Moving to NH

Submitted by Loose-Connection-935 t3_ysh8le in newhampshire

Hello,

My wife are pondering the thought of relocating to NH and would love to hear from people as to the best things/challenges about living in NH as well as places to look at for real estate.

We'd be looking for a house with some acreage in a woodsy area but somewhat close to restaurants/shops etc.

We're targeting a price range of about $850k-$900k

I know it's kinda broad but would love any feedback

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HFVS t1_ivz55jr wrote

I heard Mass and Maine are much better options

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CocoTheElder t1_iw19cjn wrote

For that money, you could go anywhere. If you're coming for PorcFest cuz you're a Free-Stater, please stay wherever you are right now.

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TiedinHistory t1_ivz2ub0 wrote

Prep for the downvotes - I do recommend searching the forum history, especially in the last two years and change NH has become a very popular place to move to. The housing market, much as it is everywhere but maybe even more here, is very difficult. Lots of demand with money from South (like Mass, CT, etc.) combined with a lot of attractive factors within the state (the fabled close to everything element). I saw with other posts you're looking at VT too so I am guessing it's more of a location thing as opposed to political thing, so I'll try and angle it that way. This is all my opinion

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Best Things

  • The "close to everything" element is quite real. Just taking from South-Central NH (where most folks live), you're within probably 1.5-2 hours of the beach, mountains, hiking, and a major U.S. city. I'd argue this also extends to amenities - for the most part you'll have reasonable "by car" access to most things and commodities you may want.
  • Similarly, depending on what you want - provided you have money - you can get the living experience you want. Like, in NH there's absolutely places with real acreage in a woodsy area that is within 10-20 minutes of retail and restaurants - many at that.
  • The seasons - it's a cliche but a real one that you do get some elements of all four seasons here. I can't say I love the extremes at all (more on this later) but if you are a person who likes the outdoors you get a ton of variability here.
  • The people are generally aight. Like, the most combative NH residents I've met are here and you can block them easy enough. People aren't gonna drown you in niceness and it'll vary by area but it's pretty nice if you generally want to be left alone. Obviously big YMMV there.

Challenges

  • Costs. It's expensive and there's not exactly many shortcuts. I mentioned the housing market before and it's very tough to find a good property or rental in a good area as is, but even when it's not living frugally here is very tough. I'd argue state wages generally haven't kept up with cost of living and there's a reason a lot of people do an absolute trash commute to make it work. If your range is 850-900k this may not be nearly as much of an issue for you. The market is softening a bit too.
  • The seasons - the issue with four seasons is that we're not really built for heat IMO as an overall area. It can be downright unpleasant for weeks on end and the infrastructure/relief will likely fall on you to account for. Likewise, winter can be a massive pain. We prep well for it up here but if you don't like cold/snow it sucks and even if you do, you have to spend to mitigate it or work to mitigate it.
  • You need a car...maybe two for two people. Even in a city. Just not much in terms of public transport
  • Generally, I think culture is lacking. Like, NH has some good live performance venues and minor league sports but most of the time the best musicians, performers, etc. will skip over NH for Mass/VT/ME - especially if it's not the summer. This bothers some more than others but it's a grind if that's part of what makes life worth it.
  • Utilities - eh. Electric is expensive, heat's expensive, raw materials are expensive, choices suck, cable sucks, etc.
  • Big lack of diversity. Not just racial but also experience based, education based, etc. That's a subjective con but I think we're worse off for it.

In terms of places to live, if you're honestly looking 800k-900k the state is your oyster and probably depends, in my view, on what you want to do in the state. Like at that price I think you can live anywhere in the state, but it you're gonna get a lot more house/land for your money the farther north and farther west you go - but if the importance is access to something, it may be worth taking less to get closer. If I were doing this I'd be looking in adjacent towns to the big population centers and going out from there, but if you don't care about being close to a Portsmouth or Manchester, you'll get a ton more landwise not doing that and relying on the shops/stores in smaller localities - except the Lakes/Resort areas, that's a different monster.

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ForEverCurious22 t1_ivz9zvq wrote

Kind of wish people would STOP moving here. It's getting too crowded, which has started messing with the wildlife.

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JessePunch t1_ivzhjl3 wrote

We're allegedly losing population on the whole

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ForEverCurious22 t1_iw0580f wrote

But there is way more infrastructure now, at least where I'm at. Investors know that people want to retire around here, and now houses are being built up all over where I'm at, before they even have a buyer in many cases.

It's no wonder that wildlife has been getting really bold lately.

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Loose-Connection-935 OP t1_ivziiuv wrote

Thanks for the thoughts! We live in a deep red state now and are looking for a place that's more aligned to our leanings (blue) and are looking at areas with outdoorsy things to do.

I'll keep in mind what you mentioned as we do more research/planning

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Berzerk_Unit_Alpha t1_iw0jmd6 wrote

Well then … and for the first time ever on this sub reading a lot of comments like this I will say “WELCOME TO NH”

We are more purple most of the time but that’s because our Republican governor is a populist and it seems to work.

Like the other comments $900k can buy a lot. In my opinion wait six months and it will buy you more. Portsmouth is great, but real high taxes the Seacoast is amazing and there are plenty of surrounding towns with land:Rye, Greenland, Stratham. They say Dover is the new Portsmouth and there are towns surrounding that have land:Barrington, rollingsford.

The south central part of the state is becoming flooded with escapees from Massachusetts, and most people don’t like that.

The southwest corner is full of free staters. I won’t go into it here… do a bit of research.

And then there is the rest of the state, rural.. and absolutely beautiful. Mountains, lakes and plenty of fresh air. If you are a road-tripper with a passport Montreal and Quebec are great places to escape to for a weekend.

Personally I like the Seacoast. An hour from Boston and an hour from Portland, plus we have most of the modern amenities. Plus we have a great city government that takes care of the streets (shout out to my boys at public works ) and lives to accommodate people in your price range (but the property tax again). If schools are a concern we allegedly have some good ones.

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Loose-Connection-935 OP t1_iw0mhil wrote

Thanks for the thoughts! We're not looking to move for a bit yet so hopefully the market will calm down when we are ready

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wegandi t1_iw4jv3y wrote

NH is not a blue state. We may elect Democrats federally (Hassan and Pappas are more right leaning than most Dems too), but Republicans rule state government and our laws and governance is very libertarian (no seatbelt laws, no mandatory car insurance, no income tax, no sales tax, very low state spending/minimal welfarism, expansive gun rights, school choice/lots of homeschooling, etc.).

If youre wanting an actually blue state and want to live in the northeast VT, MA, RI, and CT would be more up your alley. If you dont care either way thats also an option, but just be aware Democrats have held government majority in NH for 4 years in the states entire existence.

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thread100 t1_ivzbsxf wrote

Remember to search this subreddit for literally hundreds of post on the subject. Fortunately at your price point you will have plenty of options. Check out Hollis for big lots (two acre minimum and many over a dozen). Close to Nashua for shopping and dining.

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Mynewadventures t1_ivz8j6a wrote

Do you deal with Winters where you live now?

Other than that, you will probably love it and your price range for what you want is squared away.

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[deleted] t1_ivzvfh0 wrote

People have covered it pretty well. It can be hard to make friends as an adult.

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bleucheese87 t1_ivyzzd0 wrote

I think it would help if you posted your budget range. These locations you're looking for vary from as low as 220k to over a million lol

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Loose-Connection-935 OP t1_ivz0ncq wrote

Good call, added.

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bleucheese87 t1_ivz13d0 wrote

Ok, now I can help you! In my opinion with your price range I would personally look at Hollis NH. It's a beautiful quiet town that depending on where you are is only 15-25 minutes from Nashua (where I live). Nashua has a nice downtown with restaurants and shops. You'd also only be about an hour from Boston. Feel free to ask anymore questions, I'll gladly help!

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OTIS-Lives-4444 t1_ivz1rp2 wrote

Much of this state will likely accommodate that. Here, (Lakes Region) we sit on seven acres, but are less than a mile from a grocery store, a CVS, hardware stores, Walmart etc. Fair warning: housing prices are high here, much higher than you may be used to, unless you’re coming from DC, NYC, or elsewhere in New England. In our neighborhood it’s in the $300,000 range for a three bedroom. First downside is the weather, possible upside is community/town based life.

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occasional_cynic t1_ivz2849 wrote

Well, at least you have realistic price goals.

> house with some acreage in a woodsy area but somewhat close to restaurants/shops etc.

Try the towns around Portsmouth then.

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jcyr t1_ivzq0wx wrote

I recommend spending a couple days each in a few spots around the state. Figure out where you want your hub to be. Then you can find areas around it with lots that fit your interest.

Portsmouth is easy one to put on your list, Hollis, etc.

If you don't already have exp with large lots... the more stuff you have more to maintain. I went from no yard to an acre. Love it but lots more weekly work to do.

You didn't mention schools, but also worth factoring in as well as health care.

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Smilerly t1_ivz8hzc wrote

Sent you a message.

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