Relocating from California to New Hamshire (Dover, Portsmouth: hardwood floors, houses, unemployment)

[PaulCi]

Hi Everyone,

My wife and I are thinking about moving to Portsmouth, NH. While my wife's job is not a problem, I am concerned about mine. I am a wood flooring contractor, I own my company. Recession hit California very hard and last years were not easy at all for people working in the house market like myself.

I was wondering if someone could give me an idea of how businesses like mine are doing in New Hampshire. I would very much appreciate any suggestion.

Thank you!
Paul

[loveautumn]

well, just in general terms, there are alot (and I mean alot) less people in NH, therefore alot less homes.
I live in SoCal and have visited NH many times and it is very apparent when you get there, that the population is so much less. Some places feel down right deserted compared to the dense population and housing everywhere in SoCal. I like not having so many people around but in your business I would think that it would be something to consider. Maybe go to work for someone else for awhile unless you get established?

[PaulCi]

Hi,

Thank you for your reply, Loveautumn.

My thoughts were that, yes, there are less people, but very many houses have hardwood floors. In California, generally speaking, many people still think wall to wall carpet is the best flooring there is --and it's not, believe me.

Where I live, I drive a lot to go to job sites that are 80/100 miles away from home. And I travel there for 4/5 days every day until the job is done.
I was thinking maybe living in Portsmouth, Boston is not far away, or Maine. Also, what makes a difference is people's wealthiness in this matter. The place where I live is bigger than Portsmouth, but there is a very high percentage of unemployment. Hardwood flooring is expensive and not everyone can afford it.

That is why I am trying to collect as much information as I can from people living in NH, so I can have a better idea of what I could find.

Again, thank you!
Paul

[bignhfamily]

Originally Posted by PaulCi

Hi Everyone,

My wife and I are thinking about moving to Portsmouth, NH. While my wife's job is not a problem, I am concerned about mine. I am a wood flooring contractor, I own my company. Recession hit California very hard and last years were not easy at all for people working in the house market like myself.

I was wondering if someone could give me an idea of how businesses like mine are doing in New Hampshire. I would very much appreciate any suggestion.

Thank you!
Paul

NH is filled with self employed contractors. You might want to diversify some and offer skills other than just wood flooring or else you might have a hard time making a go of it.

[MJ5150]

I know two people who are flooring contractors in the area we live, which is roughly a couple hours west of Portsmouth. Both of them have more work than they can handle now that the weather has improved.

There are many wealthy people in the area we live that have large homes with mostly hardwood floors.

-Mike

[GotBackHome]

Just... have you also considered the very huge change in climate you'll face coming from CA to NH? It's a little easier around Portsmouth, but it's still very different from what you're used to. Just sayin'.....

[PaulCi]

Thank you, GotBackHome, my wife and I actually can't wait to move somewhere where summers are not endless and the sun relentless 10 months out of 12! You know, also nice weather can be a little... too much. My wife in particular loves the cold weather.

[PaulCi]

Thank you Mike, as fa as you know do your friends need to work at other jobs too or the wood flooring job supports them all year round?

Thank you,
Paul

[unit731]

If you know some about carpentry you could expand to such.
Decks, replacement windows, doors and such.

Population of Portsmouth is only around 20,000. Surrounding towns are smaller.

[Newdaawn]

I disagree about the population of surrounding towns. Dover NH is just under 30,000.