Rochester, NH -Good? Bad? (Dover, Portsmouth: for sale, house, buying)

[ravenhaven]

We're thinking about buying land in Rochester and eventually building a house on it. I've done some research but am hoping to hear from folks who have personal experience. My kids are in college so it'll just be the two of us.

Would appreciate hearing your thoughts on what's "good" about Rochester and what's "bad" (ie not so desirable, watch out fors, etc.).


Many thanks!

[Ken E]

There are some nice areas on the outskirts of Rochester.I grew up in Rochester and lived there for quite a while. I never really had a problem with anybody while i was there. What area are you looking at land in? I always liked it on the Barrington, Strafford side of town. There's some nice little ponds and rivers, ect. out that way. Good Luck

[ravenhaven]

Thanks, Ken. I saw that there were already alot of posts about Rochester before mine But wondered if you or anyone knows about the Baxter Lake area. There's some land on Meaderboro Rd. near Baxter Lake that I'm wondering about. They have a livestock restriction and my husband wasn't crazy about that.

Also there's a couple of sites on Wakefield Rd. but I don't know anyone familiar with that area either.

Any suggestions about either of those areas is appreciated.

[JFRRACING]

that is a beautifull area out there. i have a friend that has a camp on baxter lake and i also have other friends that live out that way on ten rod road. i lived in rochester my whole life just like ken has. rochester has grown alot since i moved but in know those areas out by where ur talking are very nice. in fact we used to swim , fish and canoe in baxter lake.

[Ken E]

Originally Posted by ravenhaven

Thanks, Ken. I saw that there were already alot of posts about Rochester before mine But wondered if you or anyone knows about the Baxter Lake area. There's some land on Meaderboro Rd. near Baxter Lake that I'm wondering about. They have a livestock restriction and my husband wasn't crazy about that.

Also there's a couple of sites on Wakefield Rd. but I don't know anyone familiar with that area either.

Any suggestions about either of those areas is appreciated.

I remember when Baxter lake used to be called Meaders Pond. Thats on 4 rod road. There might be some livestock restrictions right on the lake but that area always used to be farm type country.Go up the 4 rod road to Meaderboro Road or up to Crown Point or 2nd crown point rd and up around Blue Jobe or Parker Mtn. That area is awsome. You could probably look down over Baxter Lake from some of those hilltops.There always was dairy farms and a chicken farm up off Meaderboro Rd So i don"t understand the livestock restrictions. Excellent deer hunting area. Overall a really nice area.

[JFRRACING]

ken you are very right. i haven't been to nh or up that way since we moved away i forgot alot of the road names but you have jogged my memory for sure. i remember seeing alot of farms up ten rod when you get up past 4 rod road. i know there's a horse clinic i worked at a little further down before there. i used to go dirt biking up blue jobe mountain , it's very nice and it over looks downtown rochester. i remember seeing the lilac mall from up there. aahhhh memory lane. ooops sorry to get off topic...lol

[Pawporri]

Originally Posted by ravenhaven

We're thinking about buying land in Rochester and eventually building a house on it. I've done some research but am hoping to hear from folks who have personal experience. My kids are in college so it'll just be the two of us.

Would appreciate hearing your thoughts on what's "good" about Rochester and what's "bad" (ie not so desirable, watch out fors, etc.).


Many thanks!

Check out Farmington it's 6 miles north and has lower taxes......

[fishnfool]

The only thing "bad" about Rochester IMO is that there isn't much really going on there and it's not super close to anything.....but if you won't need to commute anywhere and you're past the whole nightlife/eating out thing and just want to build a house in a peaceful setting and relax then it would probably be perfect.

It's still not exactly far from Portsmouth or Dover and you're not horribly far from the Lakes Region, the Whites, or the ocean.

[Jacker]

Anything new going on in Rochester. Was looking to maybe relocate with my wife and kids and get away from the city. Looks like a nice small town that is safe and friendly. I also see that the local cinema is up for sale. Is this a good place to live and work! What can you tell me about the theatre would it be a good investment for this town or is there another cinema people are going to instead. Maybe the reason it shut down? I would like to buy it an make it a family place! But want to make sure it is not a place peopel avoid and a large muliplex is not being planned down the road.

[buck naked]

do you mean the Spinelli theatre in the Lilac Mall? IF it's closed, it's because a lot of t he stores in the mall have left.

Spinelli had another theatre on route 125 in Barrington. That one has been sold and is under new ownership.

I like Rochester. There are three supermarkets - large chain stores like Kohl's, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Home Depot, Staples and Lowes. There are a lot of mom and pop places around town as well. There are a few chinese restaurants, a few mexican restaurants and a couple of restaurants you've never heard of but will come back to.

In addition, the town has done some work on the high school, making it LOOK better. The Opera House is always planning something and the Governor's Inn has mystery theatre dinners. It's a nice place to live.