Hey CateP - isn't it great to have a source like the great people of the Forum and get all the answers to those pressing move questions? Welcome to the Lakes Region (soon!) and I wish you the best of luck finding the "perfect place". You’ll know it when you see it – that’s what happened to me and I still love my house and where I live.
The other posters to this thread have brought up some great perspectives and I might be able to give you another one! I moved up here full-time 8 years ago, having been here every summer for 2 weeks for 20 years because I knew this was where I wanted to early retire. For months in advance of buying, I spent inordinate amounts of time, indulging myself reading every part of this Forum. I wondered if there would there be anything going on here in the winter so reading the Events Calendar certainly put that question to rest (and it has been borne out over the last 8 years) - this region has tons of stuff happening all year round. You sometimes have to become accustomed to different "open" hours/days in the winter for some of the shops but it becomes second nature to you. Here you can be out of the “rat race”, away from noise, near to nature, and yet still be part of a lovely village.
I lived in a variety of towns and cities throughout my work life all over the Eastern part of the USA, but I am a New England girl at heart. Having lived in a variety of places, I knew the ins and outs - positive and negative - of each type of location. Here, I live ~8 miles from the main highway and I can honestly say that to this day, I never tire of the drive to/from town - I always find something new to see (even after 20 + 8 years!) The only thing I find annoying is the condition of the road in winter (giant frost heaves and valleys). One also needs to watch out for deer especially during certain parts of the year. But, being able to put back my car's sunroof and to smell the fresh, clean, woodsy smell on a sunny day, even in winter, while I drive this scenic road is a "gift".
Do I consolidate my trips to town - yes, and I do one side of the road going to town and the other coming back! I love the shops here (and wait for longer trips to other parts of the state for the big dept. stores) and if you shop often enough, the storekeepers and restaurant servers get to know you. There's something special about that - they remember what you like and know you by face or name. The first winter I was here I needed a special craft piece for something and when I went to pay for it, it was just given to me - no charge! I have also noticed that in contrast to some of the places I've lived, people here are noticeably more mannerly and open and extroverted and smile at you even if they don’t know you! This area is a place where you can be by yourself if you want to, or go out to places if you want to, or join in local activities – it is what you make of it.
I also want to bring up something you might not have focused on - access to health care – it’s not as if you’re in near proximity to Boston’s great hospitals but they are only 2 and ½ hours away; in addition, you also have access to Dartmouth Hitchcock, Concord Hospital, Elliot Hospital, and the Catholic Medical Center (for heart problems). Locally, I think there are some wonderful health care professionals and a good hospital, Lakes Region General Hospital, as well as excellent emergency care responders. Shortly after I came here my father took ill (from a chronic condition) on a visit here with my mother – he was taken to LRGH and put in the care of an outstanding doctor who totally focused on my father and helped us through a very trying time – Dad eventually passed away after 18 very long days but not without the doctor trying everything and leveling with us at the appropriate points. I cannot say enough about him (the dr.) and the special, gentle care the nurses at LRGH took with him, as well as with us, the family, as we came day by day. Their kindness and thoughtfulness, their sense of humor at funny times, and their welcome embrace when it all got to be too much we will always remember.
Well, I have gone on and on but just wanted to bring up a few more points! Best of luck, CateP!
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