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Hi there!
I've been doing a TON of research on several different states but most come up short in comparison to here in NH. Not many places offer 4 seasons and the ocean and mountains. So maybe my problem with wanting to relocate is due to the fact that we live so far away from the ocean and amenities in general.
With that being said, what town would u recommend for a family who homeschools who are looking for a small town feel w/ yards = a half acre or more but also has city amenities (think close proximity to museums , galleries, etc.)? Ideally, the ocean would be close to...maybe less then 30 mins?
maybe the Portsmouth area? Where else? What towns specifically would you recommend?
I have either lived in or worked in L'derry, Derry, Salem, Chichester, Loudon, Barnstead, Bow, Boscawen, Concord, Manchester and Franklin so I am already familiar w/ these places!
You want "city" amenities, you got to be close to a city. No way around it, since population and demographics drive city amenities, especially cultural ones. SE NH is 60-90 minutes from Boston cultural amenities, so an easy day trip.
But you already know this, and seem to know the area pretty well.
I can't think of any in-state museum or gallery or exhibit space that'd be visited more than once a year.
It's important to set your priorities, especially in regard to the vague notion of amenities.
I lived in the Chicago metro area for years; aside from kid-oriented visits for "culture", I very rarely took advantage of close proximity to museums , galleries, etc. Turns out those just aren't the amenities I actually 'use' on a regular basis. Even the ocean isn't that interesting to me -- exclude Boston Harbor and the view out an airplane window, and I maybe see the ocean once a year.
Now that I am in New Hampshire, I like the smaller scale local amenities -- forests, meadows, ponds, etc. For the rare times when I need amenities not available in my immediate area, I just plan ahead and travel as needed. As previously mentioned, Boston is an easy day trip from almost anywhere in NH.
What's your idea of a big city? Boston? Manchester?
Portsmouth itself is very nice but it's not even among the 10 largest communities in NH.
Hmm. good question. I have lived in austin TX and thought it was WAY too big. I have traveled to Boston and though I enjoyed the day there I wouldn't want to live there, if you kwim? So I guess Manchester would be what I consider a tolerable sized city if I didn't have to live in it. What I mean by city amenities is trash pick up for instance. Easy commute to the super market. Right now I travel 45 mins 1 way to get to the super market. It can be taxing on my vehicles as well as time consuming on my family.
You want "city" amenities, you got to be close to a city. No way around it, since population and demographics drive city amenities, especially cultural ones. SE NH is 60-90 minutes from Boston cultural amenities, so an easy day trip.
But you already know this, and seem to know the area pretty well.
What are you not telling us?
I desire to be closer to the ocean but would also like the amenities I don't have now ie: trash pick up, closer stores, better road plowing in the winter (I live on a rural dirt road that is plowed poorly) etc I would like to live 60-90 mins from Boston but be close to the beach. Maybe an easier question to narrow it down would be what are some towns you would recommend around Portsmouth?
It's important to set your priorities, especially in regard to the vague notion of amenities.
I lived in the Chicago metro area for years; aside from kid-oriented visits for "culture", I very rarely took advantage of close proximity to museums , galleries, etc. Turns out those just aren't the amenities I actually 'use' on a regular basis. Even the ocean isn't that interesting to me -- exclude Boston Harbor and the view out an airplane window, and I maybe see the ocean once a year.
Now that I am in New Hampshire, I like the smaller scale local amenities -- forests, meadows, ponds, etc. For the rare times when I need amenities not available in my immediate area, I just plan ahead and travel as needed. As previously mentioned, Boston is an easy day trip from almost anywhere in NH.
True. I see the ocean maybe 1xa year now as well but I wonder if it is because I live so far from it now. I do live in a lake community which I ADORE! But I am very rural . My road is cared for poorly, we don't have trash pick up, my daughter's specialist is 58 miles away 1 way. Our Wal Mart and supermarket is 45 mins away. that's when I mean when I say amenities. I may have used the wrong verbage originally.
Where exactly are you living now? It seems to me that you should visit Portsmouth and get to know it well. See how much you like it, then start exploring the nearby towns.
Exeter seems to have a nice town center. Otherwise, have you ever considered moving up to Maine? Portland is a very nice city and it's on the coast.
Where exactly are you living now? It seems to me that you should visit Portsmouth and get to know it well. See how much you like it, then start exploring the nearby towns.
Exeter seems to have a nice town center. Otherwise, have you ever considered moving up to Maine? Portland is a very nice city and it's on the coast.
its funny u say that! I just mentioned Portland to my husband tonight after a friend mentioned to me that she thought it would be a good fit for us!
I would recommend checking out Exeter, Dover, or even Epping.
Exeter and Dover both have trash pickup. Epping however uses a transfer station which can be rather annoying.
All three towns have easy access to grocery stores, and are convenient to Portsmouth, the beach, mountains, and even Boston if you are needing the big city feel.
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I can't think of any in-state museum or gallery or exhibit space that'd be visited more than once a year.
