Moving to Keene, NH area (electric bill, electric, good)

[maxxoccupancy]

I, myself, am not a fan of Keene. The taxes are really high (second highest in the state), they have really strict zoning laws, and most businesses are closed by 6pm. Most of the young people I knew from there couldn't wait to get out. If I were in your position, I would definitely consider something about 20 minutes west on Route 9 or 101. When things start closing in the Keene area, you can still get up to Concord (Route 9) or Manchester (101) pretty easily.

[dubthang]

Originally Posted by maxxoccupancy

I, myself, am not a fan of Keene. The taxes are really high (second highest in the state), they have really strict zoning laws, and most businesses are closed by 6pm. Most of the young people I knew from there couldn't wait to get out. If I were in your position, I would definitely consider something about 20 minutes west on Route 9 or 101. When things start closing in the Keene area, you can still get up to Concord (Route 9) or Manchester (101) pretty easily.

Keene's taxes are not the second highest in the state, and most businesses are not closed by 6. Yes, many kids do leave (I did,) but many stay too. Keene is chock full of restaurants that stay open late, there are coffee shops that stay open late, the grocery stores are open late, etc. Going 20 minutes 'west' puts you into VT, but going 'east' gets you only to towns that 'close early.' You don't need to be close to Concord or Manchester to live comfortably in Keene.

[buck naked]

Keene's taxes are not the second highest in the state

maybe not, but at $27.40 they are very, very high when compared to other towns. Sullivan is higher at $29.74 and Troy is $29.03. Winchester is over $28. and Claremont is over $32!!! Therefore, Keene has dropped in placement. It's a good reason not to move there and certainly played into my choice when I moved 5 years ago.

2008 Property Tax Rates

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by buck naked

Keene's taxes are not the second highest in the state

maybe not, but at $27.40 they are very, very high when compared to other towns. Sullivan is higher at $29.74 and Troy is $29.03. Winchester is over $28. and Claremont is over $32!!! Therefore, Keene has dropped in placement. It's a good reason not to move there and certainly played into my choice when I moved 5 years ago.

2008 Property Tax Rates

Apparently the Monadnock Region needs a stricter dose of fiscal conservatism.

[mucknort]

Originally Posted by Wabash

Hello all. My husband just accepted a position up in Keene, NH. We are both pleased with this decision and are looking forward to relocating where we will be closer to my family, have a lower cost of living, and have a shorter commute for my husband (we currently live in Ellicott City, MD and his commute is an hour each way into the DC area).

I have several questions. First, I am a stay-at-home mom with two young children and I've been spoiled by numerous mom's clubs and groups for stay at home parents here in Howard County. Does anyone know of any such groups in the Keene area and how I can get in touch with these groups?

My other major question is about schools in and around Keene. My son will be entering Kindergarten in the fall and we are wondering how the elementary schools in Keene compare to the ones in some of the surrounding towns such as Swanzey, Marlborough, Chesterfield or Westmoreland.

Also, what kinds of kid-friendly activities are there to do in the area?

And finally, where do people in the area like to go for some heavy duty mall-type shopping? I realize that my choices will be somewhat more limited than they are in suburban Maryland, at least in terms of the distance needed to travel to such places...

Any words of advice are greatly appreciated.

To Wabash, and the others above that posted who are headed to Keene, Welcome!!!

I grew up in the crazy sprawl known as Southern California and have lived in Keene for a number of years now. It is a great place to raise kids, has a state college and a graduate school, numerous cultural events, vibrant downtown, enough national chain stores, many recreational/outdoor opportunities, decent schools, caring community, etc.

I've been a stay-at-home dad and there were several parent groups going on through the "Y", the Library, and independently. Different folks will have different opinions of the schools, but from the ones you mentioned I'd vote for Keene schools and Westmoreland. Swanzey and Marlborough have a lower reputation and frequently vote down school funding at town meetings. Keene has long been a strong supporter of education (which drives the anti tax group people crazy, but makes for better community, in my opinion).

Kid friendly? The Y, MOCO Arts, Keene State College offers programs, Keene Public Library, Keene Rec Center, Stonewall Farm Ed Programs, Horatio Colony Historical Museum, Brattleboro VT has a children's museum, Goose Pond, Gap Mountain, Colony Preserve, etc., etc.

Heavy duty mall shopping? Well consider supporting the wonderful shops on Main Street and at the Colony Mill to help keep your dollars local, or go shop at the new Ashbrook Center with Home Depot/Target/Pier1/Dick's/Borders/PartyCenter etc. Please check out Toadstool Books in the Colony Mill before Borders which has, by far, one of the best childrens books sections in the country. Or drive an hour south to Holyoke, Ma or an hour east to Nashua to find traditional mega-malls.

[firsttimemover1978]

I will be relocating to Keene from Dallas. We are a couple with no kids.

How do I find a place to rent there. When I search online I find only 4-5 apartment communities. Not Like Dallas where we typically rent an apartment from a complex. I think Keene, I have to rent an owner's house. Is that right? If yes, how do I go about searching.

[NXC9900]

craigslist is a good resource... i found my rental thru my college's housing list but i know several ppl who found good rentals thru there... tho it's hard to rent sight unseen thru craigslist IMHO... apt buildings are sorta a "safer" bet...

[sgthoskins]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

Apparently the Monadnock Region needs a stricter dose of fiscal conservatism.

The whole state does. It's a amazing how they know how to better spend your money.

[firsttimemover1978]

Originally Posted by NXC9900

craigslist is a good resource... i found my rental thru my college's housing list but i know several ppl who found good rentals thru there... tho it's hard to rent sight unseen thru craigslist IMHO... apt buildings are sorta a "safer" bet...

Thanks. Any recommendations - which apartments are better. When they say Heat included what does it exactly mean. Is Electricity Bill separate from Heat

[WannaComeHome]

yes, your electric bill will be separate from your heat. Electric heat is very rare in NH (not unheard of, but rare - and extremely expensive). Having your heat included is likely a very good thing, but.. it may also mean that you have no control over when it's turned on to be used - something you might want to check on.