Should We Move To New Hampshire? (Portsmouth, Hampton: extended stay, motel, house)

[touretteboy65]

Here I am, again, struggling with the thought of enduring another winter here in Florida, trying to convince my wife that moving to New Hampshire would be a good thing (a great thing, actually). My wife is concerned with the cold and snow, but at the same time, wants out of Florida as much as I do. We have two young childen that I have no intention on raising in Florida (this state is a dump). I hate to admit it, but I have some concerns as well as far as the cold weather is concerned. I love the cold and the snow, but it's the everyday reality of living and working in the stuff once the holiday cheer rubs off. Is it really that bad? Is driving in the snow extremely difficult? I would love some insight and opinion from all of you living in New Hampshire, and don't hold any punches. I'm due to retire from my job in less than two years, but plan on continuing to work once we relocate. I've been to Portsmouth a couple of times and really like the area, but I'm concentrating my efforts in the Belknap and Conway county areas. Thanks for any input. Stay warm!

[WannaComeHome]

Hi Touretteboy, and rightly so - you should be concerned. Not because it's that great shakes (upstate NY or MI or MN is worse), but because it is such a drastic change from what you're used to, and it's an awful lot to move the whole family up there just to find out you can't take it.

Can you possibly take a week or two vacation in say... Feb or Mar? There's no holiday, it's just boring. It's been snowing for a few months so everyone is kinda tired of it. It will give you a good idea of how the roads are well into winter, not just at the beginning (towns can run short on their budgets), you can see how dreary late winter snow is -not quite so pretty and fluffy and white anymore.

No, it's not difficult to drive in snow. Get some good all-weather tires or snow tires, remember to slow down a bit - especially on curves and bridges- and you'll be fine. You might practice after the first snow in an empty parking lot. spin some donuts and learn how to pull out of a spin or at least not freak too much. But we've all learned to drive in the stuff, and if high school kids can manage it.. I imagine you can too.

And most towns are very good at snow removal unless it's a really bad year and their budget has run out. Roads begin getting cleared when the snow gets going (unless it's just flurries) and the trucks stay out until it's done. Some people clear their own driveways, some hire someone to do it for them. Garages are nice because you don't have to clear your car.

The area you're looking at gets more snow than down south or the seacoast area, but probably not as much as Coos county. Have you looked at the city-data pages for your towns? They have graphs for all sorts of weather and one of them is approximate snow fall per month. yes, it gets tiresome and dreary and people really look forward to spring and some color coming in. But it's just the way it is, and that's what happens with 4 seasons, some aren't so great. Just dress for it and look forward to the others. Or get into ice fishing, skiing, ski-mobiling or even snowshoeing. It helps to pass the time (there's only so many snomen you can stand to make).

[BF66389]

My wife and I relocated from Northern VA, where "snow" is something that is only good enough to play in maybe once or twice a year and quickly melts; otherwise its ice or rain. By comparison- we LOVE winters in NH, I will trade WHITE snow and well cleared roads for grey/mud and clueless drivers/road crews any day:

Here's what we noticed:
1) Fall comes early. October; fall starts, nights get cold, gorgeous
2) Spring comes late. Early April, rainy

As for driving in the snow. Snow tires are nice (I have Bridgestone Blizzaks) as is having a car that combines good traction and good handling (an SUV/Truck is only useful in the deep stuff, an AWD car like a Subaru will be better in "normal" snowy conditions because it has better handling/less weight to worry about). I have a FWD Saab 9-5 and between the snow tires, its amazing computer system, and myself...it's a tank in the snow- goes exactly here I point it. What I would suggest as far as "learning" to drive in the snow is to go to an empty/snowy parking lot and practice braking/turning, etc...when it is completely empty and there is nothing you can hit. Learn what sliding feels like and what your car can do/you can do. In short though, is it "hard" to drive in the snow? No, use common sense, good judgement, caution, and be prepared...and be ready for those around you to not be as well equipped.

I would suggest coming up in early February and staying awhile/asking yourself "am I ok with this". October is gorgeous/November is nice, December is nice...but when February/March come along and its still cold/snowy- it can get old. My wife was given GREAT advice by a co-worker: Buy appropriate clothing, insulate your home/get an efficient heating system, and learn to have fun in the snow (ski, snowshoe, build snowmen, whatever).

All in all, its not that bad (its not like we get constant grey skies and lake effect snow like the middle of the country) and it can be very beautiful. But it is different.

[touretteboy65]

Well, I agree that it'll be a tremendous change, but I don't want that "change" to be a reason not to make the move. Just today I was driving around our area (east of Orlando) and thinking that perhaps we should stay because we're just so used to what is around us and the everyday normallcy of it all, but doesn't that make life too "normal?" Not to discount anything you've stated (and I do appreciate your input), but I have this desire to move and expose myself and the rest of my family to other things in life other than shopping malls, tank tops, and shorts. Free things (and by that I mean, the enviroment, quality of life, etc) here are not appreciated and bulldozed over in the name of development; you know, that so called quality of life thing brought about only through new cookie cutter subdivisions and shopping malls. Way too much congestion and crime, to boot. How can I honestly say I don't want the pain of long winters, but at the same time, wish that I live in an area with four seasons (as I once did years ago while living in Jersey)? Once I convince myself (and my wife convinces herself, too) that no place is Utopia, do I feel we'll make some kind of decision. I don't feel our kids will have major issues when we move, other than having to form new friendships (it was tough on me moving from Jersey when I was 7, but I managed). Thanks again for the advice; keep it coming!

[WannaComeHome]

oh not saying at all that just because you're used to one area/weather and not used to another that it should stop you, just that it should give you pause to consider. Which is what you're doing. You may end up loving it, and be perfectly fine putting up with a long winter. Just that it's really harsh on the finances and the family to move and then find out 5 months later that you just can't take it any more.

So try to come up during the middle/late part and stay for as long as you can and see what you think. And if you can stay at the same motel (maybe an Extended Stay place) you'll get a better feel for having a 'home base' that you always come back to, and with a kitchenette you can get a taste for having to go out shopping and come back - plus it can save on the eating out and the hassle of constantly changing places.

It's definitely something to try, winter is something we learn to cope with if not have fun with. Accepting that there is no Utopia is a good start on accepting any place that is different from where you are.

[fishnfool]

snow and winter IMO is all a state of mind. You don't have to be cold in the winter and lock yourself inside for 5 months. They make clothing that keeps you warm in the heart of winter. If you embrace it and appreciate the change it becomes a downright pleasant season. LOTS of people ski, hike, snow mobile, ice fish, etc out here so winter just opens up more opportunities to enjoy the state and the landscape. I can't wait to get dumped on with snow so I can head back to the mountains and hike, ski, etc.. It's like a whole new place, which is why I love the 4 seasons...it's always changing so even places I've been to before are all new. If you only think of cold as being miserable and a horrible reason to leave your house then you probably will hate it here come March and even April. Just embrace it, find fun things to do.

Driving in snow is not hard at all. I don't really understand why people freak out so much about it. Use common sense.....snow and ice are slippery. If you break hard on something slippery, you will slide. If you turn hard on something slippery, you will slide. If you tailgate people you will slide into their rear end. Just use common sense, slow down, and leave plenty of room. Most cars are front wheel drive and have ABS breaks now which is really all you need. That said....it never fails that when the first snow fall hits everyone forgets completely what snow is like and pandemonium ensues. Like someone else recommended, hit up an empty parking lot and spend some time getting a feel for sliding, breaking, etc. You'll be fine.

[BF66389]

Exactly. The weather is fine, but for some people may be a reason not to move. If you lock yourselves inside all winter because you HATE cold/snow then SAD (seasonal affective dissorder) can be a very real thing that is almost guaranteed. On the other hand if you do indeed "experience" winter and embrace it (even if you stay inside, by taking up crafts, keeping up a roaring fire, baking, etc)...then its great.

We moved to NH largely for the same reasons you want to.

[JFRRACING]

Originally Posted by touretteboy65

Here I am, again, struggling with the thought of enduring another winter here in Florida, trying to convince my wife that moving to New Hampshire would be a good thing (a great thing, actually). My wife is concerned with the cold and snow, but at the same time, wants out of Florida as much as I do. We have two young childen that I have no intention on raising in Florida (this state is a dump). I hate to admit it, but I have some concerns as well as far as the cold weather is concerned. I love the cold and the snow, but it's the everyday reality of living and working in the stuff once the holiday cheer rubs off. Is it really that bad? Is driving in the snow extremely difficult? I would love some insight and opinion from all of you living in New Hampshire, and don't hold any punches. I'm due to retire from my job in less than two years, but plan on continuing to work once we relocate. I've been to Portsmouth a couple of times and really like the area, but I'm concentrating my efforts in the Belknap and Conway county areas. Thanks for any input. Stay warm!

well i'll tell ya that i lived in it for 38 years and we are now moving south to get away from it. just make sure it's really want to do. it's a long move and once your there your there. do your home work before you move and make sure it's where you want to be. you don't want to have regrets in a year or so. good luck.... sounds like fishnfool is trying to sugar coat it....it's far from being a state of mind. if it was you would ba able to go out in febuary with shorts and a tee shirt. that is not even close to being what it's like. so don't be fooled, come up like wanna said and test the weather first.

[jthibodeau]

There is one thing your going to need after you purchase those warm clothes. And, that is an entertaining reason to be outside during the winter season. As Fishnfool mentioned, there are many activities to keep you busy.

Your "younger children" shouldn't have a problem. Leave the Xbox in storage and get them a hill they can snow slide on instead. Give them the opportunity to explore their surroundings during all seasons. They'll need stimulation on a daily basis and I, for one, feel that this usually can't be achieved on a fenced in 1/2 acre lot in the middle of an urban development. They simply need things to do and keep them busy.

Think of a young child who's swimming in our not so tropical waters off Hampton Beach. You call them in after an hour or so. They stand before you shivering, dripping wet with blue pruned fingers and lips. You can see them freezing and tell them to stay out of the water for a while. And, what is their answer? "Oh Mom, I'mmm nottt co co co cold"!

It may be a bit more difficult for you and your wife. You will also need a reason to get out. For you, it will/could be a condition called "Cabin Fever" or the "Winter Blues". Keep yourselves entertained and you won't be so cold either, if you have purchased the proper gear for those temps.

As far as driving goes, find that parking lot or open space for some practice with good snow tires so you'll understand how your car will handle in poor weather. Go slow and leave lots of room between you and the car ahead of you. when you first leave the drivway, hit the breaks to see how slippery the road surface is. And always kkep your eyes open for "Black Ice" especially in road corners.......Yahooo!

[fishnfool]

sounds like fishnfool is trying to sugar coat it....it's far from being a state of mind. if it was you would ba able to go out in febuary with shorts and a tee shirt.

I wasn't meaning if you "think it's not cold, you won't be cold". Obviously common sense prevails. For me obtaining a happy state has nothing to do with not being able to wear shorts and tee shirt.

If your state of mind is that it's cold out and I can't walk outside in shorts so I'm not going to....you will be miserable. If you say "hey, I can put my parka on and go bird watching, go hiking, walk around downtown, take the kids sledding, talk a walk down the beach, etc", then you'll be fine.

It's like everything...find things you enjoy. For me, spring is the start of fishing season. I'm catching trout when there's still snow on the ground. The the saltwater fishing heats up in May and I start hiking, camping, going to the beach, etc. I do that until October when hunting season starts. That overlaps with the start of ski season ( a severe test if which I enjoy more). I ski clear through March...and then what do you know...it's trout time again. That's why I look forward to each season..it offers opportunities for things that I can't do year round. About the time I get burned out from one hobby, it's time for another. If I could ski or fish the ocean year round, I wouldn't look forward to it nearly as much as I do. That's why I look forward to the start of winter just as much as I do for the start of summer, and spring, and fall.