Claremont, NH? (Keene, Lebanon, Hanover: house prices, school district, college)

[GypsySoul22]

I've been shopping in Claremont a few times. It has a nice Superwalmart (cheaper than food in the Leb/Hanover area). We drove about 40 minutes to get there but it was worth it.

There are depressing looking places in 'downtown' Claremont (think any old downtown place)...But there are also some nice looking houses and I know the real estate market is cheaper than here.

I'd consider moving if I got a job there but I don't know how good the schools are and I do not want to move my son right now.

[mmwm]

Thank you, GypsySoul22. Your description pretty much accords with what I am hearing from others here and elsewhere.

[CL-NH]

Originally Posted by mmwm

Thank you! How kind of you to offer to do this. I want to get up there soon, too, but the forecast is for rain all next week and I prefer to spend time walking around a town (and not getting soaking wet!). I look forward to your report :-)

mmwm - Did you not see my post? I live in CLaremont and have for the past 3 years. I used to live in the Upper Valley, (Lebanon, Hanover, Enfield area)

If you have any questions, you can private message me or email me at drksyde@gmail.com

[mmwm]

Originally Posted by CL-NH

mmwm - Did you not see my post? I live in CLaremont and have for the past 3 years. I used to live in the Upper Valley, (Lebanon, Hanover, Enfield area)

If you have any questions, you can private message me or email me at drksyde@gmail.com

Yes, I saw your post, CL-NH, and I appreciate it (I rated it positively!) I'm just looking for a wide variety of opinions and perceptions. My husband visited Claremont earlier this week and drove around some neighbourhoods suggested by our buyer's broker, so I have his brief experience of the town, too. (He said it's like Bideford or Lewiston in Maine.) Right now, I'm just collecting information from all sources. Thanks, everyone.

[GregW]

mmwm -
If your hubby drove around the town he has more info than I can provide. We were running late because we drove to Claremont via Milford, Hancock, Alstead and Charlestown from Londonderry. We entered Claremont from the south and that area looked fairly well kept but with a LOT of houses for sale. Claremont is definitely a “bring your own job” kind of place.

[mmwm]

Thanks, Greg, for giving it a look. The job is at Dartmouth, so at least that's taken care of. ('Bring your own job' is pretty much the watchword here in Maine, too -- maybe it's getting to be so everywhere now.) I just need to get over there myself, I think, to check out the viability (for me) of walking around town, of coffee shops and other 'third place' hangouts, etc. But the rain in the forecast is never ending!

Maybe that's also a question for CL-NH. Are there many 'third places' in Claremont, public places where you can work on your laptop or meet friends or read the paper for an hour or two without spending more than the cost of a coffee?

[CL-NH]

Originally Posted by mmwm

Thanks, Greg, for giving it a look. The job is at Dartmouth, so at least that's taken care of. ('Bring your own job' is pretty much the watchword here in Maine, too -- maybe it's getting to be so everywhere now.) I just need to get over there myself, I think, to check out the viability (for me) of walking around town, of coffee shops and other 'third place' hangouts, etc. But the rain in the forecast is never ending!

Maybe that's also a question for CL-NH. Are there many 'third places' in Claremont, public places where you can work on your laptop or meet friends or read the paper for an hour or two without spending more than the cost of a coffee?

Green Acres right on the Opera House Square is a very nice place to sit and enjoy your favorite beverage whether it is coffee or even wine.

Exceptional customer service. Comfortable atmosphere. I am almost 100% positive they have free WiFi.

[GraniteStater]

It's good to hear Claremont making solid economic development strides.

[Lincolnian]

I drive through Claremont frequently. I also shop there making the trip to Claremont from the Lake Sunapee area. A friend of mine is involved in law enforcement in Claremont. The area isn't bad. It is what it is, a small city/large town made up largely of many hard working people. Job opportunities are limited to what is offered in Claremont unless you are someone who works from home and your location is not a factor.

Newport is another small city/large town located 10 to 15 away. IMHO Claremont is doing better than Newport.

As far as the schools go you will find less than average performance of any school district that has large numbers of people unemployed and living below the poverty line. These areas tend to have higher percentages of parents who have substance abuse problems. Substance abuse has negative effects on parenting which has negative effects on a child's academic achievement. No surprise.

As Claremont improves and it results in an improvement in the quality of life of its residents, especially employment, the success of the school system will continue to improve. Claremont appears to be moving in the right direction.

If one prefers not to wait it out they can pick one of the many smaller communities within 20 to 30 minutes of Claremont and find statistics that show higher academic achievement, lower crime, less poverty, etc.

Schools would be a priority for my family since we have young children and I am a teacher. That being said, a community's schools are not the only factor I would use when deciding where to live. It certainly wouldn't be prudent to move somewhere for the schools and put the family in a financial bind that required the parents to work more and spend less time raising their children.

[Sporin]

Bear in mind that Claremont is a solid 40 minutes each way from Dartmouth, and that's in good weather. In the winter, that's easily and hour each way.

Just something to think about.