relocation suggestions (again)

[njxpat]

I don't really post much, but I will tell you that I visit this forum almost daily and it is a great resource.  Thanks for having it!

Well, I'm in NJ and looking to move to NH within 3 years or so.  I go up to visit when I can, trying to find places that would be attractive to move to.  I was there in Oct in Keene for the Pumpkin fest, and generally like the feel of that area - but there are so many nice places its hard to tell.

Currently, I'm a network admin/desktop support guy for a small company, and my wife is wrapping up her master's degree in May in Socialist Work, I mean Social Work.  It seems to me to make better sense for us to stick around here while she puts in the thousand hours or whatever towards licensing and then think about moving to NH.

Back in the 90's when we had no skills but were looking at NH, we focused on Nashua because it was well situated as far as its location, and it was quite similar to how NJ looks and feels.  No culture shock!  No that we are a little older and much more tired of this "lifestyle", we would like something that decidedly is NOT NJ!   

Off the top, we would consider anything south of Concord.  I'm just looking for advice regarding the job issue and location.  She'll be able to work in a Hospital, school whatever - though she likes the hospital setting.  I'm less picky and would work anywhere.

Juts trying to whittle it down a bit so we can focus better on our weekend trips.

Thanks!!!

[error]

I can't give you advice, but I can say that if I were leaving New Jersey, I wouldn't choose any place that reminded me of it!

[Kat Kanning]

Seems like Manchester would be good for hospital + computer work.

[eques]

Hey dude!

I just escaped the "Garden State" not a few months ago!

Unfortunately, I can't give you too many pointers.  My girlfriend and I ended up Ashland, but you'll probably have the most luck looking in Manchester and Nashua for work, as has been suggested.

I don't know what area of NJ you're coming from, though, so it's difficult for me to make a comparison.  I was living in Clifton on the border of Paterson, so the west side of Manchester very nearly felt bucolic in comparison!

Living in Ashland is more like living up in Sussex County on one of the country roads... and it just about takes as long to get to the "city."

[Dreepa]

Concord might also be a good choice. (big Hospital there).

Come up to the Liberty Forum and check out Concord.

Man I bet there were a ton of porcs at Pumpkinfest! -- I keep hearing about more people that were there.

[KBCraig]

Seems like Manchester would be good for hospital + computer work.

Or the Dartmouth area.

[aries]

I shudder at the thought of living in NJ

needless to say youll find that even the worst parts of NH (Manchester and Nashua, as far as dull, industrialized suburban wastelands go - you know, in comparison to my town :p) are 100x better than NJ.

[eques]

I shudder at the thought of living in NJ

needless to say youll find that even the worst parts of NH (Manchester and Nashua, as far as dull, industrialized suburban wastelands go - you know, in comparison to my town :p) are 100x better than NJ.

You might want to see a doctor for that head-in-the-ass problem you've got there. 

All joking aside, there are parts of NJ that are rather nice, though they're rapidly becoming overcrowded (which is a problem not specific to the NJ highlands).  If you're talking about the areas of NJ which are metro to New York City and Philadelphia, then you've got a point.

And politically?  Well, there's no contest there--NH hands down.

One thing I do already miss about NJ is the variety.  I never though I'd find myself saying that, but there it is.

I can't miss NJ for my family, anyway, because they've all moved out of the state!

[Rosie the Riveter]

I shudder at the thought of living in NJ

needless to say youll find that even the worst parts of NH (Manchester and Nashua, as far as dull, industrialized suburban wastelands go - you know, in comparison to my town :p) are 100x better than NJ.

I am going to start to get mad if people keep saying that my little hometown city sucks!!

I said it before and I'll say it again -- Manchester ROCKS!! 



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[aries]

I shudder at the thought of living in NJ

needless to say youll find that even the worst parts of NH (Manchester and Nashua, as far as dull, industrialized suburban wastelands go - you know, in comparison to my town :p) are 100x better than NJ.

You might want to see a doctor for that head-in-the-ass problem you've got there. 

All joking aside, there are parts of NJ that are rather nice, though they're rapidly becoming overcrowded (which is a problem not specific to the NJ highlands).  If you're talking about the areas of NJ which are metro to New York City and Philadelphia, then you've got a point.

And politically?  Well, there's no contest there--NH hands down.

One thing I do already miss about NJ is the variety.  I never though I'd find myself saying that, but there it is.

I can't miss NJ for my family, anyway, because they've all moved out of the state!

I have spent too much time in New Jersey. It even smells bad. Smells! That's covers every sense it's objectionable to. To be fair I'm talking about North Jersey, near NYC.

[aries]

I shudder at the thought of living in NJ

needless to say youll find that even the worst parts of NH (Manchester and Nashua, as far as dull, industrialized suburban wastelands go - you know, in comparison to my town :p) are 100x better than NJ.

I am going to start to get mad if people keep saying that my little hometown city sucks!!

I said it before and I'll say it again -- Manchester ROCKS!! 

Manchester's a fine city I agree, but it's the "worst" NH has got so my only point of reference. Well, maybe Berlin or Claremont is worse if we're talking about depressed formerly-industrial communities, but Manchester has its share of that. Does Manch still have a french district? My grandmother was telling me how when they lived in Auburn oh some 30-40 years ago, there was a huge french canadian population there of workers from Quebec, who worked at the mills.

[Raineyrocks]

bucolic

Okay Eques, I'm asking, what the hell does that word mean?

[njxpat]

Wow!  Thanks for all the tips!  I've always liked Concord, and I'm curious about the Lebanon area too.  I think Manchester is kind of what I'm looking to get away from, although maybe a place around Manchester might be a good compromise??? 

For eques, I grew up in Nutley, so we have some common understanding as to what I am dealing with now.  Currently, I'm in Bergen County which is maybe 10 miles from Manhattan, yet it would take 2 hours to get there on a work day!

NJ, does have a lot of nice areas - Sussex was mentioned, and Warren Co is also bucolic.  The politics, crowding, and all that are all-over, so I really need to escape NJ once and for all.

Pumpkinfest was a mob-scene.  I went in 05, and had a much better time than 06.  I don't think I'll be going this year, although I am really trying to work my schedule to go to the Liberty Forum.  I might just wing it because it sounds like a great thing.

I have a story about Clairmont that those who live there might want to stop reading @ this point.  For some reason, on one of my unplanned trips, I stopped in Clairmont to find lodging for the night.  Never been to the city before.  Anyway, we found a motel which was not too nice, but then we got talking to a guy who was in the next room.  I had the impression he was living there.  Anyway, I was asking him about Clairmont, and he told me that "Clairmont was a scab on the a**hole of NH waiting to fall off."  I will never forget that quote.  Needless to say, my opinion of Clairmont was tarnished at that moment, and my wife and I decided to drive off at 11 PM to find someplace else to stay. 

Thats my NH story of the day.

Keep the tips coming!!!

-NJXP

[Russell Kanning]

I am sure that Claremont is a lot safer than most of NJ.
I have met some nice people there.

[njxpat]

I am sure that Claremont is a lot safer than most of NJ.
I have met some nice people there.

I'm sure it is generally safer too, and I only posted what the guy said to me out of fun, I hope no one is offended. This was his impression of the city, not mine, although I guess I didn't give it a fair chance either.   I would venture to say that NJ could be the scab on the butt of the USA waiting to fall off and it would be pretty accurate!  When people say NJ is smelly, or corrupt, or whatever, I agree with them because it is! 

I also have many nice stories about people I've net in NH, but I'll save them for later!