Hollis: What to do With Young Kids? (Manchester, Nashua: houses, neighborhood)

[NH2008]

We've pretty much decided on Hollis as the NH town for us based on the excellent schools, access to Boston, etc but I'm waffling only because we've lived in and around big cities for so long that I'm scared to try living in a smaller town (even though that's what I've always said I wanted!) DH works VERY long hours and travels a lot, so the kids and I are on our own a lot and we go out all the time - to museums, restaurants, playgrounds, theater, etc - just to keep them busy and save my own sanity. (My kids are both preschoolers.) We're really longing for more open space & nature, and I love the town itself, but I'm also scared we might get bored (I'd love it on my own, but I don't know if I'm up to entertaining the kids on my own.) If you've raised kids in Hollis or know someone who has, I would really appreciate your feedback!

- Where do you take your kids for fun or when you need to get out? I know about the Science Center in Manchester and the mall in Nashua...anything else nearby?

- How often do you get into Boston? Is it a total hassle to park across the border and take the T? I know it's not that far, but we live 45 minutes outside a big city now and we NEVER go in...

- Have you tried the local preschool? Good/bad?

- How have you found local pediatricians, pediatric dentists, etc?

- Is the local school as good as everyone says?

- Anything else I should know?

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[Rexicana]

Hi-

I don't live in Hollis, but I would think that these places would be fairly easy to get to and are very preschool friendly:

Parlee Farm in Tynsgboro, MA
Discovery Museums in Acton, MA
Butterfly Place in Westford, MA
Amoskeag Fishways in Manchester, NH
Addison Art Gallery in Andover, MA (free and great ship display in basement - walking trails in back - use bug spray!)

We haven't been to the Beaver Brook Park yet, but they have a lot of programs for little kids.

We are in Peterborough and still get into Boston frequently (1.5 hrs), but rarely drove the 45 min to San Fran when we were in California.

Welcome!

[WannaComeHome]

Originally Posted by NH2008

DH works VERY long hours and travels a lot, so the kids and I are on our own a lot and we go out all the time - to museums, restaurants, playgrounds, theater, etc - just to keep them busy and save my own sanity. (My kids are both preschoolers.) We're really longing for more open space & nature, and I love the town itself, but I'm also scared we might get bored (I'd love it on my own, but I don't know if I'm up to entertaining the kids on my own.) If you've raised kids in Hollis or know someone who has, I would really appreciate your feedback!

since I grew up in Hollis, the youngest of 6 kids whose father was often away on business trips (my poor mom!) - although we moved there when I was in 2nd grade, not pre-school- maybe I can help a little.

Where do you take your kids for fun or when you need to get out? I know about the Science Center in Manchester and the mall in Nashua...anything else nearby?

to be honest, we didn't go that much out. too hard to wrangle the kids and with the oldest being 8 years older than the youngest... mostly we all fended for ourselves. There is the Horace Greeley Park in... Merrimack?? Beaver Brook is quite beautiful with lots of trails, there are Girl Scout troops when they get a little older, there is swimming at Silver Lake (what a shame you can't swim at Wallace's Grove anymore, it was better), during growing season there are many pick-your-own fruit opportunities at the orchards. Too bad the zoo closed (Benson's Wild Animal Farm), that was fun.

- How often do you get into Boston? Is it a total hassle to park across the border and take the T? I know it's not that far, but we live 45 minutes outside a big city now and we NEVER go in...

we hardly ever went to Boston, but maybe that was just us.

- Have you tried the local preschool? Good/bad?

- How have you found local pediatricians, pediatric dentists, etc?

no info on the preschool, but probably good. Local pediatrician: Matthew Thornton Clinic in Nashua.

- Is the local school as good as everyone says?

yes.

- Anything else I should know?
Thank you, thank you, thank you!

No problem . Hollis is a lovely town, although I it has more opportunities for older kids - they'll grow. Mind you, when I lived there I was bored out of my mind , now I can't wait to get back - visiting very briefly at the end of June.

[lisa g]

Hi NH2008,
My kids are older and we have a different lifestyle but I can offer some suggestions. The town's rec programs, although for older kids, are super, and conveniently held right in Hollis so no need to travel. Beaver Brook has a variety of programs open to preschool aged kids.
As far as getting to/from Boston, I've heard there is a bus that goes from Nashua to Boston & back daily, accessible right off rte 130 in Nashua (by Kohl's, right outside Hollis, basically).
I recommend our pediatrician, who has the last of the "old time" practices around. He's in Amherst. DM me if you'd like more info.
About schools: This is a hot topic w/me since I'm not an advocate of public anything, especially public school. Let's just say the fact that my kids are still there is fairly complimentary. One thing I can say with certainty is that at the upper elementary, the entire staff has been extremely professional, courteous and kind. They do a genuinely good job. My kids enjoy school, enjoy the company of their peers and feel safe. This happened very recently at the High School, however, and is probably worth including: http://www.topix.com/city/hollis-nh/...3-hospitalized

Good luck with your move & all the decisions you are researching!

[NH2008]

Rexicana - We live 45 minutes outside SF right now! That's really funny!

Wanna Come Home - Six kids! Wow! Your mom is obviously a trooper and a better woman than I!

LisaG - Thanks! It's good to hear from someone currently raising kids in Hollis. Maybe I'm just jaded, but the drug thing doesn't even phase me...

I did drive through Beaver Brook and I thought it was beautiful. Maybe I am just scared to make any decisions at this point. We've overthought it so much...

[seamusnh]

We are in Amherst. Moved there in '96 when my two daughters were 5 and 3 and just before the third was born. Southern NH is a great place to raise a family. You can get to Boston in an hour (science museum, Fenway Park, etc.) but there is a lot to do right here in NH. Hollis and Amherst are far from the ocean, so consider joining a pool for the summer. We have been members at Jasper Valley (Amherst) and Hampshire Hills (Milford). To get an idea of things to do with kids, try www.nhevents.com or NH.com May 23, 2008: Where New Hampshire Clicks!.

Have you decided on Hollis? We looked there as well but did not find many houses that were in a neighborhood. Lots of country roads with cars driving fairly fast at the end of the driveway, making riding a bike a little scary. We are on a cul de sac in a neighborhood in Amherst near the Souhegan Woods golf course and it has been great...

[NH2008]

I'm an old house person so I really liked the "downtown" area of Hollis. Amherst is beautiful but we wanted to be that little bit closer to Boston. Thanks for the tips!

[GregW]

Let them run around in the woods and they will find plenty to do. I was pretty much on my own in a country town and I went everywhere I wanted to on foot or by bicycle.

[bluegreen]

Portsmouth is an hour from Hollis and there is a good amount to do with kids there, as well as the beach is an hour

Boston childrens museum is easy to get to off the highway and you can park for only $13 right around the corner from the museum.

i grew up in amherst and honestly, it is quiet and peaceful for the parents, lots of hiking trails though!

[NH2008]

"Quiet and peaceful"...you obviously haven't spent much time at our house! LOL! My kids could make the most serene slice of wilderness noisy.