Possible relocation to Lincoln, nh (Concord, Laconia: real estate market, houses, job)

[nikkico99]

My Husband is going to Lincoln for an interview next week. I work in the hospitality industry. (I cook now but want to go into a different route) I need some information on the Lincoln area. If anyone has any advice for me and my husband that would be fantastic. I just don't know much about the area. I grew up in Washington state and I have never lived anywhere else. Please let me know.

Nikki

[newhampshiregirl]

What industry is your husband interviewing for?

I live near Lincoln. I have to be honest, it's not my cup of tea because it's very touristy, although has slow shoulder seasons in spring and late fall/early winter. That said, for a small town in northern NH, there's quite a bit of activity, great winter sports opportunities with Loon Mt. right there and Waterville Valley, Bretton Woods and Cannon nearby. Some good shopping, plus close to North Conway's and Tilton's outlet stores. School is small, cohesive and pretty good. Easy car access right off Interstate 93. I personally would prefer to live outside of Lincoln even if I was working in Lincoln.

What else do you want to know?!

[nikkico99]

I'm not exactly sure what I want to know. I guess I am just courious about the area. I won't be visiting before I move but my husband will be looking at houses in the area while he is there for an interview (he is doing an interview with a recreation company). We are looking anywhere with in about a half hour drive of lincoln. I guess it would be nice to know the job situation in the area. If there are a lot of jobs or is it pretty hit or miss?

[hennypenny]

I have to ask if you are from a small town or a city? Living in a small town is a shock to many people and takes some time to get used to. I personally have always lived in a small town (acutally considered a village) and love it. Lincoln by no means is a city. Many towns in NH depend on tourist certain times of the year but we don't live in the fast lane so to speak. Any chance you can travel with your husband to see the area as well? You have to experience New England rural life to understand it. Wish I had more room in my home and I'd welcome you to my neck of the woods!

[newhampshiregirl]

The economy has softened in the area. The real estate market is down considerably, which has created a good market for home buyers, but not necessarily good for the tourist/second homeowner industry (shopping, dining, recreating, etc.). Tourism seems to be doing well so far this summer despite the doom & gloom the media spin puts on gas, travel, vacations, etc. But I've heard that some restaurants and retail are seeing a downturn in business because people aren't eating out or shopping as much while on vacation.

I don't know where you live or what you get paid, but I've heard that the pay around these parts can be less than what one might be used to in other parts of the country - even other parts of NH.

I try and remain upbeat and ignore the mainstream media, but the reality is there's a level of uncertainty regarding the future of our region since we depend so heavily on tourism AND we're in a cold weather environment. People are very nervous about the cost of heating their homes this winter. Firewood is nearly non-existent (you can find small quantities and it ain't cheap), but for those of us that only heat with wood and buy by the truckload, we're a wee bit concerned.

Enough with the depressing economic issues. If I were you, I'd look for a home in the Thornton or Woodstock areas. Do you have children? Thornton school is very good. So are Plymouth and Holderness.

[Verseau]

As has been mentioned, Lincoln is a small town but it does have a lot of activity considering its size, thanks to summer vacationers, leaf-peepers in the fall, and skiers in the winter. It's a bit touristy, although the adjacent town of Woodstock is more of a 'classic' New England small town.

The area around Lincoln is very beautiful, although it's also fairly isolated. There aren't any significantly large towns or cities within a half hour drive. It might be a good idea to look at towns south of Lincoln along I-93, like Plymouth, Ashland, and New Hampton, which are 20-30 minutes from Lincoln. These towns would provide you easier access to the larger towns to the south, such as Meredith, Tilton, Laconia, and Concord, where you would have a higher chance of finding a job.

I'm no expert on the job market at the moment, but I think if you're in hospitality, you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a job, since tourism comprises a large portion of our economy, especially in the Lakes Region and White Mountains.

[gradRun]

Hello, I moved from Lincoln from Brookly, NY last year and it's definitely been a change of pace. Like everyone said before, it's a very small town that can get quite busy over the Summer and during ski season. So there can be a lot of people around at times, but the downside is that most of those people are on their vacation and act that way.

I'd recommend checking out Plymouth. It's a bigger town, has a college, pretty little main street with a good dentist practice and a regional hospital. It's about a 20-30 min commute to Lincoln and we've done it in all weather with out any worries. Like Verseau said, be closer to Tilton, Lanconia in the lakes region, and Concord further south. you'de

I don't know if you're interested in looking above Franconia Notch as the weather can get quite bad in the winer, but Bethlehem is a pretty town and Sugar hill is a nice area.