It's been a long time (Berlin, Littleton: apartment, renters, house prices)

[daniellefort]

Hi all, It's been a REALLY long time since i've posted anything. Only because i've been so busy working 2 jobs just to survive here in NH. I have to say, of the 3 states i've lived, NH, FL and TN this is the most expensive of all. Still haven't sold my house in FL and the renters we have in there are 3 months behind on rent. Once my daughter is done high school, I think i'll move to TN where we have property and build there. It's a lot like NH but much cheaper to live. NH is no longer the "Live Free or Die" state like it was 15 years ago when i lived here. My gosh, I'm waiting for them to tax our taxes next!!. The prison up here that was supposed to make jobs for us here in Berlin just laid off 10 guards so other guards from the south of the state can keep their jobs and move up here. Again, the locals are suffering job losses to others. It's not right. Some had 10+ years in the prison and now they can't even get a job at the new state prison opening next year because of their age. Not right. I'm working 24 hours at the hospital evening shift and working my regular home job as well. All i do is work it seems which is why i haven't been online chatting much. When i do have time off, my husband and I enjoy taking day hikes of course when we get those rare days of sunshine. All in all, it's okay and we're doing fine.

[lisa g]

Danielle, how nice to see you again! Sounds like you are burning the candle at both ends. Glad you found some time to say hi.

[GregW]

Indeed, NH can be suprisingly expensive, now that the entire state is in the "bring your own job" catagory.

[southward bound]

Originally Posted by GregW

Indeed, NH can be suprisingly expensive, now that the entire state is in the "bring your own job" catagory.

Interesting comment. We've been away from this forum for a while. What does "bring your own job" mean? I'd like your take on it. Are the jobs going away?

[daniellefort]

there are no jobs available. Unless your transferring here with a job in place, your out of luck at least here in the northwoods then again, as i stated in the prison system, your being transferred as someone else loses their job for them. Even government jobs are not safe anymore.

[DareToDream]

Danielle - Good to "see" you again!

The job situation wasn't much better in Littleton - we relocated in June because of that. Thankfully, my job paid enough to cover everything, but DH's job paid diddly squat and he was always wondering when the next lay-off would come or the next cut in hours.

We really liked the area, but we weren't really "living." The northern part of the state really is beautiful, it's too bad something can't be done to bring in more opportunities for employment for the people there

[nicolem]

Nice to hear from you Danielle. I am sorry about your situation. Yes all we get lately in this state is tax, tax, tax. It is a shame the changes that have occurred in this once great state.

I remember when they proposed the prison years ago, I was hoping it would not be approved because I knew it would not be the salvation that they promised. People already in the prison system in other parts of the country would be higher than those wanting to be hired in Berlin due to union contracts and steps and thus the locals would lose out. Also I saw a piece on the news that there is an age restriction. All we heard for years is that this prison was going to be the salvation for the mill workers-what a surprise more lies from politicians on both sides of the aisle. That is why I fear the proposed casino-that they are once again talking about will do the same. It is again being billed as the salvation for the Berlin area. I think it will be more of the same however-no jobs for locals, push locals out, etc.

It is hard for most people right now-I understand the craziness of working two jobs-I did it for many years. I hope that your house in FL sells soon and perhaps you can have a little more sanity and security in your lives.

How is your daughter doing in school? Are they still as accomodating to her blindness as they were when you first moved back? I know that you were really happy about the differences in the NH and FL schools when it came to your daughter.

I wish you and your family luck.

[daniellefort]

The schools here are great. If it wasn't for that, i'd probably go back to FL now. The schools have her working a real job this summer paying minimum wage cleaning the schools for the next coming year. Her one on one aid even offered to work this summer with my daughter which was really nice of her instead of having to hire a new aid to be with her on her summer job. I can't say enough about the schools here in NH compared to FL but once she's done school and we can leave, we probably will. We haven't bought a home here in NH. We're living in an apartment above my brothers home so we won't be stuck here and he's not charging rent so we're actually able to get ahead on some of our bills especially with me working the 2 jobs. My husbands job at the Berlin Dealer is going well but come winter time, it's going to slow down quite a bit for him and not enough work to go around so that's kind of scary. There are a lot of tempting homes to buy at very low prices but you figure the cost of taxes and the oil to heat every year doesn't make it so affordable anymore. Registrations are ridiculous up here. I didn't know you had to register my husbands Endo bike 2 times. Once for using on the main roads and once for using on the trails. Okay so they needs funds to keep up the trails but the trails are pretty bad. Got to register my dog too every year for $7.50. I can go on and on but it sure has changed up here.

[Ken E]

Hi Danielle, It's good to see your doing ok in NH. I wouldnt be in any hurry to come back here if i were you. It's pretty sad down here right now. Nowhere near the same place you left just a few months ago. I still cant sell my place here and really dont expect to for a while. House prices around here are what they were 10 years ago.Cost of living here goes up all the time. You really don't get a whole lot for your money. Just imagine when this whole mess turns around how good everybodys gonna feel. Are you still doing your woodworking. Take care.

[GraniteStater]

Good to see you posting again daniellefort

I also think NH retirees on a fixed income are really getting squeezed right now with the COL continuing to increase year after year.