Trip recap (Nashua, Concord, Derry: fit in, sales, how much)

[getmeoutofhere]

Sorry it took so long to get to this, been quite busy since we returned.

First off, let me say both my wife and I LOVED NH. I knew I enjoyed it, but she really seemed to fall for it as well. The more open spaces, how much less crowded it is, the air, the wider range of things to see and do.

We stayed at the Centennial in Concord (Visit the historic Centennial Hotel, Concord NH), and it was great. Highly recommended for anyone who needs a nice place to stay in that area. Room was large, service, was great, free Wi-Fi, it wasn't too expensive, and right off the freeway. Overall, A+!


We spent a lot of time driving around, seeing difference places. Spent a day in Portsmouth. Very beautiful, and lovely on the water, but felt a little too "touristy" for us. Also, house prices there are nuts! But a lovely place to visit.

Something we enjoyed, being from Texas, is that we could be in Portsmouth from Concord in about an hour or so, which is basically how much time it takes to do most anything in Dallas.

We were driving up to the mountains, but it was pouring rain, so we decided to go to Mystic Seaport instead, and what a great time that is! just like I remembered from my youth with my grandfather.

We went on the Mount Washington Auto Road, which was incredible, if a little nerve-wracking. Well worth it though, as it's absolutely spectacular! It's so cool to be able to have the ocean, the forest, and the mountains within a couple hours of each other.


We also scouted places to possibly purchase a house, and Concord didn't feel right.

Something that my wife especially will have to overcome is how different the housing set-up is there.

For people who aren't familiar, here is a typical Texas housing sub-division -






Just a bunch of houses crammed together. Also, almost every house here is brick construction, the siding construction that is so common in N.H. is only found on junky houses for the most part around here.


But hooray!! We found a place in Derry, called Harvest Estates that seems really nice and in our price range, though still a lot more than what houses here cost. Plus, we really enjoyed that area of the state.

Also checked out the Frost Farm, which I totally geeked out over, being an English nerd.

People were very friendly, if less outgoing than Texas. Something else my wife had to get used to, not striking up a conversation with everyone.

Anyway, a perfect trip, and now my wife feels much more comfortable planning a move there. Now if the dang old economy and housing market will turn around some to help accommodate us!

[WannaComeHome]

great to hear you had a good time! Yep, that's the beauty of a small state: you can get to all different landscapes. Ok, CA can also do that, but it's much more arduous a drive than in NH

Derry is probably great for you: it's one of the bigger, more built-up towns (tied for 3rd largest), but for all that I'm sure it feels very small compared to Dallas! You won't feel too much out in the sticks.

Tell your wife she's welcome to strike up conversations with anyone, they may or may not add much back, but no one will be offended - and they'll probably love her Texan accent!

So when do you think you'll move up?

[BF66389]

Awesome! Glad you're psyched!

One reason we love it so much is because SO much is so close. Even if we want to get across the country the airports/seaports are closeby!

[paidfor]

getmeoutofhere.....I am from Austin Texas. My wife and I are going to NH for a visit this coming week. She has been bugging me for a long time about moving there. I am kind of looking forward to it...especially the cooler weather. Sounds like we will be visiting the same places you visited. Also excited about seeing some rain...since we have not had much of that in Texas the last few months.

We wanted to move there after we retire and wanted to check it out in a couple of pre visits. I keep telling her we need to plan a trip there this coming winter to get a feel for that also.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by paidfor

getmeoutofhere.....I am from Austin Texas. My wife and I are going to NH for a visit this coming week. She has been bugging me for a long time about moving there. I am kind of looking forward to it...especially the cooler weather. Sounds like we will be visiting the same places you visited. Also excited about seeing some rain...since we have not had much of that in Texas the last few months.

We wanted to move there after we retire and wanted to check it out in a couple of pre visits. I keep telling her we need to plan a trip there this coming winter to get a feel for that also.

The Lakes Region of NH has many retirees and filled with towns of under 8000 people. The mildest winter climate, however, is found along the Seacoast of NH. This area has somewhat less snowfall. The snow stays on the ground for the majority of winter in central and northern NH. Investing in a snowblower is a wise choice. This past season we had snow on the ground from early December through early April. However, it is very sunny here during the winter which is a big plus. Temperatures are also milder compared to much of the Upper Midwest and Plains with less wind.
As you know, NH has high property taxes, but does not have a state income tax or sales tax. The median house prices keep dropping in many areas outside the "desirable" waterfront areas for the most part.
The economy here is diversified, but employment growth has been rather negligble for quite some time. I would say 3/4 of the population in NH lives in the Merrimack Valley (Concord through Nashua corridor) or the Seacoast (Portsmouth through Rochester).

[getmeoutofhere]

NH property tax is just the same as Texas. I pay about 2.65%, so for people from Texas it will seem just like home.

[paidfor]

NH property tax is just the same as Texas. I pay about 2.65%, so for people from Texas it will seem just like home.


That is what we were thinking. Since we will have two retirement checks coming in and SS (hopefuly) some day, we should be able to make it. Our biggest problem of course will be finding something that will suite us both.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by getmeoutofhere

NH property tax is just the same as Texas. I pay about 2.65%, so for people from Texas it will seem just like home.

Did you drive through the Lakes Region when you visited? I really like highway 104 to highway 25 area off I-93 through Meredith, Moultonborough, and Center Harbor. That whole corridor is very nice, but can get touristy during summer. The land area in these towns is very large, though.

[getmeoutofhere]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

Did you drive through the Lakes Region when you visited? I really like highway 104 to highway 25 area off I-93 through Meredith, Moultonborough, and Center Harbor. That whole corridor is very nice, but can get touristy during summer. The land area in these towns is very large, though.

We drove everywhere. We'd need to stay close to a bigger town, as she is a teacher (elementary math and science), that's one of the reasons we liked Derry.

But the nice thing about coming from a place like Texas is that even driving a couple hours to get somewhere doesn't seem that bad up there.

[MtDreamer]

getmeoutofhere I lived in Texas for 20 years and I know how it is. A friend there said lately it has been over 100 for over a week. As a retired person and hoping to move to NH this year I was wondering why you did not like Concord? Also being a single female over 50 but very active I was wondering if I would fit in buying a home in a more rural area like Sutton or New Boston. Any comments appreciated.