Good school districts in NH (Derry, Londonderry: renting, house, buy)

[mrswiz]

My husband and I had planned on moving to Maine, but unfortunately, it fell through just as we were preparing to put our house on the market here and buy one there. Despite the setback and disappointment, we are still determined that it's time to leave South Florida and head north.

He's hoping maybe there are better job opportunities in the Boston area, but we are thinking we'd rather live in New Hampshire. With that in mind, I'd really appreciate any help in finding good school districts in NH that would be about an hour or so from the greater Boston area. We have two young children, so schools really will determine where we end up.

Thanks for any help!

[AngelaK]

Originally Posted by mrswiz

My husband and I had planned on moving to Maine, but unfortunately, it fell through just as we were preparing to put our house on the market here and buy one there. Despite the setback and disappointment, we are still determined that it's time to leave South Florida and head north.

He's hoping maybe there are better job opportunities in the Boston area, but we are thinking we'd rather live in New Hampshire. With that in mind, I'd really appreciate any help in finding good school districts in NH that would be about an hour or so from the greater Boston area. We have two young children, so schools really will determine where we end up.

Thanks for any help!

Hi there........welcome to the forum. We have discussed this topic many times on this forum previously....so if you search for "schools", or something like that, I am sure you will find many of our threads about this topic. If you have questions, please feel free to DM me. Good luck.

[NH2NCMom]

Originally Posted by mrswiz

My husband and I had planned on moving to Maine, but unfortunately, it fell through just as we were preparing to put our house on the market here and buy one there. Despite the setback and disappointment, we are still determined that it's time to leave South Florida and head north.

He's hoping maybe there are better job opportunities in the Boston area, but we are thinking we'd rather live in New Hampshire. With that in mind, I'd really appreciate any help in finding good school districts in NH that would be about an hour or so from the greater Boston area. We have two young children, so schools really will determine where we end up.

Thanks for any help!

Look at Exeter - that would be a good one to search the forums on - Exeter schools.

[Valerie C]

MrsWiz, the school districts that come up for discussion the most often are the Hollis district, also Londonderry, Souhegan (Amherst), Oyster River (Lee/Durham/Madbury) Bedford and Exeter. Most if not all of these would be within commute distance to Boston (maybe not comfortable, but doable) Also, as Angela suggested, do a search of City Data, you'll find these districts discussed over and over again Happy Hunting!!

[bignhfamily]

Simonds Elementary School in Warner was chosen as the #1 in the state this year.

[BF66389]

We don't even have kids and Hollis has impressed me. Driving by after school there are always tons of kids outside (sports) and there parents there to support them- always a good sign. Taxes and property values are high, but you have to give some to get some. I also average about 1 mile per minute on my commute into Bedford, MA- so that's not bad at all (60mph).

[Valerie C]

Just a quickie note to mrswiz... If you haven't previously lived in an area that has an extended winter season, you might consider renting for a full year to be sure that you're able to take it. A former member made the move from FL to NH thinking that they would love it, and as it turned out, by the 3rd or 4th snowstorm, it became a miserable experience, and she & her DH returned to FL. Just some food for thought...

[COUNTRYGIRL65]

Avoid Chester, NH. They are once again a School In Need of Change every year since 2003. Administration has been in flux for 12 years. Teaching staff turns over regularly. It is certainly a safe place to learn. They have extra curricular activities. But there is no support where there are 2 full time working parents for childcare. They all have their hearts in the right place, but there is constant change in the curriculum and how they approach the actual teaching. Derry and Exeter and Londonderry are good school systems but taxes are quite high. Brentwood is nice too. I have also heard good things about Hollis. GreatSchools.net has some good information and the NECAP scores you can review for the grade level that interests you. There are a lot of private Christian schools in the area that are all good as well. Good luck!

[NH2NCMom]

Originally Posted by Valerie C

Just a quickie note to mrswiz... If you haven't previously lived in an area that has an extended winter season, you might consider renting for a full year to be sure that you're able to take it. A former member made the move from FL to NH thinking that they would love it, and as it turned out, by the 3rd or 4th snowstorm, it became a miserable experience, and she & her DH returned to FL. Just some food for thought...

Oh yes soooooooooooo true - she still haunts me LOL (I know off-topic and she's no longer a member).

Good luck to the OP - I think NH is a great state, and on your way from FL to NH, stop in NC and pick me up

[lisa g]

I'll put in my .2c and recommend Hollis if you're considering public schools.
there are sports and other activities/opportunities for kids a-plenty in Hollis as well as parent support