Possibly relocating - help me decide where! (Concord, Laconia: fit in, sales)

[FrogInTheGlen]

I'm hoping to leave the Seattle area within the next year for somewhere in the New England/mid-Atlantic area. Right now, Plymouth is on my short list of places to consider, and I was hoping that those of you who know the area can give me some advice. Here are my questions for right now:

1. What is the overall atmosphere of Plymouth and its citizens? Would an outsider feel welcome, particularly one who's single without kids?

2. I'm a Christian, and my faith is pretty important to me. Is that kind of thing accepted? I'm not looking for a place where everyone believes the same thing I do; I appreciate all perspectives and beliefs. I just want to know that mine will be accepted, too!

3. I'm not political at all, and what views I do have are best described as moderate. How important are politics here?

4. How safe will I be walking around on my own, both in town and in any surrounding nature areas?

5. What's the transportation situation like? Would I absolutely need a car, or could I get by with walking/public transit? How easy is it to get to the nearest big city?

That should do for now...I might come up with more as I narrow things down. Also, if any of you who are familiar with the area and know of any other towns that you think might be a good fit, given what you now know about me, I'm taking suggestions. Thanks in advance!

[DareToDream]

Originally Posted by FrogInTheGlen

I'm hoping to leave the Seattle area within the next year for somewhere in the New England/mid-Atlantic area. Right now, Plymouth is on my short list of places to consider, and I was hoping that those of you who know the area can give me some advice. Here are my questions for right now:

1. What is the overall atmosphere of Plymouth and its citizens? Would an outsider feel welcome, particularly one who's single without kids?

2. I'm a Christian, and my faith is pretty important to me. Is that kind of thing accepted? I'm not looking for a place where everyone believes the same thing I do; I appreciate all perspectives and beliefs. I just want to know that mine will be accepted, too!

3. I'm not political at all, and what views I do have are best described as moderate. How important are politics here?

4. How safe will I be walking around on my own, both in town and in any surrounding nature areas?

5. What's the transportation situation like? Would I absolutely need a car, or could I get by with walking/public transit? How easy is it to get to the nearest big city?

That should do for now...I might come up with more as I narrow things down. Also, if any of you who are familiar with the area and know of any other towns that you think might be a good fit, given what you now know about me, I'm taking suggestions. Thanks in advance!

Hi FrogInTheGlen! Here are 2 links that might give you some info you're looking for:
Official Plymouth NH Chamber of Commerce - White Mountains and Lake Regions of New Hampshire and Town of Plymouth, NH

We're in Littleton, so I can't answer your questions in detail for you, but there are others who are very knowledgeable about the various areas who I'm sure will be by eventually and can answer you more specifically

[Verseau]

Hi FrogInTheGlen,

I live in Bristol, a couple of towns over from Plymouth, and I go there quite frequently. So hopefully I'm qualified to answer your questions.

Originally Posted by FrogInTheGlen

1. What is the overall atmosphere of Plymouth and its citizens? Would an outsider feel welcome, particularly one who's single without kids?

Plymouth is a primarily a college town (home to Plymouth State University), so if you're single and on the young side you could potentially fit in (unless you feel the town is too "young" for you). In the summer, when the students are gone, the town reverts back to a more typical small-town New England feel, although there is a main stretch of businesses on Route 25 which means that you can get most of your shopping done in Plymouth.

Originally Posted by FrogInTheGlen

2. I'm a Christian, and my faith is pretty important to me. Is that kind of thing accepted? I'm not looking for a place where everyone believes the same thing I do; I appreciate all perspectives and beliefs. I just want to know that mine will be accepted, too!

I don't think intolerance of religious beliefs is a problem here in NH. I've never really heard of anything like that. You might find the congregations and churches to be smaller than in other parts of the country, but I'm sure you would receive a very warm welcome.

Originally Posted by FrogInTheGlen

3. I'm not political at all, and what views I do have are best described as moderate. How important are politics here?

Most New Hampshirites would probably describe themselves as more or less moderate, with perhaps a libertarian bent. The state is pretty balanced politically. Plymouth, as a college town, tends to lean to the left politically, although not dramatically so. NH tends to get bombarded with political campaigning for the primaries, which might be annoying for a non-political person, although there are plenty of people here who couldn't give a darn about politics.

Originally Posted by FrogInTheGlen

4. How safe will I be walking around on my own, both in town and in any surrounding nature areas?

Plymouth, like most of NH, is extremely safe. You will not have to be overly worried about crime, especially when you're out in nature.

Originally Posted by FrogInTheGlen

5. What's the transportation situation like? Would I absolutely need a car, or could I get by with walking/public transit? How easy is it to get to the nearest big city?

I would really recommend a car, because I don't think that Plymouth has any public transportation. It's a fairly small town in a rural area. The downtown is definitely walkable, but if you want wider shopping options you'll have to drive. Concord, the nearest "big" city (at 40,000 people) is about 45 minutes away by car, give or take.

[buck naked]

as someone stated above - Plymouth is a college town and is famous for the loud drinking parties -

However, a place further away from the college should be fine. Some good skiing up that way.

[xraydude]

Originally Posted by FrogInTheGlen

I'm hoping to leave the Seattle area within the next year for somewhere in the New England/mid-Atlantic area. Right now, Plymouth is on my short list of places to consider, and I was hoping that those of you who know the area can give me some advice. Here are my questions for right now:

1. What is the overall atmosphere of Plymouth and its citizens? Would an outsider feel welcome, particularly one who's single without kids?

2. I'm a Christian, and my faith is pretty important to me. Is that kind of thing accepted? I'm not looking for a place where everyone believes the same thing I do; I appreciate all perspectives and beliefs. I just want to know that mine will be accepted, too!

3. I'm not political at all, and what views I do have are best described as moderate. How important are politics here?

4. How safe will I be walking around on my own, both in town and in any surrounding nature areas?

5. What's the transportation situation like? Would I absolutely need a car, or could I get by with walking/public transit? How easy is it to get to the nearest big city?

That should do for now...I might come up with more as I narrow things down. Also, if any of you who are familiar with the area and know of any other towns that you think might be a good fit, given what you now know about me, I'm taking suggestions. Thanks in advance!

Plymouth is a good little town. I think as an outsider you should be accepted just fine. it is a college town so you should be just fine as far as what you may be concerned about. But yes yo will need a car. Especially if you want to get to a larger city. If you really want bigger city access consider Laconia or Concord. Laconia is not a big city but it puts you close proximity to them. Good luck. Keep in mind although we have no income tax here or sales tax registering your car can be costly and the cost of apartments...