Thinking of moving back to NH (Manchester, Litchfield: for sale, condominium, homes)

[lrwnh19]

Hello,
I originally come from Portland, Maine and lived for more than 10 years in Manchester, NH., area before retiring to Florida. Been in Tampa area for more than 3 years and really homesick for the seasons and New England. Trying to decide about moving back to New Hampshire or Maine. NH property taxes are so high, but Maine taxes pensions and SS, I think. I do like living in a retirement community in FL, and I know there are some in the Litchfield area. Any information on them? I looked at some prices on the Internet and they seem really expensive ... more than single family homes. Are there any reasonably priced retirement communities near Manchester?
Thanks, Lulu

[Valerie C]

Hi Lulu. There are actually 2 categories of age-restricted housing: 55+ and 62+. Most of what you see for sale is 55+ and there are a variety of styles. Some are detached-condo style, others are manufactured housing, and while both look very much alike, there can be a huge difference between condo ownership (where you own only the inside walls/windows, etc. and your condo fee covers all of those exterior things like landscaping/plowing/shoveling and the building itself). Each condo owner owns an equal share of the buildings and land within that condominium development. In a manufactured-home park, you purchase the building ONLY and pay 'lot rent' to park the manufactured home there. While these manufactured homes can be less money to purchase, it can be difficult to obtain financing EVEN IF that manufactured home is on a foundation. That said, there are dozens of 55+ housing options in southern NH, and I would suggest looking carefully at tax rates and convenience to shopping, medical, etc. as well as purchase price to help guide your decision. Are you thinking of becoming a snowbird and spending spring, summer and autumn here in New England and returning to Florida for winter?

[GregW]

Remember to budget enough money to buy a snow shovel.

[lrwnh19]

I kept my snow shovel when I moved to Florida from New Hampshire. It's in my garage. People down here think I'm nuts to even consider moving back north, especially after the cold snowy winger.
I know about the manufactured homes and the "lot rent" on most of them is way too high. I'm looking for a condo and have been mostly looking in Litchfield as it has many over 55 communities it seems. Just still concerned about condo fees plus high property taxes. I don't plan to snowbird as having 2 places is way too expensive. Looking for something around $200,000 or less.
Lulu