Moving to Dover, NH, from NYC -- need advice (Rochester: real estate, apartments)

[rscalzo]

I spend a decent amount of time in Dover and the surrounding areas. You could have done a LOT worse and I think you will come to love the area. But it is one of the larger towns and as the weather warms and windowes open, you will hear those on the streets. The sound carries.

[NH2NCMom]

As a former resident of Dover for most of my life, I think you are looking into this too much to be honest. I think the residents of Dover are looking to you as you present yourself - we all tend to take first impressions and put it forth as how we perceive you perceive us and the town. Maybe asking for "culture and wine tasting type activities" were presented to the residents as the upper echelon vs the working man/woman type of town that Dover is for the most part. Not sure if you know but Dover was founded on shoe factories and mills - industry - not the typical Napa Valley or NYC style Therefore, kick off your shoes enjoy the nature and laid back style of the area - and the history of a town that is 233 years old. Oh and I believe it is in the Thursday edition of Foster's Daily Democrat that has the "Showtime" to give a rundown of events and things going on in Dover and the surrounding communities. I love Dover (if ya can't tell LOL) - I am a graduate of the Green Wave and make my voyage home every two years and I miss it when I'm gone. I hope you enjoy the town as much as I do - and in a few years maybe you'll wonder why you ever doubted it

[BF66389]

Semi-related to the OP:

Does NH really have a reputation that it is back-woods? I've heard it come up with folks I know from MA; but since I have spent the much larger majority of my life in NJ and then VA (near DC) none of the people there have ever thought of it that way. Generally what I get from other areas is the belief that NH has abundant scenery & natural beauty as well as being a very safe & fairly wealthy state... Now "metropolitan" doesn't enter the mix; but its far the opposite of back-woods as well.

Just wondering!

[Missmoose]

I was raised in NYC and have lived all over the Northeast; Massachusetts is the only place I've heard the hillbilly moniker applied to NH. Pretty much without merit, IMO.

[Zaetah]

Hey there. Just for clarity's sake, I'd only mentioned that we were moving there, and people would just chime in with ideas for things to see and do. Never mentioned wine or art, or asked about cultural pursuits. Just sat back, smiled and listened as people talked. (And I was dressed in sweats and a hoodie, so my physical presentation was really nothing impressive.) Given that, I think that's why the responses surprised me. But you may be right, NH2NCMOM. Maybe I'm looking into this too much.

As for back woods vs. cosmopolitan rep for NH: Well, I hadn't really heard anything either way, so I didn't have any preconceived notions about that. I do know that people take their politics (and their seafood) pretty seriously out there, but that's about all I know. As for MA: Well, that's news to me that they think of NH that way. Didn't know that. But even so, whatever. NY'ers can't stand Jersey (neither can Philly, PA people, BTW), so maybe there's always some tension between neighboring states. At least out here on the East Coast. (I hear CA loves the territories surrounding it.)

[NH2NCMom]

Originally Posted by Zaetah

Hey there. Just for clarity's sake, I'd only mentioned that we were moving there, and people would just chime in with ideas for things to see and do. Never mentioned wine or art, or asked about cultural pursuits. Just sat back, smiled and listened as people talked. (And I was dressed in sweats and a hoodie, so my physical presentation was really nothing impressive.) Given that, I think that's why the responses surprised me. But you may be right, NH2NCMOM. Maybe I'm looking into this too much.

As for back woods vs. cosmopolitan rep for NH: Well, I hadn't really heard anything either way, so I didn't have any preconceived notions about that. I do know that people take their politics (and their seafood) pretty seriously out there, but that's about all I know. As for MA: Well, that's news to me that they think of NH that way. Didn't know that. But even so, whatever. NY'ers can't stand Jersey (neither can Philly, PA people, BTW), so maybe there's always some tension between neighboring states. At least out here on the East Coast. (I hear CA loves the territories surrounding it.)

Sorry if I misread anything you wrote, I was trying to word things cautiously myself and might have said things wrong and I apologize...but really I think you are just reading too much into the people's initial conversations. We are all so down to earth - most of us can be taken as "real" and just enjoy life. I do think you'd like it - and yes it's more affordable than Portsmouth.

[Zaetah]

I hear ya, NH2NCMOM. One thing I see over and over again on these boards is that people who know Dover really love it. That speaks very well of the area. In fact, I've yet to hear from anyone who hates the town. That's pretty impressive for any place.

I think, mostly, I'm concerned about feeling like an outsider (or, as my young niece puts it, "not being able to find your peeps"). I guess I was worried that I wouldn't meet people I have things in common with. But I guess I won't really know for sure until I get there and scope it out for myself. Someone earlier mentioned, "you have to know where to go for what you want," which is true. Being new, though, I have no idea where to go for what I want. But I suppose for now, it's just a discovery process.

In any case, I'm very glad to know that my initial fear of moving to a stereotypically "hick" town was totally unfounded. Down-to-earth, honest people sounds great. Narrow-minded, provincial world views? Not so much. But I'll take people as they come, and go from there. Thanks for all your (everyone's) input. I really appreciate being set straight.

[dognh]

Originally Posted by Zaetah

I hear ya, NH2NCMOM. One thing I see over and over again on these boards is that people who know Dover really love it. That speaks very well of the area. In fact, I've yet to hear from anyone who hates the town. That's pretty impressive for any place.

You'll find that's true about a few towns on this board - Dover, Hollis, Londonderry. Thing is people are biased by where they live. I wouldn't just take these opinions as a reason to move there. It's a good first step, but you need to visit, spend time there and really explore your needs and desires (where you work, play, social life, rural vs. suburban, etc) to get a feel for what YOU would like personally.

Dover may be a great place for you or maybe not. The more specific you can be with questions the better. NH is a small state and there is surely a town that will fit your needs.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by Missmoose

I was raised in NYC and have lived all over the Northeast; Massachusetts is the only place I've heard the hillbilly moniker applied to NH. Pretty much without merit, IMO.

Eh they're just pissed and jealous at the tax rates.

[Brave Stranger]

Originally Posted by BF66389

Semi-related to the OP:

Does NH really have a reputation that it is back-woods? I've heard it come up with folks I know from MA; but since I have spent the much larger majority of my life in NJ and then VA (near DC) none of the people there have ever thought of it that way. Generally what I get from other areas is the belief that NH has abundant scenery & natural beauty as well as being a very safe & fairly wealthy state... Now "metropolitan" doesn't enter the mix; but its far the opposite of back-woods as well.

Just wondering!

NH was "back-woods" not too long ago. Until the 1970s once you hit Salem it was a wall of woods. It was nothing like you see today. That is what lingers with some people. We were as rural as Vermont still is now just over 30 years ago when I was a little kid.