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ZeBrownRanger OP t1_iynpvjj wrote

Reply to comment by cyriouslyslick in Airport and relocation questions by ZeBrownRanger

Can you elaborate? Not disagreeing, just curious and want to understand better.

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cyriouslyslick t1_iyntagw wrote

There's no simple factor. Addiction is at the center of multiple factors that currently influence the overall sense of hopelessness people are feeling. NH in particular lacks the mental and physical healthcare resources that might help to prevent addiction. It also lacks resources that would prevent the most vulnerable of NH's population from seeking relief through drug use or suicide (namely the lack of housing access and jobs that pay a living wage with benefits). This article (particularly the second half unrelated to the pandemic) highlights some of the major factors and the influence they have. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/10/51percent-of-young-americans-say-they-feel-down-depressed-or-hopeless.html

Things like the economy, the climate crisis, and unaffordable housing/education/healthcare are leading to unprecedented levels of depression/anxiety/hopelessness. All stressors that precipitate impulsive relief-seeking behaviors. With opiates currently being more affordable/accessible than cannabis (which is at the very least non-addictive) it's become the drug of choice, sadly. I lost my best friend to opiates in 2018; and many other close friends before and since then. After going to countless AA/NA meetings trying to help my friends find or stay in recovery I learned a great deal. Try attending NA/AA meetings in your area and you can hear many people share the path that lead them to addiction. I hope this was helpful.

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ZeBrownRanger OP t1_iyob6pg wrote

Sort of? I empathize with how you feel and recognize this is a real struggle nationally. Nothing stands out as unique to NH though. At least not in comparison to Albuquerque. Albuquerque consistently ranks close to the bottom in everything that matters.

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cyriouslyslick t1_iyp0i40 wrote

Sorry thought this was a reply to a different discussion specifically about addiction. NH has terrible infrastructure (roads, schools, internet quality, cell phone reception, medical quality care, electrical grid). While having outrageous property taxes that vary wildly by town. NH is also close to the bottom of the list in many areas; particularly with salaries compared to cost of living. We have one of the highest Pkwh rates in the country for electrical; anticipate $500+ monthly bills, also anticipate absurd heating costs regardless of the fuel type. Expect to spend significantly more on vehicle maintenance due to bad roads and heavy salting. https://livingcost.org/cost/united-states/nh

The quality of education sounds like it will also be a concern for you: https://www.concordmonitor.com/NEA-New-Hampshire-education-rankings-40170762

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ZeBrownRanger OP t1_iyp4r26 wrote

Interesting reads. Thank you. The lack of income tax makes a huge difference for me. Doing the math based on this, it'd actually be about the same cost of living, maybe a smidge higher.

The education piece tells me it's highly dependent on the town.

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C0ffinCase t1_iyp5mu2 wrote

The lack of income tax is why everything else (including vehicle registration) is more expensive and tends to have lower quality unfortunately. It brings the standards down by divestment.

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ZeBrownRanger OP t1_iyp76to wrote

I won't argue that it's impact will very greatly on income level.

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