What is SO BAD about NH?

[TroutSlayer]

I have recently argued with several people on this forum regarding New Hampshire being a nice place to live. Everyone who thinks that Montana is a better place to live has simply not done any research.

here are some facts I found at http://freestateproject.org/files/101-Reasons-to-Move-to-NH.pdf


New Hampshire offers modern,
extensive cellular and Internet
infrastructures and statewide access to low-
cost, high-speed Internet.

In montana much of the area does not have internet or cell coverage


Throughout NH, in every region,
there are numerous cultural
offerings not always easily found
or within convenient driving
distance in other states

In MT everything is far away!

NH offers 17 accredited private
senior colleges and universities
to choose from.

In montana there are very few decent schools, most research is conducted by outside institutions. These schools are not geographically close to each other at all.


New Hampshire is the #1
healthiest state in the
NATION, tied with Minnesota, as ranked
by the United Health Foundation, 2003.

This is one of the most important things in life right?!

Based on FBI figures, New
Hampshire has the least
overall crime in the NATION as of 2001.

I realize this is a few years ago but it is still impressive.


New Hampshire is #1 in the
NATION as ranked for quality
of life and livability by Morgan Quitno
Press, 2004.

Sounds pretty nice to me!


Unlike some states, New
Hampshire offers abundant
water resources. The potential
for water shortages in NH are insignificant.

I have seen several rivers be destroyed by drought, dewatering by ranchers, and low rainfall... we have no stocking program in montana so these rivers remain dead. The jefferson is a good example, it is rarely fished today.

New Hampshire offers
reasonable commute time, by
rail, bus, or car, to major
metropolitan areas in
surrounding states

Montana has no useful transportation system and flights cost a fortune.

New Hampshire is currently ranked fourth in unemployment rates as of October 2008 at 4.1% only beaten by ND SD NB(?) and who wants to live there? NOT THIS GUY!

New Hampshire is ranked #2 in the nation
as the state most tax friendly to businesses.

This is cool!!

New Hampshire cities have been mentioned
multiple times inMoney Magazines The
Best Places to Live in America ranking.

For states with a population under 1.5 million,
New Hampshire is second only to ID for the
number of new jobs forecast, 2000-2010.

NH has the 7th highest per capita personal
income in the country, after
high cost of living states CT, DC, MD, MA,
NY, and NJ. For per capita disposable personal income,
NH is also 7th behind the same states.

I just would like to say to all of you who have given me reason after reason why NH is not a good place to come and start a business that you live in one of the very best states in the country for health, education, jobs, and quality of life. If it seems NH is a tough place to get along maybe you have been spoiled or are taking something for granted.

Craig

[TGIF]

The people in NH have trout envy.... besides that, NH is a great place to live.

No Income Tax, No Sales Tax, Decent Schools, Decent Property Tax Rates (not very far above national average), ability to be in a city, ocean or mountains within an hour of Boston.

You're comming to a good place. The fishing is different, so be prepared, but we've got plenty of great places to fish.

TGIF

[OTF]

Shhh....don't spread the word. They are supposed to keep those stats secret! I have lived in allot of different places. NH is my favorite.

[Flyfish99]

In a word there is nothing wrong with New Hampshire that isn't also wrong with a number of other places. You just seemed to me to have this idealized version of this perfect New England locale that had none of the problems you experienced in Montana. That just isn't true.

I live in MA, and treasure the time I spend in NH, but I've come to love it, warts and all. From your early posts, I felt you thought it was wart free. Most of the "knowledge based" jobs you spoke of are in high tech, and are located in the southeast part of the state....a good distance from the best trout fishing, but not far from the ocean. That's why I mentioned Saltwater possibilities. Also, your education would seem to be in disciplines far removed from the high tech sector. Given the state budgets in New England, jobs in fisheries management are pretty much non existent.

The best (fresh water) fishing in NH is nothing like the fishing you are leaving in MT. You spoke of picking up some money guiding. As I said, there is no shortage of established guides here, and despite your prior experience, there will be a learning curve. Your boat would be useful on the Androscoggin and part of the Connecticut, but hardly anywhere else.

Summing up, there is nothing "so bad" about NH, (or ME, VT, MA or CT, for that matter), it is simply that I felt your expectations were too high. You really should have spent a few weeks out here and gotten a feel for the area before you committed, but at 27, you are probably too impatient for that. (i know I was at that age)

Anyhow, If you come out with realistic expectations, and you have the wherewithal to sustain you and your fiance for the time it will take you to find work, (could be a while), I think you could be happy here.

Oh, no insult intended, when you type out your resume, use a spell and grammar checker. :-)

[TroutSlayer]

99, I envision keg beer. I did spend a few weeks out there!!!! loved it. I think the place is beautiful and the people I have met in person were great. I will use that grammar check, no worries, I have many levels of formality when it comes to typing, just like the rest of my life. I idealize nothing, I am a realist who trusts darwin with the big questions. I am positioned well to do well 99, thats what counts, and if its doubt you are trying to plant, you'll find no ground here.

Craig

[Steamtrain]

There is nothing wrong with NH, just try and get as much fishing time on the water out there in MT before moving.

good luck on the move.

[LeeG]

Craig

You will do just fine out here. The only suggestion I would give is to be sure and get a fishing license in Maine as well as NH. You live so close to the Maine boarder it would be a shame if you don't also fish the great state of Maine. Look me up when you have time in the spring.

Lee

P.S My avatar is a picture of a Rapid River Brookie (wild) that was about 18 inches in length and about 2.5 lbs.

[OTTER]

In my reading of these posts, no one has ever said that NH is anything other than a great place to live. We have all read and are aware of everything you listed in this particular post. ( Do I sound like Kype? Heaven forbid.)

We know NH is a fantastic please to live. The trout fishing is very limited compared with Montana and many other states. We discourage people from coming because we do not want this limited opportunity to be diluted by more people moving in. I guess you are one guy who cannot be stopped from coming. So we are not always successful in driving people away. Can't win all of the time.

Seriously, all the posts about NH are variations and elaborations of the one above by steamtrain, quote:

"There is nothing wrong with NH, just try and get as much fishing time on the water out there in MT before moving."

[TroutSlayer]

I know you are right OTTER, and I know people get defensive about there fishing territory, they do the same thing in montana, I just never take part in it. I am going to take my boat where no boat has gone before, or give it my best shot anyway. This is where I will find my fish, where there is no access by car. If you don't have a boat, chances are we will not be fishing the same water. If you think your rivers are not conducive to floating I have to say that you should look up the N Fork of Rock Creek near missoula, the Ruby River near twin bridges, and Wise River, in Wise River, MT . These rivers are VERY small and rocky and fast but we still guide on them. There is no chance for a drift boat on these little creeks but a small raft with a good rower can make it, and catch a ton of fish. Also, why are you not living in MT? It sounds right up your alley!

Steamtrain, thats why I am leaving montana, because NH is different in all the ways that are important to me as a young adult (education, jobs, fox hunting, horseback riding, STRIPERS!!!!!, and the real-estate is cheap cheap cheap). For me montana offers the best hunting and fishing in the world and I have shot plenty of animals and caught plenty of trout. If you ever go to MT I will let you pick my brain about the fishing. That last question I asked OTTER applies to you too I think!

Lee, good point, I will get my ME license asap, I have heard way to many good things about ME as well.

Thanks for the good info fellas,

craig

[Aljack]

You are (going to be) in a good spot. Maine and NH are my 2 favorites out of my favored New England. I have lived in California, Mississippi and Connecticut; spent a little time in Colorado but have always found this area as being the most favored by me (though I did like Colorado a whole bunch). From Rochester, a 2 hour ride will cover alot of New England's good waters. As for further education, I think it's been mentioned that UNH in Durham will be just down the road from you.

[OTTER]

Troutslayer:

1) My grandchildren, whom I fish with about every week, are the number one reason I stay in NH. ( There are many other reasons including all of the those on your list. )

2) There is another state that I go to each year for trout. It is the one I would head to since it fits my particular needs at this point in my life, one of which being arthritis. Montana is no longer on my radar. As the years acumulate, options decrease. As long as I can fish, life is good.

---------------------------------------------

Last year my 9 year old grandson outfished all others on a float trip in Montana. ( I was not there.) It turns out that they accidentally gave him the rod with the barbless flies by mistake and some one else the outfit with the barbed hook. They wanted to make sure the boy landed a couple of fish. Turns out it was not necessary !

[TroutSlayer]

As long as I can fish, life is good.

Thats nothing but truth! I feel the same way, and where I am at is of little consequence (unless of course there are no fish).

[Hunter Dan]

You forgot to mention one downside to living in NH . . . at least living in SOUTHERN NH - Massachussetts is on your southern border!

And I can vouch for the trout envy thing . . . otherwise, it's a pretty good place to live!

[TroutSlayer]

Thats funny. I have a buddy from Mass that I met at Montana State and he said the same thing... I think NH is one of the nicest places in america for sure!

Craig

[Aljack]

[quote=Hunter Dan;25139]You forgot to mention one downside to living in NH . . . at least living in SOUTHERN NH - Massachussetts is on your southern border!
quote]

you gotta watch out for them Massholes

[Flyfish99]

Damn right! We're everywhere. ;-)

[BugChucka]

Troutslayer, I make it a point to speak things anywhere that I would not hesitate to speak again. I'm a firm believer that that the written word is one more considered, accurate, and meaningful. In short, I suppose you could say I'm one that believes talk is cheap...extremeley cheap. So please don't ever ask me to reiterate (sp?) ever again unless you choose to directly challenge me to a physical duel.

I fear that you've made a major blunder. Without a plan or an inheritance which I'm assuming you haven't aquired, establishing a life lived on the the water in a state you know nothing of,that pays, is simply ridiculous. I've spent a greater part of my life dealing with crazies, drunks, and mentally impaired individuals who in reality may in fact be '"sane," in order to discover the few puddles harboring fish in NH. If you were to float your chicken McNugget through that pool I would fear for my own health let alone yours. These people sincerely are crazy, as am I, I may remind you...

Good, bad, ugly...it is all very relative. One must ask what is good, bad, or ugly for one'self. NH is a state ran by the old, established, relatively wealthy folk.

[BugChucka]

...I see you in two years... very much alone... contemplating life with a table in front of you. On the table is a translated version of War and Peace, a .357, and a bottle of black velvet... It is only then that you will be considered for membership into the fish crew, and only then that you will acknowledge your erroneous decisions... but we will be here.

[TGIF]

Who knew that he was a poet too?!?!?!?!

Bug... you've gotta lay off the jack kerouac....

[lowwall]

Bug it is only Tuesday! This winter is taking a heavy toll here for sure.

[bfisher]

"I live in MA, and treasure the time I spend in NH, but I've come to love it, warts and all. From your early posts, I felt you thought it was wart free. Most of the "knowledge based" jobs you spoke of are in high tech, and are located in the southeast part of the state....a good distance from the best trout fishing, but not far from the ocean. That's why I mentioned Saltwater possibilities. Also, your education would seem to be in disciplines far removed from the high tech sector. Given the state budgets in New England, jobs in fisheries management are pretty much non existent."

Flyfish99, just so you know southern nh has some damn good trout. they may not be as big, but you can go slay 15 inch brookies all day. so nh is a sweet place to live. Troutslayer, i have lived in nh my whole life and it is pretty sweet. As far as life outside of fishing, nashua and manchester are cool places to visit and party and that sort of thing. Meredith, NH on lake winnipesaukee and other areas have great fishing. i fly fish for bass, and in the early mornings, you can cast dries from a boat in the middle of the lake and catch bass, rainbow, and rarely a salmon.

In the white mountains, you can hike up into lonesome lake and they stock it from a helicopter. it is a really cool hike and its only an hour from the cannon mountain parking lot. Also in the white mountains, they stock Russell pond. it is really cool and that is the first place i ever saw anyone fly fishing. it was a couple in a canoe with dries. this is also a campground.

In Southern NH, the souhegan river is really good. They stock it weekly and there are places all along it that are great hotspots.

Overall NH is a really cool place to live and if you just kinda hunt for the fish, you will find some great trout and fishing.

-Bfisher

[Flyfish99]

I hear what you're saying. I have fished the Souhegan in southern NH, and also the Mascoma and Sugar in the central part of the state. I've fished for brookies in the mountains, but my favorite part of NH is the north country, especially the Upper CT.

So you know, we have some pretty decent trout fishing here in MA as well....and it's open year round. I live 10 minutes from the Swift, a tailwater pretty well known in New England. Also with in 10 minutes of home are the Quaboag and Ware Rivers, kind of similar to the fishing in the Souhegan, although somewhat larger. I also fish 2 streams in CT. The Willimantic is about a half hour away, and is similar to the Souhegan, the Farmington is about an hour away, and is one of the better streams in New England. (Kype will disagree with that ;-) )

So, I agree that NH is a good place to live, and you don't have to travel far to find fish, but Western MA isn't bad either, so When i go to NH, I usually concentrate on the Upper CT, with an occasional trip to the Mascoma.

Thing is, the fishing we have here, simply doesn't compare to what they have in MT, or in other parts of the west. I think it is a bit foolish to leave the west and come to NH, if the point of the move is to make money from fishing.

[TroutSlayer]

Flyfish 99, agreed. The point can not be to make money. I hope to find a way to spend as much of my time on the river. I do not plan on having kids, as the world is short on homes, not children (this doesn't mean I will adopt). I have horses, hound dogs, snakes, a reef tank, kittens and a sun conure. This is my family and the horses and hounds love to go fishing with me, in fact they like it more than I do it would seem. I only have to support myself, my wonderful fiance, and my animals.... the rest of the time I will spend fishing as I always have. Thanks for your input guys!

Craig