Read this before relocating to NH.. (Rochester, Dover: fit in, sales, houses)

[fashionablecowboy]

I'm here, and I want out! I'm over the people, pace of life, politics, and winters. Welcome to Massachusetts II!

Okay, the people are so downright cold, and unfriendly. The never smile or look you in the eyes. Some would call this "genuine," but I would call this weather or culturally-inflicted.

People in New England can NOT drive in traffic.. People here think that passing one car in heavy traffic will get them to their destination QUICKER. (TAKE FOR EXAMPLE -101 or Route 16 through Dover, ever tried that on rush hour?) That's all life's about here; Get there and do things QUICK.

The roads are narrow, winding and hard to drive on yet sometimes fun. They are NOT relaxing, and tailgaters are everywhere. You could be in the most rural area in Rochester or Laconia and still have someone 3 feet from your tail.

You want food? Try Dunkin Doughnuts. "NH RUNS ON DUNKIN!" No need to drive far for it... It's in every other town here, and it has a drive-through to get your breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It's the monopoly here and will make you unhealthy and fat!

I'm here, and I want out! New Hampshire is such an un-motivating environment. The nicest towns are not much different than the worst towns. (You'll find bigger houses, and more detailed landscaping.. that's mostly it.) Rye or Ossipee.. it's all pretty much the same thing. Not many towns are unique.. it's all New England-style. No tudor, no french, no contemporary or your neighbors will have a fit.

People are OBESSESED with old stuff. Antique stores, and history.. I'm not at all. Not many people are fascinated by modern design--although we're apparently a liberal region (New England/Taxachusetts) -everyone likes the same furniture, the same black shutters, and the same clothes.

Despite that, this place is still relaxing with all the nature here(not the drivers)-the white mountains are great! but this states definitly not perfect nor the best. The wages are good, but don't be fooled. This state is no where near worth the money that it costs to live here. I'm here, and I want out!

[ontheroad]

I just double, or triple checked and you are the same person that slammed MA as the least friendly or the most rude.

It doesn't sound as if New England is the right place for you.

[DareToDream]

Hello cowboy - May I ask how long you've been in NH? We've only been here a little over a year and perhaps I'm still "too new" to the area, but neither I nor my husband have experienced what you have posted.

The people we've met have not been downright cold or unfriendly, never looking us in the eyes or smiling. Granted, until people got to know us, they were "reserved", but certainly not cold or unfriendly. Once they got to know us, the "reserved" presentation was followed by warmth....and a lot of it.

"Get there and do things quick"? Haven't experienced that at all - things here seem to be much slower paced than in NY (where we came from).....

Dunkin Donuts - sure, there are a lot of them, but nobody MAKES you go there to eat - there are many other food places. There is certainly no need to become "unhealthy and fat" in NH!

"Old stuff, antiques and history" - If people like those things, what's wrong with that? A lot of the "old stuff" and "antiques" are built better and last longer than a lot of the newer "trendy" things......"same furniture, shutters and clothes"? Haven't seen where that's any type of epidemic either...that type of thing was more prevalent where we came from, in fact.

Is the state perfect? I doubt it, I don't think any place is - that would be Utopia and the last time I looked at a map or atlas, I couldn't find it

We are in northern NH, so perhaps that's part of the difference in our perceptions... Also, living here has a MUCH lower cost of living that what we had in NYS.

Our biggest annoyance is that there's only one grocery store in town, so no real competition, but that's about it.

It seems that since I started writing this, "ontheroad" posted a note to you as well, and I would have to agree with him/her - it doesn't sound like New England is the right place for you - I hope you find what you're looking for in another region - life is too short to be miserable - eventually, you will hopefully find what you are looking for.............

[WIMU]

Part of why NH has the appeal it does is because it not just one big suburbia(yet). The history and the look of towns makes it very appealing too many but not all. Apparently some don't like it--fine move. We lived in NH for 13 years and moved to OH and we want back so bad that Wwe would do anything to get our house sold in OH and we would be there tomorrow. It sounds like Florida or California would be good to move to they have everything you need and tailgaters to boot. They have them in OH too. Maybe somebody should redevelop NH and put in a couple hundred skyscrapers so it isn't so boring. I prefer it the way it is--you call it boring and I call it beautiful.

[nhyrnut]

I Believe you find New England not to your liking. As you can pretty much cut and paste the post you made in the general US forum, and Put NH in place of New England. You don't have to like it here. But by looking at your post there are few places you do like. First you trash Mass. Than New England In general, now NH. Who will be next VT, Maine,. Just because you don't like an area is no reason to go all over the forum trashing it. With your attitude I can see why you wouldn't like it here. Oh and Calling NH Liberal is like calling Reagan A Democrat. If you would try not to be so anti New England, and negative. You might find it more friendly Don't worry if you don't, as you don't strike me as someone that will be here for long. I do hope you find your place though, as we all need to fit in somewhere. Good luck in the hunt.

[southward bound]

Originally Posted by fashionablecowboy

Despite that, this place is still relaxing with all the nature here(not the drivers)-the white mountains are great! but this states definitly not perfect nor the best.

No state is perfect, and no state is the best. There's good and not-so-good everywhere. It's what's inside of one that makes it work, wherever one is.

We moved from NH to NC, and like both places -- and since our house hasn't sold yet, we're sometimes actually thinking of holding on to it so that we can enjoy NH as well as our new (warmer) location. There's a lot to be said for NH, and there's a lot to be said for NC. Like I said, no place is perfect, but I prefer to look for the good. It makes my life a lot easier.

[casey]

Yes, the southern portion of NH has lots of congestion and traffic. Most of it being from MA shoppers who avoid sales tax. Every state has areas of congestion, the larger the city (or town) the more traffic. Travel further north and you'll see lots of moose, deer, and yes, antique stores.
Cowboy, no matter where you live, you will find that people will only be as friendly as you are. If you look around you will find contempary houses being built (most by non natives), energy efficient homes, and large mansions. Perhaps you should have done more research before moving here. Most of us living here like it or hate it, but don't really trash it! Good luck with your relocation.

[kwiley1221]

Every place outside of North Dakota has traffic. Try taking an hour to go 12 miles for a daily commute one way. If you think the traffic pasture is greener elsewhere, you're sadly mistaken. Every major city and suburb in America has traffic problems related to growth. And there are bad drivers everywhere.

The apparent cool thing to do here in the ATL is to run red lights, not yellow or pink, but red. I've almost been hit 3 times since I've been in Altanta (3 years) by cars running red lights that were red at least 5 seconds.

There are rude, inconsiderate people (and drivers) everywhere, but ultimately the place is what you make of it. You either try to get along, be polite, respectful, and happy or you end up like those you despise.

If you find utopia, let me know. I can tell you where it's not (Georgia).

Good luck.

[roerinaci]

I have visited New Hampshire a few times and I have never come across
anyone that was rude or unfriendly. That sounds like NY to me I live in
Long Island. I always found the people in NH friendly, polite and would try to help if needed. As far as Dunkin Donuts they are all over so are Mc d's and
every other fast food places. Crazy drivers are probably tourist coming from
other states I found people in NH drive alittle slower than us in NY. Well
I hope you find your special place to live Good Luck!!

[RCMomto4]

Cowboy,

I know New England isn't for everyone but I believe it's for me and my family. I have a nice 4 bd/3ba home with pool/spa in Southern CA. How about we trade and you can have modern and exciting and I'll take boring and cold anyday!

I really do hope you find a place that you enjoy living---it's no fun to hate where you reside.