anyone made the move from California to New Hampshire (Nashua: transplants, how much)

[maestramommy]

Family First, we lived in Torrance, and left for all the reasons you mentioned, including public schools. The schools in the south bay are better than average, but only in comparison to the rest of the state, which wasn't good enough for us.

Acreage is non-existent where we came from, in fact non existent anywhere in SoCal unless you want to live in Malibu or the boondocks of the desert. It was amazing to come here and see how much you get for your money. The house we bought, minus the land, would cost at least 3 times as much in SoCal. Considering we'd also have to send our kids to private school, we just couldn't stomach the price if we could find it elsewhere with much better quality of life. We were more than ready to get off the treadmill by which we were surrounded.

Some things we found ourselves giving up in return were 1) a walkable town. Bedford has very few sidewalks. 2) schools within walking distance. Things are rather spread out here. Super close for car, but not really doable on foot. However, there is busing here so we're happy about that. 3) Really good Asian food. If you've been living in CA, it doesn't matter where you go from there, you're already spoiled. If anyone can recommend a good Chinese, Japanese, or any kind of Asian restaurant in the Manchester area let me know

The other part I'm still wrapping my head around is the amount of landscaping we will have to do. This just comes with the territory of owning acreage. The previous owner didn't do much in recent months, so our front yard is pretty overgrown. Just trying to plan how we can bring it back to manageable levels is overwhelming. I've never lived in a place that was quite so "woodsy" so I'm still trying to get used to it. Other thing. The mosquitoes here are crazy. The bites itch like crazy at first, then suddenly stop. Then start itching again 24 hours later. Or maybe it's me. We went blueberry picking yesterday, and I was eaten alive from the knees down, but my little girls were totally untouched

[lisa g]

maestramommy, i don't know whether this is truth or myth, but I've heard that people who are deficient in B Vitamins are more susceptible to mosquito bites. (my neighbor and other people here have told me that because my son & I are magnets)

[newhampshiregirl]

My daughter's vacationing in southern cali right now and she called to tell me she wants to live there instead of NH because it's so hot and dry

[maestramommy]

Originally Posted by lisa g

maestramommy, i don't know whether this is truth or myth, but I've heard that people who are deficient in B Vitamins are more susceptible to mosquito bites. (my neighbor and other people here have told me that because my son & I are magnets)

Really?? I've had bloodwork done recently and nothing came up, although I don't know if something like a vitamin deficiency would show up. I'll look into it, thanks!

[Captjob]

Hi Family First,

I am with you on the desire to move to NH from California. Our move to NH is a definate, we both agree on the move and only have to wait until I am eligible for retirement, 9 more years. (For me that will be age 50)

The decision to move to NH did not come overnight and involved many hours, weeks, months on these boards in all the potential non-California states as well as continued due dilligence on our chosen state NH.

I looked at Washington, Idaho, Montana, Maine, Virginia, the Carolinas, Tennessee etc. I joined each board and began conversing with the local folks from each place over a long period of time. I travelled to Montana and Idaho as well as New Hampshire on scounting missions.

Other than the East Coast states, what I found was a VERY anti-California biased from most people living in areas where most Californians are running. The most common transitional states are Idaho, Montana, and Colorado. Irronically, those that dislike Californians the most are ex-Californians who are running from everything you decribed as disliking. They do not want their "new paradise" to turn into California so they are less that accepting of "others" taking what they believe they have found.

I also did not want to move and live where other Californians where migrating. Eventually it WILL become just like what we (Californians) all desire to get away from. Just look at Colorado!

I found New England to be everything I am looking for in a new community and environment. More specifically New Hampshire for a variety of desireable reasons. It is the exact polar opposite of anything from the West Coast. That was one of the best selling points for me. Weather, people, scenery, community, small towns with all amenities I need, great schools, etc. It is just the complete package.

I traveled to NH in May on a week long scouting mission and learned much abouth the people, communities, towns, schools, real estate etc. Once I returned, I was sure it was the place for me and my family. We are still scheduled to return in October for a week long stay and then again in January for two weeks of winter weather. (Dilligence)

Making the move from SoCal is a big one; however, it can't come soon enough for us. California is in bad shape in many areas and there is no positive change in site. If I could move sooner I would.

Good luck in your hunt.

Captjob

[Captjob]

Originally Posted by newhampshiregirl

My daughter's vacationing in southern cali right now and she called to tell me she wants to live there instead of NH because it's so hot and dry

Hey newhampshiregirl,

Give her my number. I'll make sure she comes home. It's a nice place to visit...however...yada...yada...yada..

Great place for a firefighter job though!

Captjob

[family first]

Hey Capt. What FD are you with? Thanks for the heartfelt response. My wife and I talk about moving back East often as the news just gets worse in CA. Because my bride is from Maine (Unity area), I've been exposed to New England over the years. There seems like so many positive reasons for us to go, just have to have the right opportunity job wise. Do you have any buddies back East and if so what companies do the recommend buying equipment from? Would love to get my kids hunting fishing and recreating on or near property we would buy.

[family first]

maestromommy...don't know how any native Californians can hang with the changes especially in SoCal. It drives us nuts and we are way up north near Yosemite and Tahoe. Beautiful place, but again comes with the baggage of the state. We have friends in Manchester and if we hear of good asian food we will pass it on. As far as landscaping...having woods and rolling scenery that is green more than CA. won't hurt our feelings. My wife comes from a 100 acre farm in ME. and when we go visit, getting lost in the woods beats the heck out of getting lost in CA's asphalt jungle.

[family first]

Flyer...My better half grew up in Unity on the outskirts on large acrerage. We go back and visit as often as possible. My brother in law living in Boston says the same thing about Manny...meathed and all, but the man can hit like no others. Could be worse if he went to NYY and beat up on sox pitching right???

[family first]

LG... did you guys have job transfers or just job hunt when you left CA? Or did you bag enough money on the sale of your SoCal home to retire early LOL?