live or visit?

[dognh]

Originally Posted by booker_one

thank you. bluegreen doesn't have to deal with that stuff in new hampshire.

hey blue....come live down here for a while and see how you feel about illegals. you come teach illegal children in school like i do (because the law says we have to) and we will see if your opinion changes.

It sounds to me that you'll find what you're looking for up here in NH. And you're right, we have nowhere near the illegal alien problems or Texas. Ours are mostly concentrated in the bigger population centers (manchester and especially Nashua), but even there it's nothing compared to what you're used to. A lot has to do with the lack of public services here, as compared to say Massachusetts. Hopefully, it will stay that way (or at least behind Mass).

[booker_one]

i'm glad to hear that dognh. i know there is not a state in the u.s. that is immune to that problem. i think blue should read this article. Killer of Houston policeman surprised he won't go to death row | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle (broken link)

[hiknapster]

Hi everyone!

I'm originally from Mass., lived nine incredibly long years in Florida. Bleah.

Now we live in Tennessee. It's nice. Great weather.

However, it's not New England.

What do I miss?

The no nonsense attitude. Someone telling you something and it is true.

The fall. We have foliage here, but it is not the same bright hues. I think that the maples are not as prevalent.

The education. There was a couple from New England that moved into my neighborhood. They were from the "wrong side of the tracks," some would say. Their grammar and vocabulary were meticulous.

It may take longer to make friends in New England. People really size you up and are not easily fooled, but when you make a friend with a New Englander, you make a friend for life.

I miss the sense of history and the people's respect for it. I was a newspaper reporter for ten years in Mass. Every development is scrutinized. The prospect of a new Walmart is not considered the best thing since sliced bread.

The food. I miss the food. Who knew that the rest of the country does not eat like us?

Southern hospitality is a myth. People in the south have lovely accents but that doesn't mean that they are not jerks like anyone else. Get up into southern Appalachia and it is a different world. The harshness and defensiveness can be terrifying. Unfortunately, I work in customer service. I've also done it on a national basis. This is the worst territory that I have ever worked.

I have been recently approved for a mortgage. I have looked and looked for a home in Knoxville and its surroundings. I can't find a house. It is NOT NEW ENGLAND.

Congratulations to Daniellefort for being able to go home. I wish that I could, too, but it is too darn expensive.

[daniellefort]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Congratulations to Daniellefort for being able to go home. I wish that I could, too, but it is too darn expensive.

Well if i makes you feel any better, I have family helping us with a place to live until we get on our feet up there and get our own place. My husband is expecting a $15,000 cut in pay too moving up there so it's going to be tight compared to what we are used to but just having a life again with my family is going to be great. I'm moving next month but he has to come back until our house sells. Looking forward to moving to TN some day when i don't have to worry about my daugther being in school anymore. Also on the bright side, at least you got approved for a mortgage. there's ALOT of people out there who can't even get that far.

[takagi1901]

Booker,
during your visit take a side trip to the southern border, don't be alarmed, I mean "New England"'s southern border- south of Boston, coastal CT, RI- winters are milder, taxes are higher overall, than in NH, but not too bad, but you get more services in return- good school systems, etc. It is fun to be between Boston and New York, but have a lifestyle of a small town.
WE like to go to Boston for a day: Museum of Fine Arts or Science Museum- your child will love it there!- or Patriots Game Day- we have season's tickets, or Red Sox, or visit Paw Sox- minor league baseball in a very nice stadium, Bruins (minor) hockey game in Providence- you name it!!! Usually, we drive back home from Boston.
If we go to New York ( you can take a train, it is a bit expensive, but- it is fun and no need to drive)- we see one of the shows, my favorite is Wednesday at 2 pm and go out for dinner, we usually can find inexpensive hotel to stay a night (thank you, Hotwire!)
The reason I am on this forum: I wish to own more land, be more self-reliant, may be to hunt (gun laws are more liberal in NH) or to work on land, I do not want city services, like water, sewage, garbage removal and I do not want to pay for those, so that is why NH.
However, I found out that I will not have any tax advantages by moving to NH, NH property taxes alone pretty much equal to my city property tax + my state income tax. I may pay nothing in sales tax on purchases in NH, but utilities and services, like Internet access and car registration, other state fees will eat that up. By the way, it is not entirely true, about absence of income tax in NH, they tax your stocks/bonds and income from interest, if you have a bank account with money in it.
It is all relative. I think, the main problem the NH is experiencing right now is fast growth of population next to MA border, residents move from MA to avoid high taxes,congestion, traffic, but... they expect the same services they had in MA, same quality of schools, etc. Result is- you guessed it- congestion, traffic, more taxes for services these newcomers( they are voters now!) demand. I am sympathetic to long term NH residents and their views, I think like them - live free!!! Be self-reliant! If you can not survive without government , which wants to "babysit" you- move out to MA or NY or somewhere, do not spoil other people's way of life.
Another advice: make sure your wife really ready and wants to move, I have a relative, she moved to FL 12 years ago, she can not adjust to cold anymore, when she visits- she is always miserable, even in the summer evenings. Her blood is too thin now. As for me, I can not stand the heat the same way, she can not stand the cold. I am getting sick, when I have to use A/C in FL and not have fresh air, or when temperature is above 83. I love cold weather, if it is 50-60 - simply perfect.
As far as Bluegreen's remarks about you being racist for your point of view: I think, that illegal immigrants are criminals as they break the law of the land. I wonder, what bluegreen thinks of people breaking in into his/her house and settling in on his/her couch, helping themselves to food and other things as they are looking for "economic opportunities" or "hungry" or want "better living conditions" and so on... Would he/she cry out for help? And will it be considered racist's, if those people are illegal in this country?
I have the right to say those things, as I am a LEGAL immigrant, relatively recently in the USA, first thing I did- learned English and learned how to drive the car. No country in the world (and I did travel a lot) would let their borders be open like that and make states provide services to law-breakers In Mexico, you can never vote, use any public assistance and enjoy property benefits, if you are not born there
Sorry for a long post, just wanted you to see my command of English!

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by daniellefort

Well if i makes you feel any better, I have family helping us with a place to live until we get on our feet up there and get our own place. My husband is expecting a $15,000 cut in pay too moving up there so it's going to be tight compared to what we are used to but just having a life again with my family is going to be great. I'm moving next month but he has to come back until our house sells. Looking forward to moving to TN some day when i don't have to worry about my daugther being in school anymore. Also on the bright side, at least you got approved for a mortgage. there's ALOT of people out there who can't even get that far.

Isn't that something? We worked hard to get that approval. But I don't think we want to be here. Maybe we will meet up in New England. Wouldn't that be nice.

[WannaComeHome]

I have the right to say those things, as I am a LEGAL immigrant, relatively recently in the USA, first thing I did- learned English and learned how to drive the car.

Good for you, Takagi! That's part of what burns me so much about the amnesty ideas for the illegals: it's such a slap in the face to everyone who did it legally! and it's not an easy process.

And yes, you should be proud of your English, it's flawless.

[doglover6524]

Well, booker_one I've lived in New Hamshire for 26 years and am looking to leave due specifically to the cold, harsh winters! I would really do some research on our snow fall amounts and temps in the winter particularly if your wife is not fond of cold weather. The snow fall amounts in the Monadnock Region particularly are very high, making communting difficult and dangerous. However, I love the Keene area despite the weather. It has a city feel but without the violence, traffic etc. There's public transportation, all the shopping and eating you could want and plenty of great places to live. The property taxes are high to make up for the lack of sales and income tax. So, just do your research before you decide to move!

[booker_one]

i will definitely do my research on the weather before moving up. i tell you what though...it is looking better and better since i am dealing with above 90 degree temperatures here in texas already. plus, the humidity is out of control.

thanks for all the support guys on my issue with illegals. it makes me feel better knowing that most of you feel the same way and i wouldn't be moving to a place like california where they just want to open up the border.

[leggo]

I have lived my entire life within a 50 miles circumference (central NH) - and I have enough of the cold, snow, lack of sun, 4:30pm sunsets, inclement weather that locks in for DAYS straight, black flies, rock salt eating my cars, secondary roads in shambles because of winter, property taxes thru the roof, high cost of housing, remoteness of the region and the people. Winter or some semblance of winter does really last from late October until Late April.

I am moving to NW SC. Extended family can get on a plane and in 4.5 hours I will pick them up at the airport :-) NW SC really reminds me of New England with the 4 seasons - but not such dramatic weather swings.

With that said - Summer and early Fall is for the most part beautiful. We have lots of clean lakes, the ocean is nearby, clean air, picture post card foilage.

It is safe around here, education is good.

Whatever you do -- don't "talk" your wife into it - if "mama aint happy - nobody's happy".
Come for a visit ...... in the dead of winter (like you said) ...... if you like the winter and it activities then this place is for you.