Relocating to Franconia area (advice needed) (Littleton, Whitefield: real estate, home, find a job)

[faxmachineanthem]

Hi,
My wife and I are considering a relocation to the Franconia area. We'll likely be making a trip up there in the coming weeks and would like some advice on which towns to explore.

Our priorities are
1) 30 minutes or less driving time to Franconia
2) good schools, and a good place to raise children
3) easy access to great scenery for hiking, photography, and skiing
4) ideally in or around a small town... we would like to have some neighbors and not be 30 minutes from a food store and post office

I seem to notice that home prices are a little lower in towns like Lisbon and Whitefield. Is that accurate? Is that because they're more isolated? In doing a little research, I've come across some comments about certain areas being economically depressed. So any suggestions on such towns to avoid would be helpful as well.

Thanks in advance!

[Aptor hours]

My first question is are you employed or do you need to be? Are you looking to buy or rent? Littleton is a nice town, Easton, Benton, Monroe might be good to look. Monroe is a really good option if you are looking for schools since children go to the St. Johnsbury Academy which is a wonderful school. I can give you more advice when I know more

[vter]

I second Monroe simply for the fact that the kids will go to StJ Academy at high school age. You can do your shopping in Littleton and/or St. Johnsbury.

[GraniteStater]

Monroe also has the lowest equalized tax rate of any town in that vicinity as well. It would probably be a good place to look into for a lower cost of living and more affordable real estate prices compared to Franconia.

[faxmachineanthem]

Originally Posted by Aptor hours

My first question is are you employed or do you need to be? Are you looking to buy or rent? Littleton is a nice town, Easton, Benton, Monroe might be good to look. Monroe is a really good option if you are looking for schools since children go to the St. Johnsbury Academy which is a wonderful school. I can give you more advice when I know more

Thanks for the replies so far, they're very helpful. I'm in the process of lining up a job-- if it doesn't come through I won't be relocating since I know it's hard to find a job in the area. We're current renters, but are hoping to buy. That said, I believe the national RE market will continue fall over the course of the next year or two so we're not 100% set on buying. If we buy, our max is about $250k or so.