Retiring to Vermont?

[snoseek]

Why wait till you get old to live where you want? Live where you want to live whenever you want. Adjust your finances as needed. It just seems so simple...

 

[WakeboardMom]

Why wait till you get old to live where you want? Live where you want to live whenever you want. Adjust your finances as needed. It just seems so simple...

It depends...if it's just an individual or a couple...I agree. If you have kids there are a few more variables that get thrown into the equation. It can be done, but it sure ain't simple.

 

[BeanoNYC]

I hear all this talk about high property tax in NH but I'm not sure If it's relative to what we pay here on the Island. What are the taxes like up there? To put things in perspective, I have a modest home on a 60 x 100 lot in Nassau County. My school and property taxes are close to $10,000.

 

[riverc0il]

be sure to spend time there before making the jump. Going every weekend, staying and leaving is alot different than beign there 24/7. we had friend who had the same thoughts as they skiied at mt snow every weekend, fell in love with the 'idea' of living in VT/Country life..but once they got up there full time, they couldnt handle the isolation, lack of social activites and some of the local attitudes towards them as they were 'outsiders'. when you go full time, you arent going out to dinner everynight, skiing, apres ski,,there is alot of down time....just dont get caught up in the 'romantic idea' of it all......not saying that it doesnt work for some, but here are pitfalls you need to watch out for, esp fast/close response of medical care if you are retiring there....would hate to be an hour away from the nearest trauma center...

Bingo!!!

S and I relocated to StJ, VT five years ago. It was a culture shock to say the least. Part of it I fully wanted. Get away from the traffic, attitude, congestion, etc. have quiet and silence and live amongst the mountains. The problem is you get exactly what you wanted. Lack of social involvement has been paralyzing. Since moving down to Plymouth, NH three years ago, social involvement has not improved for us and we still feel very much socially isolated though there are more people here "on our wave length" due to a higher transplant population.

I imagine the MRV will have a very high transplant population and will not have quite as bad social isolation. But you start completely from scratch on the social landscape if you do not already have friends and family where you are moving. That has absolutely been the hardest thing to adjust to. Now, instead of driving to the mountains several time to "get away from it all" -- I drive to the city to get involved and visit friends/family.

Not saying don't try. But as mentioned above, don't get carried away with the romantic notion of the lifestyle and consider the very difficult parts and changes. Consider what you would sacrifice and consider what you would need to rebuild from scratch and what you would need to work for what you always took for granted. Ain't easy and it ain't ideal. But I wouldn't change my decision.

 

[snoseek]

It depends...if it's just an individual or a couple...I agree. If you have kids there are a few more variables that get thrown into the equation. It can be done, but it sure ain't simple.

You are certainly right. It takes a lot of sacrifices and a bit of dumb luck to be able to thrive away from suburbia. I often have a difficult time relating to folks with kids(although that is changing for me fast).

With that said it definately can be done, just takes a big shuffle of priorities. I presonally like being close to the city and all that comes with it (at least in the west, easy drive to skiing, easier drive to hiking). Vermont seems like it would be a tough place to survive unless your in the hospitality industry or construction.

 

[snoseek]

I hear all this talk about high property tax in NH but I'm not sure If it's relative to what we pay here on the Island. What are the taxes like up there? To put things in perspective, I have a modest home on a 60 x 100 lot in Nassau County. My school and property taxes are close to $10,000.

That seems similar to New Hampshire (maybe even higher). I assume lower property values in N.H. even things out a bit. I would be curious to any N.H. residents to respond on what they pay. I think the overall tax burden in N.H. is still the lowest around. Things have definately changed from when I was a kid though.

 

[wa-loaf]

My school and property taxes are close to $10,000.

Damn! :-o

 

[Philpug]

My in=laws are retired in VT. The ski "odd days" (because there are more of them) and ski their "age in days every year, well into their 60's.

 

[deadheadskier]

I hear all this talk about high property tax in NH but I'm not sure If it's relative to what we pay here on the Island. What are the taxes like up there? To put things in perspective, I have a modest home on a 60 x 100 lot in Nassau County. My school and property taxes are close to $10,000.

250K value home on half an acre in my area of NH, you're looking at 6Kish in prop taxes. Hop over the border to Maine and you're looking at 1/3rd that.

 

[riverc0il]

That seems similar to New Hampshire (maybe even higher). I assume lower property values in N.H. even things out a bit. I would be curious to any N.H. residents to respond on what they pay. I think the overall tax burden in N.H. is still the lowest around. Things have definately changed from when I was a kid though.

We pay about $3200 per year on a 1800 sq foot condo. I also get hit up for just over a hundred every year for car registration. Lower property values and lack of sales tax definitely off sets the high property tax rate. Though, NH is a governmental mess, IMO. Some things are done better than any where else (highways and roads) and something are just so poorly run I hate to even think that my tax dollars are funding things. Overall though, there is very little tax burden compared to metro states of N.E.

 

[Warp Daddy]

I hear all this talk about high property tax in NH but I'm not sure If it's relative to what we pay here on the Island. What are the taxes like up there? To put things in perspective, I have a modest home on a 60 x 100 lot in Nassau County. My school and property taxes are close to $10,000.

Mine on a 150 x150 ft lot with a 2000 sg ft Dutch Colonial are only $3500 by contrast here in NNY

 

[WakeboardMom]

Southern NH is considered part of metro Boston. It's a relatively easy commute.

My house is 3200 sq ft on a half acre lot, just over the MA border. I pay 7k in r.e. taxes and get NOTHING for it. No trash pick-up, no water, no sewer and the school system SUCKS. We are one of about 20 towns in the whole country who have no public kindegarten and the high school is an embarrassment.

(As I said above, if you have kids, you have to really think about where you live. We like it here because we could afford a larger home than in another community, and we knew we never intended to send our kids to school here. Now that the kids are grown, we use the house more like a hotel than anything else.)

After the Claremont decision was handed down, the weekday house became a "recipient" town and my weekend house became a "donor" town.

The weekend house has a lower tax rate, but because it's in a resort community, the school system is one of the best in the state. I believe that Moultonborough has the most Winnipesaukee lakefront (and possibly waterfront) in the state. Thus, lots of people paying taxes, but not using the services.

Not sure yet that I'd want to live in Moultonborough full time. As others have said, I'm not sure I could deal with the isolation. I like it here in southern NH where I have easy access to Boston, Manchester, the coast of Maine and still not far from skiing.

 

[Puck it]

Southern NH is considered part of metro Boston. It's a relatively easy commute.

My house is 3200 sq ft on a half acre lot, just over the MA border. I pay 7k in r.e. taxes and get NOTHING for it. No trash pick-up, no water, no sewer and the school system SUCKS. We are one of about 20 towns in the whole country who have no public kindegarten and the high school is an embarrassment.

(As I said above, if you have kids, you have to really think about where you live. We like it here because we could afford a larger home than in another community, and we knew we never intended to send our kids to school here. Now that the kids are grown, we use the house more like a hotel than anything else.)

After the Claremont decision was handed down, the weekday house became a "recipient" town and my weekend house became a "donor" town.

The weekend house has a lower tax rate, but because it's in a resort community, the school system is one of the best in the state. I believe that Moultonborough has the most Winnipesaukee lakefront (and possibly waterfront) in the state. Thus, lots of people paying taxes, but not using the services.

Not sure yet that I'd want to live in Moultonborough full time. As others have said, I'm not sure I could deal with the isolation. I like it here in southern NH where I have easy access to Boston, Manchester, the coast of Maine and still not far from skiing.

I have asimialr size house and lot. I pay $6k in property tax and get trash pick up. My kids went and are going to a private high school. Add in the state income tax and NH is cheaper if you inwork in NH rather then MA.

 

[WakeboardMom]

I have asimialr size house and lot. I pay $6k in property tax and get trash pick up. My kids went and are going to a private high school. Add in the state income tax and NH is cheaper if you inwork in NH rather then MA.

I see you're in Wilmington. My grandmother had a "summer house" in Wilmington. ; - )
I grew up in Tewksbury, and I too went to private schools. At the time I was in h.s. Tewksbury was on "triple sessions."

In most cases, NH is cheaper only if you work in NH. There was a time when we paid NH real estate taxes, MA income taxes and sent our kids to private school. What were we thinking?!? ; - ) Just kidding...wouldn't change anything. Just saying there are tons of factors in deciding where to live.

Not sure I'd retire to Moultonborough, but it's an option we'll explore.

 

[Glenn]

Not sure I'd retire to Moultonborough, but it's an option we'll explore.

Spent a lot of summers up there! Just a bit south of you in Melvin Village...kinda between Moultonborough and Wolfreboro.

 

[WakeboardMom]

Spent a lot of summers up there! Just a bit south of you in Melvin Village...kinda between Moultonborough and Wolfreboro.

I have a beautiful photograph, taken from the lake, of Melvin Village in the fall. One of my favorite things hanging in the house "down here" to remind us why we do what we do down here...like work...in order to make "up there" possible. : - )

 

[Paul]

Spent a lot of summers up there! Just a bit south of you in Melvin Village...kinda between Moultonborough and Wolfreboro.

The parents of one of my best friends have a house in Melvin Village. Right on the water.

Good times.. good times...

 

[Zand]

Bingo!!!

S and I relocated to StJ, VT five years ago. It was a culture shock to say the least. Part of it I fully wanted. Get away from the traffic, attitude, congestion, etc. have quiet and silence and live amongst the mountains. The problem is you get exactly what you wanted. Lack of social involvement has been paralyzing. Since moving down to Plymouth, NH three years ago, social involvement has not improved for us and we still feel very much socially isolated though there are more people here "on our wave length" due to a higher transplant population.

I imagine the MRV will have a very high transplant population and will not have quite as bad social isolation. But you start completely from scratch on the social landscape if you do not already have friends and family where you are moving. That has absolutely been the hardest thing to adjust to. Now, instead of driving to the mountains several time to "get away from it all" -- I drive to the city to get involved and visit friends/family.

Not saying don't try. But as mentioned above, don't get carried away with the romantic notion of the lifestyle and consider the very difficult parts and changes. Consider what you would sacrifice and consider what you would need to rebuild from scratch and what you would need to work for what you always took for granted. Ain't easy and it ain't ideal. But I wouldn't change my decision.

Seconded... after being in college up here for only 6 months, I already miss the social life back in MA. I guess I had skiing on the mind too much when I decided on coming here. Granted, the Met program is great which will keep me here all 4 years (no way in hell I'd make it that long otherwise) but its not like I thought it was going to be. I've skied LESS than I did last year. Not including Burke, I've also skied less days in Vermont than I did last year. I honestly look forward to the next time I get to head down I-93 back to Boston more often than I look forward to my next time out skiing... partially due to the awful winter we've had up here but (call me crazy, but...) I miss the people, the social life... hell I even miss the traffic.

Also call me crazy, but after spending both a (late) summer and fall and a winter up here... I much prefer summertime up here. When the time comes in a few years, my ideal living area will be in the Manchester/Concord area... close to Boston and still only an hour or so from the NH mountains and within 2 hours of the VT mountains.

 

[deadheadskier]

Zand.......you really need to spend some time in Gurlington.

you're welcome.

 

[WakeboardMom]

Zand.......you really need to spend some time in Gurlington.

you're welcome.

"Gurlington?" Not sure about that...I like Burlington.

My son had a different experience at school in VT; as I think people here who went to UVM did as well. My son was at St. Michael's and skied a crazy amount of days and he loved Burlington. It's not Boston, but there's plenty of fun to be had.

I do agree with Concord/Manchvegas plan. : - )