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Thank you for your post and that was a great update to your story. My family and I are still currently trapped in SoCal but will be making the move in 24 months. (Yes, it seems shorter when you count in months) I have been on this board for many years but mostly just read and take in information. Most people here are very helpful.
We have been coming to NH now for 8 years and have visited during all four seasons. Cant say enough about the beauty of the state and the history. It just feels like home to us and we hate to leave every time its time to go back. My son is fishing obsessed and is constantly chasing what as he calls it "elusive pike" in the lakes. He hates when we leave the lakes region to return to rows and rows of stucco track houses and choking traffic.
During our travels we have taken our time but have narrowed down our search area and things are looking good for the relocation. It will most likely be Rockingham county for sure.
California is still as you remember it if not worse. This has been one of the longest and hottest summers I can remember so far and we still have a long way to go. I live in the inland empire (surface of the sun) and the heat is just getting unbearable. We are moving from heat wave to heat wave with no change or relief in site. At least in NH you KNOW summer will end and cooler weather will prevail. Every morning we shutter up the house, blast the AC all day and night and get to look forward to 600+ power bills. My wife is literally at her wits end but we have to prevail at least 2 more summers here before we can make the move. Is leveled off to the low 100-110 range this week but last week it ran close to 109-118 all week.
Funny how you mention people from there with "California dreaming" mentality. Mostly the young. We experience that every time we come and show our ID to purchase something, people look at us like we are from mars for vacationing in NH. Sometimes you have to leave it to truly appreciate all the beauty and all that NH has to offer. Just the green hills and mountains and unlimited supply of clear, cool lakes and rivers are a far cry from the dead brown/grey hills out here. No water either.
I look forward to more of your updates as you experience your first winter (I wish) and see how it feels to you.
Captjob
You hit the nail on the head right there! We're in the same boat. Can't wait to escape southern California. Best of luck to you and your family.
Thank you for your post and that was a great update to your story. My family and I are still currently trapped in SoCal but will be making the move in 24 months. (Yes, it seems shorter when you count in months) I have been on this board for many years but mostly just read and take in information. Most people here are very helpful.
We have been coming to NH now for 8 years and have visited during all four seasons. Cant say enough about the beauty of the state and the history. It just feels like home to us and we hate to leave every time its time to go back. My son is fishing obsessed and is constantly chasing what as he calls it "elusive pike" in the lakes. He hates when we leave the lakes region to return to rows and rows of stucco track houses and choking traffic.
During our travels we have taken our time but have narrowed down our search area and things are looking good for the relocation. It will most likely be Rockingham county for sure.
California is still as you remember it if not worse. This has been one of the longest and hottest summers I can remember so far and we still have a long way to go. I live in the inland empire (surface of the sun) and the heat is just getting unbearable. We are moving from heat wave to heat wave with no change or relief in site. At least in NH you KNOW summer will end and cooler weather will prevail. Every morning we shutter up the house, blast the AC all day and night and get to look forward to 600+ power bills. My wife is literally at her wits end but we have to prevail at least 2 more summers here before we can make the move. Is leveled off to the low 100-110 range this week but last week it ran close to 109-118 all week.
Funny how you mention people from there with "California dreaming" mentality. Mostly the young. We experience that every time we come and show our ID to purchase something, people look at us like we are from mars for vacationing in NH. Sometimes you have to leave it to truly appreciate all the beauty and all that NH has to offer. Just the green hills and mountains and unlimited supply of clear, cool lakes and rivers are a far cry from the dead brown/grey hills out here. No water either.
I look forward to more of your updates as you experience your first winter (I wish) and see how it feels to you.
Captjob
Omg, I lived in the IE, too (Wildomar), for about a year before I cracked and moved back to Orange County. A few years later, I got married and moved to the High Desert because of my husband's job at the time. The HD was even worse than the IE, which I didn't think was possible; it was the only time I experienced culture shock in my life (extremely racist people, like when these teens shot at my house and windows with paintball guns, while yelling out slurs, and their PARENTS thought that it was hilarious. One mom told me to "get over it" and that it was "just kids having fun."). So, believe me, there is a place that makes the IE look like heaven in comparison.
Anyway, I just want to say that I understand the pain you're feeling from the heat, lol. I'm actually back in Orange County visiting my parents for a few days, and it's already so hot here that I don't want to even imagine how it is where you're at right now.
I hope that you and your family will make it out to NH sooner than anticipated! I've told my parents that once they've come out to bisit us in NH, they'll never want to go back.
Omg, I lived in the IE, too (Wildomar), for about a year before I cracked and moved back to Orange County. A few years later, I got married and moved to the High Desert because of my husband's job at the time. The HD was even worse than the IE, which I didn't think was possible; it was the only time I experienced culture shock in my life (extremely racist people, like when these teens shot at my house and windows with paintball guns, while yelling out slurs, and their PARENTS thought that it was hilarious. One mom told me to "get over it" and that it was "just kids having fun."). So, believe me, there is a place that makes the IE look like heaven in comparison.
Anyway, I just want to say that I understand the pain you're feeling from the heat, lol. I'm actually back in Orange County visiting my parents for a few days, and it's already so hot here that I don't want to even imagine how it is where you're at right now.
I hope that you and your family will make it out to NH sooner than anticipated! I've told my parents that once they've come out to bisit us in NH, they'll never want to go back.
Currently living in said "high desert". That's why we're so hell bent on escaping! The people around here are really something else.
Omg, I lived in the IE, too (Wildomar), for about a year before I cracked and moved back to Orange County. A few years later, I got married and moved to the High Desert because of my husband's job at the time. The HD was even worse than the IE, which I didn't think was possible; it was the only time I experienced culture shock in my life (extremely racist people, like when these teens shot at my house and windows with paintball guns, while yelling out slurs, and their PARENTS thought that it was hilarious. One mom told me to "get over it" and that it was "just kids having fun."). So, believe me, there is a place that makes the IE look like heaven in comparison.
Anyway, I just want to say that I understand the pain you're feeling from the heat, lol. I'm actually back in Orange County visiting my parents for a few days, and it's already so hot here that I don't want to even imagine how it is where you're at right now.
I hope that you and your family will make it out to NH sooner than anticipated! I've told my parents that once they've come out to bisit us in NH, they'll never want to go back.
Wow, Yes, the HD is even worse. I only drive through there to get to the Easter Sierras if I have too.
I Can't imagine living anywhere near there. (Victorville, Adelanto) No thanks. NH is a world away and world of difference. Trees, water, green, people, four seasons. and that's just the surface.
Earlier this year, I created a thread talking about moving from Southern California to New Hampshire with my husband, who was born and raised here, and was homesick for his friends and family. Everybody here was very helpful, so I'd just like to say thanks!
We arrived in Hudson in early April, and got settled in. My husband found a job within three weeks, and I found my job within two months. Granted, we arrived with specialized skills, but there are jobs available if one is willing to work hard, and not get snobby or think that they are "too good" for something.
On our days off, my husband and I explore New Hampshire, and the New England region. I never cease to be astounded by the natural beauty here, along with the history and culture! My husband always says that New Hampshire is America's best-kept secret, and I agree, which is why I'm hesitant to talk about how freaking amazing this place really is.
A few of my coworkers are quite young (still in their early twenties), and they think that I was crazy for leaving California. Those poor young'ins don't know any better; they won't realize how good they have it here until they've spent a few years out there. Lol.
I've experienced only Spring and Summer so far, and I'd say that I didn't handle Summer very well, due to the humidity, but if some humidity is the worst thing that I've experienced, then life is pretty good.
What I really appreciate about living in New Hampshire is that there is this lack of pressure to care about stupid things. Maybe men don't usually have this problem, but back in SoCal, I always felt this pressure to "keep up appearances," because it directly affected how I would be treated by others; how I chose to look on a given morning could either make or break my day, it could make a shopgirl believe that she had the right to reduce me to tears.
While there are good and bad people everywhere we go, I feel that in general (I'm only generally speaking here), the people I've personally come across in NH care more about how I am as a person, and I can really dress like it's nobody's business because it is nobody's business. I also feel that with the people here, I always know where I stand; they're not the type who'd act like we're friends when we're not, and send me friends requests on Facebook yet never see or talk to me again.
I am bracing myself for Winter, even though we still have a few months to go, because I don't know what to expect!
I started my youth in CA, and back then, it wasn't as bad as it is now. Nonetheless, over the years I have moved a lot, and I did end up in New England for a spell. I'm now back in CA, (not by choice, to be honest), and cannot wait to get the h out of here. This is a temporary thing, which is the only thing that keeps me sane because CA? Sucks. And that is coming from someone who called this home when a child.
New England is a breath of fresh air...depending on the area you land in. You are right that no one cares that you did not dress to the nines to out and get a gallon of milk. That was one of my favorite things about the area...people didn't give a two rat's backsides what you wore, they only cared about WHO you were. That's really how it should be everywhere. Looking good on the outside doesn't mean you're a good person on the inside, and the peeps in New England, (depending on where you land), seem to understand that. Having that pressure taken off of you is really about 70% of the joy of living there.
The beauty of the area....my God...I never got over it. Never. I lived there for four years and I still squealed like a moron every time I saw a porcupine, or wild turkey, or deer. The trees in fall....it wasn't as bright as the photoshopped photos, of course, but it still looked fantastic.
When I first moved there, I wanted to stop every mile on the road to snap photos...not that you should necessarily do that...but the whole stinking place is gorgeous for miles and miles on end.
And the air? The other day was my first experience of walking out of the house and wondering what the heck was up with the air. Funny, it was the day I was going to get the smog test on my car so I could register it here, (temporary unfortunately doesn't mean just a few months, darn it). The very first thing I said to the smog guy, without even realizing the irony of it all, was: "Does the air look like it has dirt just hanging in it? What is that?" Totally explained the need for the smog test.
You don't get that garbage in New England. Heck, you don't get that on the east coast anywhere that I lived, (including Miami). This place....sucks.
Natives are relatively friendly, depending on where you land. Some can be a little...stand offish. They are courteous, but they take for.EVER. to open up to you. That is a little hard to get used to if you're from the west coast, even fake CA, where people are more likely to talk more. Still, that's the worst thing I could ever say about New England, and if that's the worst thing I can say...then New England is a top notch place to be.
On the flip side, you will find some of the most adorable people there who will make you feel like you just got wrapped up in a giant bear hug...and all you did was walk in to the gas station to ask for directions. Some of the people in New England are simply the best. They are like a cup of cider and a warm blanket on a crisp autumn evening. They are the definition of the words: comfort, peaceful, warmth, and, dare I say: snuggly. They actually make you feel all warm and snuggly inside, and it's so darn peaceful to meet people like that. Those are not one time happenings, they aren't rare. I met quite a handful of these types while I lived there, and they made me very happy. The one at the station...I walked in with no feelings, just trying to find the place I needed, and I walked out with the biggest dumb grin on my face, and feeling like the world was fantastic place. For a moment there, I loved all people on the planet, and from someone who doesn't like people in general, that's quite an accomplishment for those ladies to make me feel like that. If the entire planet was filled with those types of people...pscht. We wouldn't have 99% of the problems that we have.
Depending on where you land, not every place has full time jobs that are plentiful, even without being picky. You can work several, (I did 4 at one time), part time jobs while looking for the elusive full time, unless you're in the medical field, a lawyer, or some other type of field that has distinct skills. For those who do not have those skills, it's going to be a little more difficult. No, it is not impossible, despite what natives try to say. They like to say that there are "no jobs", but that's not the truth. There are jobs. What they don't mention is that a large percentage of the jobs are part time, so you're going to have to find more than one. Probably more than two. Actually, you might need three. To live really comfy, you'll need four. Course, you won't even be home to enjoy the "comfort" that you're earning, but yes, there are definitely jobs.
I moved to a pretty rural area, (by my standards), and there were moments where I did miss the action of the city....it happened quite rarely, however. What I enjoyed the most was the quiet. In fact, as goofy as this sounds, I enjoyed more opening my back door to let my dogs out in to the yard to conduct their business for the evening before going to bed, and hearing an owl for the first time in my life, (real life, not recording or tv), and having it spook me...and not being able to see because it was so dang dark...and my imagination going in to overdrive...no wonder Stephen King writes such good stories...you can come up with all kinds of scary ideas when you can't see diddly squat and hear noises you've never heard before, hear bushes rustling, twigs snapping, grunts....I loved that so much more than car noises, bass thumping, drunk girl woohooing, horn honking, and general city noise.
You might have your moments that you'll miss CA...like in winter...unless you're like me and was the only person in the entire state who said, "No! I don't want it to be over! MOAR!!!" But I firmly believe that you're going to enjoy New England so much more than you ever enjoyed CA.
Congratulations on making it out of this hell hole. Your wonderful life is just beginning.
Last edited by Three Wolves In Snow; 09-12-2015 at 12:20 PM..
I started my youth in CA, and back then, it wasn't as bad as it is now. Nonetheless, over the years I have moved a lot, and I did end up in New England for a spell. I'm now back in CA, (not by choice, to be honest), and cannot wait to get the h out of here. This is a temporary thing, which is the only thing that keeps me sane because CA? Sucks. And that is coming from someone who called this home when a child.
New England is a breath of fresh air...depending on the area you land in. You are right that no one cares that you did not dress to the nines to out and get a gallon of milk. That was one of my favorite things about the area...people didn't give a two rat's backsides what you wore, they only cared about WHO you were. That's really how it should be everywhere. Looking good on the outside doesn't mean you're a good person on the inside, and the peeps in New England, (depending on where you land), seem to understand that. Having that pressure taken off of you is really about 70% of the joy of living there.
The beauty of the area....my God...I never got over it. Never. I lived there for four years and I still squealed like a moron every time I saw a porcupine, or wild turkey, or deer. The trees in fall....it wasn't as bright as the photoshopped photos, of course, but it still looked fantastic.
When I first moved there, I wanted to stop every mile on the road to snap photos...not that you should necessarily do that...but the whole stinking place is gorgeous for miles and miles on end.
And the air? The other day was my first experience of walking out of the house and wondering what the heck was up with the air. Funny, it was the day I was going to get the smog test on my car so I could register it here, (temporary unfortunately doesn't mean just a few months, darn it). The very first thing I said to the smog guy, without even realizing the irony of it all, was: "Does the air look like it has dirt just hanging in it? What is that?" Totally explained the need for the smog test.
You don't get that garbage in New England. Heck, you don't get that on the east coast anywhere that I lived, (including Miami). This place....sucks.
Natives are relatively friendly, depending on where you land. Some can be a little...stand offish. They are courteous, but they take for.EVER. to open up to you. That is a little hard to get used to if you're from the west coast, even fake CA, where people are more likely to talk more. Still, that's the worst thing I could ever say about New England, and if that's the worst thing I can say...then New England is a top notch place to be.
On the flip side, you will find some of the most adorable people there who will make you feel like you just got wrapped up in a giant bear hug...and all you did was walk in to the gas station to ask for directions. Some of the people in New England are simply the best. They are like a cup of cider and a warm blanket on a crisp autumn evening. They are the definition of the words: comfort, peaceful, warmth, and, dare I say: snuggly. They actually make you feel all warm and snuggly inside, and it's so darn peaceful to meet people like that. Those are not one time happenings, they aren't rare. I met quite a handful of these types while I lived there, and they made me very happy. The one at the station...I walked in with no feelings, just trying to find the place I needed, and I walked out with the biggest dumb grin on my face, and feeling like the world was fantastic place. For a moment there, I loved all people on the planet, and from someone who doesn't like people in general, that's quite an accomplishment for those ladies to make me feel like that. If the entire planet was filled with those types of people...pscht. We wouldn't have 99% of the problems that we have.
Depending on where you land, not every place has full time jobs that are plentiful, even without being picky. You can work several, (I did 4 at one time), part time jobs while looking for the elusive full time, unless you're in the medical field, a lawyer, or some other type of field that has distinct skills. For those who do not have those skills, it's going to be a little more difficult. No, it is not impossible, despite what natives try to say. They like to say that there are "no jobs", but that's not the truth. There are jobs. What they don't mention is that a large percentage of the jobs are part time, so you're going to have to find more than one. Probably more than two. Actually, you might need three. To live really comfy, you'll need four. Course, you won't even be home to enjoy the "comfort" that you're earning, but yes, there are definitely jobs.
I moved to a pretty rural area, (by my standards), and there were moments where I did miss the action of the city....it happened quite rarely, however. What I enjoyed the most was the quiet. In fact, as goofy as this sounds, I enjoyed more opening my back door to let my dogs out in to the yard to conduct their business for the evening before going to bed, and hearing an owl for the first time in my life, (real life, not recording or tv), and having it spook me...and not being able to see because it was so dang dark...and my imagination going in to overdrive...no wonder Stephen King writes such good stories...you can come up with all kinds of scary ideas when you can't see diddly squat and hear noises you've never heard before, hear bushes rustling, twigs snapping, grunts....I loved that so much more than car noises, bass thumping, drunk girl woohooing, horn honking, and general city noise.
You might have your moments that you'll miss CA...like in winter...unless you're like me and was the only person in the entire state who said, "No! I don't want it to be over! MOAR!!!" But I firmly believe that you're going to enjoy New England so much more than you ever enjoyed CA.
Congratulations on making it out of this hell hole. Your wonderful life is just beginning.
Three Woves in Snow: thanks, that pretty much sums up my experience here so far!
I just flew in from California last night, after a short trip visiting my parents, and I couldn't have felt more relieved. I've lived in many, many places before moving to NH, and always felt homesick for SoCal, because I loved it so much. Yet, with this last visit, I couldn't help but felt so foreign in the place that I left just a few months ago. Even when I was at South Coast Plaza, the place I used to always jokingly refer to as "the mothership," I just felt really annoyed. I just love everything about New Hampshire: the beautiful sceneries, the people (in general), way of life, attitude, culture, etc. I feel so at home in New Hampshire not because my things are here, or because my husband and children are here, but because frankly speaking, NH is just much better by leaps and bounds. I have to admit, I die a little on the inside whenever I see a brown stucco strip mall in Southern NH; I have nothing against strip malls or the idea of them, but I think the ugly clay brown design that fits in with the setting out West, does nothing but makes New Hampshire ugly.
Yikes, THAT was dry? It was the most humid Summer I've ever had, not counting the times I was in Miami. Lol. I hope that I'll find Winter enjoyable.
Trick to winter is to find winter actuvities and get out of the house. On bitter cold days i go to museums. Else snow shoe, etc.
My first winter in 09 was mild and I thought.. Not bad. LAst year i wanted to leave, then summer arrived. I cant think of a better place to live in Spring Summer and Fall than NH.
Where I've lived before NH:
Toronto, ON
Adelaide, Australia
NYC metro
SF Bay Area
Im quite happy here aside from winter and the lack of real Chinese food (there's Boston).. Lol
Trick to winter is to find winter actuvities and get out of the house. On bitter cold days i go to museums. Else snow shoe, etc.
My first winter in 09 was mild and I thought.. Not bad. LAst year i wanted to leave, then summer arrived. I cant think of a better place to live in Spring Summer and Fall than NH.
Where I've lived before NH:
Toronto, ON
Adelaide, Australia
NYC metro
SF Bay Area
Im quite happy here aside from winter and the lack of real Chinese food (there's Boston).. Lol
There's a place in Bedford that's not bad! They have some real/authentic Chinese on the menu
Earlier this year, I created a thread talking about moving from Southern California to New Hampshire with my husband, who was born and raised here, and was homesick for his friends and family. Everybody here was very helpful, so I'd just like to say thanks!
We arrived in Hudson in early April, and got settled in. My husband found a job within three weeks, and I found my job within two months. Granted, we arrived with specialized skills, but there are jobs available if one is willing to work hard, and not get snobby or think that they are "too good" for something.
On our days off, my husband and I explore New Hampshire, and the New England region. I never cease to be astounded by the natural beauty here, along with the history and culture! My husband always says that New Hampshire is America's best-kept secret, and I agree, which is why I'm hesitant to talk about how freaking amazing this place really is.
A few of my coworkers are quite young (still in their early twenties), and they think that I was crazy for leaving California. Those poor young'ins don't know any better; they won't realize how good they have it here until they've spent a few years out there. Lol.
I've experienced only Spring and Summer so far, and I'd say that I didn't handle Summer very well, due to the humidity, but if some humidity is the worst thing that I've experienced, then life is pretty good.
What I really appreciate about living in New Hampshire is that there is this lack of pressure to care about stupid things. Maybe men don't usually have this problem, but back in SoCal, I always felt this pressure to "keep up appearances," because it directly affected how I would be treated by others; how I chose to look on a given morning could either make or break my day, it could make a shopgirl believe that she had the right to reduce me to tears.
While there are good and bad people everywhere we go, I feel that in general (I'm only generally speaking here), the people I've personally come across in NH care more about how I am as a person, and I can really dress like it's nobody's business because it is nobody's business. I also feel that with the people here, I always know where I stand; they're not the type who'd act like we're friends when we're not, and send me friends requests on Facebook yet never see or talk to me again.
I am bracing myself for Winter, even though we still have a few months to go, because I don't know what to expect!
I am a real, not fake, native Southern Californian that lived there 50 years, 33 in Orange County, including right on the coast, and 17 near Riverside. Two weeks ago was my 10th anniversary of moving to New Hampshire. I previously commented on your first thread, and gave links to several of the posts I've made over the years on this forum on things for new residents to know, and my feelings about living in this lovely state. I am very pro-New Hampshire, and I think most people that are aware of my posts are also aware of that, but this post is going to be long, so there won't much New Hampshire praising. I've been contributing to this forum for about 7 years now.
Unlike others, I do not hate California, in fact, I love it and always will. It has many positives that I'm not going to list, as well as negatives, just as anyplace in the world does. No place is perfect. That includes New Hampshire.
One of the things I've seen over the years on this forum is people moving here in spring, summer or fall, and falling in love with the state, as you have. This is completely understandable, it is incredibly beautiful here. Unfortunately, those three seasons are the shortest. It is no joke or exaggeration that New Hampshire has about two months of spring, three months of summer, and two months of fall, give or take a week or two on either end. That leaves five months of winter, if my abacus is correct. People native to cold northern climates may debate this point, but somebody who is native to warmer climes and especially SoCal (especially people who lived in coastal SoCal, such as Orange County), are probably not going to see early April and late October as what they think of as spring or fall. It will feel much more like winter is starting early and ending late.
In California, I never owned a coat, except for a down jacket for camping. I bought a warm wool long coat when I visited here in late autumn in the mid-80s. I brought it home to SoCal, hung it in the closet and never wore it again. I almost never wore a sweater or sweatshirt during the day, even in the coldest part of the winter. When I lived in the Inland Empire, I needed a heater during the winter for those nights when it got down into the 40s or high 30s. In OC, I rarely used the heater. I wore flip-flops all year long, and went barefoot all the time, always in the house and most of the year outdoors. I can recall almost no outdoor events that were ever cancelled because of weather, no matter what time of year. There was no such thing as humidity - not real humidity, even living by the beach.
It is the polar (heh) opposite here. I own a couple of coats, a lighter one for fall, and a heavier one for winter. I wore a sweatshirt for the first time this morning when I went for my walk because it was 49 when I left, and I was cold (remember, I still have California blood - native New Englanders will laugh at this and other things I do earlier in the year than they do). The last two years, I turned on my heat on September 18th for the night - it just got too cold in here for me. This year it looks like that may be pushed by a week or two as it has been really warm this week, but the nights are already cool. By next week, the swimming pool will be too cold to go in and will get covered for the winter, and won't be opened up again until next year around mid-June. I will be switching out my summer clothes for winter clothes in the next couple of weeks. There will be plenty of warm days through a lot of October, but there will probably also be cooler ones where I will want to wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants - buh bye shorts, capris and sandals. Each year varies, of course, but most of this holds true for me every year. The lows in the Inland Empire winter of 30s and 40s will be the highs for the day in December and March in New Hampshire, and 30s will seem downright balmy in January and February.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Love2Travel83
I am bracing myself for Winter, even though we still have a few months to go, because I don't know what to expect!
Which is why I'm writing this. I don't want you to be one of the many people I've seen on this forum who loved New Hampshire right up until their first winter, and were ready to leave after the first snowfall in November or December. Winter, as you know it, will be here long before the official first day. It snowed like crazy my first Thanksgiving Day here, and I was late to the gathering because I had to shovel a lot of snow for the first time in my life. One of the things you take for granted in California is always being able to be warm, no matter the time of year. In New Hampshire, for the most part, you will not be warm without artificial heat or lots of warm clothing for most likely at least five months, maybe longer - it's longer for me, and I think I've adapted quite well.
The other thing is that the beauty of New Hampshire that you see now is going to radically alter in the next month and a half. I said that in the other posts I linked, but all the lush understory, the ferns and wildflowers, the plants in everybody's yards, ALL the flowers, and all the leaves, except for the Eastern White Pines, are going to go away. What is left will be bare tree trunks, which look mostly gray, and brown ground from all the fallen leaves. People tend to have some evergreen plants in yards, but pretty much the only color you see will come from the pines. Luckily, we have a lot in our area (I'm your neighbor in Londonderry). Also, if we get snow cover, like we did last winter, which lasted all winter (that doesn't happen every year), then the browns will be covered and everthing will look a lot prettier (to me anyway). But that barren look of brown and gray will last from the early part of November, until about mid-April when the flowers start on the trees, and then about mid-May when the leaves finally start appearing. This has, on me personally, a bit of a negative effect - artificially planted or not, you always have flowers and greenery in SoCal year-round. That bleakness, if you will, and never being truly warm are the things that get to me the most about living here, and make winter eventually seem interminable. I do actually like winter a lot, for the first few months, but then it just takes a toll and makes me yearn to be able to go walk around the Orange County Marketplace on a warm February day in a tank top and flip flops.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Love2Travel83
Those poor young'ins don't know any better; they won't realize how good they have it here until they've spent a few years out there.
New Hampshire has an aging population, and the young people are leaving. Lots of newspaper articles talk about this, and wondering who will be around to take care of all these elderly folks. My sibling's three children grew up here, went away to college, and none have returned - two are in California, and swear they will never return. Lots of reasons, but the ability to do the outdoor things they love all year long is a reason, along with much better career opportunities and just more things to do in general. And the food.
Now back to my pro-New Hampshire mode. I am not trying to discourage you, but I really did want to get some reality in there so that you won't get discouraged or surprised. I personally think, since my move, that people need to give this place a good two years, including two full winters, before they decide if they want to continue living here or not. The first winter will be a breaking-in period, where there are lots of unknowns, but by the second winter, nothing will come as a shock, and then you will truly be able to decide if you can handle it and/or enjoy it.
I am glad I moved. I love it here, for the most part. I do miss California, especially the desert, and lots of other things, but I really, really love the things that I love here, mostly the nature and wildlife and not being hemmed in by hundreds of miles of concrete and asphalt. The people are lovely, I like the not having to dress up part too, and I do like putting on my flannel shirts and fleece vests and staying inside, warm and cozy, watching the snow fall.
Oh, by the way, this summer was the most comfortable summer, humidity-wise, that I've had since I moved here.
Oh, and I have a good friend who is Chinese, who came to this country for college and stayed and was raised on authentic Chinese cooking. Chinatown in Boston has been the only place were they could find authentic Chinese, but, surprisingly, finds the food at the former Dumpling Palace, now called Fen Yang Restaurant in Londonderry, to be an excellent restaurant and doesn't feel the need to go to Chinatown for authentic Chinese food as much as before.
TL;DR - sorry, it's impossible to summarize this post.
Welcome to New Hampshire and I hope that you and your family love living here as much as I do.
Last edited by C2ShiningC; 09-16-2015 at 08:40 PM..
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