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I am originally from Michigan so I know about winter. I will be retired so that removes the hassle of going to work each day. I lived in Florida for 18 years and Oklahoma since 97. I will retire in 18-20. I will probably just be looking to rent an apartment although buying is not out of the question. I am looking for a smaller town that is quiet. Frankly I am looking to escape the drugs and gangs that infest so much of America. OKC was just ranked the 4th worst city for gangs. I assume most of you drive 4-wheel drive vehicles, and I was wondering if you see much impact from the nor'easters that roll through. I had a good friend in Florida who was from NH, and he hated Florida, and used to talk all the time about NH. I had always planned to retire back to Florida, but that would not accomplish what I am hoping to accomplish.
Nor'easters impact us greatly in both winter and summer. Funny, I don't think too many people RETIRE to NH. Just expect a major increase in your cost-of-living. (My in-laws tried it, but had to move back to Florida.) Other than that, yes, long, dark winters -- similar to northern MI (I grew up in Lansing which is much milder, but I have family in Traverse City which is more like here in winter, except not as dark.) There is definitely low crime here and small, quiet towns (pretty much like any rural part of a state.) We live on the western side, so more rural and mountainous. There are decent-sized cities in the south-central areas. People are more to themselves here (which can't be off-putting OR appealing, depending on what you are looking for.) It's a beautiful state with a variety of offerings.
I am just trying to get away from the decay I have witnessed, and it appears that I will have to make a drastic move to get away from gangs and drugs. They have infected most areas of America. There has to be some peace and beauty left in America.
I am in the same boat, and I am from New England, I wish I could move back to NH, but the property taxes, heating costs, and utility rates are simply some of the highest in the USA....this is what is preventing me from retiring to NH....so I m still stuck on where to go,,.....I may just stay out west....Spokane WA, or Boise....
I understand, but there are still beautiful, safe places all around the country. Rural VA, TN, PA, MT . . . probably areas in every state in the union; more are safe than unsafe. Just like there are drugs and unsafe areas in NH. I'm just saying that you don't have to do anything drastic to get away from those things, but barring the other issues of living here as a retiree, NH is definitely a beautiful state (I am just becoming more disenchanted with it, mostly due to the politics here.)
I am in the same boat, and I am from New England, I wish I could move back to NH, but the property taxes, heating costs, and utility rates are simply some of the highest in the USA....this is what is preventing me from retiring to NH....so I m still stuck on where to go,,.....I may just stay out west....Spokane WA, or Boise....
In NH it depends on the town for tax rates. Some towns have tax rates that are 75% lower than others (Eg: Moultonboro/Tuftonboro, compared to Claremont, Berlin, etc).. In the Lakes region you can find lower priced small houses with taxes less than $2000 a year, efficient, with different heat sources. Electric and heating costs are higher than average, but not as bad if house is efficient and smaller.
there seems to be a few houses in those towns that I saw, on realtor.com....lower property taxes, but still, the high utility rates and high heating costs will still you, imo....now if only if I could find one area in NH that does not use oil heat, and the property taxes are under 1500 a year....there are some cheaper areas in Maine, but they all use oil heat...
Last edited by folkguitarist555; 08-10-2014 at 10:02 PM..
I am in the same boat, and I am from New England, I wish I could move back to NH, but the property taxes, heating costs, and utility rates are simply some of the highest in the USA....this is what is preventing me from retiring to NH....so I m still stuck on where to go,,.....I may just stay out west....Spokane WA, or Boise....
I am not tied to any certain area. NH caught my attention because of my old friend in Florida. I have 3 to 5 years to make a decision. Venice, Florida is still on my radar. I am just tired of the decay and dirt and filth that I see. Many places are starting to look 3rd world.
Although gangs aren't prevalent in NH, drugs are still a huge problem (in all of New England). I saw an article recently that Vermont had the highest rate of illicit drug use in the US. Unfortunately I don't know if there's anywhere to escape them at this point (unless you cut yourself off from society altogether).
That being said, New Hampshire is a great and beautiful state, and worth a scouting trip to see if it's what you are looking for.
there seems to be a few houses in those towns that I saw, on realtor.com....lower property taxes, but still, the high utility rates and high heating costs will still you, imo....now if only if I could find one area in NH that does not use oil heat, and the property taxes are under 1500 a year....there are some cheaper areas in Maine, but they all use oil heat...
Very few NH towns have piped-in gas, the only easy-install, no-manual-labor heating option cheaper than oil. If you can't find a house with natural gas heat, you can always get a pellet stove and just keep oil as a backup?
It's also entirely feasible to install a propane-fired heating system as a replacement for the existing furnace.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dazed1
I am originally from Michigan so I know about winter. I will be retired so that removes the hassle of going to work each day. I lived in Florida for 18 years and Oklahoma since 97. I will retire in 18-20. I will probably just be looking to rent an apartment although buying is not out of the question. I am looking for a smaller town that is quiet. Frankly I am looking to escape the drugs and gangs that infest so much of America. OKC was just ranked the 4th worst city for gangs.
NH has plenty of small quiet towns without resident street gangs, but apartments to rent are somewhat uncommon in these areas.
It's a great state when your earnings are high and you can appreciate the lack of wage tax and sales tax, not so great for retirement on a fixed income, especially if your situation means you get hit by the dividend & interest tax.
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