Tell me about Nashua NH (Merrimack, Bedford: where to stay, house, neighborhoods)

[sickofnyc99]

Can anyone tell me about Nashua NH? Home prices, schools, jobs, recreation, quality of life etc... Would it be a good place for you a young family to move?

[DareToDream]

If you click on the "search" tab above, then "advanced search", then "search by keyword (search titles only)" and type in Nashua, then "search in forums" and highlight New Hampshire and then "search now" you'll find about 60 threads regarding Nashua that might help answer some of your questions about the area

[BF66389]

Where are you coming from? A lot depends on what you are used to currently (current frame of reference). I'm going to assume NYC; therefore:

Home Prices- MUCH MUCH MUCH Lower
Schools- Good
Jobs- What Kind, How Far Will You Commute?
Recreation- Anything you could ever want is within an hour; with plenty within 5 minutes...
Quality of Life- I lived in north-western NJ (Hunderdon County) for 20 years and northern Virginia (Ashurn, Arlington) for 6; overall quality of life in Nashua and surrounding areas is much more relaxed (but not slow) and generally life feels "good". As for a comparison to NJ/Hunterdon County Specifically- it actually feels very similar in some ways- at least to the specific towns I knew.

I'm not sure what your budget limitations are but we just bought in Hollis after a year of careful research after moving up- awesome schools, awesome area, awesome town...and our house is only 5 minutes from the "anything you want" conveniences of Nashua. The down-side is higher property taxes and higher home prices; but again- NOTHING compared to NYC.

We commute to Bedford MA from Hollis...a "safe" average commute time is 45 minutes...usually faster and very rarely longer than an hour...

[sickofnyc99]

I actually live on Long Island but my husband and I both work in Manhattan and commute over an hour each way. I would love to move to a place where I could cut that commute down by at least 1/2 hour. I would need to live in close proximity to major hospitals for job opportunities. What areas are the nicest and what would a 4 bed, 2 bath home run? I bought a 3 bed, 1 bath 900 sq foot home for 390k and my property taxes are $8,600 a year . If Nashua can beat that, I might actually be packing my bags sooner than I thought. The only thing I think I'd miss is the ocean. I live 5 min for the beach and we love boating and fishing. The NH winters are also a concern. How cold does it really get and how short are the summers?

[WannaComeHome]

Hi SickofNY - welcome to the forum!

Nashua has St Joseph's hospital which is very nice. I would think Nashua could beat that cost.. Valerie is the expert. In the meantime, you can browse around on NNEREN to see what's available - and it will list the last known taxes so you can compare. Heck it will even give you the addresses so you can googlemap it and see the neighborhoods.

If you want to know how last years taxes were for any town, go to 2007 and download the pdf for 2007 (2008 doesn't seem to be ready yet). That will also give you an idea of how the property taxes can vary from town to town.

as for missing the beach... well, it's NH - there are tons of ponds and lakes where you can boat or fish. Nashua is maybe an hour or so from the Lakes region, and also from the coast (such as it is for abotu 14 miles of coastline ) . so maybe it won't be too bad. Just needs a little more planning for outings, it will make them more special

[BF66389]

I would love to move to a place where I could cut that commute down by at least 1/2 hour... I would need to live in close proximity to major hospitals for job opportunities.

There are several hospitals in Nashua and many many more within a 30-minute drive. My co-worker's wife is an RN and was employed happily very rapidly after their relocation from DC.

Not sure what your husband's line of work is but there seem to be an assortment of opportunities.

What areas are the nicest and what would a 4 bed, 2 bath home run? I bought a 3 bed, 1 bath 900 sq foot home for 390k and my property taxes are $8,600 a year . If Nashua can beat that, I might actually be packing my bags sooner than I thought.

~2600 square feet, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, well-maintained contemporary, on 4.5 acres in Hollis; we paid under $400k. Hollis taxes are high (ours are ~$8k) but you get the towns amazing schools as well. There were plenty of 4 bedroom options on the market; we just focused on the open/contemporary floorplan (and to be honest a lot of what's on the market now is "crap" since folks who have an option to sell or not seem to be waiting).

The only thing I think I'd miss is the ocean. I live 5 min for the beach and we love boating and fishing.

There are a ton of lakes/ponds and rivers in the area. We also can be in Hampton Beach (a real sand beach on the Ocean) in ~45 minutes.

The NH winters are also a concern. How cold does it really get and how short are the summers

Keeping in mind that last winter was very long/snowy compared to usual (per what others have told me- it was our first winter here); here's what I've found compared to NJ/NY:
- Colder (but more dry, so it feels about the same)
- More "white" less "grey"...(if you know what I mean)
- Spring is delayed about 2 weeks- same temp days, colder nights
- Fall is early by about 2 weeks- same temp days, colder nights

I found the winter A LOT more enjoyable than winters in DC or NJ- you NEED to learn to like the snow (ski, snowshoe, build snowmen, whatever- just don't lock yourself indoors all winter) but it can be a lot more pleasant than the grey/rainy/icy/snowy winters of further south. They are also really good at clearing the roads quickly by comparison.

I would suggest coming up for a few days, its only a few hours away (Merit Parkway to 91 to 84 to 90 to 495 to 3 is your best bet) and check the towns out. I'm sure we could put together a nice "driving" route through maybe Nashua, Hollis, Amherst, and Merrimack that would give you a good idea of what's "right here" with maybe a few suggested things to do...

Oh, and since this was VERY important to me (being from NJ)- I have found good pizza and a good Italian sub nearby. This place is also obsessed with Ice Cream- a ton of great places.

[BF66389]

One more thing- it is harder to make friends here. People are more transient in NY, NJ, and VA I've found- so therefore they are generally actively looking to meet others/expand their circle of friends. In New England in general people tend to stay put more because they like it (note: not stagnate) as a result it takes a little longer to meet people/make friends. I'm sure having kids will help A LOT though since it gives you more in common... Not a big deal, was hard at first, then we realized that things take time and all is well...

[WannaComeHome]

Originally Posted by BF66389

This place is also obsessed with Ice Cream- a ton of great places.

Dont' forget the donuts and coffee! There's a Dunkin Donuts in nearly every town!!!

[BF66389]

Being from the NYC area- I think they have us beat on the donuts/coffee front- NYC truly is the only city I've been to that never sleeps...

[sickofnyc99]

I'm definitely coming for a visit soon. Perhaps to see some Fall foliage. Any suggestions on where to stay so I can really get a feel for the area and see the Fall sights?