Does anyone have any opinions on Alexandria? Good place to live, bad? Why or why not? It appears Alexandria is in Grafton county and doesn't have zoning either? Am I right?
Also, what should I look for when buying land? Dreepa told me to avoid wetlands - any other suggestions, advice? It's all very appreciated.
Thanks!
Besides wetlands, access and connectivity are big issues. Oftentimes, land is available because someone subdivided their long held property. Their house is sitting on the road and the available property is the "back 40". You get access through their property, but that isn't a road. Roads can be expensive and the utility poles that go with them. Connectivity is desirable and not universal. Find out what kind of cell service there is and cable, dsl options.
Thanks!
What's the problem with wetlands? Just govt regulation nonsense and loss of dry land or something else?
Quote from: George Donnelly on December 09, 2009, 04:39 PM NHFT
Thanks!
What's the problem with wetlands?
They are wet. Not something on which to build a sound foundation.
Quote from: Sovereign Curtis on December 09, 2009, 05:05 PM NHFT
Quote from: George Donnelly on December 09, 2009, 04:39 PM NHFT
Thanks!
What's the problem with wetlands?
They are wet. Not something on which to build a sound foundation.
And even when they're not wet, only occasionally or even rarely wet, if they've been declared "wetlands", you can expect bureaucratic hell to even turn a shovel there, much less build.
it is a very nice place .... and you will be close to us
But, not as close or, happy as you would be in Grafton.
i even saw cute little farms and flat land there ..... but you will probably be buying a hill with sand and rocks for ground
alexandria is better than philly .... and you build a nice library and light a huge torch
Hehe. Yes the soil at one property I looked at in Alexandria is classified as "skerry".
How would you characterize the soil in Grafton town, speaking generally?
Sandy, rocky.
Bummer. But it works for gardening? Or do folks go out and buy soil? Seems like permaculture would work, NH being rather wooded... Any insights would be appreciated.
The word from a native is that it takes years to build your soil suitably. Compost, manure, purchased garden soil, whatever. I see those years as the learning experience. I had some compost this year and got a scant few veges out of my first garden. I expect each year to get more and to get better.
Is this something one can fix with manure, worms and whatnot?
Sure, make a big pile of leaves, grassing clippings, manure and compost-ables. Let it rot, till it in, repeat.
The faster/ more expensive option is to buy 16 yard loads of topsoil and composted manure.
Quote from: George Donnelly on December 10, 2009, 09:07 AM NHFT
Hehe. Yes the soil at one property I looked at in Alexandria is classified as "skerry".
How would you characterize the soil in Grafton town, speaking generally?
the same as a hilly property in Alexandria.
it grows really nice trees
Thanks guys, I appreciate your help.
I thought Alexandria was pretty.
Quote from: George Donnelly on December 09, 2009, 12:24 PM NHFT...and doesn't have zoning either?
Be aware that "lack of zoning" isn't always meaningful.
We have zoning down here, for a variety of reasons. Granted, I disapprove, but the zoning ordinance basically declares the entire town to be one zone, and lists many prohibitions on the government (eg, they are prohibited from interfering with home businesses).
While "no zoning" is certainly a useful factor, looking at the content of the zoning ordinance, because it may be written in such a way that it exists, but has little effect on anything.
Or in other words, on a scale of 0 to 10 (least to most zoning), 0.1 is worse than 0, but not by very much.
Joe
Neighbor in Grafton had a great prolific 1 acre garden fertilized by the 3 pet lamas in the next fenced area. She had developed this over a few years. It required chicken fencing to keep the varmits out. She invited me to garden there too as I was renting (temp) and had not invested in working the tenant land as it takes a few seasons of composting to get a pay off. We both ate a lot of produce from her garden and I helped her.
As far as buying property look for drainage as unaddressed water is always a problem, easements and right away, taxes, local politics/ building regs/ wetlands regs can shut down building plans; and neighbors. Testing water for well use. Close to expressway is easier for me. Each town is usually posting their meeting minutes on the net. Property taxes wildly fluctuate between towns.
I always liked Alexandria and most of Grafton county. As for a garden pick a spot where you want your garden fence it off and raise pigs in their the first year then the next year plant your garden their and you will have nice fertile ground to work with that has been turned and rooted and worked by the pigs all summer.I had a pig pen and the next year in that spot i had a natural garden just from the seeds the pigs digested like squash and beans just feed your pigs good veggies and stuff. chickens too. You can usually get pig food from a restaurant or food pantry for old produce etc...