Need help moving to New Hampshire (Manchester, Nashua: rental, new house, school)

[tootiecute]

My husband and i are moving to new hampshire..... we are from NC. We are being moved here with the military. We really know nothing about the area at all. The cities we could possibly go are Conway, Keene, Laconia, Nashua, Concord, or Derry. For the line of work he will be doing we would prefer to be in a decent sized town with very accepting kind people. We have read a lot more negative things about manchester and nashua than anywhere else but we have also heard that if you get into norhern New Hampshire people can be "snoody" for lack of a better word. This doesnt bother me at all but it would not be good for his work. Any advice about people, way of life, scenery etc. would be greatly appreciated!!!

[Verseau]

To be honest, I've never heard New Hampshirites described as "snooty," especially up north. We may be more reserved than people in other parts of the country, but I think most people here are pretty down-to-earth.

Most of the towns you mentioned are large by NH standards; here's how they rank in terms of population:

1. Nashua (86,605)
2. Concord (40,687)
3. Derry (22,661)
4. Keene (22,563)
5. Laconia (16,441)
6. Conway (1,692)

In terms of scenery, Conway can't be beat with the White Mountains right next door, although it sounds like it might be too small for you. The scenery around Keene is also very nice, as is the scenery around Laconia (notably all the lakes). Concord, Derry, and Nashua are all located in the Merrimack Valley, so they're a bit flatter, but I wouldn't say the scenery is unattractive or anything.

Nashua and Derry are located in a denser, more suburban area of the state along the southern border. Keene is closer to the Vermont border and a bit more isolated in a rural area. Concord is kind of the gateway between the more populous southern portion of the state and the more rural central and northern areas, but has a distinctively "urban" small city feel. Laconia is the largest town in the Lakes Region, and as such provides access to a lot of outdoor activities and so forth.

I think we'll need a lot more information about your personal preferences to make a recommendation, although personally I would probably choose between Keene, Concord, and Laconia.

[debbiej63]

We have read a lot more negative things about manchester and nashua than anywhere else but we have also heard that if you get into norhern New Hampshire people can be "snoody" for lack of a better word.

I am currently renting a house in northern Manchester, and it's a nice area. Just moving to the state myself, I haven't found anyone whom I would call "snooty". They won't be knocking on your door introducing theirselves, but if you are in your yard, most walk over to say hi. Everyone I have met have been polite and very nice. They have also been very helpful when you ask questions whether in a store, people on the street, or even on this board. As with all large towns such as Nashua or Manchester, there are usually a few areas you may not want to live in, but that doesn't mean the whole town is bad.

[Colebrook]

That's the first time I've heard of anybody in northern NH being called "snooty". It's just the opposite IMO. We are all in the same boat, we help our neighbors and they help us. Snooty does not even come into the equation.

[whoppr]

Ive lived in NH for many years, almost exclusively in Southern NH. I am certainly biased, but feel living here offers the best of many worlds. The mountains and ocean are very close by, there is a good mix of small cities as well as very rural towns. You are very close to Boston especially if you live in southern NH and even NY. It really all depends what you are looking for.

That said, here is my very humble opinion for someone moving into the area. Your occupation might dictate where might be best to live however I think if you decide to start in the triangle of Concord to Nashua to Salem, this area offers many job types as well as community types. There are many rural areas outside these small cities and will help you get a feel for NH life and where you might want to settle. The Conway area is very much driven by tourism as is much of NH, however, the southern NH area is a little more buffered from it due to high tech, medicine and other such jobs in MA. If you do check out Conway, it is absolutely beautiful and I have spent a lot of time up there hiking.

I personally live in the Nashua area and would say one of my favorite areas of the state is Portsmouth. Its not on your list and would highly recommend your consideration if you havent already. It has a large military history although it has been reduced the last few years due to many of the national base closures.

Hope this helps.

[debbiej63]

Everytime I see the title of this thread, I get the impression of asking people to physically help you move. You know, drag those heavy boxes from truck up those dang steps, lug that furniture around, all while being paid in beer during the process.

[Valerie C]

Too funny debbiej63--I now have the most wonderful impression of our CD regulars getting together, sleeves rolled up, hoisting boxes and furniture around, getting sloshed on beer, and dinging up the walls as the day goes on and on and on... Of course since few of us know what the others look like, there are some very funny impressions (country, for example, had a face that is always smiling, and changes from pink to green to yellow to blue and back again!) LOL!

Originally Posted by debbiej63

Everytime I see the title of this thread, I get the impression of asking people to physically help you move. You know, drag those heavy boxes from truck up those dang steps, lug that furniture around, all while being paid in beer during the process.

[Captjob]

Originally Posted by debbiej63

Everytime I see the title of this thread, I get the impression of asking people to physically help you move. You know, drag those heavy boxes from truck up those dang steps, lug that furniture around, all while being paid in beer during the process.

Hi Debbie,

When I move up there, I will provide the beer of your choice and as much pizza as you can handle. Another way to start off with good friends in a new area.

Captjob

[debbiej63]

Originally Posted by Captjob

Hi Debbie,

When I move up there, I will provide the beer of your choice and as much pizza as you can handle. Another way to start off with good friends in a new area.

Captjob

When we move out of our rental into our new house in Sept, I expect you all to be lining up jumping at the chance to lug my furniture around.

My son prefers Papa Johns, but I'll spring for the pizza of your choice and I'll even throw in some wings if you like. However, most of the beer will be held back until AFTER the breakables and heavy furniture is moved.

See Country, I'm learning to make my posts more colorful, but none willl ever match your creativity.

[seamusnh]

To help tootie cutie, we need more information:
- Is access to a big city important? Not for commuting, but for day trips, nights out, etc. Boston is 35 miles or so from Salem NH and 50 from the Nashua or Portsmouth area.
- Any kids? Is the school system important?
- Like the ocean? Go towards Hampton and Portsmouth.

I live near Nashua and there are many really nice towns around Nashua to raise a family...

BTW, NH has the highest per capita retired military in the country....