Thinking of possible move to N.E. - your thoughts?

Well, we've been thinking about the future and a possible move. We've been up to the NE states a few times, especially New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. Last year we took a ride up to Woodstock Soapstone in Lebanon via Manchester. I thought the countryside was gorgeous. Other factors of the state make it appealing to me as well. To those of you that live or may have lived in New Hampshire: could you share your insight/opinions/wisdom of living in the "Live Free or Die" state.

Any thoughts of living in Maine or Vermont would be appreciated as well.

 

I absolutely love NH, Vermont and Maine. I dont think of it was wet at all, but then again I grew up in NE.

One of my favorite places up that way is Bar Harbor /Mount Desert Island. You have the ocean, forest, mountains, a national park and a nice little town with pubs and restaurants all within minutes. Beautiful place.


One thing to consider is what do you do for work (if not retired). Especially in areas Vermont and Maine if you are in any business where you have to be around cities to find jobs (IT, engineering, finance, etc) you could be in for punishingly long commutes.

 

Bar Harbor has way too many people/idiot tourists!

 

Maine is a really nice place for.... 3-4months out of the year
if living near something (southern maine) youll be prepared for the property taxes - coming from NJ

It really depends on what you like - ocean/woodlands/mountains all three have something to offer, even western Mass is somewhat rural

 

I think NH and ME are retirement tax free states, I believe VT taxes retirement. Don't quote me on that
My wife and I are frequent NH visitors and future residents. I enjoy the cold weather enough not to want to
move south when I get close to retirement. My wife is a lawyer and she can relocate almost anytime.
We enjoy the easy life up there and the way of life. I'm sure the NH, VT and ME folks will chime in and
add to the pros and cons list.

 

Vermont and New Hampshire are really appealing for sure. As mentioned above, having to work versus retirement can be a big factor on the decision. Good Luck. We made that BIG DECISION 32 years ago when we elected to vacate New Jersey. Don't regret it for a second.

 

I can't imagine why you would want to leave NJ. I know I will get a tank of full service gas (about the only benefit of living in NJ) and be out of here the day after I retire.

 

Maine taxes everything. All retirements except disability. We have income tax and sales tax. The excise tax on car registration is horrid. You can get plenty rural most anywhere except the Portland area.
NH would be my choice of the two. Cost of living isn't cheap, but if you go with wood/pellet heat you can save. They have natural gas in some areas, but that is only where the homes are next to each other.
I'm only three miles from the state capital, but I "could " run around butt naked and no one would ever see me. New England is very densely forested. You don't have to be in the "county" to get away. Some road don't even have utility poles on them.

 

Maine isn't as bad in the tax department as some states are however no free rides given for retirement income. Stay away from the high mill rate cities both from a tax and other issues perspective.

Jobs are a big issue, if you fill a position in some places and find out you need to change jobs for any reason you are looking at relocation, frequently it is out of the state.

There's a saying that goes if you want a job in Maine it pays to be from away.

 

@macpolski if I were you, I'd be crossing Chelsea, ME off my list... just too risky

 

Ya, too many ticks here!

 

Go to Nh. The accents in MA and Maine are "wicked haahd" to learn.

 

Hair color check....

 

Thin air in the mountains methinks...

 

Ayuh... keeps the rif raf out...

 

That's funny! Yes, however I'm willing to bet your butt has the sun shinning on it from time to time. Thing is, we just don't care! "Maine, the way life should be!" Ayuh.

 

Save, I was just looking at your weather banner, it says 89% humidity, really??