View Full Version : Relocating to Manchester, NH Trout Fishing Help?
My family and I are excited to be relocating to Manchester, NH within 8 weeks. We are moving up from Delaware (hate it here) but before that lived in Northern PA. I love to fly fish for trout and hunt for grouse.....
Can you give me your recommedations on areas to live that have good schools and are closer to some fishing. We prefer to live in a rural area with some acreage. Thank you in advance.....
Allen
fessiewig
08-09-2005, 08:09 AM
I take it your job brings you to "Manchester". How far are you willing to drive to get to work? There are some very nice areas around Manchester. I'm thinking almost anywhere from south west to north west will give you some rural living options. I don't know about the grouse hunting in that area, but if you head north you'll get into some excellent grouse hunting. Fishing in that area can be really good, especially in the spring / early summer.
Provide us with a drive radius and I'm sure we can point you in the right direction.
BugChucka
08-09-2005, 09:59 AM
"Can you give me your recommedations on areas to live that have good schools and are closer to some fishing. We prefer to live in a rural area with some acreage. Thank you in advance..... "
Unfortunately, due to the large scale development that has taken place your hopes for rural living are out the window. So many people have done what you've done and relocated that there's no more undeveloped land in the area and property taxes have sky rocketed. I hate to say this, but it's the truth. Don't expect anything rural in the area anymore, those days are as gone as The Old Man of The Mountain.
fessiewig
08-09-2005, 10:17 AM
I'm afraid my friend Bugchucka is a bit over reactive. In comparison to where you are I think you'll find some rather "rural" areas within 30 minutes of Manchester. Now, the trick is to match up all the qualifiers and find a spot that fits them all.
Steve H.
08-09-2005, 10:28 AM
I agree that there are plenty of "rural" areas within one-half hour of Manchester. No, you won't find "rural" like Baxter State Park rural, but my brother lives in Chester which is only about 20 minutes from Manchester and it's still mostly rural. Candia is another town that has maintained much of it's rural character. West of 93, there are towns as well such as New Boston, Fitzwilliam, etc.
BugChucka
08-09-2005, 11:05 AM
If being sick and tired of excessive development and property taxes makes me some crazy radical local LOL.....than so be it... :lol: :lol: :lol: but southern NH is not rural!!!!!!
overmywaders
08-09-2005, 11:27 AM
I have to agree with Bugchucka. There are few rural towns left in S. NH. Most of the towns such as New Boston, Bedford, etc. are "exurban" i.e., "a region or settlement that lies outside a city and usually beyond its suburbs and that often is inhabited chiefly by well-to-do families".(Merriam-Webster Online)
Few small NH towns within commuting distance of a major center are rural in character, i.e., "of or relating to the country, country people or life, or agriculture"(Merriam-Webster Online). I lived for 15 years in Temple (pop. 1300) which has only one working farm left and probably 70%+ of the working population work outside the town, many commuting 1+ hours. Hardly rural.
Best regards,
Reed
www.overmywaders.com
I didn't mean to strike a nerve....
I will be working on the West end of the city. I am fine with a 30-40 minute drive as long as it is not congested like the area that I am leaving. We looked in Candia, Deerfield and Chester and they are very nice. We also looked in Bow, Weare, etc. and liked that area too....I don't know about the schools in these areas? Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Allen
fessiewig
08-09-2005, 12:20 PM
Context, gentlemen, context! Remember where Allen is coming from. Rural does not mean the same thing to everyone. And, no Allen, you didn't hit a nerve, just folks who don't want to mislead anyone. It's true, we've lost a lot of farms and "rural" atmosphere here in New Hampshire, at least from our perspective. But for folks coming here from other parts of the country, like yourself, we still have a "rural" environment. Some of us have been living here in New Hampshire and have seen many changes over the last 30 years especially. All of us, and after you move here you will joins us, wish the change to stop and we could keep our treasure at least the way it is now. But deep down we all know change and development will continue. Allen, the faster you get here the faster you'll become our friend. WELCOME!
BugChucka
08-09-2005, 12:34 PM
Hillsborough County:
1990 population 335,838
2004 population 398,574
62,736 increase....
overmywaders
08-09-2005, 12:35 PM
Allen,
I didn't mean to throw you off your stride, there is plenty of land available within commuting distance of Manchester, it's just that the quaint looking small towns are not rural in character anymore. The typical cycle is that the town is "discovered" by former urbanites who then wish to retain the charming character while, at the same time, transforming the town through introduction of "improvements". These improvements,usually costly, involve zoning for larger lot sizes, 3-5 acres, (to restrict immigration -- thus inadvertently reducing the tax base) and the purchasing of "conservation land" by the town, again to restrict immigration. At the same time, improvements to schools and infrastructure are demanded. Soon the property taxes and values put the cost of ownership beyond the ken of the lower middle class.
What you might want to try is renting a house in your desired town until the present housing bubble bursts, then you can buy at 70 cents on the dollar.
I hope you don't find the above to be cynical, it is not intended as such, but merely as a look behind the scenes of small town NH.
Best regards,
Reed
www.overmywaders.com
fessiewig
08-09-2005, 12:46 PM
Hillsborough County:
1990 population 335,838
2004 population 398,574
62,736 increase....
That equates out to approximately 4,481 person increase per year and we can assume some of that is due to reproduction of the existing population. :D
BugChucka
08-09-2005, 12:48 PM
Here's an interesting statistic regarding NH residents....
Born in NH 168,236 44.2
Born outside NH 182,317 47.9
If you build them...they will come
http://www.nhhfa.org/news/release030924.htm
fessiewig
08-09-2005, 01:02 PM
That is interesting! To here some people talk I'd have thought the "Born Outside NH" number would have been a lot higher. :shock:
BugChucka
08-09-2005, 01:10 PM
Really...........
"That equates out to approximately 4,481 person increase per year and we can assume some of that is due to reproduction of the existing population."
Everyone knows NH is to cold for good breeding anyhow.... :wink:
fessiewig
08-09-2005, 01:20 PM
Yeah, you're probably right. :D
Heck! My whole family was born outside of NH, being born in Methuen or Lawrence, MA - just like many, many other folks in Southern NH. Nonetheless, apart from that, just being born in MA, we spend/spent our entire lives growing up, being educated, establishing our homes and raising our families right here in the Granite State. (Of course, however, we head straight down into MA to get many of our jobs.) Undoubtedly, a lot of the folks who fall under that "born outside NH" number did more than just be born outside of the state. However, falling under that category can be just a wee bit misleading and doesn’t tell a complete story.
BugChucka
08-09-2005, 01:36 PM
Marcus, you're absolutely right... statistics don't tell a story.
Anyway... I'd welcome into our state any of the pleasant out of staters who visit this board. We need more conservation minded individuals who truly respect the state for what it has to offer. We have no one to blame but ourselves for the development etc...anyhow........... that's the sad truth.
overmywaders
08-09-2005, 05:10 PM
Allen,
Welcome to NH. You will make a welcome addition both onstream and off, I'm sure; and your presence will serve to raise the per capita IQ by several points (we're striving for three digits).
Don't worry about what they said about it being too cold to breed here... the fishing is best when its cold, and there's always ice-fishing.
Best regards,
Reed
www.overmywaders.com
I know how a lot of the long time residents feel. We have only lived in Delaware for 2 years and can't wait to leave. Prior to that we lived in Northern PA. We saw development take the majority of farms as people moved in from NY and Northern NJ. It is sad to see that occur....I'm not sure how to resolve that issue....
I am sure that we will find an area that will please our family. I have three english setters that need a lot of room to run. Living near places to run them is always a top priority....
Again, thanks for the help....
Allen
I was born and raised in NJ, but moved up here to "God's Country" about 9 years ago (sorry, that's the way everyone referred to it :)). I'm in Merrimack, out by Baboosic Lake. Manchester airport is about 15 mins from my house; if you're on the west end of the city, that means you're on the "right" side of the Merrimack River for living. By that I mean access across the river is limited to about 3 bridges which causes traffic issues. Look for access to Rt 101, that's your primary access to Manchester. Wilton, Milford all still have sections that will let you buy a little bit of property. Hillborough the town, which is in Merrimack county, while Merrimack the town is in Hillborough county (how's that for Irony?) is a little North and west of Manchester is another possibility.
I don't have any rooms to rent, but if you want to get in touch or stop by when you're up looking, shoot me an email.
mremski AT ix.netcom.com
mike
Oh, as far as the born outside statistics? As I said I was born and raised in NJ, never came up to NH until my wife and I picked up and moved here. Ever get someplace that makes you say "this is home?" That's what we found up here. Took me all of 30 seconds to feel that way. My boss tells me "some people are born New Englanders, others are New Englanders by nature".
Mer, thank you for the kind offer. My family and I felt the same way....
My wife is from NJ (Middletown area). Rt 101 seemed very congested when we took it one evening during rush hour. It seems that everyone wants to live on that corridor to Bedford, Amherst, etc.? It will be fun looking for a new home to live in....I hope we select the right area....
Oceanport and Ocean Grove for my wife and I, dad worked up at Bell Labs in Holmdel.
101 can get busy at times, but it moves pretty steadily. Think of the GSP during commuter time; lots of cars, but they move. Bedford is $$$$$, Amherst a little lower. Brookline and Hollis are very pricey. Look on a map in Amherst, find Rt 122. Trace 122 north towards Rt 13 (Mont Vernon). It's been a little while since I've gone over that way, but it's a little more rural. Oh, and that's the way you get to Hunters :). Bedford just approved a new high school, so their taxes are going up. Further west than Wilton will start to make a more painful commute for you, doable, but longer. Maybe look on the north side of 101 (Mont Vernon, New Boston, Goffstown, Francestown).
My Siberian would enjoy meeting the setters :)
BugChucka
08-10-2005, 07:09 AM
Aje...You could move to Mass and commute to NH....that would throw everybody off!!!!!!!
Mer.... My father has lived in Merrimack all his life........I've never heard it called God's country LOL...there's BARELY any land left you can hunt on.
The "God's Country" was basically referring to NH :)
Move to the "Commonwealth"? Have to pay state taxes? Bad idea :)
fessiewig
08-10-2005, 07:27 AM
Funny thought, though. :lol:
sbeausol
08-10-2005, 08:07 AM
Aje -
also look in Auburn, Chester, and Raymond - those are on the eastern side of Manchester, but offer some open spaces. I just bought a house so I have a good feeling for what you can get. Almost everything outside of Manchester will have lot ~1-2 acres. If you need more than that, then you may have a little more work to do, but you can find places like that in many of the towns mentioned (Weare, New Boston, Mt Vernon). When I was looking, I used this tool:
http://www.nneren.com/ -
It has a nice visual search feature that shows you where all the towns are situated on the map. It is also comprehensive, so anyhting available in the state will be found there...
good luck
BugChucka
08-10-2005, 09:03 AM
Are you looking for a pre existing structure or are you buying a lot?
We are looking for an existing home....I am not a big fan on building my own. I prefer someone else dealing with the landscaping, deck, etc. just let me move in and take care of it! We have driven around in the Deerfield and Candia area....we want to look down in Chester. We have also been to the Goffstown, Weare, Bow areas and want to see the New Boston area....
I will look on that website....thanks!
Allen
aje4
There are two houses in my neighborhood just up for sale in Sandown. I don't know the people and why there selling nor have I been in the houses to know what they're like. Sandown is the next town down from Chester on 121A. Still within reasonable commuting distance to Manchester. Sandown is a small town pop @ 5,550 and about as rural as you can get within 20 miles of Manchester. However they're building new houses and it's inevitable the population will grow! If you want more info send me a PM.
Paul-
MPSheets
08-10-2005, 01:03 PM
Allen,
My apologies if the following is redundant. I thought I had sent you a PM yesterday afternoon, but found no record of it in my out or sent boxes.
Depending upon where you will be working in Manchester, you might want to consider Derry, NH if schools and a bit of land are a priority and commuting distance less so. I found a nice spot SE of Derry in a neighborhood setting (numerous children, various ages) with lots in the 1-2 acre range. Houses are 10-15 years old, reasonably priced and all have been well maintained. I believe one or two are currently on the market. Taxes are a bit on the high side, but I’ve been assured the quality of the school system eases the pain. I’ll find out in a few months if that is so as I have a 5th grader and 7th grader starting around Labor Day.
Regarding fly fishing and grouse hunting in the area, I cannot comment on the hunting as I’ve not picked up a shotgun in ~2 decades. However, after fishing mostly the local streams (less than 45 min from Derry) since moving out here from the Twin Cities /western WI area in late February, I can most definitely recommend you travel NORTH for consistent activity.
Send me an e-mail if you’re interested in more info on Derry – mike.sheets@mpi.com.
Regards,
Mike Sheets
Thank Mike & Paul,
I was told by some people to also look North since I will be working on the West end of town. Several people that I will be working with live in Bow, Hopkinton and Henniker. They told me the schools are good and the areas are nice? If that puts me closer to better fishing and hunting that will be an added plus!
Keep the suggestions coming.....I have officially accepted the position as of today! My family and I hope to be up there by the end of September.....
fessiewig
08-10-2005, 04:22 PM
Henniker will put you close to the Contoocook River. The section between Hillsboro and Henniker is fly fishing & single hook fishing only. I fished that river for many years until I moved north. I try to visit it at least once a year, even now. Also you wouldn't be too far from the Sugar River which is also another great fishery. And of course the Pemi and a ton of lakes and ponds.
overmywaders
08-10-2005, 04:33 PM
Allen,
A friend of mine bought 11 acres in New Boston four years ago and had no problem setting up a target range for himself (see his homepage (http://www.competitor-pistol.com/jb%20home.html)) with an 8' silencer; as well as an area for clay birds. He gets deer and turkey on his own land. He is happy.
New Boston is a nice town and I imagine the schools are good (IMHO, it all depends on the skill and dedication of the teachers, particularly in the early grades. Fancy facilities are mere fripperies and geegaws.)
Best regards,
Reed
www.overmywaders.com
skilly
08-10-2005, 09:00 PM
Aje4,
The Manchester Fly Fishing Association is available if you are interested in meeting fly fisherman in the Manchester and surrounding area. we meet every 2nd and 4th Wed of the month beginning at the end of September and end in March. We meet at Sweeny Post Legion Hall located on Maple St., directly across from Gill Stadium. If you want more info or have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
skilly
08-10-2005, 09:01 PM
Aje4,
The Manchester Fly Fishing Association is available if you are interested in meeting fly fisherman in the Manchester and surrounding area. we meet every 2nd and 4th Wed of the month beginning at the end of September and end in March. We meet at Sweeny Post Legion Hall located on Maple St., directly across from Gill Stadium. If you want more info or have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Skilly, thanks for that information....once I get settled I may stop by. We should be up there in a week or two looking for a new home. Our house here is being listed this evening. I hope we sell it quickly and everything goes smoothly. My family and I are looking forward to the move....
Allen
ericsylvain
08-11-2005, 12:44 PM
101 west of Manchester gets busy from 7-8:30am and 4-6pm through Bedford
If your working on the West Side of Manchester your best bet is going NW of
Manchester. New Boston is a nice town with a real town center. My wife
was raised there. Goffstown is also a real possibility of fitting your needs.
I was born and raised on the west side of Manchester. I live in Bedford
which has excellent schools, and is building it's own High School.
Taxes will actually go down over the next few years and probably
level back to current levels due to school contracts with Manchester.
Bedford has a good business base but is mostly built out in terms of land.
Amhert has good schools, but heavy taxes from what I hear. If you want land
(greater than 10 Acres) and can commute 30-35 minutes, l would push west on
101 (Milford, Wilton) but I don't know about the schools.
fessiewig
08-11-2005, 12:45 PM
aje4,
You haven't even found a house up here and already you have fishing buddies. What a great country, this America! :D
ericsylvain
08-11-2005, 12:52 PM
Here are some resources that might help your house search...
http://nh.agentave.com/i4/search2.php?cid=7&entiremls=1
http://www.nneren.com
I think our decision on NH has been confirmed with the warm welcome I am receiving even before moving. I agree about the Bedford area. We tried Rt101 one evening during rush hour and it was congested. I am trying to avoid that at all costs. I think I will be concentrating our search in the NW area. Does anyone have any knowledge about Deerfield and Chester on the East side? How are there schools? I saw that Chester residents go to the Pinkerton Academy (looked nice on the internet). It that an agreement they have with that school for certain residents (or do you have to pay?)
Thanks,
Allen
BugChucka
08-11-2005, 02:44 PM
I wouldn't bet the farm on the Goffstown Area school system New Boston is apart off. I gradjiated not too too long ago. New Boston is losing it's small town feel very quickly but there's still some woods and it is a very nice town. Mitch construction ripped down a lot of land recently.
The average house in Bedford is going to cost you a hefty chunk of change. Property values and taxes have sky rocketed in this area. Take a ride up New Boston road and you'll see what I'm talking about. I think if it were me, I'd choose somewhere off 101 east of Manchester if you NEED to be close to Manchester.
Someone like you needs to factor in the future as well. I would plan on Goffstown/New Boston/ and Bedford losing a lot more of their small town feel and woodlands in the next 10-15 years. I hate to even admit that.
ericsylvain
08-11-2005, 03:33 PM
Auburn is decent, I think the pop is 5000. as with many other towns
that way, elementary schools are in town, but kids bus into Manchster
for highschool. Pinkerton in Derry accepts students from other towns,
(Chester, Derry, Fremont, Hampstead) in which the towns pay
tuition for them. I agree with BigChucka about the development that
is happening in New Boston, but it is mostly residential expansion at
this point. Bow has a very good school system, and is north of Manchster.
skilly
08-11-2005, 08:43 PM
aje4,
I see you have been getting lots of info sent your way. I did leave you a private message. Don't know if you got.Just want to pass this information along to you.
I am a Realtor. and have been servicing the Greater Manchester/Nashua and surrounding area for the last 15 years. if you are looking for info regarding schools, towns and cities, taxes etc., I can be availble to you and help you link up with appropraite sources.
MPSheets
08-12-2005, 08:03 AM
Allen,
We looked seriously at Chester before deciding upon Derry. Since I commute south to Cambridge, MA, SE Derry made more sense for us. My wife toured Chester Academy (K-8, I believe) and found the school to be adequate. Additionally, we spoke with a number of parents from the neighborhood in which we considered buying and a few mentioned 'if your children are bright they might not be sufficiently challenged academically until they reach Pinkerton'. Others had absolutely nothing bad to say. We were unable to find any parents that were “middle of the road” and the polarity of the responses concerned us. And yes, to answer your question, if you live in Chester your children will go to Pinkerton without having to pay tuition. I believe there is another town nearby, possibly Hampstead, which has the same agreement. I wish you the best with the house hunting. Having a fellow fly fisherman on this end might not be a bad idea.
Regards,
Mike
Yes, Hampstead goes to Pinkerton.
Thanks Mike, Eric & skilly for the information. It sounds like all the areas have decent school systems. I am a firm believer that "parenting" makes the largest difference in a childs performance. I am a product of public schools and I think I turned out OK....
The family and I may try to come up in a week or so for our search for a new home....the fun begins!
Allen
bridgeman
08-12-2005, 03:30 PM
I can highly recomend Northwood. Very good schools, Coe-Brown academy is a top ten school. Five stocked trout ponds ( Stonehouse pd. is in Barrington, close enough) The bass fishing is just the best in the state. The coast is 45 min away(stripers). Plenty of hunting for deer and small game and still a place were 30-06 can be used with care. It's 40 min. to Manchland,30 min to Concord, 45 min to Portsmouth. Population about 3800. The downside: Taxes are high as hell and not going down.If you like the mall its 30 min. away. The price of homes has doubled in 5 years and the saddest thing is they are putting houses up as fast as they can. The good stuff isn't going to last much more than ten more years.
Norm
The mall thing is a good thing
NHmountainman
08-12-2005, 06:39 PM
Sounds like you're getting great advice! When you're getting close to moving, send me an e-mail and I can assist you in all your insurance needs...that's right, a fly fishing insurance guy!!!
http://agent.allstate.com/044189/Welcome/
or Kbeausoleil@allstate.com
No matter where you end up, you'll have to try the Newfound River and the Pemi...both are short drives from the Manchester area.
Best of luck to you, but then again, you can't go wrong in NH!
Thanks for the offer with insurance but I am an ex-Air Force Officer so I do all my insurance/banking via USAA. They have been very good to me for many, many years....
Thanks to everyone who has given me information on the area....it has all been helpful!
Allen
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