Why the high cost of living? (Manchester, Rochester: real estate, low crime, unemployment)

[FallDreamer]

Okay, this is my situation. I had been looking into moving to Greece, NY (has a low cost of living index of about 85), however the property taxes were just waaayyy too high, so I started looking into New Hampshire. But the cities I am looking into such as concord, nashua, manchester, keene, all have a really high cost of living index.

Can anyone give me a perspective of both sides....? Why does NH seem to have a high cost of living? And/or why does Greece, NY have such a low cost of living when their taxes are so high? Do taxes even get factored into this equation.

I'm just trying to get out of Florida, I'm ready to move back to the Northeast. BRING ON THE SNOW! Any and all info would be great!!

[movingover]

One of the lowest tax burdens in the country. Also has many towns in line with the national average of cost of living. The most expensive towns in NH have cost of living index rankings that are still 75% less than the most expensive counties in the east coast, such as the NY/CT Fairfield/Westchester area.

I would have to disagree that NH has a high cost of living when you factor in the tax burden and what you get for your money.

The Tax Foundation - State and Local Tax Burdens: All States, One Year, 1977-2008

[NH2008]

I'm not familiar with Greece at all but upstate/western New York is incredibly depressed, therefore it's cheap. Prop taxes are probably high because as the population shrinks the residents that remain have to pay more and more to support the infrastructure.

NH is doing well. Any area with a solid economy is going to be more expensive than one with fewer job opportunities or one that's losing population. Many of the cities you mentioned are commutable to Boston which means Boston salaries drive prices up. Property taxes can be high here too, depending on the town.

[caphillsea77]

Inflation from Massacusetts has driven up the cost of living in NH. Yes NH has a low tax burden, especially compared to other Northeastern states, but the proximity ro Boston drives up the cost of real estate in NH. A lot of folks from Mass have made an exodus to southern NH which is still technically within commuting distance to Boston (not a reasonable commute by any stretch of the imagination but many folks still do it as you'll see during rush hour on traffic 93 from Manchester all the way into Boston).

As previously mentioned unemployment in NH is not as severe as many other parts of the country (especially compared to upstate NY, Ohio, Michigan etc..). The quality of life is good in NH, offering mountains, big clean lakes, a seacoast, and a low crime rate making it a desirable place to live.

[BF66389]

As NH2008 explained; it's pretty much a simple supply/demand relationship. NH is a very desirable place to live, as a result prices are higher.

[movingover]

Originally Posted by BF66389

As NH2008 explained; it's pretty much a simple supply/demand relationship. NH is a very desirable place to live, as a result prices are higher.

Yet net, a much better deal than most if not all states on the north eastern coast.

[seamusnh]

Originally Posted by caphillsea77

(not a reasonable commute by any stretch of the imagination but many folks still do it as you'll see during rush hour on traffic 93 from Manchester all the way into Boston).

Depends on where you work. Many people work on the 128 or 495 beltways and do not have to drive into Boston. I live 10 miles over the NH border and work in Bedford MA. I can get here in 40 minutes with average traffic (32 miles total). Many of my co-workers who live in MA have similar length commutes...

As for NH cost of living, it would be good to look at the numbers. My guess is that most of the difference between NH and upstate NY is due to real estate costs. Many people in southern NH are an hour drive or so from downtown Boston. Not too bad for an occasional Sox game, museum trip, or dinner in the North end. Greece NY is near Rochester NY, probably a nice town, but it is no Boston...

[buck naked]

upstate NY is beautiful country with fairly low property taxes, but that state income tax will kill ya'!