Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I've been lurking here for weeks and then in anxiousness for the last two days straight. We are being exiled (I use this term in jest) to the Portsmouth area next autumn (2010) and although right now home is in the tropics. Prior to that we lived in Portland, OR. A fine place which makes one hold up all other places to close scrutiny.
Now after reading posts of the disappointed, those that didn't do their homework, and then those cheering their home towns, and the wonderful spirit of "Live Free or Die"...trying. More than ever we feel good about moving there.
We enjoy that others mind there own business, yet will help if you are in a pinch. The weather is beautiful (coming from a rainy state we have no fear of winter)
Our needs are simple, a few good bars, coffee, and a library. and place to snowboard. My wife seeks the same except she skis.
She will be working in the Portsmouth area. The area sounds a bit precious, and so we are gravitating toward Dover.
Any observations, comments, suggestions are very welcome.
welcome to NH. You are only an hour away from some great ski areas in the No Conway area and Gunstock ski area in the lakes region. So you should have no problem finding a place to ski or ride.
She will be working in the Portsmouth area. The area sounds a bit precious, and so we are gravitating toward Dover.
Any observations, comments, suggestions are very welcome.
What did you find precious about Portsmouth? What are you looking for in a community? I moved to Dover 6 months ago. Prior to here i lived in Toronto, Adelaide and New York. I like Dover, its not glame like Portsmouth but it has a workable downtown core with interesting shops, has a lot of history (I love living in an old mill building) and its a quick trip down the highway to Portsmouth, southern Maine and in 1:15 you can get to Boston. I'm quite happy here and despite having to readjust to a cold winter (rather than spent on a sunny Aussie beach) its not a major adjustment with proper attire (and a new Subaru AWD). And the countryside is gorgeous, I've had friends from Oz come visit and they were impressed with the rolling GREEN hills (compared to Oz drought stricken hills), the farms.. and the seacoast.
Notice I said "the area sounds a bit precious" I've not been there., and it may in fact be an exception. Portsmouth is a tourist town. And to that end it caters to those looking for a destination. I have no doubt it has a local core of fine people. However having grown up in San Francisco, and having crossed the threshold of too many locations that were tailored for tourists, I’m going to hazard, that Portsmouth has cute galleries, and pricey restaurants. I’ve had enough of gift shops softly playing Enya, and paying $5.00 for coffee to last me the rest of my life.
From the real estate listings is not a place for those on a tight budget. Upon arriving I will check it out personally. I don’t want to dis the fine community of Portsmouth, just not my thing.
As mentioned in my initial post, a few good bars, coffee and a library. Dover sounds like it easily meets those requirements. Nothing fancy. Being somewhat of a recluse it should suffice.
Nothing fancy.....that would be Dover! Easily accessible to trains, a quick ride to Portsmouth, beaches and malls, but still an old New England town. It's a working class town with something for everyone. Just watch out for some of the apartments for rent, there are some high rents for nothing apartments because of UNH. Good luck with your move.
You will like Dover to live in, and Portsmouth to shop and go out to. I miss living in Dover - lived there for over 20 years...and the Seacoast/Tri-City area for over 38 years
Quote:
Originally Posted by slickjesus
Notice I said "the area sounds a bit precious" I've not been there., and it may in fact be an exception. Portsmouth is a tourist town. And to that end it caters to those looking for a destination. I have no doubt it has a local core of fine people. However having grown up in San Francisco, and having crossed the threshold of too many locations that were tailored for tourists, I’m going to hazard, that Portsmouth has cute galleries, and pricey restaurants. I’ve had enough of gift shops softly playing Enya, and paying $5.00 for coffee to last me the rest of my life.
From the real estate listings is not a place for those on a tight budget. Upon arriving I will check it out personally. I don’t want to dis the fine community of Portsmouth, just not my thing.
As mentioned in my initial post, a few good bars, coffee and a library. Dover sounds like it easily meets those requirements. Nothing fancy. Being somewhat of a recluse it should suffice.
Thanks again for the welcome. You all make us feel welcome. Thanks for the heads-up on the apartments Jennymcb. We aren't so much worried about finding a nice place. But the cost of heat and electricity are getting our collective panties in a bunch.
I would suggest going to craigslist.com and putting an add in there seeking an apartment, your needs as far as the apartment and let them come to you. Always ask for outside and inside pictures especially in proximity to other housing and streets, noise you know. Dover I have been to and it is quaint has some bars and such but allot of those are crushed with college kids from Durham or was the Durham, anyhow enjoy your stay, hope you like it but be careful of your rights as a tenant and the rights and responsibilities of a landlord, they can be real sneaky, believe me I know am fighting mine after less than 3 weeks in an apartment cause she never told the town she had an apartment int he house or that they were doing repairs or rebuilding things. Go figure always my luck, but know those rights and responsibilities. If the sec dep isn't in the lease don't do it, they aren't going to put it in the separate account they need to and they don't have to give it back to you if there isn't a receipt, make sure it is in the lease otherwise don't sign. Three are great websites to give you the information you need for a Landlord/Tenant relationship it is just the Landlords tend to get greedy.
Tenant JM
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
