First trip to NH, considering move

[KBCraig]

Bad things - .... There are still gun laws. We should be like Vermont.

Vermont's actually worse. Vermont doesn't require a license to carry, but they also have restrictions on where you can carry (NH has a very short list of prohibited places: court rooms. That's it!)

Vermont also doesn't have statewide preemption, so local governments can set tighter restrictions on guns. Vermont bans suppressors ("silencers"), although it's only a $25 fine. Vermont has harsher-than-federal purchase restrictions; VT residents may only purchase long guns in contiguous states, and non-residents may only purchase in VT if they're from contiguous states. (This used to be federal law as well, but that changed over 20 years ago. Now a resident of any state can buy a long gun from a dealer in any other state, if the sale is legal in both states.)

NH still requires a license, but it's one that is ridiculously cheap and easy, and it's "shall-issue". On balance, NH guns laws are much better than Vermont's.

[Porcupine_in_MA]

Bad things - .... There are still gun laws. We should be like Vermont.

Vermont's actually worse. Vermont doesn't require a license to carry, but they also have restrictions on where you can carry (NH has a very short list of prohibited places: court rooms. That's it!)

Vermont also doesn't have statewide preemption, so local governments can set tighter restrictions on guns. Vermont bans suppressors ("silencers"), although it's only a $25 fine. Vermont has harsher-than-federal purchase restrictions; VT residents may only purchase long guns in contiguous states, and non-residents may only purchase in VT if they're from contiguous states. (This used to be federal law as well, but that changed over 20 years ago. Now a resident of any state can buy a long gun from a dealer in any other state, if the sale is legal in both states.)

NH still requires a license, but it's one that is ridiculously cheap and easy, and it's "shall-issue". On balance, NH guns laws are much better than Vermont's.

What about not being able to carry a gun in your car without a concealed carry license? Thats another law that needs to go buh-bye.

[Porcupine_in_MA]

Government run liquor stores?  YIKES! Just liquor or does it include beer and wine?  I homebrew anyway and don't drink much liquor so I wouldn't feed the system.  Actually I think Montana is the same way which surprised me when I was there. We can't buy anything on Sundays here (IN) and the government mandated beer distributer monopolies severely limit selection.

Socialism is picking up pace here at an alarming rate.  Between a trolley that runs downtown (property tax) $250k+ public fountains honoring politicians (funded by tax), smoking bans etc. not sure there is much hope.  Just about everyone I talk to here is all for the smoking bans and "free" trolleys. I envision NH as a place, while not perfect, has more reasonable people that I could at least complain with if not make a change. 

Its just vodka and gin etc. Beer is "allowed" to be sold in grocery stores and convenience stores. Oh yeah and I forgot about the smoking ban we have here now. I actually can't believe that got passed.

[toowm]

If any movers read this: What are a few things that stand out to you in regard to moving to NH?  Any surprises that you didn't consider (good and bad)?

I consider the natural beauty (mountains/hills/ocean/lakes/rivers/forests) better than the midwest. The is much more of a freedom culture, even if it's just long-time obstinate granite staters. I knew there were some early movers before me, so the network wasn't really a suprise.

Good surprises: little things, like buying as much cold syrup as I needed (before the Fedral rules), having a teenage checkout person at the grocery store scanning your beer or wine (in IL, they can't even touch it!), decent Mexican, Brazilian, and BBQ food. Not having town water, sewer, or garbage. Ability to really influence Reps - most of them list their home numbers, and will let you talk their ear off. I hadn't realized the benefits of a large House and the executive council as a veto on the governor. Better homeschool network than IL. Great football/cheerleading/basketball/wrestling (and I think hockey) clubs not connected to the schools.

Bad surprises: Creeping socialism of populace, sometimes attributed to "Massholes" moving north, but clearly a problem everywhere. Some things cost more: electricity, milk. Several of the doctors we meet seem to think they are in control of our bodies and should be revered. Natives not quite as friendly and open as midwester folks. No real gyros (greek food). Small Lutheran churches. Anti-Bush 2006 elections that led to a majority of socialists in Concord.

[Kat Kanning]

Good surprises: l... having a teenage checkout person at the grocery store scanning your beer or wine (in IL, they can't even touch it!)

Oh, I didn't know that    I worked as a cashier in OR as a teen and couldn't sell beer/wine.

[Pat McCotter]

A cashier at Wal-Mart the other day directed a shopper with beer to another line because the person there was too young to ring it up.

[David]

I hope this is a good forum for my questions!
My wife and I will be visiting NH (first time for us) this year ('08) week of October 13th.  We have 3 kids 4, 6 and 9 but they will be staying here with G-ma so we can explore NH.  We have been entertaining the idea of moving for liberty and want to see what NH has to offer.   I'm originally from MN so I'm not worried about cold or bugs etc. Currently we live in IN and we are tired of explaining why liberty is a good thing.

We have 1-week for a time share and have options in most NH cities.  Is there an ideal place to stay in order to be able to see most of NH in a week?  Any special recommendations for the month of October? 

Manchester is very central to NH.  It also has the airport, though it sounds like you are driving.

There are two things that would possibly make me stay in NH and send my wife back for the kids and dog: a good seafood restaurant and/or fish market and a good brew pub; the kind where they make their own beer and aren't afraid of hops.  Any recommendations?

If you visit Keene, the Elm City Brewery makes their own beer.  A friend of mine, calls himself a beer connisuer (sp?) loves it.  They make the only real beer that I can actually drink.  [/quote]

From a freedom standpoint is there anything we should definitely do, see or visit in order to experience the "Live Free or Die" sentiment? 

Many of our events tie in with local events to some degree or another.  Nh people are not a whole lot different than people elsewhere, in attitude, behavior, or ideology.  But in my experiance I was impressed with the greater acceptance in Keene of activism, not just ours.  It is true that Keene is somewhat 'liberal', if you can get past the label, they are great people. 

It might be nice to talk with someone that has moved for liberty but it might also be nice to meet a few natives for the cause as well.  Is there a forum to find people to meet and have discussion?

I'm sure I'll have more questions but this is a start.  In all honesty it would be hard to leave IN; my parents and in-laws are about 60 miles away which is darn near perfect and a huge deal, especially with the kids. However, we are getting serious enough about the possibility of moving that we think we better check it out.   

I'm not sure if we will meet, but welcome.   

[Chemist]

I'm bummed  .  We didn't make it to NH due to a problem with the gift timeshare.  We ended up going to Virginia instead. It was fun doing the history tours (which riled me up for a revolution).  Monticello is a cool place and Jefferson really fires me up. 

We are now aiming for PorcFest 2009 if not sooner.  Hell, now that there is a hard core socialist in office we may end up just moving to be around people like us.  The political worship that goes on around here makes me ill. 

[MTPorcupine3]

Oh, no. Not another chemist!

[FTL_Ian]

Yeah, just move.  No need to visit.  It's great up here!   

[dalebert]

It's a really pretty state with slightly annoying winter weather and really breath-takingly beautiful fall weather and mild summers. But all that was irrelevant to me really. I moved for the people here. That's what makes a place home.