Salem vs Windham (Londonderry, Andover: fit in, real estate, 2013)
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I'm moving soon from St Louis to take a job near Andover, MA. Thinking about possibly buying a home in southern New Hampshire. From what I've been reading, Windham seems to be regarded as a highly desirable community, but seems kinda remote to me. Opinions of Salem seem to be more spotty. From looking at real estate websites and google maps, however, Salem looks pretty nice to me. I was hoping some folks on this board could give me some perspective on the two towns.
BTW, my price range is around $600k. Schools are not a factor. Looking for a nice, friendly community with newer housing stock within 30 minute commute to Andover.
FIRST I have to ask where in STL you are moving from. We relocated from Massachusetts to St. Charles County back in the 90s for a few years--and ended up in New Hampshire because after 5 years in Missouri, we just didn't seem to fit in MA any longer... AND, if you DO move out this way, I'm going to put in my order for a few bottles of Maull's
The biggest difference between Windham and Salem is the diversity. Salem has an extensive commercial tax base, and a wide variety of housing: everything from garden style 'big box' apartments, condos, mobile home parks, single family and luxury real estate can be found within Salem's borders. I should definitely mention Tuscan Village, the planned development of a now-closed horse racing park. This village will have shopping, dining, a movie theater and more. Read more here: Tuscan Village: Salem's former Rockingham Park may become a new mixed-use downtown area by 2019 | New Hampshire
Windham, on the other hand, is primarily a rural/suburban town, with higher than average property values. Overall, Windham is highly regarded as one of the top-tier towns in southern NH, and is considered highly desirable. At one time, Windham HS students went to Salem High, but that changed about 10 or so years ago, when Windham built it's own.Many neighborhoods offer a mix of older housing stock, with roads being continued after years of being dead ends. Developers are buying up the large land tracts as property values have increased after a few slow years (2009-2013). Windham also has it's own Planned Unit Development on the books, as does Londonderry with Woodmont Village.
Seems that these mega-developments are the new thing (similar to Winghaven that came to O'Fallon just as we were readying to come back home to New England--in fact, we lived just outside Windhaven and could see the golf course and development from our deck )
I'd be happy to answer some specific questions, as these 2 towns on your list are pretty close to where I live.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Leo58
I'm moving soon from St Louis to take a job near Andover, MA. Thinking about possibly buying a home in southern New Hampshire. From what I've been reading, Windham seems to be regarded as a highly desirable community, but seems kinda remote to me. Opinions of Salem seem to be more spotty. From looking at real estate websites and google maps, however, Salem looks pretty nice to me. I was hoping some folks on this board could give me some perspective on the two towns.
BTW, my price range is around $600k. Schools are not a factor. Looking for a nice, friendly community with newer housing stock within 30 minute commute to Andover.
FIRST I have to ask where in STL you are moving from. We relocated from Massachusetts to St. Charles County back in the 90s for a few years--and ended up in New Hampshire because after 5 years in Missouri, we just didn't seem to fit in MA any longer... AND, if you DO move out this way, I'm going to put in my order for a few bottles of Maull's
The biggest difference between Windham and Salem is the diversity. Salem has an extensive commercial tax base, and a wide variety of housing: everything from garden style 'big box' apartments, condos, mobile home parks, single family and luxury real estate can be found within Salem's borders. I should definitely mention Tuscan Village, the planned development of a now-closed horse racing park. This village will have shopping, dining, a movie theater and more. Read more here: Tuscan Village: Salem's former Rockingham Park may become a new mixed-use downtown area by 2019 | New Hampshire
Windham, on the other hand, is primarily a rural/suburban town, with higher than average property values. Overall, Windham is highly regarded as one of the top-tier towns in southern NH, and is considered highly desirable. At one time, Windham HS students went to Salem High, but that changed about 10 or so years ago, when Windham built it's own.Many neighborhoods offer a mix of older housing stock, with roads being continued after years of being dead ends. Developers are buying up the large land tracts as property values have increased after a few slow years (2009-2013). Windham also has it's own Planned Unit Development on the books, as does Londonderry with Woodmont Village.
Seems that these mega-developments are the new thing (similar to Winghaven that came to O'Fallon just as we were readying to come back home to New England--in fact, we lived just outside Windhaven and could see the golf course and development from our deck )
I'd be happy to answer some specific questions, as these 2 towns on your list are pretty close to where I live.
Valerie
We currently live in Lake St Louis, which is right next door to O'Fallon. I really like Winghaven and other "new urban" developments I've seen around the country. I wish they had some in New England already!
I think i speak for most of New Englanders when I say thank god those sprawling crap home owners association type developments are NOT taking over the north east. I think Salem and Londonderry (next to Windham) are both putting in urban, live/work/shop type developments which are retail with apartments/condos above. Look up Tuscan Village and Woodmont Commons
With that budget and working in Andover MA, i would be looking at towns in the seacoast myself.
I think i speak for most of New Englanders when I say thank god those sprawling crap home owners association type developments are NOT taking over the north east. I think Salem and Londonderry (next to Windham) are both putting in urban, live/work/shop type developments which are retail with apartments/condos above. Look up Tuscan Village and Woodmont Commons
With that budget and working in Andover MA, i would be looking at towns in the seacoast myself.
No, I wouldn't like that either. What I'm talking about as new urbanism are communities that are built to resemble old-style towns, with houses that face toward the street, garages in back, front porches, small yards and lots of small parks and playgrounds mixed in. Bike trails connecting the neighborhoods and small retail centers. A lot of people are attracted to the charm and walkability of a small town, but would like newer construction.
No, I wouldn't like that either. What I'm talking about as new urbanism are communities that are built to resemble old-style towns, with houses that face toward the street, garages in back, front porches, small yards and lots of small parks and playgrounds mixed in. Bike trails connecting the neighborhoods and small retail centers. A lot of people are attracted to the charm and walkability of a small town, but would like newer construction.
They started building those in north county San Diego when I left. Nice concept and they were great.
Somewhere I have a picture of a sign announcing the 25th Anniversary of Lake St. Louis The thought of such a 'new' city was such a foreign concept to us, as just a few years before we relocated to Missouri, we had celebrated the 350th anniversary of my hometown in Massachusetts...
We currently live in Lake St Louis, which is right next door to O'Fallon. I really like Winghaven and other "new urban" developments I've seen around the country. I wish they had some in New England already!
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