24 hours in paradise (Manchester, Nashua, Concord: rental, homeowners insurance, home)

[kwiley1221]

OK, step 2 of my (hopefully) relocation to NH is taking place Friday, June 8th. I am being flown in for a final interview which hopefully will conclude with an offer both sides can agree upon. My flight back to Hot-lanta is late Saturday afternoon, giving me roughly about 5 hours Friday evening/night and 5 hours Saturday morning/afternoon to explore Southern NH. That should be efficient enough to scratch the surface and at least get a feel for the setting. I wish it could be a little bit longer but that's all the time I can get at this point, but hey better than nothing, right? Job location would be in Salem NH.

Merrimack (and surrounding area) , Londonderry (and surrounding area), and Exeter (and surrounding area) are towns we've identified as possibles so far - but not set in stone by all means. Good schools are important, reluctanly with the higher property taxes that come with those areas. Commute - no more than 45 minutes one way should give me ample roaming range and still be close enough to work. We'd prefer to rent for 6 months/1 year before finding a place of our own to give us time to digest everything. A couple of small dogs has me concerned about 3br rental opportunities though. So our plans could change and we could dive straight into SoNH home ownership.

So to cut to the chase: You've got basically 10 hours (give or take) in SoNH to get a feel for the place. What would you do, where would you eat, where would you go? Obviously this won't be a 'tourist trip'. I've already got an agenda (somewhat) planned out. I'm just curious to hear what 'the locals' think/would do.

Thanks!!

Keith

[southward bound]

If you like seafood, the Weathervane on 101 is good, and if you're in Merrimack, be sure to get stuffed at the Lobster Boat, a little hole in the wall right in the center of town that is just the best!

[jaecamp]

I definetaly agree with the Weathervane! There's one right on 28 though in Salem. Maybe take the family to Hampton Beach too, thats great for the family if you have time.

[GregW]

Just drive around on the non-interstate roads like NH102, 121, 28, etc. Get a map and just look around. Southen NH is just spectacular this time of year.

[kateg]

Does Southern NH mean Nashua? I would suggest Amherst to the west if schools are important. My daughter lives in Amherst and the boys love the schools and sports. My grandson is in the 8th grade and being primed for hs football. Mt. Vernon also goes to same HS. Exeter to the east is great because of Exeter Academy. Usually private schools reflect on private schools. Exeter has a good reputation too. Check out Middleton as well. You're right about taxes being high where the schools are good. Seems housing is higher as well. Because so many people are moving into NH the flavor of the towns is changing. Some of the towns where the schools were bad, drug traffic high are improving rapidly. Try going on the internet and read local papers about town problems. My children went to Merrimack high school. My son did extremely well, my daughter not. Depends on the child. You'll find many parents locate where they like and send kids to private school. If that's a n option for you there are many excellent private schools. Concord High has a good reputation but housing is high. Kids in our town, Canterbury, go to Belmont High. Seems many parents want to live here but send kids to Sant Bani or catholic schools in Concord as well as St. Paul. I would stay away from Tilton school and New Hampton school.
Suggest you wait until you get to the coast to eat seafood.

[kwiley1221]

Thanks for the info guys!

Greg, I will most definitely be hitting 121, 102, 28, etc Saturday as I wind through some of the areas just to get a feel for everything.

Kate, Nashua is in the scope of our search. Right now we have Bedford, Merrimack, Londonderry, and Hampstead as top candidates. Exeter and Amherst sound interesting, and we've been researching them as well, but I am wondering if it will be a bit far for a daily commute (under 45 minutes?) to/from Salem.

Since the family won't be with me this trip, I probably won't be hitting any of the popular places to eat. I want to save those for if/when we move.

No guarantees on anything at this point but we're keeping our fingers crossed that this one works out.

[CityGirl52]

Absolutely cruise through Londonderry & Hampstead areas as well as your other choices. I think you'll be really happy in any of those towns myself, they're not far from Salem at all, so the commute wouldn't be tough at all for you. You're right, Exeter might be a little further. Stick with the others you have.

Are you flying in to Manchester on Friday by any chance? If you are? Just go to Elm Street in downtown for lunch if you get the chance and get to 786 Elm Street if you can. It's the "Merrimack Restaurant" No frills, no reservations, very casual, reasonable prices on their menu. It's where a lot of the Presidential hopefuls always end up going to and they were actually there this past weekend when they were in Manchester for the St. Anselm's College Democratic Primary Debates. We've been to this restaurant several times and it's a real GEM. This is where you'll see the locals in action and you can probably snag one or two of them with some questions you have!

Good luck, you picked a few great towns! You'll have a hard time deciding! I really love Bedford or Hampstead so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you, keep us posted.

[WIMU]

Amherst is a great town and good schools but if you have to drive through Nashua to get to Rte 3 or another road it is a nightmare. Amherst street from Amherst to Nashua and return has about 15 stoplights and the trafic is ungodly. Bedford, Merrimack and Londonderry are very good for commuting.

[nibseysgirl]

Originally Posted by kwiley1221

OK, step 2 of my (hopefully) relocation to NH is taking place Friday, June 8th. I am being flown in for a final interview which hopefully will conclude with an offer both sides can agree upon. My flight back to Hot-lanta is late Saturday afternoon, giving me roughly about 5 hours Friday evening/night and 5 hours Saturday morning/afternoon to explore Southern NH. That should be efficient enough to scratch the surface and at least get a feel for the setting. I wish it could be a little bit longer but that's all the time I can get at this point, but hey better than nothing, right? Job location would be in Salem NH.

Merrimack (and surrounding area) , Londonderry (and surrounding area), and Exeter (and surrounding area) are towns we've identified as possibles so far - but not set in stone by all means. Good schools are important, reluctanly with the higher property taxes that come with those areas. Commute - no more than 45 minutes one way should give me ample roaming range and still be close enough to work. We'd prefer to rent for 6 months/1 year before finding a place of our own to give us time to digest everything. A couple of small dogs has me concerned about 3br rental opportunities though. So our plans could change and we could dive straight into SoNH home ownership.

So to cut to the chase: You've got basically 10 hours (give or take) in SoNH to get a feel for the place. What would you do, where would you eat, where would you go? Obviously this won't be a 'tourist trip'. I've already got an agenda (somewhat) planned out. I'm just curious to hear what 'the locals' think/would do.

Thanks!!

Keith

Hi there,
Have to try the Fish Shanty in Dover ...Awesome....That is on the seacost near Portsmouth(RT 1) and 16
I noticed you live in Alpharetta, how coincidential, I am looking into possibly relocating to that area from Naples FL(relocated here from Dover NH) I cant afford to live here with the property tax worse yet the homeowners insurance(400 yr NH -5000K Naples.) I would welcome any suggestions on areas good for family, school and church going(Pentecostal NOT baptist) and pet lovers. We want to buy a home in a nice town not a busy metropolitan area but close enough so when we need to fly home in FL or NH that we can do it easily and quickly as well as shopping etc...I have heard wonderful things about Forsythe and Fulton Counties...Good Luck with your relocation..and any help with my possible one would be appreciated and very welcome
Take Care
Lisa

[nibseysgirl]

Originally Posted by kwiley1221

Thanks for the info guys!

Greg, I will most definitely be hitting 121, 102, 28, etc Saturday as I wind through some of the areas just to get a feel for everything.

Kate, Nashua is in the scope of our search. Right now we have Bedford, Merrimack, Londonderry, and Hampstead as top candidates. Exeter and Amherst sound interesting, and we've been researching them as well, but I am wondering if it will be a bit far for a daily commute (under 45 minutes?) to/from Salem.

Since the family won't be with me this trip, I probably won't be hitting any of the popular places to eat. I want to save those for if/when we move.

No guarantees on anything at this point but we're keeping our fingers crossed that this one works out.

Exeter is very nice too.
Good Luck
Lisa