Moving from CA to Windham NH - need information (Manchester: sales, rental)

[FM444]

After researching extensively on-line, we have picked Windham and would like more information from people who live there. We presently live in Santa Cruz county, both early fifties, no children at home, just want to have a life again, more sophistication and culture, in a safe upscale community. Great outdoors, quiet, organic food, farmers markets and environmentally conscious people type of community are priorities for us, as well as being near an interesting city. So Windham, from this side of the country at least, seems to be this kind of place.

After reading the other posts about the area, I still have a few questions:

- what is the job/economy situation in that area?
Husband former geologist, presently national sales (distribution of natural medicine, supplements) and options trading (would like to extent that activity).
Me naturopath, nutritionist, therapist, + a natural medicine business on-line. Although we are planning to take a few sabbatical months, we are not yet retired and still need income.
Are there vitamins/supplements manufacturing/distributing large companies in the area?

- could someone recommend a good realtor we can work with, from our first one week visit (we plan to come very soon) to a temporary rental that leaves us the time to explore where we will purchase our home.

- are Windham and the area dog friendly? Can you walk your dog off-leash in parks? We have a large well behaved German shepherd

- is it easy to make new friends? We like our privacy and are social people who love conversation, walks, opera or dinners out or at home with friends.

- are there a lot of mosquitoes in the summer?

- is the nuclear plan far or close? is there any nuclear dump in the area or how far?

- what is the quality of the water?

- is there a French community around? (oui, je suis francaise)

- is there a nice quiet B&B around Windham for our coming visit, charming without paying top $$$?

Thank you very much for your time.

[NH2008]

I really don't know Windham at all, but from your post it sounds like you might like Peterborough. It's a very artsy town with its own theater, museum, shops and restaurants. It is home to the MacDowell Art Colony and the population is pretty artsy/crunchy (reminds me of San Francisco). There's an organic grocery downtown. Most of NH is not like that!

[Valerie C]

Hi FM
While I don't live in Windham, your questions are general enough that I feel comfortable answering most of them. First, welcome to the forum. I'm sure there will be many of our regulars along soon to offer guidance

While the economy and job situation as a whole are less than stellar ANYWHERE in the country at the moment, southern New Hampshire seems to be somewhat insulated against the national trends. Windham, being located just off the main route for many to Boston, jobs (while not as plentiful as we might wish) are available.

Your career as a naturopath, nutritionist, therapist, & the natural medicine business seems suited to the area. Seacoast areas such as Portsmouth might provide more opportunity, but home prices rise the closer you are to the coast. You might also consider the Bedford area, just north/west of Manchester. There are so many conditions that traditional medicine fails to improve, and alternatives are finally becoming more accepted, though only the more wealthy communities will support this type of business.

Dog Friendly: Overall, the area is dog-friendly, but does have a leash law which you can read about here: DOG REGULATIONS
If you can demonstrate that your dog is under control with or without a leash, you may apply for an exemption. (When we relocated out of state several years back, our family was able to secure a temporary rental home with our 2 GSDs due to their obedience and Canine Good Citizen titles.) Windham's "rail trail" is a great place to walk, and additionally, there is a dog-park in neighboring Derry, now with a separate play area available for the smaller breeds who might be intimidated by the larger dogs.

There are many social groups in Windham, you might try meetup.com to find other like-minded people. Sometimes it can be difficult to find your 'fit' right in your own neighborhood. Long New Hampshire winters are most suited to active outdoors folks, or cocooning with friends and families. You might find that people may initially seem cool or distant. Talk to BF about his experiences since he and his wife moved to NH a couple years ago.

Mosquitoes... Unfortunately yes, there are mosquitoes aplenty in the summer, and the last few years have brought concerns of EEE and West Nile Virus. It's just something that we deal with. NH has an abundance of water and conservation land (previously referred to as swamp-pass the DEET, please!)

Seabrook Nuke Plant is approx. 30 miles east, right on the coastline.

Water quality varies. Much of southern NH is serviced by private well (and septic) and it is vital that you have a comprehensive well water analysis completed.

Our friend Verseau can fill you in more than I on the French community in Manchester, but this would refer mainly to Canadian (Quebecios) population.

I'm not aware of a B&B in Windham, but you might try Tiffany Gardens in Londonderry. (Tiffany Gardens Bed&Breakfast in Londonderry, NH) The gardens are amazing at this time of year, and Londonderry is very convenient to the area(s) that you are considering.

OK, I've prattled enough for one post...

[FM444]

Thank you so very much Valerie for all this information. All seems fine, except for the mosquitoes. I cannot use DEET since I am allergic to chemicals. Do they spray in towns? That would be a concern for me.
I see that you are a Realtor. Do you work in Windham area? Do you have a website?