Opinions on New Ipswich?

[WannaComeHome]

Thanks, Watatic. that's about what I remember, too. Nice to know it hasn't changed much. My husband (who is already practicing his skinflint attitudes and looks forward to NI!) is tickled to find a place in southern NH that doesn't have a Mass feel to it and still seems 'remote'/rural. Ok, that's when the boredom kicks in - which is kinda why I went away to college. Luckily, with the web now, there's no real excuse.

We have no kids, so the school system isn't an issue. I'm hoping to maybe get involved in some of the more historic aspects, hubby can enjoy the hiking. I just wish he could retire sooner so we could move up sooner.

[Dolly Everett House]

I think Watatic is right on in his assessment of New Ipswich with the possible exception of one thing... "commutes". With urban sprawl around Boston continuing at an unabashed pace, New Ipswich is now seen as a Boston Beltway bedroom community. Many of the residents in town have one hour plus commutes to their better paying jobs inside the I-495 Boston Beltway. If you are not a residential contractor, jobs in New Ipswich can be pretty hard to find. Forget about finding something that offers anything with benefits such as health care and 401(k). They don't exist in this two-light (flashing-only) town. Enterprising teenagers and other self-motivated individuals can make a go of it on their own if they don't mind dealing with finicky Finns and other cash-strapped locals by providing residential home improvement services such as landscaping, snow-removal, and remodeling. Life without a dependable vehicle would be unbearable. There is no public transportation outside of that provided to the senior residents at the Friendship Manor and nothing is within walking distance. If you are lucky, you might be able to establish a good relationship with a neighbor that might help during those occasional times of need. Yankee reserve and aloofness is still a common practice in the Monadnock area but so is nieghhborly courtesy. For the most part , New Ipswich is a quiet, sleepy, conservative bedroom community more concerned with a tiny thing like a lighted sign at the beautifully restored 1808 house then worried about improving the condition of its schools or quality of life for its residents.

[WannaComeHome]

Hi DEH-

yes, I'm very familiar with the hoo-ha about that sign. I've been able to get back and drive around a bit (twice last weekend!). I'm so happy to see that someone is finally fixing up the Grange! Any idea who or why?

Luckily, we don't really need to worry about the job situation, since we'll be retired at that point - hubby will be mostly looking at computerish things to keep himself busy. I can'te ven imagine commuting to Boston from there!

I know who our neighbor is, but we've never met him: Gene Fafard? My late brother and a friend of his worked on his septic system recently, though. Both said he was a very nice man.

I find I'll be in an odd situation: at home with the town, but not knowing any people! Oh, btw: there are actually 3 blinking lights - although they are all on Turnpike Rd. You probably forgot the one out in Highbridge near Mascenic. Mind, you, I only really remember the one near Main Street.

I'm hoping that maybe within the next 7 years (our ETA), maybe there will be a few things that have changed - for examply a pharmacy closer than Milford would be nice!

[brightdoglover]

Friends of mine moved to NI and got a good price on three acres and a fine house. They don't have kids, so dunno about the school system. She teaches private school in Wilton, he delivers mail in Fitchburg, so it's perfectly located in-between.
I'd say that commuting to a job/finding a job would be the biggest issue. It's pretty far to be a Boston bedroom community, unless you want to leave the house at 4am for a business day job.
The area looks pretty nice when I visit. Of course, you are always in the car for whatever you want to do.
I like the little community around the pond/little lake in NI- can't remember the name of it, ah Pratt's Pond. I think there are more year-rounders there, and like any lake area, there are often modest houses that have been fixed up or can be fixed up.

[WannaComeHome]

Hi BDL-

This is great! more people familiar with NI, I love it! BTW, for those who have never been through New Ipswich and are curious.. I have made a littel bit of a town tour at <http://theoldforest.net/NewIpswich/newipswich.html> last summer.

Pratt Pond is ok, we almost bought land on the corner of Poor Farm Rd and Oak Hollow (someone beat us to it), but I think it was fate that blocked us, because on thinking more and discussing it, we really feel that road is a lot busier than we want to live on. And Cutter Rd is nearly a dead end! We did drive around Pratt Pond a bit, though. I learned to swim at a private beach area out in Bank Village - really just a wide spot on the Souhegan River, but someone made a little beach and sold $5 family summer 'memberships' (basically a key to the gate). I remember a lot of blueberries along the driveway.

Driving everywhere doesn't bother me - I've done that all my life: growing up in Hollis, you had to drive everywhere, and certainly down here in MD you do also. And for the most part we aren't interested in cities, so Boston will have little attraction to us in any case.

Mostly we'll just be looking for activities to keep us busy, rather than worrying about jobs (he'll have a nice pension). I already know many other costumers in New England (my big hobby). I just wish we could move up sooner! Can't believe we just got our house reassessed: it's the size of a townhouse (16'x40', 2 levels) on 1/4 acre - and they're trying to tell us it's worth 270k!! get real. unfortunately, that's what we'll get taxed on, and a lot more than New Ipswich will charge! Man there's got to be a way to win the lottery and move up sooner.