Insurance, Cost of Living, Taxes, Car Inspections (sales, health insurance)

[MA_brnNrsd]

Thinking about moving to NH, was wondering if someone could provide some information about common things that would have to be considered such as Insurance, Cost of Living, Taxes, and Car Inspections etc.

Thanks for the info.

[jcabotl]

As a long-time resident of NH (over 35 years), I've come to realize that there are a lot of hidden costs that others don't see. While we are considered the "Live Free or Die" state, a lot of outside influences have changed the NH landscape over the years. The "Free" has pretty much gone out the window.

For example:

1. If you register your vehicle in another state, I've seen it run about $50. In NH, we pay 2 fees, one to the town and one to the state. The state fee is about $50. The town fee, however, is a completely different matter. I have a 2005 Chevy Avalanche. This year, my fee to the town was about $586.

2. NH pays for education with (for the most part), taxes collected off of owned properties. In my town, my taxes have nearly trippled in the last 5 years. Our town budget went from $28 Million in 2000 to $58 Million in 2007. So, on a $400,000 property, I'm paying about $8300/year.

Just make sure that if you are buying a home in NH that you have done your homework on actual costs. Escrow companies WAY underestimate the taxes you'll pay, so if you escrow as part of your mortgage payment, just be aware that, after your first tax bill arrives, your mortgage payment (including the escrow) will grow considerably.

3. Health Insurance rates have gone through the roof everywhere, but I've noticed that NH has adopted a lot of these new methodologies. Our health care costs have gone up a solid 50% for my family (I own a small business) in the past 3 years.

Hope that gives you some ideas.

J

[MA_brnNrsd]

Thanks for your input...

Is that $586 for 1 year to register your car?? I don't understand.

[daniellefort]

and what town do you live in to charge $586!!

[Yankeehombre]

Inspections on vehicles here is tough too. There can be no through-rustnot the slightest defect in the winshield. "tricked-out" 4 WD vehicles must be a specific height off the ground. Once denied for an inspection anywhere in the state, all inspection stations are tied together by computer + simply going someplace else + hoping nobody notices the defect no longer works. the$586 referred to is N.H.'s version of excise tax paid (higher on newer vehicles).It can get down as low as $50.00 on older ones

[Yankeehombre]

compares salary needed in area where you're moving to to maintain your buying power in new locale.;Cost of Living Calculator

[clairz]

Originally Posted by daniellefort

and what town do you live in to charge $586!!

That's not at all unusual. Ten years ago we bought a new Subaru and it cost us over $400 to register it in New Hampshire. Shortly after we moved to New Mexico and the same car cost $40 to register.

~clairz

[clairz]

Originally Posted by MA_brnNrsd

Thinking about moving to NH, was wondering if someone could provide some information about common things that would have to be considered such as Insurance, Cost of Living, Taxes, and Car Inspections etc.

Thanks for the info.

Whatever you do, don't forget that the cost of electricity is really high in the Northeast. Many homes are heated with oil, and you know where those prices have gone and continue to go!

New Hampshire property taxes are very high, as has been mentioned. We paid over $3000/year (and that was low for our town) in NH--no water, sewer, garbage or other services included--and now pay $1400/year in New Mexico for a much nicer house with all the above services.

We loved our years in NH but the uncertainty about the cost of fuel and rising property taxes are what finally drove us away since we couldn't see dealing with them on a fixed retirement income. That and the fact that our arthritic joints couldn't deal with the cold any more.

~clairz

[MA_brnNrsd]

I can understand the high cost of living. It was high when we were in MA. We don't like the heat down here in TN. Plus we miss the snow and our family and friends. We probably would of never made the move if it wasn't for his company moving down here and paying for our moving expenses. So we are really wanting to move back up the New England, and we are both aware of the cost of living in higher. We are just trying to get an idea of how much...

[seamusnh]

I moved from MA to NH 12 years ago. My car insurance was 50% less in NH. Home insurance was about equal. Sure, propery tax is higher here, but there is no sales tax (buy a $20,000 car in MA and pay $1,000 to the state), no capital gain tax and no income tax. I can send my kids to the public schools which helps in saving for college; many of my friends and relatives in MA send their kids to private schools (usually junior high and high school) at $10k/year or more per kid.

The only caveat is that if you live in NH and work in MA, you still pay MA state income taxes. You can pro-rate the days you are in MA if you travel or work from home...