Moving to Nashua Area (Hudson: apartments, renting, houses)

[techee]

I have been reading through as much of the forums as I can but I have a few questions. I have a pretty good lead on a job in Hudson just on the other side of the river and so I am looking at places to move in the area. I am a recent college grad from Omaha, Nebraska. I will be visiting next week to have a final interview, but I am planning on staying an extra day so that if I do get the job I can search for apartments. I'll try and break things up to make it easier to answer.

1) I have been looking mostly in Nashua but am open to other places. I have been looking at apartments on the south side of town near the border. Is this an okay area of town? I usually like living in more urban areas but for a first apartment I am not too worried about living in more of a suburban setting. I would just like things to be somewhat convenient, like food, shopping, and at least a couple bars.

2) I enjoy spending time in larger cities, is it convenient to get to Boston? Is it easiest to drive or take the bus/train?

3) How is the nightlife? Does Nashua have any sort of gay scene? I visited NH last year, went to Manch and they had a few gay bars, but didn't get to visit Nashua.

4) I am very much into the outdoors so I am excited to move somewhere that has plenty to offer. Since the landscape here leaves much to be desired I haven't been able to extensively try things like kayak or rock climb. Are there clubs or groups that I would be able to get in with to learn these things?

5) Here I am used to super hot summers so we run the air conditioner from June through September. When I stayed in the Lakes Region last summer no one had an A/C, is this the same for the Nashua area?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

[BF66389]

1) Depends where, but generally not bad- there are very few "bad" areas. You will know by the condition/cleanliness.
2) Yes, about 45-60 minutes to Boston off rush hour. Parking is pricey but you can drive part-way then take the train... always been enjoyable for us.
3) I have no idea, I don't really think so.
4) Yes, everywhere- clubs, stores that sponsor outings, etc...there are a lot of outdoor activities in NH.
5) Many homes have A/C- we can get some hot days in the summer (though nights are generally cooler even on hot days). Many homes also do not have A/C. I like having it...but its up to you- some people just have window units they put in for the hottest times of year...

[techee]

I found an apartment on main street in downtown that I am interested in. How is Nashua's downtown?

[NH2008]

It's okay. Main St has some cute restaurants and shops. The area around it has a lot of run-down houses and isn't that nice. If you're right on Main St, you could be close to Southern NH Medical Center and could get a lot of ambulance noise.

[BF66389]

I agree with the above poster. There are plenty of nice homes, but also some that I'd prefer not to live in. Make sure you check it out in person first if you can!

[techee]

The apartment I am looking at is just north of main st and factory, so its not near the medical center. I am definitely going to check it out before renting. You never know what those old buildings look like on the inside. Would it take long to get into Hudson from this location? I was speaking with someone who mentioned the traffic can get pretty backed up during the rush hours.

[BF66389]

The traffic over the bridge can back up...but you'd be so close it wouldn't be that bad- just longer than it should be based on distance.

As for location, there is a "rule" that the "tree streets" in Nashua are bad. By bad I don't mean the BAD area of a major city, just bad for Nashua which means run down with some drugs...not rampant gunfights everywhere or anything. If you look at google maps and to the slight southwest of where you are looking- are the tree streets (row of streets with tree names). Like I said- just go see it in person, you could be on a block that's just fine...

[techee]

Thanks for your replies everyone, I can't wait to visit next week, I will let you know how everything goes!

[techee]

Thank you for all your help everyone, I got the job I was looking for in Hudson and will be moving to an apartment in downtown Nashua on main st. on the 1st of September. I really enjoyed my visit and can't wait to move!

[BF66389]

Congrats, welcome to NH!