Information on Claremont, NH (Lebanon, Hanover: rentals, condos, buying a home)

[GypsySoul22]

Good/bad/indifferent--

Why is it so much cheaper than other areas like the Upper Valley?

[GraniteStater]

The economy there is not really booming, and the equalized tax rate in Claremont is nearly the highest of any town in the state.

[buck naked]

thank you plains - that's another town we looked at when we were moving...


very high property taxes. I would not consider them cheaper. Where are you comparing it too?

and what are you comparing?

[GypsySoul22]

Thanks for the replies.

The houses are a damn site cheaper than where I live in the Upper Valley. I have had 2 people at work give me mixed messages--one says it's a great place to live, the other says it's like a lower (!) Lebanon...

Lebanon is spotty I my opinion. (like most places).

We don't see much of a future owning a home here unless we move further away from the 'Triangle".

[DareToDream]

Hi Gypsy - Are you thinking of Claremont because of where you and/or your husband work? If so, where are you and/or he employed - there may be other towns that would be a good fit for you in the vicinity that others may recommend...maybe? People on this forum are very good at giving info on various areas.....good luck in your search!

[GypsySoul22]

We live in the Upper Valley, in VT, near Lebanon, NH but in a tourist trap (and pay dearly for it).
It's depressing. My husband works at Alice Peck Day. I work in our village for now but would be interested in working in NH (better pay).

Claremont is 45 minutes or more south of us but someone at my job mentioned it would be a good place to start out.

[CindyBQuilts]

Claremont used to be a mill town, and went through the pains of having those mills shut down - just like Springfield, VT. However, I think they are doing better than Spfld, and have worked to diversify their industries.

I think the way Claremont is going is more towards being a bedroom community for Lebanon/Hanover area...

My family has lived in the Upper Valley for years - more like centuries - and that's where I grew up...

Property taxes are high all over VT and NH, so you won't get away from that in Claremont. The property values just haven't caught up to the upper Upper Valley...

Claremont is usually about 30 minutes from Lebanon/West Lebanon, depending on: a) weather, b) time of year (don't expect to get up 12A in the fall doing record time or either 12A or 120 during Cornish Fair time!)

[GypsySoul22]

Thanks for the info, everyone.

[CL-NH]

I have lived in Claremont for two years now. I am a home owner in the Maple Avenue area of town. Its a middle class income area with little narrow side streets filled with 1 1/2 story capes all built in the 50's.

I originally hailed from a small town in Central VT about 30 minutes outside Lebanon, NH. I migrated to the Upper Valley after school and work in the Upper Valley.

After meeting my current significant other (she lived in Claremont) she convinced me to move in with her there and then later we decided to buy our current house in Claremont.

This decision came after much research on my part with what the city's plans were for the future, school district, community happenings and future development.

True, Claremont's taxes are high now, but if you read a history of the city you will understand why. The city went through 30 years of municipal mismanagement. The town father's bled the treasury dry. Back taxes were owed and never collected on... etc. etc. It was a mess. Claremont has gone through a management restructuring in the last 10 years and seems to have a very solid idea of the future.

Trust me... I was not keen on the idea of buying a home in Claremont, but I saw the potential for it to rival its northern neighbor Lebanon with solid growth plans and a better area to develop. Route 103 is the main artery from I91 to I89 and this twon has serious potential.

People all over complain about their taxes, then they complain about rotten infrastructure and poor programs, business development, etc. Guess what folks? Wanna tuen your town into a desirable mini metropolis booming with business and a steady micro economy like the Upper Valley? You need a sound base to start from. You need to re-invest.

The town Management is doing a good job in the transparency of the city's budget. The corruption seems to be at a minimum and the community appears to be trying to get more and more involved instead of just complaining.

Like any area (including the Upper Valley) it has its sore spots where lower income rentals are in abundance, what the vast majority of society would consider to be miscreants are minimal.

The parks in the town are great. Even in the UV there are not nearly as many recreational areas to use and the ones in Claremont are all beautiful. Moody Park is expansive, Barnes park has a great baseball field and basketball courts that are lit at night. Monadnock park has the highschools football field as well as a state of the art track, batting cages, lights, and 4 playing fields. There is also a brand new skate park for the kids. Arrowhead mountain, that has skiing, snowboarding, Tubing, and summer programs. There is Veterans Park with another lit baseball diamond and the town pool which hosts the state swim meet finals every year. There is all the Zotto Gym and the brand new state of the art Community center being built in two years.

The Sugar River Mills are almost completely renovated with amazing condos and commercial office space. The newest COmmon Man inn and Restaurant and a new parking garage. Sophie and Zeke's has delicious food and a great atmosphere.

This town is going in the right direction folks.

Give Claremont a shot... you will be Pleasantly Surprised!

[CindyBQuilts]

To everyone, and CL: We're here in the UV visiting, and I took a trip down to Claremont.... yes, there are empty stores (much like a lot of the country right now), but the long-standing stores are still there, and it looks like they are building a parking garage for downtown traffic - finally! It's going to be great to see what goes on in Claremont in the future - I'm excited!

('specially since Frank's is still down the road!)