Questions about living in NH (Rochester, Dover: low income, construction, school)

[baseballnut50]

I am currently living in Boston while attedning Grad school. I am looking at different areas of New England when I get out. I was hoping the locals could answer some questions for me.

1. I need to live by the water. Beach or lake.

2. I am a child life specialists so I am looking at Dartmouth Hospital or Wentworth Douglass Hospital.

3. How long of a commute is the Sunapee area to Dartmouth. How bad is it in the winter? Are there other small towns by water?

4. How far of a commute is Portsmouth to Dover? Once again how about the winter time?

5. Is the Hampston beach area safe ?

Thanks for all your help.

[ravenhaven]

If what you're looking for is water, Portsmouth seacoast is the place. Not as much snow in winter as in inland areas such as Dover, Rochester, but expect to still shovel. Wentworth Douglass is right in downtown Dover. Not too familiar with the Sunapee region, sorry. Do a thread search for your particular areas of interest. I did one for you just on 'Portsmouth NH living' and came up with this link below on this forum. Lotsa info on the forum has already been posted. Link below talks about Portsmouth, Dover distance, etc. (not mentioned is that the commute to Portsmouth/Dover either way is hindered by the traffic congestion over the General Sullivan bridge during business hours). A regular 10 min commute can turn into 20-30 depending on weather, construction, etc. during rush hour. Not bad considering the delays in Boston (I lived there too). Am glad to have made the move from Boston to up here 20 years ago. Check out link below and subsequent forum thread searches. Good luck!

http://www.city-data.com/forum/new-h...oast-area.html

[fishnfool]

Portsmouth to Dover is usually about 15-20 minutes depending on your route. It does get congested on the Sullivan bridge during rush hour...but there are plenty of other ways to get there.

Hampton Beach is safe....but not necessarily desirable...it attracts a different type of crowd in the summers, low income in the winter, and tons of traffic.

Look into getting a place north of Boar's head in Hampton (along or north of the seawall) and you'll enjoy it.....I do. I never venture down to the village district and don't notice much if any overflow from it, other than increased motorcycles in the summer that feel the need to rev their engines and speed down my street at all hours....and I live in a completely residential area