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Thanks for thoughts, both, on Groton and on commute. Love the town from what I've seen and need to explore more. Any feedback on feel of town (I know, hard to characterize) in terms of community?
I've only been to Nashua a few times, so I can't speak to living there. Groton, I got to know fairly well maybe 10-12 years ago. It's very pretty out there. But property taxes are nuts, maybe that doesn't matter to you tho. And besides the pretty countryside, there didn't seem like a lot of "there, there", in terms of local restaurants, etc.
Would your Doctor-Hubby have to pay Mass. income tax on his salary from NH? That, plus Groton property taxes would be a giant bite every year. (not that NH property taxes are cheap--depending on the town).
I could suggest researching desirable NH towns near Nashua--you can get way more house in NH for the $$ generally--but it doesn't sound like you want to do that.
Thanks, yes, true about denseness. I guess what I was hoping--potentially against hope--is that there is some magical town in the region that, while relatively rural, is still quite social--but I know from growing up in a two-acre zoning-town that spread out towns do not translate well to this type of community.
Thanks, yes, true about denseness. I guess what I was hoping--potentially against hope--is that there is some magical town in the region that, while relatively rural, is still quite social--but I know from growing up in a two-acre zoning-town that spread out towns do not translate well to this type of community.
People like Concord NH for its pleasant, family oriented and small town atmosphere. Maybe it would be worth the commute?
What about Portsmouth?
Check out Peterborough as well. Longer commute for sure, but it might be exactly what you are looking for?
It has great community and surprising vibrancy.
People like Concord NH for its pleasant, family oriented and small town atmosphere. Maybe it would be worth the commute?
What about Portsmouth?
Check out Peterborough as well. Longer commute for sure, but it might be exactly what you are looking for?
It has great community and surprising vibrancy.
Peterborough is a bit of a haul to Nashua (40-50+ minutes. Snow? Forget it.). And while I love the town, resale appears to be abysmal. Well maintained/desirable properties have stagnated months (if not years) on the market. A great market for a buyer, but at some point most do become sellers.
Concord is a haul too.
I work in Hollis and have many coworkers who seem to be satisfied with Mont Vernon. Most are young families who relocated from the Manchester or Nashua metros. This said, if OP has the budget for Harvard, Groton, Westford, etc., then they can most certainly afford a home in Hollis ... which is the NH equivalent to the Harvard/Carlisle - bucolic, well educated, and moneyed.
Peterborough is a horrible drive in winter weather over the mountain to Nashua. It is one of the few southern NH towns (although that's actually s.w.) that isn't a drive-through suburb. It sounds like OP really wants a town-life feel. I'd think West Concord might do it if the drive just isn't too far.
It sounds like OP and husband don't mind taxes and clearly NH is not for them. I personally love Groton, but while house hunting we realized it was too far from jobs...also its a sleepy town and doesn't sound like what you want. Acton does sound like what you want but too far for a commute. I didn't like the feel of Westford at all, "downtown" just wasn't for me. If commute works go with Concord, or Andover otherwise you might need to compromise.
It sounds like OP and husband don't mind taxes and clearly NH is not for them. I personally love Groton, but while house hunting we realized it was too far from jobs...also its a sleepy town and doesn't sound like what you want. Acton does sound like what you want but too far for a commute. I didn't like the feel of Westford at all, "downtown" just wasn't for me. If commute works go with Concord, or Andover otherwise you might need to compromise.
Another option is Bedford, which is about 35 minutes from Nashua due to the reserve commute. Budget might be an issue though. It's not Acton, but it might be the best compromise the OP can make.
I lived in Portsmouth for a decade. I think it's the best place to live in New Hampshire and exactly what the OP is looking for other than maybe the school system. I walked or bicycled everywhere. The commute to Nashua every day would get pretty old. The farthest I ever commuted was Exit 3/Windham exit on I-93. That was fine. 45 minutes is worth not having to live in the suburban hell of the Massachusetts/New Hampshire inland border towns. 101 to Manchester and then down the Everett Turnpike is a bit far to do every day.
I bought a house in Winchester, MA when I worked in Salem, New Hampshire. I don't care what the income taxes are, I'm not living anywhere near Salem, NH. I have the same opinion about Nashua.
Andover, Ma is a more reachable to Nashua and has more of the walkable town center. I lived there many years ago. I'd do that long before trying to commute from Concord, Mass.
I lived in Portsmouth for a decade. I think it's the best place to live in New Hampshire and exactly what the OP is looking for other than maybe the school system. I walked or bicycled everywhere. The commute to Nashua every day would get pretty old. The farthest I ever commuted was Exit 3/Windham exit on I-93. That was fine. 45 minutes is worth not having to live in the suburban hell of the Massachusetts/New Hampshire inland border towns. 101 to Manchester and then down the Everett Turnpike is a bit far to do every day.
I bought a house in Winchester, MA when I worked in Salem, New Hampshire. I don't care what the income taxes are, I'm not living anywhere near Salem, NH. I have the same opinion about Nashua.
Andover, Ma is a more reachable to Nashua and has more of the walkable town center. I lived there many years ago. I'd do that long before trying to commute from Concord, Mass.
I agree. Andover might be the best compromise if willing to stay in MA. OP also knows that what they are looking for will be some kind of compromise for sure, in the end.
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