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Hi! My husband and I are looking to relocate from West Virginia to New England next year. We're currently in the research and planning stage. We're looking at several states and trying to narrow down our location.
A little bit about us: We're in our late 20s. I'm a graphic designer and he is a software engineer. We're looking to start a family soon and want to find a place to settle down. We enjoy traveling, nerdy things, socializing, and some light outdoor activity.
In New Hampshire, we're looking for a location for a town in Cheshire, Hillsborough, or Rockingham County. We're looking for good public education, low crime rate, job availability, and good heath care. Looking for an apartment before purchasing a house so we know what we're getting ourselves into.
1. If you have knowledge of any of these counties, do you have any recommendations of towns to look into?
2. How do you think the health care is in that location? I'm currently dealing with specialists that have 2-7 months of wait time before an appointment and am wondering if I can do better.
3. For us, putting roots down means becoming active in the community. What local/community events are common in the suggested area(s)?
4. Do you have any opinions of places in the area to AVOID moving to?
Any other general input for this is welcome as well.
Anywhere between Boston, Massachusetts and the New Hampshire boarder.
That has access to the commuter trains and/or MBTA (subway/bus lines).
Your jobs will probably end up in Boston or the 128 (highway) belt.
Lexington, Waltham, Bedford, Woburn, Melrose, Wakefield, Saugus, Reading, Wilmington, Andover, and many others. All in Massachusetts.
Once you rent and spend a year in Massachusetts you can look at southern New Hampshire then you can pick a town that you like. And know the commute time.
The unemployment rate in NH is low, and it has a good mix of jobs.
I live in Chesire co, right next to Peterborough, which has a small hospital where some specialists visit regularly. Some folks travel to Manchester Boston for more specialized care.
In this area, the Monadnocks, the towns are small and the people are friendly. Because the numbers are small, you quickly run into the same folks, and your network will grow quickly. There is quite a bit of manufacturing in the area, but don't know if any of it is software oriented. From what I see at Harlow's, a pub in Peterborough, there's a mix of young adults and retirees in the area.
You could easily find out if the specialists you need are in the area. Look at Monadnock Hospital (peterborough) and Chesire Medical Center (Keene) websites, then call.
Seacoast puts you close to jobs and hospitals in Mass, while keeping you in a less urban atmosphere if that's what you want. I'd strongly advise you to have a job lined up before planning a move, NH COL is pretty high. Would also suggest rentals before you buy, especially so you can get a taste of New England winter.
Given your activities list, I'd actually advise you to look closer at eastern Mass, it will put you nearer "nerdy" things like the Somerville theatre's 24- hour sci-fi film festival, PAX east, Comi con, museums, etc, etc. Nh will have much less in the way if these events.
The Indeed.com website lists 11,000+ software engineering openings within 50 miles of Boston. By contrast, Indeed only lists a few that are actually in Keene, Cheshire County a couple of which are with C&S Wholesale Grocers. NH is not a mecca for high tech employment.
So, if you'll need a job, greater Boston is second only to the Silicon Valley in high tech recruitment.
Staying closer to home, have you considered greater Philly or Pittsburgh? Lots of openings there and much cheaper living than the greater Boston region.
Samandgiasmom - housing / apartment budget is around 1k-2k, but will be dependent on the jobs we get. Thanks!
Alfheim - I like your recommendations on the area. That would be really up our alley. Thank you for your input!
Wells5 - Good point with the job openings. I didn't know that about greater Boston. I have family in CT and Pennsylvania is a little bit further than we'd like to be. Thank you for the suggestions!
Think twice about moving to Taxachusetts............it's named that for a reason
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