Thoughts on Rochester?

[Kat Kanning]

Try it, you'll like it!

[cfp]

 i was raised in rochester and spent my early adulthood there  [approx. 78-95].
i love to make fun of my town,,, it has a  real 'bubba' subculture to it,     which   i say with affection.
it's trying to dress itself up with the ridiculous amount of tacky 'mcmansions' going up in once fertile farmlands, and  needless 'shopping' areas.........but,     in my opinion, rochester is becoming like alot of other cramped, undescriptive towns in southern NH.       It's too bad,,    i grew up biking, hiking, canoeing, skiing, climbing and scouting for animals in  every nook-and-cranny  of rochester,,,,,,,,,good luck FINDING any  nooks or crannies  left. 
  yes, i'm sour about this.           like others, i'm sure,, it's disheartening to see your hometown being carved up.
if you don't have the disposition of wanting to 'see or be seen',, you'll like the town.         cfp

[Henry]

I'm hoping to resurrect this thread about Rochester a little, because I'm moving there (or the very immediate area) just next month, and need to get a jump on housing.

I've heard some comments about there being some rough parts. Where exactly is that, what street names and areas?

I visited and liked Dover last year, and understand Rochester is different and becoming more McCity from what people describe, though living here in a suburb of San Francisco sucks BIG TIME, so I imagine it can't be this bad.

If anyone is feeling generous with their insight and is either living in Rochester now or very familiar with it please leave me a message.

[Lloyd Danforth]

I had a place I rented from some nice friends of the FSP.  It was on River St. The river views were great.  The neighborhood was probably one of the poorer parts of town, but, I never had any problems.   Easy walk to downtown.

[Vote Tyler Stearns]

I have relatives there and the daughter of a friend works in town.  None of us can recommend the city, especially if you're going to send kids to the public school.

[Dreepa]

I visited and liked Dover last year, and understand Rochester is different and becoming more McCity from what people describe, though living here in a suburb of San Francisco sucks BIG TIME, so I imagine it can't be this bad.

The worst place in NH is better than a suburb of SF.
I moved from the Bay area in August 05... I love it here!

[Henry]

I visited and liked Dover last year, and understand Rochester is different and becoming more McCity from what people describe, though living here in a suburb of San Francisco sucks BIG TIME, so I imagine it can't be this bad.

The worst place in NH is better than a suburb of SF.
I moved from the Bay area in August 05... I love it here!

I just landed here in Farmington! I was looking at Rochester but found a house we like here so jumped on it before leaving San Francisco. Our van broke down twice on the way here (Debit card wouldn't work with the mechanic from the highway either because since I'm using it so far from "home" it thought it was a suspicious transaction. How's that for economic freedom?), and after months or preparing and getting things in order to leave California - God am I glad to be here! All I hear is classic rock in the restaurants, cars, stores - freakin' sweet. Now it's scrambling to make this house liveable (been neglected for 60 years or so) and meeting other free staters in the area. It's seems pretty nice here. It's a calm working class neighborhood and is pretty close to everything. Anyone else in Farmington?

[Dreepa]

Welcome Henry!

I don't know if anyone is in farmington but there are people ....'over there'.

[Russell Kanning]

The worst place in NH is better than a suburb of SF.

with ya bro

[Russell Kanning]

God am I glad to be here! All I hear is classic rock in the restaurants, cars, stores - freakin' sweet.

I like that about NE ... more classic rock ... hardly any hiphop and country

[error]

There are about 7 classic rock stations that I heard while going up and down the radio dial. And one lonely "mix" station.

[Mark]

I have relatives there and the daughter of a friend works in town.  None of us can recommend the city, especially if you're going to send kids to the public school.

There are several public schools here. Some are better than others.

Sounds like the guy who asked already found a place, but to answer the question specifically for anyone else: Lafayette St. and the surrounding neighborhoods are about the worst you'll find here. Cops have stats because of their "proactive policing" efforts, but ask the realtor how close you are to the fairgrounds. If it's real close, run the other way. It's not hard to spot the problem areas on your own, though -- our shitholes look like your shitholes, I'd guess.

I've noticed a couple of "Don't Tread on Me" flags in Gonic, which is the end of town where I live (Gonic is a village of Rochester -- has its own zip code but shares city government).

CFP-- several people are trying to preserve some of those nooks and crannies in town. They're derided as socialists by people friendly to the FSP.

As for the investment advice offered above, be careful -- we had a boom like everyone else (by dumb luck and fortunate reproductive timing I bought at the right time before the boom), but sales have slowed considerably here just like everywhere else. I don't agree that we're Portsmouth in a few years. Maybe Plaistow or Dover, with the big box shopping centers locating on all major routes. I definitely see the character of the town changing, as the econ. development people pat themselves on the back for bringing in hundreds of glamorous and high-paying retail jobs.

[Recumbent ReCycler]

I'm living just to the south of Rochester, in Somersworth.  I have considered moving to Rochester or Farmington.  Many parts of those towns are pretty nice.  Unfortunately I am up to my eyeballs in debt and need to pay off a significant portion of it before I can seriously consider moving.

[Mark]

^ I grew up in Somersworth. Went to school with the teacher who wants to run for mayor.

[Jared]

http://www.masiello.com <if you're looking for a house, go there and call martha koumides.