Moving to and living in the Lakes Region year round... whats the reality of....

[winnipiseogee]

Jason -

The wife and I are both from New England but before moving to Meredith we lived in NYC for 6 years and then San Francisco for 7 years. We moved here because we wanted to start a family and didn't like what we were seeing in the cities.

I'm not going to say living in Meredith is perfect but I think overall its a wonderful place to live and raise kids (we've got one so far). Its incredibly safe and despite what a certain jackass might say there is very little in the way of substance abuse problems. The Meredith school district is phenomenal up until high school and then good at that point (but we do have 3 great private schools in the area). Moultonboro is very good but its definitely more rural. Friends with kids in Mboro seem to either love it or hate it. If the kids play a sport a Mboro it seems to be a better experience.

My wife and I got feed up with the small town life last weekend and headed to Boston to wander around malls and go to Whole Foods. We get to live in a place where hiking, skiing, boating, snowshoeing, kayaking etc are all 10 or 15 minutes away. If we want to go to a mall its a full day trip and a long drive. For us that is better than living in mass and spending every weekend at the mall and having outdoor activities as an occasional special treat.

We've also found people to be incredibly friendly and welcoming. Once we moved off the water and into an actual neighborhood we built a great group of local friends.

As to the waterfront living I'd think long and hard about that. We really wanted (and purchased) waterfront when we first moved here. We've since moved twice and lost a lot of money learning our "life lessons" Here is what we learned:

1. When you live here the lake is a part of your life - you don't need to live on it to enjoy it. In fact, you start to take it for granted! Plus, living on the the lake in January is friggin depressing!

2. Your neighbors are almost all summer people and retirees. It makes it harder to become a part of the community.

3. Its EXPENSIVE!!! You can get a lot more value by spending you money on other things.

Sometimes at this time of year we wish we had stayed in California but within a month the weather will start getting better and we will love it again!!

Its not perfect but its a pretty darn nice life if you can pull it off. The hardest part is making a living but if you've got that covered you are 90% there. If you want, PM me and I'm happy to talk real estate. Its a bit of a hobby of mine...

[songkrai]

"and despite what a certain jackass might say there is very little in the way of substance abuse problems. "

To state again, I made zero disparaging remarks against anyone with views that differ from mine.

But on to substance abuse. Those that do not think that there is a problem in big cities, suburbs, and right here in hill and mountain country live in a fantasy world.

I never stated that this area is worse than average. I stated that it is the same. The Lakes Region is not some island where these problems don't exist.

Whenever I do meet parents with teenage children in school and the conversation turns to drugs and alcohol. It always seems that these same parents state that it is "not my children" but "other children" to misuse prescription drugs, illegal drugs, and alcohol. But who are these "other" children? And who are the parents of these "other" children?

Some should take a careful look into the mirror. I stated some didn't I? Not all.

[Heaven]

Originally Posted by songkrai

"and despite what a certain jackass might say there is very little in the way of substance abuse problems. "

I see plenty of substance abuse, just like anywhere else.

[JasonG]

Originally Posted by winnipiseogee

Jason -

The wife and I are both from New England but before moving to Meredith we lived in NYC for 6 years and then San Francisco for 7 years. We moved here because we wanted to start a family and didn't like what we were seeing in the cities.

I'm not going to say living in Meredith is perfect but I think overall its a wonderful place to live and raise kids (we've got one so far). Its incredibly safe and despite what a certain jackass might say there is very little in the way of substance abuse problems. The Meredith school district is phenomenal up until high school and then good at that point (but we do have 3 great private schools in the area). Moultonboro is very good but its definitely more rural. Friends with kids in Mboro seem to either love it or hate it. If the kids play a sport a Mboro it seems to be a better experience.

My wife and I got feed up with the small town life last weekend and headed to Boston to wander around malls and go to Whole Foods. We get to live in a place where hiking, skiing, boating, snowshoeing, kayaking etc are all 10 or 15 minutes away. If we want to go to a mall its a full day trip and a long drive. For us that is better than living in mass and spending every weekend at the mall and having outdoor activities as an occasional special treat.

We've also found people to be incredibly friendly and welcoming. Once we moved off the water and into an actual neighborhood we built a great group of local friends.

As to the waterfront living I'd think long and hard about that. We really wanted (and purchased) waterfront when we first moved here. We've since moved twice and lost a lot of money learning our "life lessons" Here is what we learned:

1. When you live here the lake is a part of your life - you don't need to live on it to enjoy it. In fact, you start to take it for granted! Plus, living on the the lake in January is friggin depressing!

2. Your neighbors are almost all summer people and retirees. It makes it harder to become a part of the community.

3. Its EXPENSIVE!!! You can get a lot more value by spending you money on other things.

Sometimes at this time of year we wish we had stayed in California but within a month the weather will start getting better and we will love it again!!

Its not perfect but its a pretty darn nice life if you can pull it off. The hardest part is making a living but if you've got that covered you are 90% there. If you want, PM me and I'm happy to talk real estate. Its a bit of a hobby of mine...

I appreciate your time and thoughts here. The region is something we know like the back of our hands. Down in FL I need a GPS. But I could still tell you how to get around in NH.

I can see the Lake living being a bit tough off season. Wife kids and I are social people, but we like the peace and quiet too.

Honestly, I use to love the winter season. I am actually not much of a fan anymore. Just tough to do things, move around, etc. Its 0only the cold. If it could be warm and snow, were good. If I am going to live in the cold, it needs to be where there are activities focused around the seasons. It is why are are in FL, to experience no snow or cold year round. Frankly, I love it more down here. Wife isnt liking it too much, so we will see what happens when our lease is up.

[JasonG]

Drugs will find drugs. If you hate basket ball but hang out full time with new basket ball loving and playing friends, guess what you will be doing soon.

If you want them, you will find them. Funny, no one has ever asked me if I wanted drugs, ever. Why? I dont use them. I dont present an image that I use them or that I am looking for them. Never have, never will. But I know so many people that are screwed up on them. They have the mentality to look for it. Look hard enough and you will find anything that you want anywhere.

Hell if American Pickers ( tangent topic, ADD kicking in here ) can find a rare Italian scooter in the middle of Idaho, then you can find drugs where ever you want. Neither one needs to advertise it. You just have to look for it.

Total shot in the dark here, but when was the last time someone was killed in Meredith ( Gilford, Mountonboro, etc ) regarding a drug issue? I am assuming a long time ago. How many times does it happen on concord, Boston?

So whats the point...............drug issues dont bother me. Especially in areas with strong middle class families looking out for each other.

[Steve Di.]

Originally Posted by winnipiseogee

Jason -

The wife and I are both from New England but before moving to Meredith we lived in NYC for 6 years and then San Francisco for 7 years. We moved here because we wanted to start a family and didn't like what we were seeing in the cities......

Winnipsiseogee, your post is very timely for my wife and me. Soon, we will be relocating to the Lakes region as part of our preparation for retirement.

We have been visiting the Lake for many years and love the area. One concern we have is what it would be like to actually live there. Your post answered many of our questions and concerns.

Thank you!

[fpartri497]

does anybody know anything about the Taylor community In laconia? Im starting to research the place. I want to move closer to wam. Although Im only 35 mn. away now I want to move closer to the lake.

[csuhockey3]

I made my 4 day drive about 2 weeks ago and have zero regrets thus far. It's been a dream to live in New England since I was a kid, I couldn't be happier -- even on a raw, cold and rainy day like today! Can't wait to meet all these fine folks, and you too should you make it up here for good. Good luck!!!


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