Cost of living in NH vs Florida (Manchester, Londonderry: sales, rent)

[AstroNut]

Hi all, I currently live and work in Gainesville, FL, and am on the short list for a better-paying position in Manchester. My wife and I have been looking online at properties within a 45-minute drive of Manchester and are somewhat concerned.

I currently own a 4-bedroom home on 0.33 acres worth around 275-300K. Property taxes are about $2100 a year. I live close enough to work that I bike most of the time, or take public transit; therefore, we only have one car that we gas up once every two weeks (about $80/month). Our utilities bill consolidates electric/gas/water/wastewater/trash, and averages $400/month for all these services.

After looking online, we have found a few homes that are in, or slightly more than our home, so I don't see the principal/interest payment going up much, but looking at the property taxes, it appears we would be lucky to only be assessed 5-6K per year. Even with Florida's 6% sales tax, I estimate I don't pay more than $2K a year in sales tax. It also looks like it will be hard to find a home within commuting distance in Manchester, so I will have to buy another vehicle.

Obviously fuel bills can be high in the winter, but what are utility rates like the rest of the year?

My main concern is, any monetary gain from the new job may be wiped out, and more, with new or higher expenses. Is anyone else from North Florida in NH now? What is your experience with expenses?

PS. I'm originally from Canada, so I've had my share of cold winters. In fact, we're getting tired of hot, sticky summers, and are looking forward to a change of seasons. I've never set foot in New England, but have seen some beautiful pics of NH, and am looking forward to relocating if we can make it work financially.

[buck naked]

utility rates don't vary much - I pay an average of $100 per month. Usually it's $120 for electric. I have private well and septic. Unless you are in a city, that is pretty much the norm.

Fuel costs are killing me this year. It's $750 to get an oil fill and the rates are supposed to double for next year. Currently, oil is $3.44 and rising. However, if oil hits $200 pr barrel as predicted, I can count on paying $1,400 for a fill next winter.

I need to find a heating alternative.

[GregW]

I suggest finding a house in an older Manchester city neighborhood with full city utilities and services. Try renting for a year until you are completely familiar with the New Hampshire market and to take advantage of future price reductions.

[cyc1e]

Not sure what the income tax situation is in Florida, but keep in mind that there is no state income tax in NH. We moved from NH to Maine and we pay much more in taxes than we did in NH.

Don't forget the auto sales tax that most states have (NH does not.)

This is a separate issue from the yearly auto excise tax (or whatever a state calls it)

[Valerie C]

Agree with GregW (imaging that!). Rent for awhile to be sure you can acclimate to this area. Seeing it through a camera lens is one thing, living through winter-real winter, is another. What may sound good now might not be so good a year from now, and it'd be terrible if you're stuck here and unable to sell and move south. Check out Tarastomsgirl's posts...

[cyc1e]

Forgot to add:

The Tax Foundation - State and Local Tax Burdens Compared to Other U.S. States, 1970-2007

shows NH as #49 (8%) in state and local tax burden
shows FL as #38 (10%)
and unfortunately for me:
shows ME as #2 (14%)

[AstroNut]

Originally Posted by cyc1e

Not sure what the income tax situation is in Florida, but keep in mind that there is no state income tax in NH. We moved from NH to Maine and we pay much more in taxes than we did in NH.

Thanks, cyc1e. Florida also does not have a state income tax.

[paradiddle]

Comparisons:

Food and fuel:
The food costs for me in Fla seem to be higher. I have forgot food costs until my friends from Mass and NH come down and tell me that my FL prices are higher. Now up in Gainesville you may have lower costs than me. Also gas costs more the farther south you go in Fla.

Utilities:
It's all electric here but I think electric actually costs less here in Fl. My Dad in Mass complained about his oil bill this year costing $700 more. Before we moved to Fl I had converted to natural gas and got hi-efficiency burners with central A/C and saved a ton of money. Now my gut feeling is that Natural gas and heating oil will level off to each other. Don't get Propane or Electric heat in NH. Propane cost a lot and produces 70% as much BTU's as Oil. Electric heat is just crazy.....

Taxes: You will pay a lot in prop tax even compared with the screwed up FL system. But the good news is that is all you will pay. Depending on what town you live in will make a difference.

Pay:
No comparison - you should get at least a 25% bump in NH.

If your plan is to work in Manch-Vegas then you have great choices. I would find a nice house on the edges of Manchester. The tax rate is pretty good.
I have a good friend/agent that can steer you in a honest quest.

If I were to move back that's what I would do. My wife would like Allenstown.
anything North or west of the city is more affordable. Check out Franklin. I had a friend sell his house in Manchester to a new one in Franklin just off Rt 93 and he commutes to Manchester. I would check out school systems if you have kids. I think Franklin may have some problems in that area last I heard.

I do miss it up there and if we win the Lotto we would buy a house in Goffstown or Allenstown and keep the one we have in Venice-Fl on the Gulf

[skytrekker]

Taxes generally will be higher in NH- but in Florida homeowners insurance can be a killer.

[paradiddle]

Originally Posted by Valerie C

Agree with GregW (imaging that!). Rent for awhile to be sure you can acclimate to this area. Seeing it through a camera lens is one thing, living through winter-real winter, is another. What may sound good now might not be so good a year from now, and it'd be terrible if you're stuck here and unable to sell and move south. Check out Tarastomsgirl's posts...

I think astronut has some winter experience so he know whats in stake. I also understand that you up north had a monumental once in a hundred year winter. That may have "tainted" tarastomsgirls posts as she, has she has no previous experience up north.

Renting is an excellent idea ( being a former Manchester Landlord ). You won't have that mortgage commitment and you can get a better feel for where you really would like to live.

I would have to amend my post on what my wife would like and that would be Londonderry (valerie would agree). We miss our friends from Londonderry Womens Softball team. Londonderry is a great town!!!