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

[JasonG]

Originally Posted by songkrai

The grass is always greener.

You don't mention where you are coming from.

If you presently live in a rural environment then coming here will be no change.

But if you are coming from a city/suburb with all the amenities of a city - you will be disappointed. And your children may or may not be able to cope. Although there are things for youngsters to do. All takes more time and more driving. If you come from a city - there is probably a ball park or field nearby. If you come up here, well, there may be a ball park or field, but you will probably have to drive to and fro.

Rural life is not city life with just fewer homes and more trees.

Drugs are a serious problem both in city area and rural areas. The not mentioned inside joke here is that if you want any illegal drugs - just go to the school student parking lot.

Alcohol is a serious problem in the city environments but that same issues are here.

Although people on this board will scream at me for this. People are not as friendly here as in the city. There is a core of old Yankee families and long term newer families. They do not like flatlanders moving up here and bringing their city ideas, concepts, and town spending wishes along also. And others who have lived here for awhile can be strangers to new comers for a very long time.

And if you plan on sending your children to public schools, I would highly suggest private schools. Brewster Academy, Holderness School, and New Hampton School.

Oh, I can hear the parents screaming now. Moultonborough has great schools, Interlakes has good schools. Laconia has good schools. OK. Check the test scores. Check the number that attend college. The NH state test scores are high only because NH has so many private schools. The large number of private schools with their high test scores raise the entire test score numbers for the state of NH.

If you think that this area is some sort of shangri-la then best to review your motives on moving here.

Good Luck.

Currently we are in Florida near Tampa. However, we just moved here 6 months ago and are only hear for a few years. We may stay. If we come back to New England, the lakes region is a spot that we have always considered.

I have spent my entire 35 year life around the lakes of NH. We are not a city family. Its all about relaxing on the Adirondack chairs looking over the water. We have lived the lake life and love it.

[Ken E]

Originally Posted by JasonG

Currently we are in Florida near Tampa. However, we just moved here 6 months ago and are only hear for a few years. We may stay. If we come back to New England, the lakes region is a spot that we have always considered.

I have spent my entire 35 year life around the lakes of NH. We are not a city family. Its all about relaxing on the Adirondack chairs looking over the water. We have lived the lake life and love it.

I was born and raised in the lakes region area and lived there for 47 years.We moved to Florida ( just above Tampa) ten years ago and will be returning to live in that area of N.H. in about a month. We had a lot of fun down here especially when it was new, but it's definatly time to come home. We were lucky enough to come down here while we were young enough and healthy enough to get all that retirement stuff out of the way. Now we can come back to N.H. and finish "livin"

[KBoater]

After 19 years being a winter snow bird in FL , I will be moving permanently back to Wolfeboro full time. I will sign papers on the sale of my Florida house on April 5th and move all my treasures to NH. I will hibernate in the winter in the suburbs of Wolfeboro. I had a good run in FL and sold my FL boat last spring. Now I will probably spend more time in the broads in my NH boat.

[Ken E]

That's a pretty nice area to hibernate. Congratulations on the sale of your FL house. Thats not a easy thing to do nowadays.

[winnipiseogee]

So let me clarify. I'm not suggesting the in the words of Garrison Keillor- every kid in the Lakes region is above average but we really do have it quite good!!

I've served for years as a board member of a statewide coalition on youth at-risk behavior. As part of this we regularly see the state reports that monitor various behaviors including substance abuse. Based on the data schools like Inter-lakes, Moultonboro, Gilford, Wolfeboro etc are doing a great job. In fact, a student at one of our area private schools is four times more likely to try an illegal narcotic than one of the public school kids. Nobody is perfect but the job that our schools, teachers, parents and kids do is pretty remarkable and deserves to be commended not falsely accused.


As to SONGKRAI's comment that he made zero disparaging comments... you suggested that public school parking lots were a the best place to buy drugs. That is pretty darn disparaging not to mention wrong. The liklihood

Sorry to vent but overall our kids are pretty darn good and they don't deserve baseless criticisms!

[songkrai]

Sadly, some jump to conclusions without comprehending the words.

On another note the Town of Moultonborough voted to purchase a Police Dog. Plus a fully trained full time police officer to go with the dog. A Town Meeting vote.

That dog is a drug sniffing dog. That is all that dog does.

So what was the intent of the voters of Moultonborough?

Enough said on this subject.

[Mr. V]

Originally Posted by songkrai

Sadly, some jump to conclusions without comprehending the words.

On another note the Town of Moultonborough voted to purchase a Police Dog. Plus a fully trained full time police officer to go with the dog. A Town Meeting vote.

That dog is a drug sniffing dog. That is all that dog does.

So what was the intent of the voters of Moultonborough?

Enough said on this subject.

Errr ... not quite ...

Here is a link to an article about a German Shepherd that MPD has had for quite awhile:

http://www.moultonboroughpd.com/roster/k-9.html

Drug sniffing is but a portion of what the dog does.

K-9 patrol dogs are not uncommon, and very useful in law enforcement.

It would be surprising, no, it would be astounding if MPD acquired a K-9 whose duties were limited solely to drug sniffing.

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by songkrai

Sadly, some jump to conclusions without comprehending the words.

On another note the Town of Moultonborough voted to purchase a Police Dog. Plus a fully trained full time police officer to go with the dog. A Town Meeting vote.

That dog is a drug sniffing dog. That is all that dog does.

So what was the intent of the voters of Moultonborough?

Enough said on this subject.

As has been noted that dog is trained for a broad spectrum of police dog functions, including tracking fugitives. When the dog retires, it will not be replaced.

[Winnisquamguy]

Originally Posted by VitaBene

When the dog retires, it will not be replaced.

I find that odd, they probably got the K9 from a grant then after the grant runs out it is just added into the operating budget. Is the dog just not used that often? Why would they just get rid of the dog?

[NHBoat70]

If you don't get your children involved in some sort of sport, organization or program they will get progressively bored as they get older. Sports kept me sane up here and it will help them get into college (I wouldn't doubt that they would want to move far away when it comes to college because that's what I did after being born and raised here - I went to Florida!!).

My main point, keep them busy and stimulate their minds with the outdoors and natural beauty.

[Lucky1]

Home is where the heart is!! Why do you want to move? I love NH but would like to have the advantages of being nearer to Boston if there were kids to raise. But that is just me. I know some who prefer to live at the lake so I guess in the end it depends on what you are trying to accomplish?

[JasonG]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

Home is where the heart is!! Why do you want to move? I love NH but would like to have the advantages of being nearer to Boston if there were kids to raise. But that is just me. I know some who prefer to live at the lake so I guess in the end it depends on what you are trying to accomplish?

Just trying out FL. Good change it wont work out because my wife doesnt like it. Lakes region is our favorite and this may be a good motive to actually go there.

[Lucky1]

Well Jason, where does your wife want to go? Where is her family? How old are the kids? If you are trying out FL and she doesn't like it then maybe try out NH and see before buying????

[JasonG]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

Well Jason, where does your wife want to go? Where is her family? How old are the kids? If you are trying out FL and she doesn't like it then maybe try out NH and see before buying????

Well we are from NH. Family is in Mass just off 93 near the NH line. We know it well. Just wondering about the actuality of living there

[songkrai]

Originally Posted by Winnisquamguy

I find that odd, they probably got the K9 from a grant then after the grant runs out it is just added into the operating budget. Is the dog just not used that often? Why would they just get rid of the dog?

Interesting question. But no answer so far. Thanks for asking this.

[Lucky1]

It is normal for us to love that which we know. When I was house hunting in IL and MA, I looked at where the schools placed the students as I had small children at that time. Now I am just responsible for where an adult would be happy. When I was parenting I had to take a lot of different things into consideration. I noticed in re reading this thread that someone said that when the last child was out of school, that was the time that a move was planned.

So if you have children think of what their needs are and where those needs can best be met keeping in mind that you and your wife need to be happy and your work environment has to be a good one, etc. It is complicated for sure but nice that you are seeking advice. I happen to know adult children from FL that loved being raised there. I raised mine in MA after moving from IL. I mostly know NH for the lake and the summer and winter fun. I do love it in NH but am not sure how it would be for a family with kids year round. Glad mine are grown!!!! Nice to be able to come and go to different areas of the country for sure. Good luck in deciding what your family needs are and how to get those needs met.

[JasonG]

Lets say you live in the Lakes Region, even on the water.

Whats the earliest to latest you are going to be
Boating...
Swimming..(Assuming June-Sept at best)
Being able to enjoy the outdoor weather in your back yard without it being too cold?

[Lakegeezer]

Originally Posted by JasonG

Lets say you live in the Lakes Region, even on the water.

Whats the earliest to latest you are going to be
Boating...
Swimming..(Assuming June-Sept at best)
Being able to enjoy the outdoor weather in your back yard without it being too cold?

Living here year round lets you get on the water when the forecast called for rain but it is sunny and nobody is around. You get to snowmobile between meetings. The ski areas are a lot closer. Having the lake "there", makes it possible to use it anytime the time is right.

But the enjoyment of being a full timer goes way beyond being on or in the water. Being near or beside it has its rewards. You see dramatic weather come and go. You hear the loons arrive and the last one to leave. You see the ice form and disappear. You get to see others having fun (tough when working, but at least you can watch). You get to know the smaller population that lives here year round.

The downside for me is the lack of retail store selection. I feel like a kid in a candy store just getting to Concord. The selections in Boston overwhelms me. But, internet shopping solves some of that problem.

My neighborhood has quite a few retired full timers and one thing they are teaching me is, Florida is a good thing as an alternative. Between late October till mid-December, and again late March till early May - is a good time to get away if you can.

Its been four years since making the move, and I don't regret it.

[winnipiseogee]

Originally Posted by JasonG

Lets say you live in the Lakes Region, even on the water.

Whats the earliest to latest you are going to be
Boating...
Swimming..(Assuming June-Sept at best)
Being able to enjoy the outdoor weather in your back yard without it being too cold?

I find the boat goes in the water in early May and even though we aren't swimming we head over to Wolfeboro and Alton for lunch and dinner. We also keep out boat in every year until Columbus day and about every third year the water is still warm enough to go for dip the second weekend in Oct! That said, I find it great being outside most of the time except late November and this time of year. Snowshoeing, Hiking, Kayaking (kayaking in the early snow of November is awesome!) open up the season almost year round. The most important thing is finding some winter sport that you enjoy or the winter gets VERY long.

As to retail selection, the wife and I make a weekend out of Boston shopping a few times a year and I find it works really well. Saves a heck of a lot of money and really - when is time spent in a mall "quality time." Much better in my opinion limiting it to a few times a year!!

[fatnoah]

Having the lake "there", makes it possible to use it anytime the time is right.

Growing up in Laconia definitely ruined the beaches for me here in MA. As a kid/teenager, I could simply ride my bike to a beach when I felt like taking a dip to cool off on a summer day.

[JasonG]

What is the biggest daily expense up there vs a more populated area?

Daily coffee?
More gas to get around?
Food from smaller supermarkets?

[winnipiseogee]

Originally Posted by JasonG

What is the biggest daily expense up there vs a more populated area?

Daily coffee?
More gas to get around?
Food from smaller supermarkets?

For me its trips back to the city. Rooms in Boston aren't cheap. The gas, coffee and food all seem to be less than when I lived in the cities!

[Argie's Wife]

Originally Posted by JasonG

What is the biggest daily expense up there vs a more populated area?

Daily coffee?
More gas to get around?
Food from smaller supermarkets?

Having live in cities (Fresno, Fremont, Birmingham, Indianapolis, Nashville, etc.) and now in a rural area, I can tell you my opinion of the biggest expense and pain in the butt things...

Living in a rural community means...
...that if you have a medical emergency, you may find yourself 30 minutes or more from an emergency room, and many hospitals will transfer you or your loved one to a larger hospital that is more equipped to handle your care (like Dartmouth or Boston).

...roads can be really crappy sometimes, especially when there's lots of frost heaves and pot holes. (aka Mud Season).

...you don't have a lot of choices for shopping, car repairs, healthcare, vet care, schools, utilities, restaurants, entertainment, etc.

...and a night life? Unless it's July 4th, the only night the sidewalks aren't rolled up by 6pm, you can forget about that, really.

...speaking of utilities, don't expect your cell phone to be especially reliable - coverage can be spotty on a good day.

...there can be a lot of poverty in some towns, and little local work to be found.

...with the exception of most of the towns along the lakes, expect to pay high property taxes. NH doesn't have a state income tax or sales tax, but you can also expect to pay a lot to register a car, boat, etc., than you're probably used to paying...

Living in a rural area also means...
...you get to know your neighbours (or not), but people keep to themselves and (generally) mind their own business...

...lower crime rates.

...you can chose to go to the city, mountains, lakes, whatever - and home is still a restful place when you return.

...town meeting or the first deliberative session (if your town is SB-2), can be a social and a political event.

...parades, fireworks, and all that you'd expect to see in a Norman Rockwell painting are still alive and well.

...the few businesses that are thriving in town are probably pretty darned good because they have to compete for business - and word of mouth travels fast. If someone does somebody wrong, the whole town will know it in an afternoon.

...you can see the stars at night. (Seriously - I'd forgotten how a night sky was supposed to look until I moved back to New England... )

[Island Girl]

Originally Posted by JasonG

Lets say you live in the Lakes Region, even on the water.

Whats the earliest to latest you are going to be
Boating...
Swimming..(Assuming June-Sept at best)
Being able to enjoy the outdoor weather in your back yard without it being too cold?

The boat goes in just before ice-out with the first trip to the island the weekend after it. The jetskiis go in ny the first of May. We dress properly for cool weather boating. The boat comes out around the first of November. There is nothing like a calm late fall day on the lake!

I am a chicken about swimming in cold water... But do love an October dip with a wetsuit.

My daughter is in WA and most folks there take their boats out sooner than we do in NH.... And their lakes do not freeze.


IG

[Lucky1]

We have only had the boat in the water one year as late as October when we had an exchange group over from England and had them all up to the lake to see another area different than Boston surburban life. My daughter took out several groups in the Whaler and they all seemed to enjoy it but were pretty cold I think. Today I don't do a lot of power boating even though I do have a nce rowboat and motor that would be fun once in a while. I love my Kayaks. I guess if you are a hearty soul you might enjoy boating in October and ?????NOvember???? I don't see it as ideal in any way though.

I have a road to my home thus don't use the boat as a way to get to my home. I can see why some from islands on here would keep them in the water longer and put them in the water earlier as they get used for transport to homes on islands. There may be a few times in November or April when one might put a boat in the water for a nice comfortable ride just for fun, but it would not be my idea of fun. Not October either. I get cold easily and thus like the warmer times on the water. But I like to see boats out there going by from time to time. Won't be long now!!!!