Our July trip (Derry, Londonderry, Keene: rent, how much, house)

[nanciegord]

We're going to be visiting NH for two weeks in July, trying to find the right place to live. We will be visiting the Hanover area, Londonderry/Derry area, Keene/Peterborough area and Laconia area. We are three generations, all moving to be close to part of our family that needs support at this time. I have visited NH about 7 or 8 times, and love it. Two of our three families now live in FL and are very excited about NH. I grew up in Mass and my husband was an air force kid and lived in NY, England and Norway, so we aren't foreign to cold weather.
I think Hanover is too expensive for all of us. Can anyone suggest outskirt towns that are more easy on the budget but still great? Family oriented, great schools. I know that great schools go hand in hand with higher prices. . . but would appreciate your input. Also, any info about any of the other places we're planning to visit would be so appreciated. We're going into this blind, but our hearts know that this is the right thing to do. We kinda older folks are in our early 50's, and the rest are in their late 20's and early 30's, with two grandbabies.
Also, I know this forum is taken up with people like me who are grasping for information because they want to move to your state. I really appreciate all the people who post, trying to help people like me out, and thank you for it. I will gladly help out anyone of you who wants to move to Florida. . . however, why would you want that??
Nancie

[DareToDream]

Originally Posted by nanciegord

We're going to be visiting NH for two weeks in July, trying to find the right place to live. We will be visiting the Hanover area, Londonderry/Derry area, Keene/Peterborough area and Laconia area. We are three generations, all moving to be close to part of our family that needs support at this time. I have visited NH about 7 or 8 times, and love it. Two of our three families now live in FL and are very excited about NH. I grew up in Mass and my husband was an air force kid and lived in NY, England and Norway, so we aren't foreign to cold weather.
I think Hanover is too expensive for all of us. Can anyone suggest outskirt towns that are more easy on the budget but still great? Family oriented, great schools. I know that great schools go hand in hand with higher prices. . . but would appreciate your input. Also, any info about any of the other places we're planning to visit would be so appreciated. We're going into this blind, but our hearts know that this is the right thing to do. We kinda older folks are in our early 50's, and the rest are in their late 20's and early 30's, with two grandbabies.
Also, I know this forum is taken up with people like me who are grasping for information because they want to move to your state. I really appreciate all the people who post, trying to help people like me out, and thank you for it. I will gladly help out anyone of you who wants to move to Florida. . . however, why would you want that??
Nancie

Welcome Nancie - I don't know anything about the area you'll be looking at, but my husband and I are also in our 50's and found our move, 2 years ago, to be the best thing we could have done

There are others here who will be able to tell you more about the areas you'll be looking at - we're further north, in Littleton.

[WannaComeHome]

Originally Posted by nanciegord

I grew up in Mass and my husband was an air force kid and lived in NY, England and Norway, so we aren't foreign to cold weather.

Ok, I don't feel so nervous now about Keene!

Surrounding Hanover are Lebanon, Enfield, Canaan, Dorchester, & Lyme. And of course there's also VT just across the river.

[nanciegord]

Thanks~ we are really excited about exploring New Hampshire more. It's funny, because even though I was born in Mass and lived there until I was a teenager, I never would have thought I'd be back to New England. My daughter and her husband swear this is the place we all need to be. I have visited her many times, and I agree. Unlike most Floridians, my husband and I crave cold weather and the four seasons. I love reading the posts from everyone and hope they continue.
Thanks,
Nancie

[CometVoyager]

Originally Posted by nanciegord

We're going to be visiting NH for two weeks in July, trying to find the right place to live. We will be visiting the Hanover area, Londonderry/Derry area, Keene/Peterborough area and Laconia area. We are three generations, all moving to be close to part of our family that needs support at this time. I have visited NH about 7 or 8 times, and love it. Two of our three families now live in FL and are very excited about NH. I grew up in Mass and my husband was an air force kid and lived in NY, England and Norway, so we aren't foreign to cold weather.
I think Hanover is too expensive for all of us. Can anyone suggest outskirt towns that are more easy on the budget but still great? Family oriented, great schools. I know that great schools go hand in hand with higher prices. . . but would appreciate your input. Also, any info about any of the other places we're planning to visit would be so appreciated. We're going into this blind, but our hearts know that this is the right thing to do. We kinda older folks are in our early 50's, and the rest are in their late 20's and early 30's, with two grandbabies.
Also, I know this forum is taken up with people like me who are grasping for information because they want to move to your state. I really appreciate all the people who post, trying to help people like me out, and thank you for it. I will gladly help out anyone of you who wants to move to Florida. . . however, why would you want that??
Nancie

Hi Nancie! One very scenic area of NH is near Mt Sunapee and Lake Sunapee. The town is Newbury and it appears to be very affordable compared to Southern NH, however you may want to as Valerie who is a Realtor on the New Hampshire Board. She is known as ValerieC and she is very ethical I think.

Good Luck to you and your family!

[miakelly]

It really depends on how rural you want to be. Hanover is definitely beautiful, but I personally feel it is a little remote.

Londonderry is very nice and has some beautiful areas, excellent schools and is also very close to all the convenience type things/amenities. Derry has some good and bad areas.....wouldn't be my first choice (no offense to anyone)

Keene and Peterborough are very beautiful, but again, somewhat remote. You will be pretty far away from the nearest 'city' type atmosphere.

I have lived here all my life and am probably moving to Florida soon, depending upon my husband's job. I do love NH and think it is absolutely beautiful, but I just cannot take another winter, especially with little kids.

Out of all the places you mentioned, I would choose Londonderry hands down, for all the reasons I mentioned above and especially, because it is close to everything.

I am in my 30's and have 2 little kids. I am also a stay-at-home Mom who gets cabin fever! So I try to get out of the house with my kids often, therefore it is important for me to be close to things. If that isn't important for you, then also explore the Hanover and Peterborough area.

You may also want to consider Bedford. Close to everything, great schools, lovely town.

If you can explain further what is factors you are looking for, I can help more. Good luck!

[WannaComeHome]

Originally Posted by nanciegord

It's funny, because even though I was born in Mass and lived there until I was a teenager, I never would have thought I'd be back to New England.

lol, oh I know how you feel! when I was in High School, I couldn't wait for an opportunity to get the heck out of there! I was so bored, and tired of winter. who'd have thought how much I want to return! Luckily my mid-atlantic hubby is also in love with the state and prefers it to his home state of Delaware. I guess I'll just have to get resigned about winter (mind you, when the wind blows down here and the ice storms come, it's just as bad!).

[vsaksena]

Originally Posted by nanciegord

We're going to be visiting NH for two weeks in July, trying to find the right place to live. We will be visiting the Hanover area, Londonderry/Derry area, Keene/Peterborough area and Laconia area. We are three generations, all moving to be close to part of our family that needs support at this time.
Nancie

Hey Nancie,
we live around Keene (Surry; btw lived in Keene for the last 5 yrs before we bought a house in Surry) & its been awesome; yeah need to hit Boston, when my wife wants a really nice shopping experience or if we want to catch a play & so forth, apart frm that Keene is pretty self-sufficient (we are a couple in our 30s; if tht gives you a measure)
Pls let us know if you have questions
V

[nanciegord]

Great info - thanks. It's good to hear continued support for Keene. Also, we will definitely check out Londonderry, as I've never heard anything but raves about it. Maybe Bedford, too. I don't think being away from a "city" would be a problem for me at all ~ we understand we would have to travel for most shopping, plays, concerts, etc. We will take everyone's advice and rent for awhile, first, though.
Again, thanks for all your input. It makes a huge task a little easier.
Nancie

[Valerie C]

Londonderry and Bedford are nice towns, convenient to important things like hospitals, jobs, shopping, etc. I think you may have posted here before about your family's plans--IMO it's such a good thing to hear about, all of you moving here to help the family member who needs support.

You could also check out the seacoast area as well. Some of the smaller towns along Rte 101 have good-to-great schools, plenty to do (lakes, etc. that are not overcrowded, trails) and again, the hospitals and jobs that may be necessary....)

This NH board as you've seen will help in any way possible, myself included. Although I know next to nothing about the Keene or Hanover area (other than our band kids in Londonderry are going up to Claremont for a performance in a couple of weeks) I enjoy hearing about those areas as well and one of these days will get out to see what I'm missing there...