Moving from UK to New Hampshire (Rye: rental, insurance, appliances)

[kateg]

Hi Joppa-
Yes, you're right. Less traffic further north and the scenery is hard to beat. Real estate prices are less and for $400,000 you would get a great house. You need not settle in the north to get what you are after. Except for the southern portion there are nice areas which are quiet with reasonable home prices. I live 10 miles north of Concord and delivery trucks complain it's too rural. Concord is a wonderful city. It's small with great shops, restaurants and a variety of people. Plus things to do. Small towns around Concord offer small town living with quaint town centers. Plus jobs!

[DareToDream]

Originally Posted by joppa

Hi windchimes, thank you for your answer, I don't think its long winded at all <g>

I'm still researching the NH area. You live in the north and I believe that you had one of the worst winters going this last year. It sounds like you had it rough with having to wear all those clothes and having to waddle around in the house <g> I hope you both managed to get out of the house. Do the roads keep open around you?

Would I be right in saying that the further north you go the cheaper the house prices are. But to find work would be a allot harder I would think.

I think we would prefer the north as the scenery would be better and the traffic would be allot lighter. As always thanks again for all your in put.

Hi Joppa - Oh yeah, we got out of the house <g>. We had no problems with any of the roads this past winter - they were kept in really good condition...in fact when we bought our house, our closing and the day we moved was the day of the "Valentine's Day blizzard"!

I believe housing is cheaper up here than south and I also believe the work pays less, but I don't know from personal experience, just from reading the forum. I don't think we have much traffic up here at all, but the "locals" and those who have been here for years say there is a lot....guess it depends on what you're used to <g>.

We make less here in NH than we did in NYS, but for us, the move and less money was worth it - we're both much more relaxed and enjoying life more.....for us, it was well worth it!

[joppa]

Thanks for the input Kateg, I did look at Concord, Manchester and Derry. My idea was that if need be I could commute into Boston to look for work.

But then I thought this would defeat the object of us moving over there. At the moment we live less than two hours from London and as you can imagine the pace of life is allot faster and yes the traffic is bad.

I love the thought of being out in the country yet close enough to shop or get out to eat, which my wife and I both love to do <g>. I will be taking another look at Concord.

I'm with you windchime, on less money but a less stessful life. At the moment I earn good money but eat, sleep and live for work. When life is all about work and nothing else its time to do something.

Thanks for letting me know about the roads, (being open even in the deepest of snow) thats also importent to me, as I hate driving in the snow. I keep my research up when I can and information like that will put my mind at rest.

I keep looking at house prices and the North of NH looks cheaper and we also can get land with it which we both would like for our dogs. (Big dogs)

I would also like to point out the friendliness of New England comes across loud and clear on all the NH forums that I read. With that and the thought of a relaxed way of life, for me, it will be well worth the move <g>

[seelydancer]

Hi! Try the Concord, NH area - more jobs and you're only 45 -60 minutes from the mountains & lakes. Horrified to hear about your gas prices! And here I am, kvetching because gas is $3 a gallon! Of course, when I first got my license it was 4 gallons for a buck! (Back in the 60s.)

[joppa]

Hi seelydancer, back in the 60's America was the place to be. My first visit to America was in the early 70's and I loved it. It was a different world to the UK back then.

I do remember the old VW vans where the thing to drive back then. (The've made a come back here in the UK). Gas prices are always a pain over here, but we just keep paying them.

[Earthangel1776]

I LOVED my old VW van! I wish they still made them like that!!! So much fun to drive and you could fit tons of people or stuff in them! I finally traded mine in for a Honda Element a few years ago, but it was a tough act to follow... You'll have to get used to driving on the other side of the road! And in snowstorms sometimes. But you get used to it, and before long you'll be a pro!

What type of work do you do? If you live in a more rural part of the state, you would be able to buy a house cash and still have plenty left to live on. If your expenses are low, you can take an easy stress-free job and be able to get by fine, or even start up a small business (like dog kennels :-)).

I have been to several dog shows in NH over the years. But I can't remember which organizations sponsored them. But dog showing is alive and well in NH! There were many fine specimens and many breeds represented, in addition to obedience and agility classes. I've seen a number of Newfies in my travels, especially a group of them being walked in Francestown. Francestown is a very beautiful town, and very quaint. It is also fairly convenient for commuting, yet in a beautiful country setting. Antrim is nearby, and a great town too! Not too expensive and it has great town programs, schools, and character. I know as I've lived there, and am going back! Both towns are in the Monadnock region, which is very beautiful.

[southward bound]

Hi Joppa!

Earthangel is right. Monadnock is a lovely region! I wouldn't mind living there. There's a small town in that direction, in the southwest corner near the Vermont line called, I believe, Fitzwilliam (I hope I'm remembering correctly). I know some people who used to lived there and really liked it.

[Heatherc]

I suggest Southern NH (the Hudson/Nashua area). It is a nice area and close to the coast (45 mins) and Boston (45 min). The mountains are about a hour away as well. There is alot to do compared to the Northern areas which are beautiful but lack the convenience of southern NH. Houses are reasonable...depending what your looking for. I lived in other areas of NH as well (Keene and Hooksett) and I felt like I was so far away from civilization..personally. But, some people like being away from the surburnan areas.

[southward bound]

Originally Posted by Heatherc

I suggest Southern NH (the Hudson/Nashua area). It is a nice area and close to the coast (45 mins) and Boston (45 min). The mountains are about a hour away as well. There is alot to do compared to the Northern areas which are beautiful but lack the convenience of southern NH. Houses are reasonable...depending what your looking for. I lived in other areas of NH as well (Keene and Hooksett) and I felt like I was so far away from civilization..personally. But, some people like being away from the surburnan areas.

I agree with you on this, for all the reasons you outline. Good medical care close by also. That's not important until one needs it.

[joppa]

Thank you for all your replys, it really gives both my wife and I something to think about. We are still looking through the properties all around the NH area. The pros and cons of either North or South are clear when I am looking over all the New Hampshire links. I think a couple of weeks exploring the area and looking over houses will do it for us. I promise that I will keep an update of what we do

The only thing that concerned me is driving in the snow and ice But believe me that will not put me off. St Valentine day snow???? I take it that was a bad day