainably farmed food (I know it's a short growing season!). We want a neighborhood that has a strong community feeling, we want to be around other families with elementary school kids, we want to be within a reasonable distance to good restaurants (local ones of all ethnic varieties, not chains), etc. Much of what we like to do is outdoors but we like movies as much as the next guy. I don't need to be near big box stores. We hate McMansions. I don't need a 5000 sq ft house - or even a 3000 sq ft house. We like the "not so big house" philosophy - open floor plans...craftsman or bungalow homes built in post and beam style with usable, everyday space (hello,Yankee Barn!)...we're willing to rent for awhile until we find what we want or can buy land and build.
So -- where do you think we'd fit best? We'll likely be heading up to NH at some point in February to scout things out if DH's job interviews go as well as the initial ones have and we'd like to better focus our efforts since we'll only have a few days. The company has relocation specialists who "introduce you to the area" but still...I'm a "see it myself" kind of girl. :-)
Personally, I love New London. It's a really nice college town (Colby-Sawyer College), it has a hospital that's affilliated with Dartmouth-Hitchcock, it has the lowest taxes in the area, it's dead in between Lebanon and Concord, it has reasonable housing prices, it's near skiing and Sunapee Lake, it has the only supermarket in the area, a summer playhouse, a nice town park, decent schools (elementary and high school) etc, etc. It seems to be the "hippest" town in the area. Just one caveat: they get the most snow in the area because of it's elevation and it's location east of Sunapee Lake. It does have a gorgeous view of Mount Kearsarge.
If I had a choice, I would settle there. My family and I have decided elsewhere to increase my chances for a job and keep the commute under 30 minutes. The bus commute would be minimal if living in New London.
New London IS nice...they built a lot of new houses on an old ski area that I used to go to. I looked at a lot of houses in Sutton as well, it's a very pretty town.
I agree that with your background the best opportunity for employment will be in Concord, so if that happens you will need to find a town somewhere in between so neither of you have a horribly long commute.
I think you will find a lot of what you are looking for in NH, but not everything, especially in the smaller towns you mentioned. You said:
Quote:
We want a neighborhood that has a strong community feeling, we want to be around other families with elementary school kids, we want to be within a reasonable distance to good restaurants (local ones of all ethnic varieties, not chains), etc. Much of what we like to do is outdoors but we like movies as much as the next guy.
Just FYI there are lots of retirees and second-home owners in New London and the surrounding towns. LOTS. This might or might not bother you, but just be aware. Yes, there are young families, too, as well as a small college, but if you're looking for a diverse mix of backgrounds and religions you might be disappointed. And if you find good ethnic food let me know.
And Chinese restaraunts that serve chicken fingers as part of every dish don't count
If you like to eat out and go to movies you will be driving quite a bit if you live in New London.
You sound like you might really like Hanover. It tends to have a little more "culture" and diversity, but still a small town feel. More local restaraunts and shopping than New London, so you wouldn't have to drive as much. If you can find employment in the Upper Valley instead of Concord, I would strongly recommend the Hanover area to you. This would be a very easy commute for your husband, as well. The Hanover schools have a strong reputation. Good luck!
Lebanon is not a bad place to live (or let's say outside of the direct 'city.') There is very good shopping in W. Lebanon, probably what you are used to in MD (all the major stores in one row.)
Wow, you're so lucky. Can you take me with you? pleease??? I can't believe the paper the other day was talking about PG COUNTY having a budget shortfall of over $1 MILLION. And Franchot is putting all of Spendenings old cronies back in place. Get up to NH where they have more sense and know the value of a dollar!
You're going to love it up there. Just, while you're looking around, check out the town websites and look what they're charging for taxes. It can vary tremendously from town to town (but no matter how much anyone here complains about the high property tax - it's still less than down here.
Thanks so much, all, for the replies. The I-89 corridor and Hanover it is (for starters!)
I was reading on a few other threads that (if I have this right...) the nicer areas have *lower* tax rates? Is that because of the influx of retirees? (i.e. more people to pay taxes = broader base = lower rates)? Or because the housing values are higher so a lower rate will suffice to raise $X?
I was reading on a few other threads that (if I have this right...) the nicer areas have *lower* tax rates? Is that because of the influx of retirees? (i.e. more people to pay taxes = broader base = lower rates)? Or because the housing values are higher so a lower rate will suffice to raise $X?
Sometimes. Sometimes a town has higher taxes because of the schools. Towns with really good schools (Hollis, Exeter..) tend to also have really high taxes to pay for them. Towns with mediocre schools (not particularly bad, just not top tier) like New Ipswich, have lower taxes. But that's a bit of a simplification.
my daughter and her husband are leaving for lebanon on sunday due to a job transfer. what is this city like...is it safe. where is a really safe town close to lebanon to live if this town is so-so.
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