Suggestions on family town within 45 minutes of Manchester (Concord, Goffstown: 2013, school district)

[Valerie C]

Finding a 3 bedroom home in many of the towns mentioned for under 200K is going to be a challenge, unless it's bank-owned and/or needing significant repair. Particularly Amherst & Hollis--these are 2 of the top-tier towns in southern New Hampshire. There are some neighborhoods in Bedford that border the western edges (not the 'west side') where you might find an older property within your price range. If there is a move-in condition house on the market under 200K, it will likely be on the market for days before going under agreement, most likely with multiple offers. It has become somewhat of a Seller's market-moreso in Massachusetts, but to some extent, here in southern NH as well. A good option might be consider Fannie Mae/Homepath properties. With Homepath, properties HAVE to stay on the market a certain number of days before any offers are accepted. And the first 15 days, only offers from certified Owner Occupants will be reviewed. Generally speaking, homes in southern NH priced much under 200k in the Bedford area will be for a buildable lot (tear down) or major rehab. Prices in Auburn are on the rise since incoming freshman students (Sept 2013) will be attending Pinkerton Academy in Derry.

I do have a (sortable) excel spreadsheet with many southern NH towns listed, along with the breakdown of taxes for each. It's geared to the areas that I work in (Concord and points south and east, with a few towns west of Manchester/Nashua) and it might be helpful for you. I'd upload it to the forum, but not sure where/how to put it. Granite Stater, could you help me with this?

[avlis13013]

You won't find much other than a 2br townhouse for less than $200k. 45 minutes from Manchester is a huge radius and includes a bit of MA. I suggest renting a place where your odds of a good school/tax situation are higher then making adjustments from there. I'm partial to Nashua though I only have experience with a single public elementary school so far.

Tax rates only tell part of the story. Home valuations vary by town (and state).

[ryan in texas]

We have been looking at things similar to this

34 Whittemore St, Hillsborough, NH 03244 - Zillow

34 Prospect St, Hopkinton, NH 03229 - Zillow

So there are some things under 200k, but might need some paint and TLC, which is fine and expected.

[seamusnh]

Try Mont Vernon. It is a beautiful little town. The kids go to the Amherst school from 7th grade onward...
NNEREN.com : Listing Detail

nneren.com has some good search features...

[ryan in texas]

Originally Posted by seamusnh

Try Mont Vernon. It is a beautiful little town. The kids go to the Amherst school from 7th grade onward...
NNEREN.com : Listing Detail

nneren.com has some good search features...

Wow on those taxes!!

About 750 per month just for tax!!

It does seem like a nice area though.

[buck naked]

Originally Posted by ryan in texas

We have been looking at things similar to this

34 Whittemore St, Hillsborough, NH 03244 - Zillow

34 Prospect St, Hopkinton, NH 03229 - Zillow

So there are some things under 200k, but might need some paint and TLC, which is fine and expected.

although they may fit the 60 mile radius - you really can't get there quickly.....it's more than an hour to Hillsboro.... We actually looked at that home in 2004 - it's nice, but isolated. There is no internet service.... That was the deal killer for us.

Hopkinton is a little closer, but a home under $200K is hard to find - the home in the link is very old and has very high taxes ($6,500+ in 2012) for something that has no property.

[ryan in texas]

Originally Posted by buck naked

although they may fit the 60 mile radius - you really can't get there quickly.....it's more than an hour to Hillsboro.... We actually looked at that home in 2004 - it's nice, but isolated. There is no internet service.... That was the deal killer for us.

Hopkinton is a little closer, but a home under $200K is hard to find - the home in the link is very old and has very high taxes ($6,500+ in 2012) for something that has no property.

Ah, that's the kind of information I need. Thanks!!

[chris410]

One town I really like is Dunbarton, Very rural, yet very close to manchester and concord. taxes are somewhat lower then surrounding towns as well as they ship thier kids off to goffstown, or now bow? If your thinking catholic school then that wont matter to you anyways.

[seamusnh]

Originally Posted by ryan in texas

Wow on those taxes!!

About 750 per month just for tax!!

It does seem like a nice area though.

It is all relative I guess. NH has no income or sales tax. The cost of housing is much lower than the Boston area. Compared to MA, the cost of living is much lower.... Maybe not compared to Texas...

[geoff5093]

Originally Posted by chris410

One town I really like is Dunbarton, Very rural, yet very close to manchester and concord. taxes are somewhat lower then surrounding towns as well as they ship thier kids off to goffstown, or now bow? If your thinking catholic school then that wont matter to you anyways.

I grew up in Dunbarton, and moved to Goffstown 3 years ago (I'm 24). It is a nice town, however there really isn't anything to do in town, and the closest place other than a convenience store and a library is 15-30 minutes away depending whether you want to go to Concord or Manchester. I'm liking Goffstown a lot more than Dunbarton, as we also have Comcast cable (only satellite and DSL in Dunbarton), they have sidewalks downtown where you can walk around, there are grocery stores, gas stations, a hardware store, restaurants, etc. all downtown.

Right now Dunbarton is part of the Goffstown school district, but they are looking at going to Bow, which will go in effect the 2013-2014 school year I believe. The high school in Goffstown is great, however the administration at the middle school has caused Dunbarton and New Boston to look at leaving for other districts.