Need help looking at where to go in NH (Manchester: real estate, 2011)

[aep73]

I also need help looking at where to go in NH. Our family -husband, wife, child of 2 --are considering a move to NH. We considered a bunch of parameters and one of the states we are looking at for a move is NH, but the trouble is, we've only ever driven through before. Snow and mountains do not scare us, and with a child headed into the schools and one of us employed as an educator in the schools, high taxes to pay for the school systems don't scare us too much either. Having said that, we are not independently wealthy, so high cost of living overall is scary and is why we are considering moving from where we currently live.

Considerations:
1. Husband currently unemployed and looking to get back into the field of outdoor retail;
2. We all enjoy hiking and the outdoors;
3. School districts currently hiring in wife's field: Claremont, Newport, Swanzey, Goffstown, Manchester, Londonderry, Derry, Pembroke, ... there might be others;
4. Availability of rentals, possible real estate in the future, and decent schools; and
5. Low crime.

We prefer small town to big city in general, but seem to keep ending up in major metropolitan areas due to job availability.

Any recommendations where to start looking? Thanks for your help!

[seamusnh]

Hollis and Souhegan (Amherst/Mont Vernon) have the two high schools in NH that were ranked in the top 6% of the country America's Top Public High Schools | Newsweek Best High Schools | Newsweek.com
Mont Vernon is a beautiful town.

What is "outdoor retail"? Ski equipment? Tractors?

[WannaComeHome]

Originally Posted by aep73

I also need help looking at where to go in NH. Our family -husband, wife, child of 2 --are considering a move to NH. We considered a bunch of parameters and one of the states we are looking at for a move is NH, but the trouble is, we've only ever driven through before. Snow and mountains do not scare us, and with a child headed into the schools and one of us employed as an educator in the schools, high taxes to pay for the school systems don't scare us too much either. Having said that, we are not independently wealthy, so high cost of living overall is scary and is why we are considering moving from where we currently live.

Considerations:
1. Husband currently unemployed and looking to get back into the field of outdoor retail;
2. We all enjoy hiking and the outdoors;
3. School districts currently hiring in wife's field: Claremont, Newport, Swanzey, Goffstown, Manchester, Londonderry, Derry, Pembroke, ... there might be others;
4. Availability of rentals, possible real estate in the future, and decent schools; and
5. Low crime.

We prefer small town to big city in general, but seem to keep ending up in major metropolitan areas due to job availability.

well, NH has one of the lowest overall costs of living, so just don't get fixated on one or two parameters (like prop taxes), so you'll probably be better off in that respect. that's good that snow or mountains don't bother you - snow you'll get, mountains will be an option since none of the towns you've mentioned are into the mountain area (choice is going to them!).
2) tons of hiking and outdoor opportunities all over the state! most towns have places for doing things outdoors, and it's not far to drive to get to some other place
3) sounds like Southern NH is best bet for you. Remember, you don't have to live in the town where either of you work: most people commute from a 'bedroom' town.
5) NH has very low crime!

As far as town vs city: Manchester is the biggest city NH has (pop approx 108,000), Nashua is second, Derry & Keene are third. And even then... depending on what you're used to as a "city", they're pretty small.

[aep73]

Originally Posted by seamusnh

What is "outdoor retail"? Ski equipment? Tractors?

Whoops! I should clarify -- selling camping, climbing, hiking, snowshoeing equipment ... that kind of thing.

Thank you so much for the input, both of you. It's very helpful, especially since we're trying to figure all of this out from the other side of the country! Keep the suggestions coming, please ...

[WannaComeHome]

hmmmm, you know.... you might want to look at something more commutable to the Lake District (look north of Concord. it's very much tourist/holiday focus around there, and it's not too much farther to the mountains. Might be a good place to find something selling all that equipment closer in to a higher recreational area. Mind you, there's trails and stuff everywhere in NH, but around the lakes and mountains you'll find more of it.

[DunkinBee]

You want to live in the Keene area. Mt. Monadnock and the lakes in SW NH are beautiful and outdoor pursuits are plentiful. I grew up here but am moving my family this summer for a new job. If I can help you at all, please don't hesitate to ask. The Monadnock region is definetely one you should take a good look at.

Originally Posted by aep73

I also need help looking at where to go in NH. Our family -husband, wife, child of 2 --are considering a move to NH. We considered a bunch of parameters and one of the states we are looking at for a move is NH, but the trouble is, we've only ever driven through before. Snow and mountains do not scare us, and with a child headed into the schools and one of us employed as an educator in the schools, high taxes to pay for the school systems don't scare us too much either. Having said that, we are not independently wealthy, so high cost of living overall is scary and is why we are considering moving from where we currently live.

Considerations:
1. Husband currently unemployed and looking to get back into the field of outdoor retail;
2. We all enjoy hiking and the outdoors;
3. School districts currently hiring in wife's field: Claremont, Newport, Swanzey, Goffstown, Manchester, Londonderry, Derry, Pembroke, ... there might be others;
4. Availability of rentals, possible real estate in the future, and decent schools; and
5. Low crime.

We prefer small town to big city in general, but seem to keep ending up in major metropolitan areas due to job availability.

Any recommendations where to start looking? Thanks for your help!

[Rexicana]

EMS headquarters is in Peterborough.

[fishnfool]

North Conway is definitely the hub of all pursuits outdoors....TONS of outdoor equipment retailers there and just about any outdoor pursuit you can think of....the White Mountains are at your backdoor.

I'm not too sure on the education aspect of it though.