Pros of Living In New Hampshire: Cons of Living In New Hampshire: 1. There is no sales tax added for items that may seem slightly higher, perhaps making them more affordable. In the major cities, summer temperatures rarely exceed 90s and you can count on sunshine from mid-May through mid-September. We zeroed in on New Hampshire because of the proximity to mountains and ocean as well as good schools. 4. Fortunately, antique and thrift shops dominate the states downtown areas. For instance, Las Cruces has a sales tax rate of 8.0 percent, which is higher than the national average of 7.3 percent. You will find the New Hampshire may not be the most diverse place to live. 3 Best Places to Buy Electric Bikes Online Need to head up north for the shopping in Freeport, Maine? 1. There are great higher education opportunities. No state income tax on salaries and wages. If you want to take the train to access the rest of New England, then youll need to connect with the Amtrak system in Boston. If you like the idea of an independent curriculum that encourages thought and questions instead of lightly disguised propaganda, then you will enjoy what the schools in New Hampshire can provide for you and your family. Dont get me wrong: Im a mean bridge player, but every now and then I want to get up and dance. Well, hello New Hampshire. There is no personal income tax at the state or local level other than dividends or interest. This also means that there are a lot of mosquitoes and ticks. You may want to consider purchasing a home instead of renting if you can. Living in New Hampshire can be a dream come true for some, but it may not be for everyone. The White Mountains are as majestic as youve heard, if not more so, and theres nothing like driving the Kancamagus on a crisp, autumn day. There are some great places to live here, where diversity is present, and the towns are still quiet. Overview of New Hampshire; . The people here come in after a long day of working, order their favorite beer or beverage, and then discuss the events of the day. You are given a certain level of independence here that can be refreshing, which is representative of the states motto, Live free or die.. Firstly, there's food and your general day-to-day expenses. The residents of Berlin pay an average of $4,200 annually for their mortgage. Is Barrington, New Hampshire a good place to live? Then you can save in housing costs because it is cheaper to live across the state border. You can also pay way less in mortgage than you can for rent in New Hampshire. Browse, borrow, and enjoy titles from the New Hampshire State Library digital collection. Nashua is most often ranked highly as the best place to live in the US. Many people work in Boston because they are paid higher salaries, but they commute from New Hampshire. It is safe to say that New Hampshire is lagging behind most other states when it comes to internet and phone capabilities. Much of the technology lag can be blamed on the old architecture located throughout the state. Some people might also feel like some of the areas are a little too vanilla for their taste. Pro #2: Exploring New England's coastal cities. There are dozens of cities throughout the state that claim to be the antique capital of the world, and Id argue that every one of them might be right. The culture, restaurants, and galleries all kind of follow the same pattern. If youre a whitewater adventurer, New Hampshire is home to New Englands first whitewater park (in Franklin.) ), Top 9 Things to do in North Conway, New Hampshire, 11 Best Places to Snowshoe in New Hampshire, 12 Best Hikes in the White Mountains For an Epic Adventure, 10 Gorgeous Glamping Spots in New York State, What to See on a New York to Boston Road Trip Filled With History, 10 Autumn Activities in Vermont for a Full Fall Experience, 10 Best Hikes in the Finger Lakes for Adventure in the Gorges, 10 Beautiful Cabin Rentals in the Finger Lakes, New York. Theyre often aggressive, rude, and think they own the road. There are only two significant metropolitan areas as well: Manchester and Concord. Fortunately for many, New Hampshire is close to Boston. The state houses close to 1,000 named lakes and even has an area called The Lakes Region. Remember, New Hampshire may not be the most ethnically diverse state you can find. However, once the trust is earned, theyll stay by your side and fight anyone who crosses you. I grew up in New England and have seen the nooks and crannies of all states within the region. Concord is the states capital, and it has period architecture and a vast number of shops. Going on a European excursion and need to fly out of a decent airport? Its not unlike the rest of New England, though. Nottingham didnt report a single violent crime for the year, and the top 20 cities combined had fewer than one violent crime incident per 1,000 people with just three robberies and one murder reported. This is the safest state in the entire US and one you should consider if safety is a primary concern for you. The property crime rate in New Hampshire is just 13.94 incidents per 1,000 people, which is also more than 50% lower than the U.S. national average of 27.11. You really need to lower your expectations when you come up here. Then take a trip on Amtraks Downeaster. The pros and cons of living in Maine will often require you to embrace a different lifestyle than the one you have now. Pease Air Force Base closed near Portsmouth in 1991, but it was redeveloped into a zone that supports high-tech companies today that are working to boost real estate prices and the health of the local economy. If you look at them all together, it probably all balances out. 5. This also means that there is damage being done to the roads constantly by the chemicals and the snowplows. New Hampshire needs more gourmet and creative food options, more fun music festivals, and other events to make living in New Hampshire as a younger person worth it. You can even go swimming in the ocean in some spots if you want, although the water stays cold throughout most of the year to the point where your lips will turn blue. Other than those cities, all you are most likely to find is a local bar. The crime. They need a screen on the doors and windows, so the bugs do not get in the house. You are not going to find a true mall there, and you may not find the stores where you typically like to shop, especially if it is for designer items. Even when you look up the list of the best restaurants in the state, you are going to find pizza, sandwiches, and beer strongly features. No matter where you decide to live, everything seems to have the same feel to it. Many people who live in New Hampshire complain about internet connectivity. If you are thinking about living in New Hampshire, then here are some of the pros and cons you might wish to consider. Pros and Cons of Living in New Hampshire. The rate of unemployment in New Hampshire is about 2.4 percent. Concord is the third-largest city in New Hampshire and one of the best places to live in the state. You will need to get used to the patterns to ensure you stay outside of those driving windows when running your errands. When I told people Im moving to New Hamsphire, they think Im going to Dartmouth, said Michael Megliola in a New York Times interview. If you dont like winter, then you are not going to love living in New Hampshire. While thats not high to people in California, its still above the average home cost in the US and a lot if you work for a small business or anywhere in the hospitality industry. Yikes. I grew up in New England and thought I was as die-hard as you could get. Updated January 10, 2023. If you can manage your expenses widely, find reasonable employment, and rent instead of own property, then you can reduce your exposure to the tax structures that are in New Hampshire. Her first book, Hiking with Kids New England, will be out in May 2023 preorder now! If you earn the national median for wages, which is about $60,000 per year as a household, then about 10% of your income will go to your property taxes. The fishing industry in New Hampshire might not be as robust as it is in Maine, but you will still have plenty of fresh seafood to enjoy when you start living here. 9. The high humidity and heat only last for a couple of weeks in most seasons, but it isnt a very pleasant experience. However, if you do not want to get involved with politics, this may not be the best place for you. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. One of the biggest perks of living in Washington state is the dreamy summer weather. Maryville has a yearly crime rate of 25.39 per 1,000 residents. I look around my neighbors and see more faces just like mine and think yeah, were definitely in a loop.. Some of these employers include UPS, Fidelity, Oracle, and BAE Systems. I know what youre thinking: why is bad weather a perk of living in New Hampshire? PROs, as voted on by residents: Close proximity to NYC: It' so dang close to Manhattan. Two prominent and prestigious institutions for education are located here. Living in New Hampshire is a real treat in early October. This town has everything you would expect of a coastal town, including arcades, bars, restaurants, and plenty of shops for tourists. It boasts a tremendous amount of natural scenery, from the lakes to the mountains. Find the best and worst places to live, raise a family or retire in New Hampshire. 1. The combination is a perfect storm of colors and youll wonder how any of it is real. The lake covers close to 70 square miles and is an aquatic adventurers paradise in the summertime. Living in New Hampshire means youll never be hurting for educational places to go. 3. Not only is mobile phone service questionable, but most often, so is landline service. It is in an area called New England, which includes Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Maine. New Hampshire, also known as the Granite State, is situated close to our neighboring Canadian border, and is home to around 1.36 million residents. Blueberries, check. Be sure to check out the Observatorys weather forecast since Mount Washingtons main nickname is home of the worst weather in the United States., Related Read: The Best Time of Year to Visit New Hampshire. There is also an average of 68 inches of snowfall per year, which is great for those who love snow. So, a decision to move is not one you should make lightly. There are some great places to live here, where diversity is present, and the towns are still quiet. It's a small state (9,349 square miles) with easy access to the beautiful outdoors. It is the fifth-smallest by area and the 10th least-populous state in the country. There are houses available along the coast ranging in price from $300,000 to $900,000. The only public transit options are ways to get out of New Hampshire, not move within the state. New Hampshire is an amazing state, the cons aren't as bad as people here think, for most things bad in New Hampshire is actually decent or good compared to other states. Here are some brief points on living in New Hampshire: Pros of living in New Hampshire: No state income tax or sales tax The cost of living in New Hampshire is also lower, but youll need to find a way to live within your means if youre used to having some extra cash every month. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Wink wink. Pros & Cons Overview Jobs 80% Housing 85% Affordability 60% Safety 80% Amenities 60% Diversity 40% Education 85% Commute 50% Is Raymond, New Hampshire safe place to live? Fast internet (fixed lines) Substance abuse rate on the higher side. There are almost zero gun control laws, an abundance of restrictive abortion laws, and a new law making it illegal to teach critical race theory. If you enjoy having some bubble tea, eating some pad-thai, or finding a fun new cultural offering, then your best bet is to take a road trip into Boston. And bonus: wild blueberries and raspberries are all over the trails, so no need to bring trail snacks. You should expect to have to put in many offers before you are able to purchase your home. New Hampshire is a great state for: Education Low crime rates Nature lovers If you have a tough time overlooking the property taxes or severe winters, though, New Hampshire might not be the place for you. Related Read:Top 10 East Coast Vacation Spots You Never Considered (But Should!). And if you head to Hillsborough youll come across the homestead of 14th president Franklin Pierce. Get ready for lots of flannel, a weird obsession with ice cream, and a boatload of fun. Fast internet (mobile) Private school enrollment is high for High school level. There are several unique governing structures that you can find in New Hampshire that you do not find in most other jurisdictions in the United States. How annoying is it to get to the register and realize you have an extra sales tax that you didnt account for? Lake Winnipesaukee provides 40,000 acres of recreational activities that happen all year. You do not have to pay sales tax, so it is easier and more affordable to establish residency in the state of New Hampshire. The difference between New Hampshire and some of the other states is that the salary potential is lower than in other states, which may make it difficult to afford the taxes. The lack of seasons. You can reach me by phone, text or email at any time, I'm. I live on two acres of land covered in trees and full of wildlife. Her bylines include The Denver Post, 5280 magazine, VeryWellFamily, Matador Network, and was an expert on NPRs The Takeaway for her work on the wildfires in Colorado. It's time to get away from your daily Zoom meetings and stress cleaning with a weekend spent glamping in New York state. And with rent in New Jersey being dramatically lower, many who work in NYC live in The Garden State and commute daily. We were both born here and can't imagine living anywhere else, but it IS true that you probably need to be the independent sort if you retire here. New Hampshire is perfect for every lifestyle, from vibrant cities to mountain peaks, coastal views, and New England cities, the state has the right feel for everyone. Outdoor living space: Patio homes often come with private outdoor living space, such as a patio or small yard, which can be ideal for entertaining or enjoying the outdoors. The worst weather takes place on one of the most beautiful and prominent mountains in the northeast: Mount Washington. The good thing about New Hampshire is the muggy humidity does not last long, just a couple of weeks. 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