Maine vs New Hampshire (Portland, Scarborough: sales, good schools, income)

[floridadreamer]

I am considering a move in the near future with my small children so they can be closer to their dad. He is working in Boston, but due to the high cost of living there and each of us still wanting to have "separate" lives while benefiting the kids, being maybe 1 to 2 hours away would be best.

So, I was planning to visit Portland, Scarborough and Portsmouth, and probably Manchester area as well. Has anyone lived in these areas that could compare?
I don't have to work immediately so that's not an issue. Just looking for somewhere more reasonably priced and not as busy as Boston. I love to be near the water, I am from Florida after all.

I am going to post this in New Hampshire forum as well.

[lrfox]

I'd look into Portsmouth NH area first (Rye is wonderful if you can afford it). This area is closer to Boston (45min-1hr) and it has just about everything the Portland area does (great scenery, active small city downtown area, good schools, nice people, etc).

Portland and Scarborough are nice, but it's still 2-2.5 hrs away from Boston which is a difficult regular commute (even if it's once weekly).

Portsmouth and the Portland area are similarly priced (lower than Boston by a lot, but still not DIRT cheap). Neither are particularly "busy" areas but they do have their hubs of activity (both cities' downtown areas). They both offer easy access to the amenities of the outdoors (mountains, lakes, rivers, ocean, farmland, etc).

In short I'd say they're very comparable but if convenience to Boston is key, go with Portsmouth as Boston-Portland just isn't that convenient.

[dubthang]

Having lived in both NH and ME; here is my opinion.

If you want city life in a rural state - move in Portland.

If city life doesn't interest you - move to Portsmouth.

I really think it is this simple. NH has no sales tax, no income tax, beautiful historic towns, decent jobs, closer to Boston, better weather, good schools, good hospitals, great restaurants, etc.

Portland has a larger amount of higher paying jobs depending on what you do. That said, you lose some money to income and sales taxes. Portland has a rich history, but has many issues that come with larger cities. The schools are decent, the food is good, the beers are better, and the weather is hit or miss.

I'd look into the Portsmouth area and the towns in the surrounding area. If you don't need a job right away because you'll be able to find good work in that area with a little patience.

A list of towns to look into
Newmarket
Newfields
Greenland
Lee
Madbury
Dover
Stratham
Exeter
Portsmouth
Rye

Each town has its pluses and minuses. Good luck researching.

[floridadreamer]

Originally Posted by dubthang

NH has no sales tax, no income tax, beautiful historic towns, decent jobs, closer to Boston, better weather, good schools, good hospitals, great restaurants, etc.

I think that may have convinced me. I love the no tax thing. The no income tax thing is one reason why I like FL. Of course I'll have to visit both. Keep it coming.

Anyone know which one has nicer beaches?

[floridadreamer]

I saw a few places on CL in Nashua and they were pretty reasonable.

[dubthang]

Nashua is much different than the NH seacoast. It is still a nice place, but it doesn't have the 'seacoastiness' that the Portsmouth area has.

NH has basically one ocean beach. It stretches from Maine to Mass.

Maine beaches are scattered about.

The water is cold either way.

[floridadreamer]

Originally Posted by dubthang

Nashua is much different than the NH seacoast. It is still a nice place, but it doesn't have the 'seacoastiness' that the Portsmouth area has.

NH has basically one ocean beach. It stretches from Maine to Mass.

Maine beaches are scattered about.

The water is cold either way.

Eh, I'm one of those people that actually will take a cold shower and love it.
I usually just walk in the tide anyway, not a big swimmer. I look for shells, etc.

[tkx7]

If you are more libertarian/republican move to NH and if you like socialism/taxes go to Maine- Ok just kidding, kind of. There isnt too much difference between the two states besides some politics and the cultures. I think Maine has a more rich art/music scene if you are into that.

[floridadreamer]

Originally Posted by tkx7

If you are more libertarian/republican move to NH and if you like socialism/taxes go to Maine- Ok just kidding, kind of. There isnt too much difference between the two states besides some politics and the cultures. I think Maine has a more rich art/music scene if you are into that.

Not in to politics anyway. Sorry, but if someone starts talking about it, I usually just yawn and walk away. I have opinions of course, but am open minded enough to know everyone has their reasons, and I just really don't care what they are, because I have my own as well.

[elston]

I have lived in both smalll town NH (24 years) and small town Maine 1 1/2 years) as well other places....I find Maine a much easier and more supportive enviornment.....of course I am retired in Maine and was working 2 jobs while in NH....but I think the pace and quality of life is different....and I prefer Maine. Maine seems less stressful, less competitive and much less critical or judgemental....it lets me be me.