NH Low humidity+lower property taxes

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by steelebob

The humidity factor is really important to me! That is one reason I'm moving out of central NY. We are in the Mohawk Valley and near Lake Ontario. I don't know if somewhere that is located at a higher elevation would be the answer ---since I figure it may be more breezy more often. I still would not consider moving to the mountains of NH but there must be somewhere that would feel cooler in the summer????

The further north you go in NH the less humid the summers will be. If you are looking for a larger "small town" I would look into Littleton, Lancaster, or Bethlehem. These areas also have cooler low temperatures during summer. Properties in these three towns area also more affordable compared to most of southern NH. These towns are also not too far or near I-93. Carroll County tends to be more isolated and it's harder to get to other places in NH from that particular area.

[DareToDream]

Originally Posted by steelebob

The humidity factor is really important to me! That is one reason I'm moving out of central NY. We are in the Mohawk Valley and near Lake Ontario. I don't know if somewhere that is located at a higher elevation would be the answer ---since I figure it may be more breezy more often. I still would not consider moving to the mountains of NH but there must be somewhere that would feel cooler in the summer????

We relocated from the Mid-Hudson region of NYS in 2006 to Littleton (which I think is probably further north than where you want to be, but I figured I'd throw this in here anyway).

The difference in humidity (and the summer heat) is quite noticeable up here compared to "our" region of NYS. Our first summer and second summer here, we only ran window units of a/c 3 days total. This past summer we didn't even put them in (this summer was very rainy and cool, not much summer weather at all).

Our second summer here, we traveled south to visit relatives in southern Maine - as soon as we got to Laconia we could feel the increase in heat and humdity - on our way home, we could feel the decrease in heat and humidity as we went further north. I do not do well at all with humid weather, so I felt the increase/decrease almost immediately, as weird as that may sound.

According to the "advisor on the economic status of Littleton" - housing prices have remained stable - we've had no huge bubble that burst or is bursting. The "natives" of the area say property taxes are high, but compared to where we were in NYS, they are really quite low (I don't now how they would compare with the Mohawk Valley area). You can check housing prices and I *think* taxes on property on this site for various areas of NH: Northern New England Real Estate Network - Official Website of the Northern New England MLS .

We get colder than the areas south of us, and this past winter we had a lot of snow (but I think some areas south of us actually had more snow than we did). Neither my husband nor I are big on winter sports (although he used to ski), but we usually find things to do to keep us occupied all year round.

No matter where you decide to "land" in NH, I think you'll be happy with your decision, especially coming from NYS

[thisguyrighthere]

I dont know what youre used to as far as property taxes go but it's all relative. I moved here from CT and some of the highest taxed NH property is still low compared to CT standards.

This might be a little off-topic but I get pretty frightened when I hear people up here say we need an income tax and a sales to off-set the "high" property tax. Well, CT did just that. They gave themselves an income tax and a sales tax. Guess what happened to the property tax? It went UP. Every year each of those taxes increase as well as taxes on tobacco, alcohol and fuel. The state has been in the red ever since I can remember. I laugh when I hear of a mythical "surplus." Sure, this year there may be a surplus but how much of that will pay down the states long-term debt? None of it.

Trust me NH. Your property taxes are not as bad as some would make it seem.

Here's a novel idea. Instead of demanding your government tax you even more why not demand government stop growing? The population and its relative needs will regulate themselves and as long as government stays out of it the state wont succumb to the artificial inflation and population booms that have bankrupted states like MA and CT.

Then there's the "in CT you get all sorts of services" blah blah blah. What little I did get I did not want and spent more time and money of my own trying to fix the result of these "services" I was supposedly paying for. The only "service" I want from my government is to be left the hell alone.

Sorry for the rant but yeah, taxes are relative. What's high to one may be perceived as a fire-sale bargain to another.

[nicolem]

Originally Posted by thisguyrighthere

I dont know what youre used to as far as property taxes go but it's all relative. I moved here from CT and some of the highest taxed NH property is still low compared to CT standards.

This might be a little off-topic but I get pretty frightened when I hear people up here say we need an income tax and a sales to off-set the "high" property tax. Well, CT did just that. They gave themselves an income tax and a sales tax. Guess what happened to the property tax? It went UP. Every year each of those taxes increase as well as taxes on tobacco, alcohol and fuel. The state has been in the red ever since I can remember. I laugh when I hear of a mythical "surplus." Sure, this year there may be a surplus but how much of that will pay down the states long-term debt? None of it.

Trust me NH. Your property taxes are not as bad as some would make it seem.


Here's a novel idea. Instead of demanding your government tax you even more why not demand government stop growing? The population and its relative needs will regulate themselves and as long as government stays out of it the state wont succumb to the artificial inflation and population booms that have bankrupted states like MA and CT.

Then there's the "in CT you get all sorts of services" blah blah blah. What little I did get I did not want and spent more time and money of my own trying to fix the result of these "services" I was supposedly paying for. The only "service" I want from my government is to be left the hell alone. Sorry for the rant but yeah, taxes are relative. What's high to one may be perceived as a fire-sale bargain to another.

Great post-you hit the nail on the head. I think there are people up here that actually believe if an income tax were implemented then their property tax would disappear or significantly decrease. As you witnessed in CT and I witnessed in my homestate of NJ- nothing could be further from the truth. Once these politicians get hold of a new revenue source they will only want more. I only hope people remember this in November as there are politicians in this state foaming at the mouth for an income or sales tax. They floated one around earlier in the year but knew it would be political suicide before November. Also-regardless of what Lynch says about vetoing an income or a sales tax, if enough people get in to override his veto then we are in trouble.

I also like what you wrote about the only service that you want from your government is to be left the hell alone. I agree. We need to get back to that here in NH.

Nicolem

[gcberry]

In Grafton County, I believe Bath, Benton, and Easton have the lowest property tax rates. The first two have more affordable housing than the latter.