Any Info on Wakefield, NH? (Rochester, Effingham: for sale, real estate, cliquey)

[touretteboy65]

I've come across some property for sale in the town of Wakefield, NH. We're interested in moving to New Hampshire and narrowing our search in the counties of Belknap & Carroll. This town of Wakefield is new to us and we're hoping some of you can provide some information regarding its character and its close proximity to other towns. Thanks!

[Ken E]

Wakefield is a beautiful area. There are some nice lakes in the area and your not to far from the mountains. Head east and your only an hour or so from the ocean. Your within a 1/2 hour to 45 min. to Rochester for shopping or anything else you'll need. Coming from Orlando you might experience a little culture shock but once you settle in you'll do just fine.I grew up in that general area and i know how going to Orlando feels to me. My log cabin is in Effingham just a couple towns north of Wakefield. As soon as i sell this place down here thats where i'm headed. That area of N.H.is really nice, It's a little to rural for some people but thats what makes it so nice. The people that are there really want to be there. Great East Lake and Pine River Pond are nice areas.The main road going up by there Rt 16 can get a little crowded during tourist season but there's a awful lot of nice scenic little back roads to get you anywhere ya gotta go.

[touretteboy65]

Originally Posted by Ken E

Wakefield is a beautiful area. There are some nice lakes in the area and your not to far from the mountains. Head east and your only an hour or so from the ocean. Your within a 1/2 hour to 45 min. to Rochester for shopping or anything else you'll need. Coming from Orlando you might experience a little culture shock but once you settle in you'll do just fine.I grew up in that general area and i know how going to Orlando feels to me. My log cabin is in Effingham just a couple towns north of Wakefield. As soon as i sell this place down here thats where i'm headed. That area of N.H.is really nice, It's a little to rural for some people but thats what makes it so nice. The people that are there really want to be there. Great East Lake and Pine River Pond are nice areas.The main road going up by there Rt 16 can get a little crowded during tourist season but there's a awful lot of nice scenic little back roads to get you anywhere ya gotta go.

Thanks! We have twoyoung children that will be making the move with us, so, while we're really interested in moving to New Hampshire, we don't want to be living in an area that is TOO far away from everything, mainly, a network of future friends for them. I don't mind a few extra minutes driving to get to the stores, but I don't want my kids feeling like they're living in the woods, away from civilization. I came across some property for sale through the Northern New England Real Estate Network, and it looks to be a well planned out development, something that one day may be filled with families. Any info on it? Thanks again.

[GraniteStater]

Wakefield is fairly close to Rochester, and is conveniently located along the Highway 16 corridor. The best housing values would be the somewhat smaller properties along the local area lakes. I would avoid the newer cookie cutter construction on very large lots.

[Ken E]

Originally Posted by touretteboy65

Thanks! We have twoyoung children that will be making the move with us, so, while we're really interested in moving to New Hampshire, we don't want to be living in an area that is TOO far away from everything, mainly, a network of future friends for them. I don't mind a few extra minutes driving to get to the stores, but I don't want my kids feeling like they're living in the woods, away from civilization. I came across some property for sale through the Northern New England Real Estate Network, and it looks to be a well planned out development, something that one day may be filled with families. Any info on it? Thanks again.

I'm not sure what development that might be but just about anywhere in that area you'll be living in the woods. That's what makes it so special. I remember as a kid going to school in Rochester and the bus came down with the Wakefield kids on it, you probably couldn't find a tighter bunch of friends than the ones that got off that bus. As i said before it's a BIG change from down here but once you get hooked in' there isnt anyplace better than up in them hills. I saw on the NNREN site some neat places around some of those ponds.

[Ken E]

Apparently not many people know about this part of the state. Thank you God!

[daytyme13]

Wakefield IS a beautiful area and I grew up there as a kid. A few tips: It's a great place to start if your kids are young. I integrated mid junior high and it was tough as the townies are somewhat cliquey. Children started young should have no problems, and it is great way to teach your children about the love and beauty of the land and nature. As a parent now, I much prefer to have my daughter playing in the great outdoors and using the woods as her playground instead of the tv. The other issue you may want to consider is the commuting. My parents are still residents there and my father has never had any bother commuting, you rather get used to it as an adult. However, tourist season is tough to cope with during the busiest times, often with the most common route 16 gridlocked during holiday weekends. These can be routed around but it can be frustrating. Also, as Wakefield does not have a high school, the students are bussed to Rochester about 20 minutes away. Doesn't sound bad but with a bus route around town approximately 40 min (that was how long mine was-it depends on where you live) and then another 25 or so minutes to school and then back in the afternoon, can make for a veerryy long school day. I usually caught the bus around 6:30 am and did not arrive home until about 4pm, leaving little time for family activites after school or homework. The only other consideration is teenagers. Driving aged teenagers may present some challenges. Not only are they on the road more if commuting to school or work in the larger Rochester city, but adding northern winter conditions to the mix can leave a parent, or new driver, definitly worried. In hingsight, it was a nice area to live in but when it came time to choose a location for my own family, we decided some of these were not something we were willing to deal with. Just some friendly advice! I hope I didn't offend any residents, just trying to provide a personal view without sounding like a realtor!