another "which city" question

[mackler]

Hi all.  Nice to meet some of you at the PorcFest.

I am a city boy.  I've always lived in big cities, and am dependent on urban amenities.  Specifically, I like being able to walk where I need to go, which ideally includes a decent variety of take-out food, wash-and-fold laundry service, and a whole-foods-type supermarket.  Is this a lost cause in New Hampshire?

Manchester has the greatest population, so presumably it's the closest thing to a "big" city.  But I see Portsmouth has a citysearch.com page, and Manchester doesn't.  What's up with that?

Is Amtrak of any use?  It only seems there are a couple of stops in small villages.

Another factor I would also consider are where the most freestaters live.  Are people making an effort to concentrate geographically?

Finally, I was thinking that if a person is planning to run for the state house, doesn't it make the sense to move to the district with the most statist rep who needs to be replaced?  Is this sound logic?

-adam

[error]

You may actually find a smaller town to be more to your liking than Manchester, strangely enough. That said, I live in Manchester, and for the most part, you can walk or take the bus pretty much anywhere you want to go. There are no Whole Foods or Trader Joe's sort of places that I know of, though.

Where you move to depends largely on what you want to do when you get here and what your hot button issues are. You could certainly run for state rep if that's what you want to do, but keep in mind you have to live here two years first.

[Kat Kanning]

Sounds to me like you'd be happy with Manchester.

[error]

Sounds to me like you'd be happy with Manchester.

I can't even get a Wal-Mart Supercenter here!

[mappchik]

There are no Whole Foods or Trader Joe's sort of places that I know of, though.

I understand from Dreepa that there is a TJ's just across the MA border. I've been completely spoiled by the one around the corner from my house in Atlanta, and will be making regular road trips after we move. I must have my DoubleDark coffee beans, alphabet cookies, and Tamari Wasabi Almonds.

Would gladly take a shopping list with me. Granted, by the time we're in southern NH, you are likely to have quite a long list.

[error]

Yeah, the Trader Joe's is -- inexplicably -- on the wrong side of the imaginary line.

[JonM]

Yeah, the Trader Joe's is -- inexplicably -- on the wrong side of the imaginary line.

Probably lower rent!

[ibedi]

I don't remember where I saw it, but I heard a Whole Foods Market is being built in Nashua. I think that would be a great place to work.

And, mappchik, I'd love to carpool with you to TJ's once I move up there. I need my Bay Blend coffee, whole wheat bread (that actually tastes good) and greek yoghurt with honey. 

Diane

[Rochelle]

Yea, I was going to say...I don't think there are any Trader Joe's or Whole Foods in NH yet...

There's a BJ's though, but no Trader Joe's. No IHOPs in Manchester....but there is one in Portsmouth (or Dover?). I sure wish they'd build one in Manchester.

[lowen]

I have no idea what any of those are. Except for IHOP, I've eaten there two or three times.

[Dreepa]

Another factor I would also consider are where the most freestaters live.  Are people making an effort to concentrate geographically?

Finally, I was thinking that if a person is planning to run for the state house, doesn't it make the sense to move to the district with the most statist rep who needs to be replaced?  Is this sound logic?

-adam

I think it is still 'early' in the concentrated effort but I would say a fair number live in Concord and in Manchester and Keene.

To your second question I will answer as if I was channeling Denis:::: Hell YES!!!!!!!!!!

[mackler]

You may actually find a smaller town to be more to your liking than Manchester, strangely enough. That said, I live in Manchester, and for the most part, you can walk or take the bus pretty much anywhere you want to go. There are no Whole Foods or Trader Joe's sort of places that I know of, though.

Where you move to depends largely on what you want to do when you get here and what your hot button issues are. You could certainly run for state rep if that's what you want to do, but keep in mind you have to live here two years first.

Well, let's say if my goal were to be able to walk (in less that 7 minutes) to the following:
-a deli
-a diner
-a decent cafe/coffee-shop
-mexican food
-chinese food
-indian food
-sushi

with more other dining options a plus, is there anywhere that's possible?  Let's also say my goal also late-night access (so an area with lots of lunch ammenities that shuts down at 5:00 pm is not desireable).

Being a pedestrian is important to me.  Strip-malls make me suicidal.

Again, I'm wondering if anyone can say why Portsmouth has a citysearch site, but Manchester doesn't.  Portsmouth is a lot smaller.  Is it really that much more happening?

Also, it appears that there's not even a Starbuck's in Manchester, while both Portsmouth and Keene each have at least one.  What's the story with that?  Is it because there's too much competetion? --or not enough consumers?

Also, is there a flexcar-type operation anywhere?

-adam

[error]

Well, let's say if my goal were to be able to walk (in less that 7 minutes) to the following:
-a deli
-a diner
-a decent cafe/coffee-shop
-mexican food
-chinese food
-indian food
-sushi

with more other dining options a plus, is there anywhere that's possible?  Let's also say my goal also late-night access (so an area with lots of lunch ammenities that shuts down at 5:00 pm is not desireable).

Downtown Manchester would do you fine for pretty much all of that.

Also, it appears that there's not even a Starbuck's in Manchester, while both Portsmouth and Keene each have at least one.  What's the story with that?  Is it because there's too much competetion? --or not enough consumers?

It's at the airport. Downtown is chock full of local coffee shops.

Also, is there a flexcar-type operation anywhere?

None that I know of. The nearest I can find is Zipcar in Boston.

[lowen]

I've been looking at apts in Manchester on google maps. Can anyone tell me where downtown is? Which streets? Thanks!

[dalebert]

I drove around Manchester and focused on what looks like they're biggest business area, Elm street. I didn't care for it. It had some stores that shut down after lunch and some that were only open for dinner. Didn't seem like an economic boom. Also, there was this one depressing little indoor mall off of it that was being worked on that was kind of dead. Then I went inside and realized it has a post office and two federal offices and it made sense. It's being subsidized or it probably would be dead.

Nashua seemed much more appealing though I don't know what stores and such are available. I absolutely LOVED LOVED LOVED Chunky's Cinema Pub where you can watch a movie for $7 and order beer and food while you're watching. I was lucky enough to just happen by that one while driving around Nashua and stopped in to watch Shrek III and get a little buzzed.

It's funny you mention TJ's. I was just talking about it today. One finally opened near me here in Atlanta. I was waiting for it. If I live in Nashua, how far is it to the MA one?