New Hampshire Living (Manchester, Concord, Laconia: violent crime, schools, taxes)

[touretteboy65]

We currently live in the Orlando, FL area and I have two years left at my job before I retire. We're seriously considering moving to New Hampshire, where I plan on continuing to work and raise our two young children. We hate it here!!!! So, all you New Englanders....based on your YEARS of living in New Hampshire, will we be making the right move??? Thanks.

[DareToDream]

Originally Posted by touretteboy65

We currently live in the Orlando, FL area and I have two years left at my job before I retire. We're seriously considering moving to New Hampshire, where I plan on continuing to work and raise our two young children. We hate it here!!!! So, all you New Englanders....based on your YEARS of living in New Hampshire, will we be making the right move??? Thanks.

I don't know that anyone can tell you if you will be making the right move...only you and your family will be able to tell that. Have you ever lived in a place other than Florida?

NH weather can be a "killer" for people who are not used to real cold or snowy weather and can make them miserable.

We've been in NH a little over 2 years (before that we lived in NY). For us, it was the right move, but we were used to cold and snow (although not quite as cold or as much snow), so for us it wasn't a big transition.

I think it will also depend on what area of NH you're thinking of - do you have a specific area in mind?

[nocturnal rooster]

Originally Posted by touretteboy65

We currently live in the Orlando, FL area and I have two years left at my job before I retire. We're seriously considering moving to New Hampshire, where I plan on continuing to work and raise our two young children. We hate it here!!!! So, all you New Englanders....based on your YEARS of living in New Hampshire, will we be making the right move??? Thanks.

Bring a jacket and a shovel. It wasn't even fall yet and most areas already had their first frost.

Line up a job online in NH first, because if you don't you are up s*** creek without a paddle.

Although I can probably imagine why you hate Orlando, why do you hate it specifically?

[Ken E]

Time will tell and only you will know if it was the right move. N.H. was the only place that i lived for 48 years. I moved down here almost 8 years ago and cant wait to move back. If you have the ability to deal with the winters you'll love it up there. The winters in N.H. are nothing compared to the summers down here. The people for the most part are "real". Very different from what i find down here. Ya know when you look at the whole picture there's not a whole lot not to like about N.H. Good luck with your move.

[touretteboy65]

Thanks for the input. We're thinking about mid state, near Laconia or Jackson, but it will all depend on job availability. As far as Orlando goes (and the entire state of Florida), it's way too congested, crime is ever increasing (and I'm talking violent crime, although property crime is out of control), schools are becoming holding patterns for the jail system, over development, miserable, incredibly HOT & HUMID summers (the kind that last 8-9 months), no change of seasons, and the fact that if you don't talk Spanish, you're a minority. Just a few reasons....Thanks again; any other info will be most appreciated.

[shelleyw1]

I'm in Maine born and raised and I have to say New England living is the best. Cost of Living is much better in New Hampshire. People are wonderful, very friendly and crime is very low. If you've never lived in a cold climate, I would highly suggest coming for a visit the end of January or February. A lot of Floridians find it very difficult to adapt, many of my friends have moved back south because of it. Keep in mind a lot more expense to live during winter with price of heating oil, but in my eyes worth it. Mountains and ocean very close, nice skiing, snowmobiling, fishing.

[JoanD'Arc]

Originally Posted by shelleyw1

I'm in Maine born and raised and I have to say New England living is the best. .... Keep in mind a lot more expense to live during winter with price of heating oil, but in my eyes worth it. Mountains and ocean very close, nice skiing, snowmobiling, fishing.

Shelley: Mind if I jump in here? (hope not!)
I'm thinking of moving to NH and read on one post (someplace) that cost of living is cheaper on the coast and gets more expensive as you go west. Do you find that to be a fair assessment? It seems to me that living on the coast would be more expensive, but what do I know?
J

[Valerie C]

Unfortunately Joan, I believe that the opposite is true. The seacoast and southern New Hampshire are significantly higher than more inland... This seems to be true for housing, gas, groceries, etc... Wish it wasn't true--I'd be on the coast in a heartbeat!

[shelleyw1]

Joan, Valerie is correct. The only thing that would be cheaper near the coast is the cities are larger so have public transportation, where as if you live further inland or more country type areas you have to have a vehicle and then you have the expense of gas and car payments. Most people want to live right near the coast so housing is a premium. Greenwood is a great little town that is very close to turnpike and just minutes from Portland, Concord, and Massachussetts. Much more job opportunities that way. They say moving from Maine to New Hampshire is like getting a 10% pay increase just because of the taxes in Maine. Hope this helps.

[JoanD'Arc]

Thank you, Valerie C and Shelley w1! I appreciate your comments. That would make sense about higher housing prices on the coast. Don't know what that other person was thinking! I'd love to live on the coast as well, but I'll need to watch my living costs.
I haven't heard of Greenwood until now, so I will be checking that out. I need a place with at least a half acre that doesn't cost a fortune and is close to a city for the amenities.
Tell me please, what is the best grocery store you (both) know of in the Manchester/Concord area? We have Harris Teeter here, a "gourmet" store that is very nice.