relocating to the New England States (Keene, Meredith: house, income, property tax rates)

[jadeskyler]

I will be relocating to one of the New England States to start a new job. I am looking for a safe quaint location without it costing me a fortune. I thought about New Hamphire because of the small towns, the seacoast and no state income tax. I thought without the State tax I could possibly afford the higher cost of living. I will travel for work and will be driving through all of the new England area. Does anyone have any ideas? I am moving from Florida and I will gross around 80,000.

[Verseau]

Overall, New Hampshire has a lower tax burden and cost of living than the other New England states, but property taxes can be exceptionally high depending on the town. For a list of 2008 property tax rates, click here. Keep in mind that towns with the lowest property tax rates may have higher median house values.

Could you be a little more specific as to the kind of town you're looking for? "Quaint" and "safe" describes about 99% of the towns in New Hampshire. Would you prefer to live near the seacoast? Near the mountains? In the lakes region? Rural, suburban, urban? What's your ideal town size?

I tend to recommend the town of Meredith quite a bit on these boards, but I'll throw it out there for now because it seems to meet your basic requirements. But it's just one of many.

[GregW]

Keene, in southwestern NH, would be a good location nearer central New England. IMHO a town near Springfield, Mass would be better because Springfield is where I-91 and I-90 cross. There are lots of small towns nearby with lower property taxes than NH but with the state income tax. You would have to do the numbers.