Floridians considering relocating to NH-seeking advice (Manchester, Dover: rent, insurance, crime rate)

[MrsTommy]

DH and I are considering a relocation from SW Florida to NH. As for so many others, DH was hit hard by the downturn in construction. I am a Certified Medical Assistant, currently doing private duty non-medical home care with elderly patients. I also have experience in Law Enforcement as a 911 Operator/Police, Fire Dispatcher. Hubby was a contractor on Long Island, running his own renovation/remodeling business with many happy, satisfied customers before moving to Florida. Here he has been a Trim Carpenter and a Warranty Superintendent for a luxury home builder. We have seen that NH's unemployment rates seem to be a bit lower than the rest of the country and I see many postings for jobs that I could do. We also love the location and countryside and think we would be a good fit with the general philosophy of the region...we like to live and let live. I am also attracted to the general idea of a quaint, New England town with a main street, town square, etc. (Probably just a dream.)

We are looking for advice from all quarters. We would like to know details about NH's contractor licensing requirements, what markets you think someone with his skills would do best in, suggestions for towns to relocate to, etc.

Thanks for any help you guys can give!

[WannaComeHome]

Originally Posted by MrsTommy

We have seen that NH's unemployment rates seem to be a bit lower than the rest of the country and I see many postings for jobs that I could do. We also love the location and countryside and think we would be a good fit with the general philosophy of the region...we like to live and let live.

that's great, but... can you cope with the radical change in climate???

I am also attracted to the general idea of a quaint, New England town with a main street, town square, etc. (Probably just a dream.)

not necessarily a dream, there are plenty of those towns around!

[MrsTommy]

Originally Posted by WannaComeHome

that's great, but... can you cope with the radical change in climate???

Yea...not a problem. I've dealt with it before. I may have to get the SAD lights if it stays dreary for too long but that can happen here too if we get too many overcast days.

not necessarily a dream, there are plenty of those towns around!

That's encouraging. I was hoping some in construction could give us an idea of the business climate and licensing up there. Hubby's not looking to come and take away business from folks...just looking for enough work to support a one or two man shop.

[seain dublin]

Originally Posted by MrsTommy

DH and I are considering a relocation from SW Florida to NH. As for so many others, DH was hit hard by the downturn in construction. I am a Certified Medical Assistant, currently doing private duty non-medical home care with elderly patients. I also have experience in Law Enforcement as a 911 Operator/Police, Fire Dispatcher. Hubby was a contractor on Long Island, running his own renovation/remodeling business with many happy, satisfied customers before moving to Florida. Here he has been a Trim Carpenter and a Warranty Superintendent for a luxury home builder. We have seen that NH's unemployment rates seem to be a bit lower than the rest of the country and I see many postings for jobs that I could do. We also love the location and countryside and think we would be a good fit with the general philosophy of the region...we like to live and let live. I am also attracted to the general idea of a quaint, New England town with a main street, town square, etc. (Probably just a dream.)

We are looking for advice from all quarters. We would like to know details about NH's contractor licensing requirements, what markets you think someone with his skills would do best in, suggestions for towns to relocate to, etc.

Thanks for any help you guys can give!

Yes you are very open minded. How will you ever deal with all those yankees....LOL.

[Verseau]

Originally Posted by MrsTommy

I am also attracted to the general idea of a quaint, New England town with a main street, town square, etc. (Probably just a dream.)

Heck, there aren't many towns in NH that aren't like that!

Could you provide any more info on the type of town you're looking for? What size? What's your housing price range? Do schools matter? How close do you want to be to the ocean, the lakes, the mountains? Easy access to cities or way out in the country?

[MrsTommy]

We have come to realize we may have to live in Southern or Coastal in order to be close to Boston for work. (Not that we want to work in Boston.) I would love to live in a small town in the mountains but realistically, we would need a pretty large city to support any kind of business for hubby. Initially, we would rent until we decided where to settle. Schools don't matter...the kid's out of school now. We're used to being close to the ocean but realize housing is much more expensive there.

It looks like Manchester may be the logical choice. Even though everyone knocks it as having crime and gangs, after researching its crime statistics, it's as safe as the most stringently protected cities down here.

[WannaComeHome]

Not sure where in FL you're used to, but most Floridians have considered Manchester's crime rate to be extremely low by comparison. Most folks in NH aren't fond of cities and Manchester being the biggest in the state means that it's not that popular to the majority of folks - which isn't at all the same thing as being 'bad'.

Keep in mind that by working in Boston, you/he will be paying Mass income tax even though you live in NH.

[MrsTommy]

I've lived up and down the west coast of Florida. Manchester's crime rate is lower than any of the places we have lived.

Well...I'm in agreement with most in NH. I'm not fond of cities either...the farther out in the boonies, the better for me. We would only work in Boston as a last resort and only if it paid well enough to compensate for the travel and tax expenses and even then, nobody is going to compensate you for the time and frustration you expend commuting.

Our goal is to eventually get Hubby off the ground with his own Contracting firm. He enjoys rehab/remodel jobs. This was my main goal posting on this board-to get input from others about the State's licensing requirements. As far as we can determine, it's just a matter of local license and insurance. If anyone can offer any input, it would be appreciated.

[rmcewan]

Dover?
Cheaper hub on the seacoast about 70 mins from Boston. Access to all of the relatively densely populated Seacoast and thus the construction work going on there.

[MrsTommy]

Originally Posted by rmcewan

Dover?
Cheaper hub on the seacoast about 70 mins from Boston. Access to all of the relatively densely populated Seacoast and thus the construction work going on there.

I want it all...a place in the mountains, but close to the beach. A small town within 10 minutes of a major metro. Methinks I'm going to have to compromise.