Is this report still true of Littleton? (Bethlehem: real estate market, foreclosures)

[Simple Living]

******'s Spot Reports - A Quick Intro to Your Top Spots

It's a beautiful, 4 page report. Is this information still accurate?

[DareToDream]

Originally Posted by Simple Living

******'s Spot Reports - A Quick Intro to Your Top Spots

It's a beautiful, 4 page report. Is this information still accurate?

Hello, Simple Living. We've been in little 2 years on April 20th. For the most part, what is listed on the site still holds true, as far as I can tell.. The last census I saw I believe was around 6100 residents. There was a "state of the town" type of thing on local access TV where I *think* they said the median price of a home was around $174K, but I'm not sure. Foreclosures, I believe were 5 or 6 for 2007. I believe, from reading other posts from those in other areas, that our electric is definitely cheaper up here - we have our own electric/water company.

Town activities and parades are "big" in the town - I think they have more parades than I've ever seen Especially in the spring, summer and fall, there always seems to be something going on down on Main Street. We even have an annual Pollyanna Day (the author lived here) - there are sidewalk sales, festivities and people from the town gather in front of the statue of Pollyanna in front of the library for a "town picture"

The town is very safe - paid/union police dept and fire dept is also paid (with some volunteers).

The site you posted mentions the Opera House - that was condemned but is going to be "fixed" and will be able to be used once again. There are quite a few local artists, craftspeople, musicians in the area - a pretty creative bunch!

If you look through the picture thread here in the New Hampshire forum, or do a search for my name, I'm pretty sure I have posted pictures of the area - I also posted some in the Rural Living forum.

In the late spring and summer there is music in the gazebo in Remich Park - free "concerts" by local groups of musicians. Last year they were on Friday nights. A nearby town, Bethlehem, also has a gazebo and music on Sundays (at least they did last year).

Did you have any particular questions in mind? If so, let me know and I'll try to answer as best I can.

[Simple Living]

Thank you, DaretoDream, for your thoughtful response. I would rep it, but it won't let me rep you again for awhile!

And, I noticed the link to the report expired. Sorry to everyone who tries to click on it. I didn't realize the link would expire.

Basically, I was wondering if some of the information given in the report is still true. It was copyrighted in 2006. Here are some of the items:

- very little crime
- thriving economy
- "small business capital" of New Hampshire where home-based businesses and entrepreneurs thrive.
- tight-knit community

Population: 5,845
Avg July High: 78*F
Avg Jan Low: 5*F
Avg Annual Snowfall: 53"
Avg Home Price: $155,000

- Dec through Feb temps stay in the teens and low 20's.
- Mild temps are norm in summer, with low humidity levels and comfy temps that rarely hit 80*F.
- Among the lowest utility rates in New England.

- "Housing in Littleton is quite affordable. More than half of single-family homes in Littleton sell for less than $150,000, and fewer than 1/4 exceed $200,000, although a few homes here carry price tags of $500,000 or more."

- Known for having one of the lowest crime rates in the nation with the overall rate about half the national average rate.

- Strong, healthy job market.

- Recreation and tourism have become a large part of the economic base of Littleton. Retail trade benefits greatly from fall foliage seekers as well as summertime hikers and cyclists. The service sector currently employs 1/3 of residents.

- Primarily an industrial-based town, Littleton has a long history of residents who adhere to a strong work ethic. Manufacturing firms employ a large portion of the local workforce. Many residents work in commodities like metal and paper. Major employers include the Littleton Stamp and Coin, Wal-Mart, Norton Pike, and Harrison Publishing.

(It's so sad that Wal-Mart barged their way in! This is a big CON for me in the list of Pros and Cons.)

The report also says that Littleton is experiencing steady and constant growth. This is the portion that also concerns me. Naturally, I would be one adding to the growth, but you know how it is... when you find a treasure of a small town, you don't want it to explode and become big and impersonal!

[DareToDream]

Originally Posted by Simple Living

Thank you, DaretoDream, for your thoughtful response. I would rep it, but it won't let me rep you again for awhile!

And, I noticed the link to the report expired. Sorry to everyone who tries to click on it. I didn't realize the link would expire.

Basically, I was wondering if some of the information given in the report is still true. It was copyrighted in 2006. Here are some of the items:

- very little crime Still true
- thriving economy Depends on what is meant by "thriving" - lots of mom & pop type stores and small businesses.
- "small business capital" of New Hampshire where home-based businesses and entrepreneurs thrive. See above
- tight-knit community Yes - As an example, a local man was killed in Iraq last week - there will be a memorial service and will be well attended. There was a fire in town (there's a thread on it somewhere here in the NH forum - there was a LOT of community support for those who were displaced/suffered damages.

Population: 5,845 I believe the last census was around 6100
Avg July High: 78*F Might be about right, could be a tad higher - I think the main City Data page for Littleton has the figure
Avg Jan Low: 5*FDepends on the year <g>....Last year it seemed colder than that on average, this year seems pretty close
Avg Annual Snowfall: 53"Probably pretty close if you figure in different years - last year we had about that, this year more. We see less freezing rain than areas south of us.
Avg Home Price: $155,000 Not sure- believe the median price is 174K (not sure how that differs from average price)

- Dec through Feb temps stay in the teens and low 20's.This is probably true when averaged over a few years.
- Mild temps are norm in summer, with low humidity levels and comfy temps that rarely hit 80*F. Definitely low humidity levels, temps a couple of times both summers hit 90*, but only for a couple of days - only needed A/C in the bedroom 3 or 4 nights
- Among the lowest utility rates in New England. I would guess yes (guess, because I don't know about other areas) - I work from home and the computer is on a LOT, in the winter, I have lights on, we have a washer, dryer, electric stove, dishwasher, electric hot water heater and hubby's electric guitar, amp, and other things with other musicians here at least once a week "plugging in" and the electric/water bill was $80 once in 2 years.

- "Housing in Littleton is quite affordable. More than half of single-family homes in Littleton sell for less than $150,000, and fewer than 1/4 exceed $200,000, although a few homes here carry price tags of $500,000 or more."I would say this is true.

- Known for having one of the lowest crime rates in the nation with the overall rate about half the national average rate. Also true

- Strong, healthy job market. Depends on what you're looking for.

- Recreation and tourism have become a large part of the economic base of Littleton. Retail trade benefits greatly from fall foliage seekers as well as summertime hikers and cyclists. The service sector currently employs 1/3 of residents.Yes, very true.

- Primarily an industrial-based town, Littleton has a long history of residents who adhere to a strong work ethic. Manufacturing firms employ a large portion of the local workforce. Many residents work in commodities like metal and paper. Major employers include the Littleton Stamp and Coin, Wal-Mart, Norton Pike, and Harrison Publishing.Also true - many residents also work at Littleton Hospital

(It's so sad that Wal-Mart barged their way in! This is a big CON for me in the list of Pros and Cons.) It is here, but on the "outskirts" along with Home Depot, Lowe's, Staples, fast foods, etc. Main Street is pretty much "off limits" for stores like those. Even with the box stores, the Mom & Pop type places still do a good business.

The report also says that Littleton is experiencing steady and constant growth. This is the portion that also concerns me. Naturally, I would be one adding to the growth, but you know how it is... when you find a treasure of a small town, you don't want it to explode and become big and impersonal! I don't think that will happen for a couple of reasons - the weather up here is definitely not for everyone and there are not a lot of high-paying or computer jobs in the area that might cause a huge, quick explosion. The town seems to be very careful and trying to grow at a slow, yet steady pace.

Here's a link with a lot of Littleton information: Littleton, New Hampshire

Hope all this helps!

[Simple Living]

It helps big time. Thank you! Your answers are pretty much what I hoped for. I can handle having a Home Depot around, but, as for the rest, including the fast food... if I moved there, I'd never step foot in them. I support local mom-n-pops every time.

Thanks for your time and great response! (The forum still won't let me rep you again yet, but, I owe you one!)

[DareToDream]

Originally Posted by Simple Living

It helps big time. Thank you! Your answers are pretty much what I hoped for. I can handle having a Home Depot around, but, as for the rest, including the fast food... if I moved there, I'd never step foot in them. I support local mom-n-pops every time.

Thanks for your time and great response! (The forum still won't let me rep you again yet, but, I owe you one!)

Thank you Simple Living - don't worry about the reps - that's not why I post <g>.

We usually frequent the stores on Main Street and the few locally owned ones out on what I call "the strip" (the street where Wal-Mart, etc. are located). I think there has been only one time I couldn't find what I was looking for in town and ended up looking in Wal-Mart.....On the flip side, when my mother-in-law and father-in-law visited, they wanted something my mother-in-law swore would only be in Wal-Mart - we took them there, she couldn't find it, asked a clerk, who referred us to a store on Main Street, which DID have what she was looking for I found that a great experience and never would have expected it.

There is a McD's, Wendy's, etc., but there are also places that are locally owned where you can get the same type of thing, prepared fresh, but locally owned - it costs a little more, but obviously it tastes a heck of a lot better!

One thing to keep in mind (for yourself and for anyone else who may be planning a visit starting this spring) - I believe this spring is when they will be re-doing the roads and sewers, lighting and parking meters on a good portion of Main Street - if it is and you come at that time, be assured, it's temporary. It will probably be a pain in the pattootie to get around Main Street, but in the end, it should be worth it. While re-doing it, they are trying to make sure there will be parking available so the stores on Main Street don't suffer from a loss of patronage. To me, that was a wonderful thing to hear - we came from an area that, when doing this type of thing, always said, "so what, the stores may lose some business, people can always go _____ to get what they want" - here, they care about people not going elsewhere

Sorry for the babble, I tend to do that frequently!

[Simple Living]

I'm still bouncing Littleton back and forth with the mountainous areas of Montana. This has been a hard choice for me, but one I don't have to make immediately since I'll be in Minnesota for another year. Eventually I hope to purchase a few acres outside of town and build a small log cabin and grow my own veggies. Both are wintery places so growing seasons are going to be short in both places.

In the meantime, more research and more prayer. Thanks again for your comments. They are extremely helpful!

[Simple Living]

Does anyone have any other thoughts on Littleton they think would be handy?

[DareToDream]

I'm resurrecting this thread for a minute....as I said in the title

I was talking to the realtor who sold us our house last year (no, not thinking of selling it!!!!) and picked his brain a bit.

I asked him what the real estate market is like now, how much of a slow-down, how many foreclosures, etc. He said the town is definitely growing, although at a slower pace. There are not many homes in foreclosure, he wasn't sure how many, many 4 or 5. The one thing he said that "struck" me was that there are a lot of people looking, which keeps him busy, but they are still waiting for prices to drop before they buy.

He went on to say that, in this area, there was not the huge rise in prices that many areas of the country and state experienced, so he doesn't believe the prices are going to drop drastically, but will stay relatively steady where they are. There are houses at all ends of the spectrum - low prices, medium prices and high prices depending on what the person is looking for.

I just figured I'd throw this out here for anyone considering Littleton.....