Best place to raise a family: Manchester, Portsmouth or Portland (ME)? (Bedford: sales, low crime) - New Hampshire (NH) - City-Data Forum

eastcoaster1 · 01-25-2012, 09:35 AM

Looking to move to one of these three places. Will be house hunting in all three areas next week. Manchester - looking in Bedford. Portsmouth - looking in the Stratham/Exeter/Hampton areas. Portland - looking in Scarborough and Cape Eliz. We have two preschoolers. Looking for lots of family things to do and prefer a more progressive area with great eats, etc. Advice?

TimeMachine · 01-25-2012, 02:39 PM

I enjoy the stratham/exeter/hampton area. No sales tax in NH, and no state income tax in NH if you also work in NH.
I don't know if it's just the local news, but there seems to be a terrible amount of crime in the Manch area these days. Just this morning there were stories about a taxi driver kidnapping a woman and assaulting her, a stabbing, a shooting, a robbery and a beating in Manchester. ::shivers::

chris410 · 01-25-2012, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimeMachine

I enjoy the stratham/exeter/hampton area. No sales tax in NH, and no state income tax in NH if you also work in NH.
I don't know if it's just the local news, but there seems to be a terrible amount of crime in the Manch area these days. Just this morning there were stories about a taxi driver kidnapping a woman and assaulting her, a stabbing, a shooting, a robbery and a beating in Manchester. ::shivers::

Yes, your right, it IS just the local news. NH is a very low crime rate state, so anything that makes the news usually happens in the largest city in the state... Manchester... the city is far from crime ridden and is below the national average for a city of its size. I have no problem going to Manchester and I have never felt UN-safe. I would ESPECIALLY have no problem moving to Bedford.

With that said. Portsmouth probably is a little safer and more progressive for the original poster.

eastcoaster1 · 01-25-2012, 03:57 PM

Thanks!! We will be visiting in person next week, but coming from the west coast (unlike my screen name indicates!) we have very little local perspective at this point and just want to get some advice. We have spoken to a few people from the northeast and everyone has different opinions. Some people say Portland is their favorite city on the east coast. Others say Bedford is a much better place than the suburbs of Portland. Some say Portsmouth "has a lot going for it" and that the Manchester area is "absolutely not progressive in any way"... Guess we'll have to decide for ourselves, but I love hearing the opinions of locals!!!

unit731 · 01-26-2012, 08:55 AM

If you have a choice then any place near the seacoast is nice. Something about the history of these old fishing villages/cities.

chris410 · 01-26-2012, 11:21 AM

I cant speak for Portland suburbs, but the city itself is awesome, tons of stuff to do and it has a great vibe to it. portsmouth is awesome as well. I think of it as a mini-Boston. cost of living will be higher as your on the coast, same goes for surrounding towns. I am in Bow which is very sleepy suburb of Manchester and concord. I couldnt be happier. but I like rural living, I love the fact that I am an hours drive from everything, I love the fact I can snowmobile from my house (when there is sufficient snow) certainly cant do that from Portland or Portsmouth.

I think the biggest driving factor will be where you can find work, your budget and if you prefer city living or suburb living.

seamusnh · 01-27-2012, 07:52 AM

Bedford is a great town. We've been in Amherst for 16 years and did not consider Bedford as the town did not have its own high school then. It does now. Great place to rais a family.

Frmrnyker · 02-19-2012, 03:19 AM

I am currently living about a half hour north of Portland. In about 2-3 years we will be relocating to southern new Hampshire.

Wanna know why?

Because 1/3 of the state is on welfare and its a way of life. Jobs are available but limited. Housing is overpriced for its value vs property taxes. Our state readily takes in refugees and gives unlimited handouts. The state is broke in a sense... In a lot of ways.

Portland is an awesome city - it is beautiful, has restaurants to rival Boston, NY etc. the proximity to activities is great. But it's expensive - your salary won't be as high as it would in NH.

For example: I'm a trauma nurse with 5+ years exp. if I move to NH I would automatically get a $5/hr raise plus benefits. I would keep more of my salary. Every year I always owe the state tax despite being a homeowner and having extra taken out of my check.

If you are a hard working/earning family and don't mind supporting "the less fortunate" then by all means move here. But if I could move in 2012 I'd be packing the boxes now!!!

Ken E · 02-19-2012, 04:23 PM

Of those 3 locations i would pick Portsmouth. Nice little city.

Kelticroam · 02-20-2012, 06:51 AM

All of the feedback you've received is very helpful. You have some difficult choices. Exeter has been rated very high in terms of its school system. Portland Me has received some quality of life awards. Bedford is lovely but there has been some issues with class size you might want to check that out. Keep in mind that crime is everywhere. Portsmouth has been in the news lately crimes with drugs, robberies etc. IMHO for Portsmouth this is new...Good Luck to you