Husband to work in Waltham, MA, but want to live in NH - Page 3 - City-Data Forum

Sammy0324 · 03-30-2010, 06:37 PM

In order to arrive at work by 7, I would leave Londonderry a few minutes before 6. Similarly, I left work at 3:30 and would arrive home around 4:30. Leaving a half hour later on either end adds at least 15 minutes onto the commute, and even longer the later you leave during commuting hours.

I agree with Valerie about commuting down Rte. 3 vs. 93. And in terms of the Dec 2007 storm that Valerie mentions, I actually never made it home that night--I had to stop at a hotel in MA after a few hours on the road due to the road conditions. The 7-hour commute happened in early 2005. In both cases, Valerie is right that the conditions of the roads in MA is what caused the problems combined with some weather forecasting that wasn't completely accurate. I'm pretty cautious when it comes to driving in snowy conditions and take precautions whenever possible, but as you know sometimes the weather is pretty unpredictable in New England.

Having said all that, I also agree with sarasotadreaming about the benefits of living in MA. I'm originally from there, and we're planning on moving back this year, in large part because of the lack of good paying jobs in NH. While I live in central NH now, I found the commute from Londonderry fine on most days, but over time it can become a drain, particularly in stop-and-go traffic.

Valerie C · 03-30-2010, 10:15 PM

TShaps, I am happy to help you and/or anyone else who is seeking info, and you are welcome to contact me whenever you like. I like to suggest that folks moving to MA or NH try to rent for a year before buying, especially if they are unfamiliar with New England winters. Check out Northern New England Real Estate Network - Official Website of the Northern New England MLS to compare prices of homes, rentals, etc.

It may be more difficult to find a rental that will accept the Goldens, unfortunately the irresponsible dog owners have ruined for the rest of us. Presently I have a pair of standard poodles, and before that, German Shepherds that I showed, and it was really difficult to find a rental home when we relocated to St. Louis some years back. What made the difference for me was that one of my shepherds was a recognized therapy dog. If you have put training titles on either of them (CD, etc or even Canine Good Citizen) shows that they are trained, socialized, etc. May turn a NO into a "well, I'll think about it". Trained dogs are the best ambassadors! At the very least, I would recommend in preparation of your move is to get letters of reference from veterinarians, kennel, groomer, etc. Anyone who has worked with your dog to say that temperment is good (landlords are afraid of 1) property damage and 2) lawsuit from a tenant's dog biting another person. If the dogs are spayed/neutered, this is also more acceptable to most landlords and insurance companies as well.

Above all, don't stress out! There are a bunch of us up here who are ready, willing and able to help answer your questions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TShaps

Thanks Valerie and Country Girl.... I will look into all the information. Hey Valerie... we should be hearing about the job hopefully by the end of this week. Would I be able to contact you privately to help with our relocation needs? I'm already stressing out. Also, we are interested in renting a home for awhile until we figure out where we want to live, and the job, commute etc. Are people renting if they can't sell? We will be taking a beating on our house here in NY, so cash flow won't be as much as we anticipated. We also have two Golden Retrievers. Do you think this is going to be a big problem?

And finally, I want to add that SarasotaDreaming and Sammy make a good point. The commute can be long and tiring. Mass might be an option that you should consider. As I tell many folks who want to move here, it's a completely different lifestyle without the 'benefit' of many services that you may be used to. So much for you to consider...

gf2020 · 03-31-2010, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valerie C

As I tell many folks who want to move here, it's a completely different lifestyle without the 'benefit' of many services that you may be used to.

I don't buy that point. I don't see how any of the NH towns within 10 miles of the MA border offer "a completely different lifestyle" than comparable towns in MA.

What "services" are you referring to? When I lived in Newbury, MA we did not have any munucipal trash pickup, no sidewalks, no stop lights. Most town government jobs were part-time and our taxes were quite reasonable.

I live in MA and work 3 days per week in NH. It would probably make more sense for me to live in NH but my wife's job and her family are all in MA, so we live in MA. It has to do with convenience and family ties not a lifestyle.

Valerie C · 03-31-2010, 05:52 AM

Ummmm.... My post was not directed to someone looking to move across the MA/NH border. It was for TShap, who lives in Westchester County and commutes into NJ. Quite a difference, wouldn't you say?

Folks who move from MA to NH seem to be looking less for a lifestyle change and more for a mindset change. I leave it to you to figure out why...

Quote:

Originally Posted by gf2020

I don't buy that point. I don't see how any of the NH towns within 10 miles of the MA border offer "a completely different lifestyle" than comparable towns in MA.

What "services" are you referring to? When I lived in Newbury, MA we did not have any munucipal trash pickup, no sidewalks, no stop lights. Most town government jobs were part-time and our taxes were quite reasonable.

I live in MA and work 3 days per week in NH. It would probably make more sense for me to live in NH but my wife's job and her family are all in MA, so we live in MA. It has to do with convenience and family ties not a lifestyle.

BF66389 · 03-31-2010, 06:05 AM

Commuting to Waltham you may be better off looking at towns in NH off route 3...3 seems to have less traffic than 93 south and also would put you a few miles closer to Waltham at the end.

Also, in response to the poster above; some towns directly across the border DO have a very different feel- but as always in NH, it is town by town.

TShaps · 03-31-2010, 06:18 AM

Thanks everyone! Valerie, I will be able to get all of those references like you suggested. They have obedience training, but no titles as of yet. They are wonderful and friendly, so I don't think it will be a problem. Do you think it's really that much more expensive for us to live in MA as opposed to NH? I'm talking about rentals, auto insurance, utilities etc? Since it was going to be very emotional moving away from all of our family, I just wanted to be closer to the few friends in southern NH that I have. At least from a support standpoint.

BF66389 · 03-31-2010, 08:36 AM

TShaps- the answer on cost is "it depends"...many expenses are more in MA; but as far as rentals there may be more of them and that choice may let you find a "same level of nice" place for less (doubtful, but possible)...in which case all would balance out.

Personally, I'd make the decision based on the area and if I liked it, I don't think the costs will be SO different as to make or break you unless things are really tight in NH first.

gf2020 · 03-31-2010, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valerie C

Ummmm.... My post was not directed to someone looking to move across the MA/NH border. It was for TShap, who lives in Westchester County and commutes into NJ. Quite a difference, wouldn't you say?

Folks who move from MA to NH seem to be looking less for a lifestyle change and more for a mindset change. I leave it to you to figure out why...

Ok, I don't see that it was directed to TShap but I'm still curious about what you percieve as this mystical "completely different lifestyle"?

The vast majority of residents in Southern New Hampshire, hop in their cars and drive down a congested highway to a job in the Greater Boston area. The vast majority of residents on Long Island, New York, hop in their cars and drive down a congested highway or get on a crowded train to a job in the Greater New York City area. Is that "quite a difference"?

There are real differences in gun ownership laws but I don't think that's what is being discussed here.

For my colleagues at work in NH who moved further north, say above Manchester, and commute to jobs in the Merrimack, Nashua or Salem area, the greater open space, lower population and lower property costs have resulted in a different lifestyle. For everyone who lives in the towns closer to the MA border, it's just "Massachusetts North", for better or worse.

BF66389 · 03-31-2010, 05:25 PM

A few big differences at least in regards to where I live:
1) Very different laws
2) More farms/farm stands, etc
3) On average larger properties
4) On average more open space
5) Daily traffic "just around town" is less prevalent

I agree that many southern NH residents do commute south and into denser areas, but many also return home to less dense areas than those they would be returning to in MA given the same commuting time/price, etc...

I'm not going to say "one is clearly better than the other" for anyone; as that is purely a personal decision based on your lifestyle, preferences, and what towns specifically.