[flu189]

All the several posts of today are right on the mark. I have relatives in both NH and Maine, the latter being a sister-in-law running a golf course somewhere near Rockport, Me. Coastal Maine is very unique and then of course if money is no object then the best advice would be to spend a bit of time traveling and spending time in all locations to get a good feel for preferences. The comment about NH taxes is true. Property taxes in many towns are astronomical and vehicle registration is much higher than here in Vermont as well. What for many elevates NH over Vt is the fact that a greater proportion of the population in NH can obtain better paying employment which offsets the property tax burden. The reference to retirees being taxed on all income in Vt is also true and with a great majority of retirees on fixed incomes their spending power here in Vt is diminished considerably compared to many other states and when you factor in the high cost of utilities is raises the angst meter even more.

[GraniteStater]

"New Hampshire does not collect state sales tax or levy an individual income tax. More on the Granite State's taxes can be found in the tabbed pages below.

Personal income tax
New Hampshire does not tax an individual's earned income (W-2 wages).
The state does tax, at a 5 percent rate, income from dividends and interest. A checklist on the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Web site details what the state considers taxable or nontaxable.
The dividends and interest tax is due from resident individuals, partnerships, limited liability companies and fiduciaries with nontransferable shares earning more than $2,400 annually ($4,800 for joint filers) from their investments. The following exemptions may apply:
A $1,200 exemption for residents who are 65 years of age or older.
A $1,200 exemption for residents who are blind, regardless of age.
A $1,200 exemption for disabled individuals who are unable to work, provided they have not reached their 65th birthday.

New Hampshire's tax returns are due on April 15 or the next business day if that date falls on a weekend or holiday. "

New Hampshire state taxes

[vter]

Again, New Hampshire gets its $$ one way or another. It's philosophy is just different. One needs to research, do some budget crunching, etc. to see what will work for them.
New Hampshire is not for everyone. It's certainly not for me. Then again, born and raised here in VT, we are conditioned not to like NH and vice-versa-a good friend of mine who is a native New Hampshirite says the same thing about VT LOL!
I certainly like a lot of the people I know from NH and the regulars on this board from NH seem like a nice group of folks.
Anyway, back to VT vs. ME for retirement. I'm not near that age yet....so can't really comment. I can say that the states do have a similar "vibe". Tourism is the #1 industry. Both on the liberal side, though there are pockets of conservatism, especially away from the tourist areas and the most rural areas. Maine does have the ocean that VT does not have. We do have Lake Champlain which is impressive if being near water is a plus.
To the OP, your folks will just have to come and visit and see what they like-everyone gets that feeling when they land somewhere where they feel like they belong, and they won't know without visiting!

[iamhadley]

Thank you for the great comments. my parents fore some reason, do not like the idea of New Hampshire. They are also ultra conservative. I think that they thought Maine was more conservative. Does anyone know tha winter temp difference?

[vter]

Maine and VT and liberal, NH is conservative.

[mustmove]

NH just went to a majority of blue voter registrations this year. If your parents are conservative living in the northeast might get to them after a while...

[vter]

Good point...NH is slowly turning the tide from a right-leaning to a left leaning state.

[Alt Dach]

Upstate NY is cheaper,prettier, has more lakes including two Great Lakes and the people are generally nicer.
Not as snobby either,which can be a plus or minus according to the individual.

[arctichomesteader]

NY is more expensive than VT.

[Alt Dach]

N