Pros & Cons of New Hampshire? Your opinions please (Manchester: relocating, property taxes)

[creatingfromthesource]

originally posted byTarastomsgirl
Fullback 2 Fl in 3 months


Thats my experience from someone who started LOVING the state and the longer I was there the more I didn't I found the "real" NE/ NH that goes beyond just some nice mountains and charming houses.... Some have had better experiences than me of course... I am relocating back to where I came from which to me tells me how bad I don't like NH because I swore I'd never come back to Fla.. But its better than staying in this state. IMO if you're looking to just keep to yourself, no really interested in people and wanna spend lots o money every year on utilities NH is the place for you.



(I am not sure if I am doing this 'quote thing' right...we'll see...)

I just feel the need to respond to this, not towards Tarastomsgirl in particular, but because it is a good example of what people generally do in life. (I freely admit that have also had this illusion). Why people are never happy (I prefer 'at peace') with where they are. I read the above passage and thought to myself "Why did she leave Florida?"


We look to people (marriages), places (states) and things (jobs,cars) for a sense of peace and we will never get it from those things. It is already inside us. The honeymoon so to speak eventually ends, and even paradise over time would become intolerable if you expected it to fulfill you. No place, person or thing can do that. Eventually sunny paradise would have "too many bugs", "too much sun", "never enough rain", "not enough shade trees" etc etc.

My suggestion before you leave NH, (Tarasomsgirl) is to try to make peace with every part of where you are, (potholes and all) and if you are still drawn to leave, follow that, but realize that over time, the reasons why you left Florida will be back. The pattern will continue circling until there is awareness. When you are ready, you will see it. Good luck on your journey.

Blessings,
Leah

[brightdoglover]

I live near the NH border in Mass. (ducking and covering), my best friend lives in New Ipswich (and moved from Peterborough) and I have regular business in Hollis. A lot of co-workers live in southern NH. I've vacationed a lot at a cabin on Lake Wini in Alton.
I'd say that NH has distinct different regions. There's the coast, which has been well discussed. The southwest (Peterborough) is an outpost of artsy liberalism. The southern area in general is practically a suburb of Mass., although not as crowded to these eyes. Once you get out of reasonable commuting range to Mass. (never mind Boston), you are in central NH, and then of course pure north- prettier, more authentically NH (not suburban Boston) and very little work.
Manchester is some 60 miles from Boston, and half the planet can be found going south on 93 during business hours. I used to do the reverse commute past 93/495 north, and you could almost walk to Boston on the roofs of the crawling cars.
Real estate taxes vary wildly from town to town, but as the only real tax NH has, can be startlingly high.
Your work will dictate "which NH" you can live in or drive from. I personally like the state overall, but it's not for everyone. Best wishes.

[NH2008]

Leah - Just wanted to say that I think what you're saying is very wise. I am 100% guilty of thinking "THEN I'll be happy, " "I'll be X when Y happens," etc but I know you're right.

[NH2008]

PS re regions....Of course it is true that the closer one gets to Boston the more suburban it feels, but I don't think that's necessarily a fair reflection on everyone who lives in Southern NH vs Northern. I've dreamed of living in the mountains as long as I can remember, but it's not realistic for us while we're still working. Dh and I both love the country, but like many people we need to be closer to a city to support ourselves and have access to certain opportunities for our young children. I think Peterborough is beautiful, my heart is in the White Mountains and the Ossippees, but for now our goal is to have a home in southern NH...

[Valerie C]

Leah, what an outstanding post. What you say here is so true, probably of most of us. Speaking for myself, when we relocated from Massachusetts to the St. Louis area, it was for my husband's job. I was bitter about the whole thing, and I whined and complained more than anyone, even Tara (j/k Tara L)) and really didn't see all of the positives while we were living there. It was too hot and too humid to go outside from June through September, the tornado sirens and the crazy thunderstorms kept me paranoid about the weather; the houses were too close together, the subdivision rules and regulations were too strict, and all the houses looked all the same. Only after leaving did I realize that those differences are what I should have been embracing as a newcomer who settled in another area, instead of comparing everything to what I was used to. I won't make that mistake again. Somebody here has their location as "Bloom where you are planted" and I think that's such a great attitude. Thank you Leah for a good post

[Michi_B]

Hi everyone. I am new to this forum, and was waiting for a chance to 'jump in there.' I HAD to comment on this post. Leah, you are right. I grew up in Arizona, lived in Ohio, and now live in Florida. In July, I'm moving to New Hampshire...not to be happy, but simply to be. I'm already happy.

[bryfry]

Originally Posted by Michi_B

Hi everyone. I am new to this forum, and was waiting for a chance to 'jump in there.' I HAD to comment on this post. Leah, you are right. I grew up in Arizona, lived in Ohio, and now live in Florida. In July, I'm moving to New Hampshire...not to be happy, but simply to be. I'm already happy.

Welcome to C-D NH!! Good luck in your search. Lots of helpful folks here.

Some people will always find fault with anything that is a part of their life. I'm learning to ignore the bad (it's always there!), and concentrate on the good. If you think happy thoughts and push away the bad, you'll feel better. My move to NH is stressful enough, but I'm not worried. It'll all work out for the better. If you want it bad enough, it will happen. If you dwell on the negative all the time, well...you're going to be miserable no matter where you go. It's like complaining about the weather. You can't change it, so stop complaining and move on to something more constructive, like maybe smiling?

[Michi_B]

bryfry, I agree...and thanks for the welcome! I get stressed easily, but I'm learning to think positive, and it's helping a lot. I used to think it was silly, but it really does make a difference. I don't know if it's 'real' or just that fabled 'placebo effect' but if I feel better, who cares, right?

[bearmnts]

Hi;
I lived in nh all my life until we moved to Pa in 2002.I love nh .We lived in a small town called Weare.I grew up in a neighboring town called Goffstown.I loved the country life as both myself and husband grew up in the country.Weare was really growing when we moved and the taxes were getting high.But after living in nh and now pa there is a great difference.In pa there are so many taxes. In nh we only had property tax.In nh where we grew up your word was all that was needed in pa its not.People in nh stop at stop signs,let people cross the street and are warm and friendly. In pa we let someone cross the street when we first moved here and we got alot of swearing,tail gating and nastyness. Its is really different for us.I can honestly say it was an adventure and we are waiting to go home. Please do not take this the wrong way. I grew up on a farm and was raised by a father who ran our home like the service. Life was so different.He has since died in 1995,all I can say is God Bless him !He did what he thought was right and best,but not thru my eyes. Good luck if you move to nh.

[Positiveone]

Hi again! Many people seem to complain about the property taxes more then anything. Are there any towns/areas with not so high taxes that still have good schools & low crime within 20-30 mins of Nashua or Manchester NH? If so what towns would that be?