Property Taxes (Manchester, Concord, Durham: real estate, condo, house)

[touretteboy65]

Need help. My brain is fried searching the Internet, trying to determine areas of NH that have relatively low property taxes (all things considered), but not having to sacrafice quality of life as result. We have two young children, so schools are a great concern to us. I don't mind paying higher property taxes if it means better schools, but I'm trying to find a happy medium. We're not rich by any means, just a family trying to find a better life than what we have in Florida. Any suggestions? We like the Lakes Region, but I wouldn't mind living near Manchester or Concord (at least the surrounding communities). Active neighborhoods would be great with lots of families. Thanks.

[GraniteStater]

Here are the equalized tax rates for every town in NH for 2008.

http://www.nh.gov/revenue/munc_prop/...ratereport.doc

[GregW]

I would suggest the outskirts of Concord? Generally the schools are proportional to the tax rate. You do get what you pay for when it comes to schools. The way to save money on taxes is to find an inexpensive house. I live in a condo and my taxes are under two grand per year.

[touretteboy65]

Originally Posted by GregW

I would suggest the outskirts of Concord? Generally the schools are proportional to the tax rate. You do get what you pay for when it comes to schools. The way to save money on taxes is to find an inexpensive house. I live in a condo and my taxes are under two grand per year.

Yes, we don't need much. A simple home with enough room for us to grow in a nice neighborhood. I just spoke to a friend of mine who recently built a 6 0 0 0 square foot home , bragging about it. What a ding dong. Hope he has fun heating, cooling, furnishing it, let alone paying taxes on it. A fool and his money....

[GraniteStater]

Go smaller in square footage and pay less in property taxes. Being fiscally conservative is a necessity in NH.

[Incognito56]

What would be a reasonable compromise square footage vs taxes?

[rmcewan]

Originally Posted by Incognito56

What would be a reasonable compromise square footage vs taxes?

There's not a direct relationship really, just that the bigger the house, the higher the value, the higher the value-based property tax. The same size house in town A vs town B may get higher taxes because of both local market value AND the relative town tax rate. Also, high taxes in a town can and does depress the real estate in that town. Durham is a good example of that.

[WannaComeHome]

and location may also play a part in the taxes (well: assessment). If you're closer to the center of town or near a school, you may have higher taxes than being on the outskirts.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by WannaComeHome

and location may also play a part in the taxes (well: assessment). If you're closer to the center of town or near a school, you may have higher taxes than being on the outskirts.

Yes, I am pretty sure that is true for Concord.

[leavingNHsoon]

I live in the Lakes Region and it's quite nice. We have 5 kids, ages 22, 19,18, 17 and 2 years old. They all went to school in Plymouth NH. (Plymouth Regional High School) and they all loved it. Plymouth is also a college town (PSU). My family moved here from Tampa when I was 16 (1984). We want to go somewhere warmer now but not sure where. I love everything about NH except the winters. Taxes are higher in Plymouth than alot of other towns. I live in Ashland, about 1 mile from Little Squam lake. (where they filmed ON Golden Pond) Taxes aren't too bad here. I have a 1600 sq ft house and my taxes are $3000. year. Bridgewater NH has low taxes and that's not too far from here, maybe 5 miles. If you have any other questions.. just ask. I know everything about the Lakes Region part of the state!