Exeter/Stratham vs. Bedford (Londonderry, Windham: apartment, house, beach)

[eswrede]

We are almost ready to leave TX and make our way north to NH. Two days to be exact. Initially we thought we wanted to be in the Windham/Londonderry area but after my husband saw Exeter he was smitten. We put in an offer on a house in town but withdrew it after we started to have problems negotiating with the sellers (it's a long story). Now we have to start the process over and there really aren't any other options in town (dh doesn't like Exeter Farms). Because we have such specific requirements in a home (in-law apartment and separate office), we don't have a whole lot to choose from. We are now looking in Stratham too. Our realtor also suggested Bedford. Besides one being closer to the beach and the other the airport, Stratham and Bedford seem quite similar.

Does anyone have any opinions of either town or a comparison?

Thanks for any thoughts!
Libby

[dubthang]

Bedford is nice... but I prefer the Exeter/Stratham area myself. The towns in this area are all really close so don't be afraid to look in Newfields, Newmarket, Greenland, etc. This area is a great collection of farm fields, historic areas, new development, commercial, etc. You really get a lot of variety in a nice picturesque setting.