Manchester's an option! Your thoughts.. (Salem, Londonderry: allergies, income, property taxes)

[desertrat14]

We're with UPS and placing bids OUT of our current location we don't like ( Louisville metro area ) due to wet winters ( snow's ok ), bad air/ allergies and in general it's pretty behind other areas of the country in many aspects. Hubby's from Maine. I'm a desert girl but well traveled. We LOVE Salem and Boston. We can bid into Manchester. How close can we be to Salem and him still commute reasonably to Manchester's airport? Any areas better than others? Good or bad... share! Thx!

[NH2NCMom]

Originally Posted by desertrat14

We're with UPS and placing bids OUT of our current location we don't like ( Louisville metro area ) due to wet winters ( snow's ok ), bad air/ allergies and in general it's pretty behind other areas of the country in many aspects. Hubby's from Maine. I'm a desert girl but well traveled. We LOVE Salem and Boston. We can bid into Manchester. How close can we be to Salem and him still commute reasonably to Manchester's airport? Any areas better than others? Good or bad... share! Thx!

Salem to Manchester is only 30 minutes tops so I don't know what a reasonable commute is for you - if 30 minutes is too much then I'd suggest living in Manchester or a community surrounding it (Goffstown or Hooksett). I think most people would love NH and much better than down south here - where it is humid and bad allergies (yes I agree).

[Brave Stranger]

Move up to Londonderry, sort of the same demographics as Salem, and it's about 15 minutes to Manchester.

[desertrat14]

So helpful thank you! Up to a 40 min commute is normal for us. We've an Aunt that just passed in Woburn and previous visits had me melting over the Salem & Boston areas! I'm an enormous history buff as well!

[NH2NCMom]

Originally Posted by desertrat14

So helpful thank you! Up to a 40 min commute is normal for us. We've an Aunt that just passed in Woburn and previous visits had me melting over the Salem & Boston areas! I'm an enormous history buff as well!

Oh let me verify did you mean Salem NH or Salem MA? I just presumed you meant Salem NH

[buck naked]

Salem MA is at least an hour from the Manchester Airport - maybe Logan would be closer.

[desertrat14]

Sorry, should've clarified Salem, MA. Although I'm assuming there's a nice town between Salem, MA. and Manchester that'd still equate to half an hour either direction? If we move there I'll be readily identifiable. Look for the shivering blonde clutching a snow covered cactus. But it'll be a cheerful teeth chatter.

[Valerie C]

Yeah, Salem MA to Manchester NH would be somewhat of a nightmare, especially in winter months. Halfway to both would put you in the Andover/North Andover MA area, nice towns, plenty of amenities, etc.

I just don't think there's a place in NH that would put you 1/2 hour from each, but if you stick to the coast, you'll have easy access to both north/sough Rte 95 (to get to Salem) and east/west Rte 101 (to get to Manchester). The problem with that is that prices go up when you're looking at the coast (maybe that's a concern, maybe not). Consider Hampton NH, Newburyport, MA, Amesbury, MA (maps.google.com for timing information) Did you ask this question in the Mass forum as well? Someone there may have other ideas for you

[thebig0]

Keep in mind that if you work in new hampshire and live in mass, you will have to pay mass income tax. New Hampshire does not have a state income tax. The property taxes in new hampshrie are generally higher than mass but the property prices in new hampshire are less.

If you are looking for a city with a nice downtown in new hampshire, that is commutable to manchester airport you might want to consider exeter or concord for a slightly larger city. Portsmouth may also be an option but the commute would be closer to an hour.

[desertrat14]

Thanx guys! We actually drove through Portsmouth ( via 1 ) when we stopped at a Walmart for a trailor hitch this month. We came down from ME to MA ( funeral ). It was 10pm but hoooooboy it looked charming and attractive! We rather expected coastal areas to be more expensive... we're okay with that. We live in IN right now and work in KY so we get nailed on taxes doublely * grrrrr * Nothing against Manchester. I just don't want to exclude surrounding options and personally the closer I am to Portsmouth or Salem (MA) while still staying around a 30-40 min. commute the better. We currently own mules and need to look into the cost of property as well.