Town Suggestions? (Manchester, Nashua, Merrimack: houses, best school, taxes)

[Dazydaizee]

I'm looking to move to NH from MA and was hoping some residents could give me suggestions on towns that fit what I'm looking for.
I currently live right by the city and HATE it. I want to live in a more rural area, lots of land and without other houses close by. I want to live set back from main roads, but without a very long drive to the highway as my boyfriend and I will be commuting to MA for work. Ideally we'd be about an hour or so from Boston, so I was looking at the Merrimack area but I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks

[dognh]

These questions come up a lot (and often have the same town suggestions) so the more specific you can make your desires the easier for us to make suggestions.

In general, NH is more rural than MA and the farther you are away from the population centers like Manchester and Nashua the more land and more rural it will be.

[BF66389]

From exit 7 in NH off Route 3 to Logan Airport takes about 40-45 minutes not during rush-hour and moving at a good (but not ridiculous) pace. There is also a bus into either north or south station (I forget which) from Nashua during the commute times.

Where in MA do you need to get to? That will really drive the time during commute. For example I get from Hollis, NH to Lexington, MA in 45 minutes...consistantly...during rush hour. Though it can sometimes take more/less time.

As someone mentioned in another thread there is a "triple crown" (I like that) set of towns along route 3. Hollis, Amherst, then Bedford. Hollis is the most rural (but closest to MA) and Bedford is more suburban (closer to Manchester) but all three are nice and have great schools.

Nashua and Merrimack are both less expensive, but don't have the same highly regarded schools, etc (but still aren't bad- it all depends on what you want); for what you've described I'd highly suggest checking out Hollis...lots of big properties, farms, woods, farmstands, etc- that said, Hollis is also pricey.

One thing we found with Merrimack is that some areas are hard to get to the highway from...others are very easy...so just make sure you keep that in mind with any town- that its not so much the town; but the specific location in the town that matters.

[NH2008]

Ditto what BF66389 said. If you're looking for a more rural feel, I would also check out Brookline and Mont Vernon. They're a bit further from the highway, but you'd get a lot more for your money and have that much more of a rural feel.

[seamusnh]

Depends on where you live in the towns. Get off exit 6 and head 5 miles west and you are at the Hollis line. Get off exit 11 (5 miles further north) and head 5 miles west and you are in Amherst. Mont Vernon and Brookline are nice (share some schools with Hollis and Amherst) but they are further away from the highway; fine if you work in NH, but not great for a commute to MA. I go from Amherst to Bedford MA and it takes 45 minutes on average; 35 if there is no traffic at the 3/495 interchange....

[maxxoccupancy]

Seabrook, where I live, is the closest town to Boston for commuters, with a 40-50 minute drive to city limits, depending on traffic. The best areas of town, if you're looking are near the library, off of 286, or on Folly Mill Road. I know a really good realtor up here, if you want to PM me. She knows that town really well because she grew up here.

Seabrook also has a lot of the small town feel (once you get away from Route 1), while having all of the amenities and businesses of a larger town. Seabrook also has the lowest overall taxes anywhere on the seacoast, and the mildest weather in New Hampshire. You also pay nothing extra for parking, sewer, trash pickup, recycling, beach parking, or use of the Seabrook Community Center.

[Valerie C]

Dazy, reading through your post, you mention only that you wish to be more rural, and approx. 1 hour from Boston. Though much of southern NH has been built up and hasn't been considered 'rural for a number of years, there are still quite a few towns that you might consider. The school districts may not be as highly rated as the previously (and often mentioned) Hollis, Bedford and Amherst, but unless you have kids that will be utilizing the schools, my thought is move to the town that will fit YOUR needs. Since you didn't mention kids OR school ratings, can we assume that it's not a top priority for you?

Towns like Danville, Sandown, Newton or Kingston have many rural feeling areas, yet would allow you to get to Boston via Rte 111 to Rte 93, probably in about an hour (possibly more... depends on what your working/commuting times will be) Plus there is always the option of driving to Haverhill to access the T to get to North Station...

[BF66389]

One thing to consider- even with no kids; better schools can make it easier to sell your home in the future.

[Valerie C]

No doubt on that point BR, but not everybody can afford a 350K 'starter home' in the best school system towns... Sometimes you've got to chose the happy medium... (no offense to the OP, who didn't mention prices or schools)

Originally Posted by BF66389

One thing to consider- even with no kids; better schools can make it easier to sell your home in the future.

[nhkev]

depending on the times you commute can make a big difference I work in downtown boston but I never go during normal commute times, if this is true with you the town of canterbury is just about 1 hr,lots of land , close to highway and is just about one of the most rural feel towns around but surprisingly close to concord.