What's the catch? (Exeter) (Manchester, Dover: real estate, sex offender, house prices)
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My husband and I live in Portland OR with our two kids. He is originally from New England, and lately we have been toying with the idea of moving back east. We love this city, however the real estate prices are getting more and more out of control every month. We own currently, but we'd like a third bedroom and a yard and that probably isn't going to happen here in a neighborhood with a decent school assignment. Further, I think Oregon is in the bottom half of school rankings nationally whereas New Hampshire is in the top 5. Being close to family is another "check" in the NH column.
I am intrigued by Exeter because of the reputation of the schools, downtown with restaurants and amenities, Amtrak station, and proximity to the beaches.
I can find houses online in Exeter in the $250,000-$300,000 range that would cost $500,000+ here. We just want 3 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, a yard, a garage, and a bonus would be a finished basement or attic space. Online it appears the property taxes on these homes are about $6,000 - $7,000/year. That is comparable to what we currently pay in property and income tax combined so it doesn't feel like a barrier.
So, I guess my questions are:
1. Are the property taxes noted on real estate sites (like realtor.com) the total tax burden for that property? Or, are there other taxes we need to know about?
2. Is Exeter a nice place to live and raise kids? Are the schools actually great?
3. The snow and bugs are on my "con" list. But I did spend five years in New England during college and after, and I mostly loved the seasons, landscape, people, etc. Any other "issues" with Exeter or southern NH in general we would need to be aware of?
4. I also love Portsmouth (my husband used to take me there in college) but it seems the real estate is a bit pricier there and the schools not as highly rated. Is this true?
1. Are the property taxes noted on real estate sites (like realtor.com) the total tax burden for that property? Or, are there other taxes we need to know about?
Sites like realtor are not correct AT ALL. Just an estimate. If you want to look up the taxes for a house in exeter, go here. Vision Government Solutions No other local taxes. Look up the house and it will tell you the property value say $456,000. Take the tax rate of exeter $26.06 per thousand and multiply it times 456 and you get $11,883.36 taxes per year.
Quote:
Originally Posted by VelouriaPDX
2. Is Exeter a nice place to live and raise kids? Are the schools actually great?
Nice town. Public schools are good. The best school in town is private, Philips exeter acadamy and costs $45k per year. Yes, that school is great.
Quote:
Originally Posted by VelouriaPDX
3. The snow and bugs are on my "con" list. But I did spend five years in New England during college and after, and I mostly loved the seasons, landscape, people, etc. Any other "issues" with Exeter or southern NH in general we would need to be aware of?
Heating expenses. As the cost of energy has fluctuated greatly in the last 10 years, it would be beneficial to buy an efficient home to insulate yourself from price changes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by VelouriaPDX
4. I also love Portsmouth (my husband used to take me there in college) but it seems the real estate is a bit pricier there and the schools not as highly rated. Is this true?
Portsmouth schools are likely just as good as exeter. Exeter has a smaller town feeling. Portsmouth has more resources for the kids like multiple public pools, etc. I would also say Portsmouth is more interesting, cultural, restaurants, parks, events, etc.
Exeter does have very high property taxes and house prices are not low for what you get. I agree with the Dover suggestion, lots of properties on some acreage right outside the city limits as well.
Exeter does have very high property taxes and house prices are not low for what you get. I agree with the Dover suggestion, lots of properties on some acreage right outside the city limits as well.
Exeter $26.06 per thousand
Dover 26.01 per thousand
On a $300k home, Dover is $15 cheaper per year.
You really cant put a price tag on living in a better city with better schools. A more modest house in a nicer town would be preferable to me.
Compare the police logs between Dover and Exeter. You will see the difference.....
You're gonna pack up the kids, quit your jobs, seek new employment, new town, and for what? Some illusionary vision of a bigger yard?
Let's look at some figures. The population of Portland Oregon itself is equal to half the population of the entire state of New Hampshire. All sorts of amenities, stores, services, etc. is going to be a fraction of what you have access to now.
You best have a super rock solid marriage to make such a drastic move such as this.
Thank you to everyone for the helpful suggestions. 399083453, thank you for the tax tool, I will refer to that in the future.
As for the poster who expressed concerns about the strength of my marriage, my job, and my motivations for moving... um, OK? Really? My husband and I have been together for 15 years, married for 10 we've weathered rockier transitions. I don't have a job to quit, I'm a full time stay at home mom so that job moves with us. Moving to NH is only a option if my H receives an expected promotion which would essentially allow him to work anywhere relatively close to an airport. Right now we are 3000+ miles from both our families, in NH we would be within easy driving distance to both. My kids haven't started school yet and I'd prefer to move before they do start.
And yes, Portland is lovely. Have you visited? Everyone wants to live here. That's why $300,000 will buy you an 800 sq/ft fixer across the street from a registered sex offender and in the boundaries of a failing school.
I have lived in Exeter in the past and live in Portland (northeast) presently, by coincidence. From Exeter you'd have access to both the Manchester airport (Southwest Air service the main attraction) and obviously Logan a bit farther away.
Personally I would choose Exeter over Portland in a heartbeat, assuming you can find work to pay the mortgage. Part of that is that I prefer the scale. But while there is cheaper housing in Portland than what's noted above, yeah, you won't get into a good school district on $250k.
Dover public schools may be a step down from Exeter, but with the cost savings on housing you could potentially go private for schooling. 6 of one half-dozen of something else perhaps. STA is a very good high school, and of course there's Exeter.
I haven't priced them lately, but I think the cost quoted above is tuition plus room/board, and as a local you'd be a "Day Student" living at home and without the room/board cost. Had friends who did that:
Edit - Day student cost would be $36,000, but they do provide some financial aid/remission assistance based on income. Income under $75,000 would, by their website, qualify for a full tuition remission. All of that, however, assumes one can get in
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