Have I been barking up the wrong tree? (Manchester, Nashua: for sale, how much)

[FiveHorses]

Need a bit of advice please because I'm sitting here wondering if I've been looking in the wrong-ish area.

As my user name suggests I have horses and I ride. That's a huge piece of the puzzle that is our quest for a NH property. Yes, I compete (or I will once we are all back in shape) but at a strictly amateur level and just as a bit of fun. If it's not fun and a bit of sport, I don't do it. I cannot stand, and I have no time for, the snobbery that isn't all that hard to find (sadly) once one says "horse". Well, I say that without first-hand experience of the NH riding environment... but I've yet to be anywhere in the world (and I mean that literally) where it isn't all too easy to find. Still, there needs to be access (just around in the general vicinity) to instructors, shows, farriers, equine vets and the like. Access to trails is hugely important.

I had been directed/looking over towards the Monadnock region... but I'm starting to wonder if I've been overly narrow in my searching. From various bits of research I've done, the one area I think we can safely rule out is the Seacoast region.

For a variety of reasons, we don't want to end up in "Commutersville" but we do need to be able to get to Logan within .. 2-2.5 hours. Yes, it does have to be Logan, unfortunately (international flights). According to Mapquest, it's a little under a two hour run from Laconia (just entered as the town). It is literally a drive to the airport, turn around and drive home.

I'd stayed further south in an attempt (somewhat feeble, perhaps?) to lessen the snow/cold. I'd stayed away from the lakes region just because the focus there seems to be ... well, the lakes! Unless our dogs can swim in them, they're not of much use to us personally.

Francestown and surrounding area appeals (seems to be a lot of "horse" there)... but can anyone advise on areas further east (Gilmanton for example) - either from a horse perspective or even just a general "quality of life" point of view.

We have no school aged children, we don't eat out, and I'm allergic to shopping. We require no "cultural extravaganzas". A good public library would top my wish-list, and I never say no to wandering around a good liquor store..... Cities and suburbia bring me out in hives. Currently we live 12 miles from a small town that has all I need for day to day living. In that respect, it works just fine. Every now and then I do the 90 mile round trip to the next big town (and that's really just for the different special pet foods I need).

Advice, thoughts, helpful hints are all welcome.

Ah yes... one small-ish sidenote: we look entirely normal, but as soon as we speak we're very obviously not from anywhere in the lower 48. Although I am American I've spent over 75% of my life overseas. As for my husband... he's from Cambridge. NOOOO - the real Cambridge.

And before anyone says "rent", I'll say, "three dogs, three cats, two parrots and five horses."

[Aptor hours]

I suppose up north since you hate shopping, eating out would give your horses plenty of room. I hope you don't mind riding in snow or plan on building an indoor though. I like to keep my horses boarded out and more urban but perhaps somehere like Dalton would work for you

[BF66389]

Have you looked into Hollis at all? MANY residents have horses, there is a town riding ring, and the local preserve has a lot of very nice riding trails (Beaver Brook Association).

Also have an awesome library with every DVD you can imagine, liquor store close by, small country store with decent beer selection; great farm stands as well.

Hollis is very close to Nashua (but zoning laws, farming, and active residents have kept Hollis rural). It is pricier though since it is "convenient" to a lot, but also nice/rural. Good schools/fire/police...

It's definitely one of the most interesting towns I've found, very unique mix of income, proximity to convenience, but also pride in a more rural lifestyle.

[WannaComeHome]

oh my!

well, have you looked at Hollis? I know it's a little pricey, but there are/were a lot of people with horses there when I grew up, and now there's a riding center across from my parents (Ok, them moving in ticked off the whole neighborhood - but that's a different issue) and a Feed Store right around the 'corner' at what used to be Orde's farm.

Or, maybe Barrington? don't know a thing about Barrington and horses, just thinking it might be a straight shot down to Logan (oh, Hollis is less than an hour from Logan depending on the traffic).

As for trails.. when my mom used to ride, she would get topographical maps and look for old roads that have been pretty much forgotten and go riding out there.

[Ken E]

Deerfield, Epsom, Chichester area is pretty nice. Upper Pittsfield area up towards Gilmanton is nice also.

[CrazyDave]

You ruled out the beach, but perhaps you should be looking at some of it's Rockingham county neighbors. specifically Derry, or Chester. Even though you are allergic to shopping and eating out there are plenty of places nearby should you feel the need, yet there is enough ruralness to get away from it all. Backroad seculsion with the convienience of I-93 leading to Logan not too far away.

Welcome to Derry, New Hampshire

[Valerie C]

Five, there are a number of towns that could work well for you and the rest of the zoo I'm thinking something on the north side of 101, Deerfield or Candia, possibly Nottingham or Northwood as well. Your trails would be available at Pawtuckaway and Bear Brook State Parks. On the east side, possibly East Kingston, South Hampton, Kensington. A bit further for trail rides, but you could bring them to the beach during the winter.

Still in southern NH but further west, my guesses would be Hollis, Amherst, Mont Vernon, all of which would give you easy access to Beaver Brook, plus there is tons of conservation land, trails, etc. throughout all three of those towns.

Your household sounds wonderful We were once a 2 dog, 2 cat and various smaller pets family. However, DH has less patience with the pets these days, and sadly we are down to 1 dog who is getting older I've got to get him a pal to keep him young for a few more years... oops, now I've gone off topic..... WE would love to see pictures of your horses in our pictures sticky thread (hint, hint!!)


OH hey, I just thought of something. In the town of Weare, I know that there was a really nice house with barn for sale. Not sure if you are/would consider taking in borders, if I remember right there are something like 10 or more stalls, indoor & outdoor arenas, heated tack room, etc. I'll check tomorrow and will DM it to you if it's still available. Weare's a town that might work really well for you. Quiet, off the beaten path, still well within your timeframe to get to Logan. JThibodeau, if you read this, you must know the place I'm thinking of, right off Exit 2 if I remember right...

[yinduffy]

I am a member of the 1st New Hampshire Volunteer Cavalry civil war reenactment unit. We have about 15 active members and meet monthly in New Boston as it is central to where our members live. From our membership we have the New Hampshire Governor's Horse Guards - the State official ceremonial mounted unit and our group also hosts trail rides and is affiliated with Cowboy Mounted Shooters and Ski-Joring.
I know there are Horse owners and schools all throughout the area including across the Mass border. While I don't have a horse myself I know that there are activities for Horse riders throughout the year. Early next month the Cavalry will have a beach ride.
From what I understand, Hay is about $7.00 a bale now and the State had just considered a $25 fee on each horse but I'm pretty sure it was squashed.

[GregW]

As far as I know there are two farms (with huge houses and dairy barns etc.) overlooking Pearl Lake in Landaff, NH, still for sale. These are both in the 80 to 120 acre (?) range. I do not know who is listing them or how much they want.

Landaff is a dispersed community of about 900 people just east of Lisbon, NH. It has a town hall and old fire station and a two room (100% increase from a few years ago) grade school. landaff roads are mostly gravel (good gravel) and the White Mountain National Forest, with its extensive trail network, occupies much of the town. My sister-in-law moved there a few years ago and rebuilt the "family" farm. She and her husband do some consulting work and use Burlington, VT airport well as Manchester and Logan for their business travel. Burlington is about 1 hour from Landaff; Manchester about 2 and Logan about 3.

Lisbon is a small industrial town, with a library, about 10 miles south of the big city of Littleton.

PM me and I will try and find out about the farms.

[jthibodeau]

Originally Posted by Valerie C

OH hey, I just thought of something. In the town of Weare, I know that there was a really nice house with barn for sale. Not sure if you are/would consider taking in borders, if I remember right there are something like 10 or more stalls, indoor & outdoor arenas, heated tack room, etc. I'll check tomorrow and will DM it to you if it's still available. Weare's a town that might work really well for you. Quiet, off the beaten path, still well within your timeframe to get to Logan. JThibodeau, if you read this, you must know the place I'm thinking of, right off Exit 2 if I remember right...

I know of a couple but, I can't put my finger on exactly which home your referring to, Val. There is a relatively new horse farm located at the intersection or Rt. 77 and Ann's Drive but, I wasn't aware that it may be for sale. However, there are a number of Farm style properties for sale in Weare and the commute to Logan would be just over an hour.