View Full Version : Affordable New Hampshire
Something I could afford - and no park fees. But not until I retire - wouldn't want to deal with plowing a private road in the winter to get to work.
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/155-River-St_Jaffrey_NH_03452_M46426-66761?ex=2942293992
Very nice! Beautiful fenced-in yard and it looks like it's pretty move-in ready. Nice views! I understand that it would be stressful trying to get to work in the winter--I wonder if you could find out the situation. You're probably not the only person on the street that has to go to work in the snow.
iris lilies
8-5-22, 11:09am
It is clean and tidy and certainly affordable, but a mobile home in NH? I mean, the lack of insulation would be a deal breaker for me. But perhaps this is better built than my first impression gives.
I have had more than one relative on DH’s side live in mobile homes in Northern Iowa, but they weren’t paying anything like that price, just a few thousand $ for the structure and they owned the land.
There are a lot of manufactured home communities up here in Vermont. Our neighbor's brother raised his family in one and he's probably lived in it for about 30 years. I never heard him complain about his insulation. I'm sure that varies from home to home, just like regular single-family homes. As to the price, yes, you pay to live up here. I noticed in the property history that it had considerably less market value a few years back, so, like everywhere else, the market value has risen. My mortgage company has informed me that I now have $150k equity in this little house, after only putting $33k down 5 years ago.
I would not want that particular town because they had a mask mandate in their library through May of this year, but it goes to show that there are things that for the Northeast are affordable. So it gives me some hope.
Seems like it's not too hard around here to find out historic utility costs, but since your not interested in it, it probably doesn't matter too much.
I would go with what would be a reasonable commute to work. Lots of private roads where I have lived and somebody plows them, or neighbors pay someone. Honestly, it's not a big deal.
I would also get to NH since I think you would like it better than Mass, if it is commutable. I know that during the pandemic, I drove through Vermont and NH on the way to Maine, the week of Christmas, and both governors gave press releases about visiting family during the pandemic, and Vermont was limiting people to only one side of the family--it was pretty funny--and NH was saying, we don't tell people to pick among family members, just be responsible. the messages were like 20 minutes apart on the radio, and the tone was so different, and I think you'd like NH a whole lot more.
We go to NH to shop since it has no sales tax and it is the closest shopping to us. I have lived in Massachusetts and Maine now, and will say I like Vermont and Maine the best, but that is because the White Mountain driving is very hairy and unpleasant. (And guess who lives in the White Mountains?)
I work in the Tri-state area and I feel there is some political correctness spillover from both MA and VT in the southwestern corner of NH closest to work. Probably I would like places more in central NH away from the big cities.
A recent survey showed more NH residents would like to see their state become its own country than approve of Joe Biden. So it is very different politically.
It took me years to buy my home and it may take me years to move to NH too. I remember sitting down and crying thinking I would never get a home of my own, but eventually I did. And I like to think I will achieve this also.
I looked at 29 homes and put in offers on 9 before one was accepted.
ETA: The home I have now has no insulation. I had some blown in years ago and it has all disintegrated with time. The pink strips are the way to go, unless like the ones I had mice build nests in them and they have to be ripped out.
Went to another open house in my maskfree target community and found out the town is 100% on septic. Although out of my league just to get a sense of the place I went to an open house of a new construction 4 bedroom home. They only put in a 1250 gallon tank. The previous home abutted a lake and was on septic. Today it was raining and I saw lots of whitish bubbles on the road there and also in the parking lot of a store I stopped at and I wondered what is that? Probably septage coming up the surface. Very gross!
Back to square one.
Something I could afford - and no park fees. But not until I retire - wouldn't want to deal with plowing a private road in the winter to get to work.
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/155-River-St_Jaffrey_NH_03452_M46426-66761?ex=2942293992
More and more, I find myself considering mobile homes for their minimal property taxes, lack of common walls, tiny yards, and low purchase prices. There's a nice mobile home park in my town that fronts on a small river. They generally go for around $300K. Mobile homes are sturdier built now--to code, I think. I wouldn't hesitate to buy the right one.
Jane, I saw on John Oliver how a mobile home park starts out good and then is bought and the new owner(s) jack up the park fees to where people can no longer afford to live there.
There are a few towns in Massachusetts that are freer than the city where I live, and whose libraries I went to when banned from my own.
Community A never required masks, but is more expensive and just as densely populated with similar crime issues. It's freedom culture is also in part due to the mayor, now in his 60's, so that's concerning. I asked their BOH to talk to my BOH and they refused rather brusquely. The BOH chair is an alcoholic in the paper for drunk driving and not exactly a model of good health. Possible but not promising unless there is a real deal on a property outside the congested central city.
Community B required masks but only briefly. They are more expensive and nicer. I contacted their Board of Health and asked them to speak to my BOH about governing without a mask mandate and while they declined they were very nice. Tried to buy here 25 years ago and failed. Will need a housing recession to get in here. Nicest of the communities.
Community C also rarely had a mask mandate. BOH never responded to my invite to talk to my BOH but I know some fellow activists there. Cost of living is high. Further to work. Would only consider if an opening in my company comes up closer to this area.
Community D never mandated masks, but at one point closed the library due to a covid spike for a couple weeks. Known for low taxes and lower housing costs. This will be my next focus. It's rural but almost too much so. No grocery store or cheap gas. The closest of the towns to where I work now.
Southeastern VT would be an option also, but probably lots of covidians there.
ETA I continue my efforts to bring accountability and justice where I am now. If our septuaginarian mayor ever retires things might get better.
It's tough to predict where regions might rise and fall along the political spectrum. We're apparently entering an authoritarian era, which concerns me a great deal. So I think you're wise to research and familiarize yourself as much as possible with areas that interest you.
I know mobile home parks can be dodgy with their space rentals. I have my eye on a few wherein you buy the lot you park on. Wish there were more of those.
Yes, authoritarianism is on the rise among various factions, including both major US political parties.
Set out to attend two open houses in Community D in Massachusetts.
The first one the realtor did not show up. Other people were waiting too.
The second one it appeared the realtor did not show up either. There was a motorcycle but with their signs etc I've never known a realtor to go around on a motorcycle. There was no open house sign or balloons. The house was advertised as fundamentals all done and only needs cosmetics, but there was loose Tyvek hanging off the house and some of the windows were boarded up.
The community is definitely freer AKA no apparent zoning. Probably anything decent is out of my price range though.
littlebittybobby
8-14-22, 1:01pm
It's tough to predict where regions might rise and fall along the political spectrum. We're apparently entering an authoritarian era, which concerns me a great deal. So I think you're wise to research and familiarize yourself as much as possible with areas that interest you.
I know mobile home parks can be dodgy with their space rentals. I have my eye on a few wherein you buy the lot you park on. Wish there were more of those. Is this what you mean by "dodgy"? Just Curious. 4715
littlebittybobby
8-14-22, 4:28pm
If you should decide to sample a bit of New Hampshire, you might stay for a week at a cabin, located near Gorham, NH. 4721
LBB that is the part of the state with more available housing, but it's nowhere near my job.
littlebittybobby
8-16-22, 12:17am
LBB that is the part of the state with more available housing, but it's nowhere near my job.That is understandable. Especially that you are making New Hampshire your home. It is beautiful there, and the people are too. My suggestion was not all that practical for you, I now realize. But, maybe Vermont is the place for you. But yeah---here's photo of a lady who testified at the Biker VS Trucker Trial up there. She's "gorgeous" as they say up there(instead of awesome and amazing)and personality plus, but I'd bet the dimples are implants. The jury thought she was fake, too.Yup. What do you kids think? Just Curious.4727
Vermont is too woke, like Massachusetts, unless again you go way up north too far from my job. There was one school district in the Northeast Kingdom that did not impose a mask mandate.
It fascinates me that a certain class of people call our president ‘sleepy joe’* but simultaneously are proud to call themselves sleepy. (They don’t actually call themselves sleepy but since they disparage ‘woke’ people I can only assume they themselves prefer to be sleepy.)
*this in itself is also strange since he has managed to get congress to pass more of his agenda in less than two years than any other president in my lifetime.
It fascinates me that a certain class of people call our president ‘sleepy joe’* but simultaneously are proud to call themselves sleepy. (They don’t actually call themselves sleepy but since they disparage ‘woke’ people I can only assume they themselves prefer to be sleepy.)
*this in itself is also strange since he has managed to get congress to pass more of his agenda in less than two years than any other president in my lifetime.
Yes. He'll go down as one of the most successful presidents in history regardless of detractors. Though he wasn't my first choice, I'm suitably impressed.
You all can be impressed but it's still the economy stupid.
You all can be impressed but it's still the economy stupid.
All the economic markers that a President has influence over are humming along. Gas prices are down and inflation is slowing. Both oil and gas prices are a worldwide phenomenon.
All the economic markers that a President has influence over are humming along. Gas prices are down and inflation is slowing. Both oil and gas prices are a worldwide phenomenon.
Yeah. The president didn't control gas prices when they were high, but now he does.
Yeah. The president didn't control gas prices when they were high, but now he does.
He did release the oil reserves and scold the fossil fuel oligarchs--about all he could do.
frugal-one
8-16-22, 9:18pm
Saw on BBC that England has the worst inflation in their history. Inflation is worldwide…. not just here.
He did release the oil reserves and scold the fossil fuel oligarchs--about all he could do.
No, that's not all he could have done. The global price of oil is only a part of the equation, that oil must be refined and turned into an end product. US refineries are operating upwards of 95% of capacity and we're not likely to see new refineries go online during an administration that has focused so much energy promising no long term return on investment.
If the industry can't profitably increase supply, then demand becomes the deciding factor in price. The reason prices are going down now is that his policies pretty much capped supply of product to the point that historically high prices decreased demand which gradually forces price decline. The price of oil may depend wholly on global conditions but the price of gas in America is based upon Democratic policies.
Fossil fuel oligarchs are playing games with their drilling permits.
https://news.yahoo.com/fact-checking-biden-claim-9-170008791.html
In this graphic, you can see we're among developed countries with relatively low gas prices:
https://www.globalpetrolprices.com/gasoline_prices/
From the website:
Gasoline prices, litre, 15-Aug-2022
Gasoline prices, Octane-95, 15-Aug-2022: The average price of gasoline around the world is 1.37 U.S. Dollar per litre. However, there is substantial difference in these prices among countries. As a general rule, richer countries have higher prices while poorer countries and the countries that produce and export oil have significantly lower prices. One notable exception is the U.S. which is an economically advanced country but has low gas prices. The differences in prices across countries are due to the various taxes and subsidies for gasoline. All countries have access to the same petroleum prices of international markets but then decide to impose different taxes. As a result, the retail price of gasoline is different. ....
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The reason oil prices have gone down are 1) that the only way the Federal Reserve knows how to control inflation is by throwing us into a recession, two consecutive quarters of negative growth. So they're lying and saying a recession isn't a recession. We don't need them manipulating our economy. The Fed should be abolished and 2) China continues to follow a failed covid zero policy.
But this dip is to levels that are still high, moreso for diesel which impacts the supply chain and for home heating oil.
littlebittybobby
8-18-22, 2:53pm
Okay----Here's something about New Hampshire. Cornish, NH was the longtime home of author J.D. Salinger. He resided there most of his adult life. We may think of that state as being sparsly populated and woodsy with mouintains; but guess what? If I-wah was as densely populated as NH, the population would be about 8,266,000, more or less. But, I-wah is just over 3 million losers. Did I say losers? Ooops--that musta been a typo, I guess. Ha. Hope those factoids help you. But yeah---NH is about 1.3 million. But it is a small chunk of territory. Yup. Thank Mee.
You may agree or disagree with this article and with the premise in the headline, but this seems like a reasonable analysis of what's going on with the price of crude oil.
https://www.grid.news/story/economy/2022/08/18/what-happened-to-high-oil-and-gas-prices-why-there-was-less-pain-at-the-pump-this-summer-than-everyone-expected/
You may agree or disagree with this article and with the premise in the headline, but this seems like a reasonable analysis of what's going on with the price of crude oil.
https://www.grid.news/story/economy/2022/08/18/what-happened-to-high-oil-and-gas-prices-why-there-was-less-pain-at-the-pump-this-summer-than-everyone-expected/
You have to sign up to read the article.
rosarugosa
8-19-22, 6:33am
Okay----Here's something about New Hampshire. Cornish, NH was the longtime home of author J.D. Salinger. He resided there most of his adult life. We may think of that state as being sparsly populated and woodsy with mouintains; but guess what? If I-wah was as densely populated as NH, the population would be about 8,266,000, more or less. But, I-wah is just over 3 million losers. Did I say losers? Ooops--that musta been a typo, I guess. Ha. Hope those factoids help you. But yeah---NH is about 1.3 million. But it is a small chunk of territory. Yup. Thank Mee.
Cornish was also the home of the sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, and his former home is an amazing place, well worth the visit: https://www.nps.gov/saga/index.htm
RR I also liked St Gaudens National Historic Site.
littlebittybobby
8-19-22, 10:29am
Okay---St Gaudins lived large! Definitely not a starving artist. But, he musta spent a lot o' time doing Yard Work! But yeah---I'll just try saying my "old, junk cars"(that are effective in lowering property values) are Metal Sculpture. Ha.
littlebittybobby
8-22-22, 2:07pm
Okay----If you don't have a good-paying job right now, you could always move to N.H. and become a State Trooper. Case in point: The Trooper who testified at the trial I've been following is in his late 30's, been on the force for over a decade, and his annual salary is $87k. Not bad for driving around in a cop car with cop motor and cop tires and cop suspension, pursuing and arresting drunk/drugged drivers and interviewing arrestees! A fun job. He's not even a senior official, and that does not cover the value of fringe benefits. So, yeah--do that. Hope that hyelps you some. 4751
Okay----If you don't have a good-paying job right now, you could always move to N.H. and become a State Trooper. Case in point: The Trooper who testified at the trial I've been following is in his late 30's, been on the force for over a decade, and his annual salary is $87k. Not bad for driving around in a cop car with cop motor and cop tires and cop suspension, pursuing and arresting drunk/drugged drivers and interviewing arrestees! A fun job. He's not even a senior official, and that does not cover the value of fringe benefits. So, yeah--do that. Hope that hyelps you some. 4751
Well in Croydon, NH they fired the chief aka sole officer and demanded he immediately turn over his cruiser and uniform. He headed out of the town meeting in the cold in his underwear.
littlebittybobby
8-23-22, 3:07pm
That is amay-zeen and ahhh-summm, JP! I hope his rad reaction to the policy change didn't harm his chances for employment, elsewhere. Some places, they'd put you in the booby hatch for observation, for a day or two.
Went to another NH town today to check out their library etc. They have 3 town programs and 1 state program to help poor people with real estate taxes if they are over 65, disabled, a veteran or surviving spouse of a veteran. This makes me think moving might be doable even if some jerk like Romney cuts Social Security.
If I could retire tomorrow, and not worry about a commute, this looks like a steal:
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Newport_NH
With city sewer and water no less.
rosarugosa
8-31-22, 6:21am
I like this one:
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/98-N-Main-St_Newport_NH_03773_M95972-09463?ex=2946372093
iris lilies
8-31-22, 8:43am
I like this one:
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/98-N-Main-St_Newport_NH_03773_M95972-09463?ex=2946372093
Oy, giant monies to restore.WHAT is going on with that entry way flooring? There are carpets sections laid over it but what is underneath?
iris lilies
8-31-22, 8:44am
If I could retire tomorrow, and not worry about a commute, this looks like a steal:
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Newport_NH
With city sewer and water no less.
are you talking about the ranch house with maroon door? It is very nice.
1 acre is a lot to mow.
are you talking about the ranch house with maroon door? It is very nice.
1 acre is a lot to mow.
I am talking about the 3 bedrooms, 2 baths for only $135,000.
iris lilies
8-31-22, 9:04am
I am talking about the 3 bedrooms, 2 baths for only $135,000.
That looks like it needs a ton of work.
That looks like it needs a ton of work.
Like what? They say it's move-in ready and from the pictures I didn't see anything major. Electric water heater is not good though.
iris lilies
8-31-22, 12:09pm
Like what? They say it's move-in ready and from the pictures I didn't see anything major. Electric water heater is not good though.
I see a house that looks a lot like my Hermann house before renovation. It was also move-in ready meaning that everything functioned, but the cosmetics were… Problematic.
I doubt the deck is in good shape. it would need some thing soon. But that’s pretty minor. Overall I see a house that has had lots of inexpensive updating over decades, cheaply done such as modern cheap doors installed, popcorn and false ceilings, some weird treatment on the wideplank floors, a variety of poorly coodinated flooring. The porch is unfinished. Most concerning to me is the ripple-y plaster or painted wall paper, or whatever the wall stuff is. It is not nice.
Some of the original woodwork is there so that’s nice. The tin ceiling in the kitchen might be original? Don’t know. I personally am not a fan of tin ceilings, but if that is original then that is very cool. The built-in cabinet in the kitchen is cute.
This house is inexpensive because it lacks visual attractiveness. But it might be OK to live in. I always said about our Herman house before renovation: this is a damn cheap place to live.
And am I jealous about that giant lot that is entirely flat with minimal trees? Why yes, yes I am!
the yard is stunning, as is the house. A very nice size! I think it looks like home, at least it does to me.
littlebittybobby
8-31-22, 12:47pm
Okay--Northern New Hampshire. Place I knew very littlebittybit about, until recently. See? But yeah---I was watching a video of a bicyclist pedaling up the road on Mount Washington. Cyclists only have access about one day a year. So--the video was speeded-up, to take up only 10-20 minutes, but occasionally they would slow it to actual speed. Due to the extreme gradient(avge 10% or so), the guy was pedaling a road bike using the lowest gears of a triple crank, and weaving and wobbling along at a VERY(x4444)low rate of speed, with SUV's occasionally passing him. But yeah---he apparently made it to the top! Way beyond the average cyclists' capability to sustain. Quite a feat. Yup. I mean Nope. Hope that helps you kids some. NH is chilly in the winter, and has very hilly, curvy road terrain. That one Lady on the trial video apparently commutes 36 miles EACH way, from home to her business, on a NH road. She faces quite a challenge, I think. No wonder that big MC/Pickup truck wreck happened there. But---I still know very little about NH. Kids---I suggest you relocate to Nebraska, instead. The western part of the state is very scenic and sparsely populated. The eastern end is more populated, less scenic. Hope that helps you some. Thankk Mee.
littlebittybobby
11-12-22, 3:22pm
Looky---a joke about you kidses' fav-o-rit broadcast network, that involves New Hammshure and Catt people! Yup. Funny or not? Ha. Just curious. ETA: Case you kids cabn't read the comments, one've 'em claims she's got a lot of cats. 4949
littlebittybobby
11-12-22, 3:35pm
Also---I am reading that book about the high-school kids who senselessly and cruelly murdered the nice german couple who were faculty at some fancy college up there. Either NH or VT or both. But yeah---used copies of the book are very affordable. I ordered mine up for abut $4 or so. I'll let you kids know al;l the gory details, carrying on the tradition of Sister Gory Dorothie. Thankk Mee.4950
I lived in an older MH in NH for years and never had a problem with heating it.
Looked at another house in NH. It was on a slab which I had never seen before and which is a bad idea.
Prices on high end homes are coming down some, but not regular ones as there is still such pent up demand and insufficient supply.
It was on a slab which I had never seen before and which is a bad idea.
Why is this a bad idea? Plenty of houses in the US are built on slab. Particularly areas with a high water table.
I'd like to hear from people who have lived in slab houses in the north. They are very unpopular here. I've always wondered if its a bum rap.
sweetana3
11-23-22, 8:24pm
There were a lot of "slab" houses in Alaska. We had a small older one in Anchorage in the 70s. They were 1. cheap to build and 2. necessary due to soil conditions and permafrost. Never had an issue. Slab foundations can be poorly built just as basements can be poorly built. Habitat for Humanity builds either crawl spaces or slabs depending on the site requirements here in Indiana.
rosarugosa
11-24-22, 7:37am
Campanelli Ranches are built on slabs and are pretty popular in this area:
https://modernmass.com/love-for-the-ranch/
iris lilies
11-24-22, 2:25pm
Here in the Midwest, slab houses generally indicate overall cheap construction. I’m sure one could have a conventionally built house in place on a slab, but I’m not sure I’ve seen it. And then the Midwest we need a basement to store our crap. It’s also a place to get away from the tornadoes.
The issue with slabs is access to heating and cooling systems. In the house I looked at these were in the attic, and not a walk-up attic either. You had to crawl through a small space and a big tech would not fit.
I asked was this done due to a high groundwater table and was not sure but it was probably a cost saving measure.
OK I am mad at the Free State Project at the moment. I posted a question in their forum on private septic and water which I have never had. I stated I am considering this because urban areas are either too expensive or undesirable and I referred to Manchester by its nickname Methchester. The admin did not approve my post.
OK I am mad at the Free State Project at the moment. I posted a question in their forum on private septic and water which I have never had. I stated I am considering this because urban areas are either too expensive or undesirable and I referred to Manchester by its nickname Methchester. The admin did not approve my post.
Did you see the series on NBC on the Free State Project? My cousin is a political reporter for NBC and she produced it. It's interesting what this organized migration is doing in NH and a lot of the citizens there don't like it.
Did you see the series on NBC on the Free State Project? My cousin is a political reporter for NBC and she produced it. It's interesting what this organized migration is doing in NH and a lot of the citizens there don't like it.
Yes, I watched the series and enjoyed it.
So now there has been an ugly rupture in the Free State Project between the left leaning and right leaning Libertarians, same as happened in Massachusetts with that party. Add that on top of the unrelenting high costs of housing and property taxes and my thoughts are again turning to Vermont.
I do have concerns about Vermont including that it seems worse hit by the opioid crisis, homelessness, etc and maybe the liberal social policies make it a draw for people in desperate straits?
I haven't been impressed with the southern part of the state, so this will probably be a longer range plan for when I retire. I did like the Northeast Kingdom when I visited it, and it's relatively free - one school district there was the only place in that state without a mask mandate.
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