Taking the Plunge (Littleton, Washington, Carroll: sales, real estate, vehicle registration) - City-Data Forum

brtngrl · 03-17-2009, 08:16 AM

Well, after 15 years living in Maine, the last three of which have been spent in Westbrook, my husband and I are looking to take the plunge and move to New Hampshire. Rising taxes, increased crime and vandalism, coupled with the city putting a housing complex for the mentally ill in our backyard have necessitated our flight.

My question is, what are the major differences that I can expect with such a move with regards to taxes, vehicle registration, licensure, etc? I know that there is no goods tax in New Hampshire but I'm also wondering if the higher property taxes paid offset this and I'll end up breaking even.

We're looking at the Littleton area (I've fallen in love with a house in Carroll), does anyone have input on the area? How are things with the job market?

Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks for any help escaping Maine!

BF66389 · 03-17-2009, 08:23 AM

The tax burden in NH is lower than ME- despite having higher property taxes having no income or sales tax really offsets it. I am not familiar with other costs (registration, insurance, etc) but found NH to be on par with where we can from (VA) and cheaper than other states I am aware of.

I am not very familiar with Westbrook or Littleton specifically- but overall home prices in NH seem to be higher than in ME (average driven up by the area that is semi-close to Boston I'm sure); since Littleton is further north- this may not be an issue.

As for the job market- NH has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country right now; that said I'm guessing it largely depends on your specific industry and someone from the Littleton area can probably provide you with more information than I can.

Welcome!

DareToDream · 03-17-2009, 08:23 AM

I can't answer your questions on Carroll, but here's a link for Littleton:
Littleton, New Hampshire . I have never lived in Maine, so can't give you a comparison either - I'm a lot of help, aren't I?

Regarding the job market - what type of work will you be looking for? The site above has employment links on it.

I think the last real estate blurby that I read put the median price of a house up here somewhere around 180K, maybe a little higher, but not much. This area didn't see a huge "run-up" in prices that places south of here did.

sgthoskins · 03-17-2009, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brtngrl

Rising taxes, increased crime and vandalism, coupled with the city putting a housing complex for the mentally ill in our backyard have necessitated our flight.

Those are all a direct result of democrats. If you do make the move voting "D" will simply make NH just like ME.

Slalom · 03-17-2009, 06:49 PM

Taxes are pretty low in Carroll; Bretton Woods / Mt. Washington Hotel adds a lot to the tax base without requiring much in the way of services (kids in school, etc.).