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For those who are interested, here is a link to commuting patterns of workers in NH. 571k workers live and work in NH, 65k come to NH from other states, and 106k leave NH to work in other states.
That's about 10 years old. Here is a newer article from February.
The difference between NH's position (45th) and NY in 1st, is 5.43%. The difference between NH's position and IA in 10th, is 2.68%.
The difference in tax burden for the vast, vast majority of people is far less significant than differences in cost of living or average salaries/job opportunities between metro areas. That's basically one decent raise.
And if you live in NH and work in MA/VT/ME, as a good ~15% of the workforce does, you get to pay their income taxes anyway.
For Maine at least, you only pay those income taxes on days that you travel to Maine for work.
I just returned from NH last week. I went to Concord for a few days to check it out and get a general feel. Traveling during Covid was a concern for me, but I felt this was something I needed to do. So I did. I masked up, gloved up and got hand sanitizer under the carry-on restrictions (which I what I do anyway when I head out here...except the hand-sanitizer bit which is bigger the better) and dealt with it regardless of how I feel about it. Wearing a mask on a plane, while that sucks, beats getting a punch in the face or a snotty comment from some unhinged 'activist' or a ban from American Airlines.
I live in Chicago (30 years now). I want to get out of here. I've been doing research into what states would be the 'best' for me. Realizing there is no perfect place, I've whittled it down to 2. NH and Montana.
I'm 52. Single and have no children. I'm still a ways off from retirement but I've started to think where I'd like to be as I slow down and age starts to become even more of a factor. I've had the same job for about 20 years so my work skill set is in need up updating and I'm working on that - home self-study on relevant topics related to the field I work in (legal - non-lawyer).
I liked Concord. But I don't think it's 'me'. I plan a return trip to Manchester hopefully in October (direct flights from ORD are hard to pin down. I don't mind connecting flights....but c'mon----8 hours to get from ORD to MHT on a plane?). I'll check out Manchester and the surrounding areas. But what really intrigues me (and where I see more of a fit) is up North - Littleton area - or maybe south of there - Lebanon. While Montana is still of interest, I just feel right in my bones about NH. Just need to find the right spot that seems right.
Chicago is in trouble I feel. I simply don't feel safe here. This is beyond the normal 'street savvy' you need in a city. This is bigger. I'm done being worried about walking downtown from my CTA station to work - wondering if the CTA will even run that day - or...is my coffee shop open today? Or was it looted? Just the constant threat is tedious and tiresome. I'm sure I'll pick up a worry or two in NH if I make there. But it seems it's gotta be better than here.
Not much a post and doesn't add much I'm afraid to the original thread. Don't mean to clog up the pipeline here. Just wanted to say this out-loud. Thanks.
I would research the job situation pretty carefully unless you can work from home. Smaller towns like Lebanon and Littleton may not be a good match if you do specialized work.
Last I knew southwest flew direct from mdw to mht. I believe you can also fly directly into lebanon with a change in boston. You dont tell us what you do but yes find a job first if you plan to locate north or west of concord. One advatage to lebanon is world class health care at dhmc. Access to specialists may be more limited at other rural health care systems.
As you likely know NH does not have an income or sales tax. Local schools are funded via local property tax. The tax system is the most efficient and equitable I have found but it is important to understand the system before acquiring property. Many fail in their due diligence and end up in a situation that is less than optimal. In general towns with a high number of second homes will be the best choice for someone not using the schools. Second homes effectively subsidize towns by paying property tax while using minimal services.
Thanks for the input - and yes - I am staying here until I can find a job - or get myself self-employed. Been researching that.
thanks thebigO - yeah - the tax structure from town to town does vary and diligence is needed to make sure you're not stepping into a bad situation. Never thought about the 2nd home/subsidizing angle.
Lebanon has direct flights via cape air from either Boston or NYC. Looking into the logistics of that.
I'm sure I'll pick up a worry or two in NH if I make there. But it seems it's gotta be better than here.
Yeah, it's better than there which is why people are fleeing there, for places like here. The group How Money Walks tracks this migration pattern.
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