Second Home (New Hampshire)

[CapeSkier]

There are some excellent buys to be had right now in the MRV. I bought there last year, and after having a second home in NH just south of Conway, I think the extra travel time is worth it. It takes me 4 hours door to door from the Cape. I love Cranmore, Attitash, and Wildcat, but the skiing/snow is just so much better in the MRV. I do miss the shopping/restaurants of the North Conway area, however, but I can drive a bit in VT and get to that stuff. The valley could use a couple more bars right now, since a few places have closed, but the folks are wonderful. I have never been made to feel more welcome anywhere. Condos are available for well under $100K now. Check it out.

 

[SIKSKIER]

I guess to each his own but I have no interest living in Lincoln.No offense but it's like being in Mass on weekends.I've had ski houses in Lincoln,N.Woodstock,Littleton,Bethlehem,Sugar hill,Easton,Twin Mt,and Franconia.For me,I love being on the"quiet side of the notch",which is actually at the top of the notch.I am now at the base of Cannon for the last 14 years and love it right there.I have an interstate 1/2 mile from my house but aside from the rest of Mittersill village,there is not much clutter with in veiw.Of course Cannon is right out my window but areas like SR and Jay are an 1 1/4 hours away.If you must,Loon is 10 min and Wallyworld is 20.BW is 15 min,Wildcat and Attitash are 40 min.For me,I'd take the laidback Franconia anyday over Lincoln.And hey,it's only 10 minutes down the road if you want it.FWIW

 

[frozencorn]

Also consider the fact that rt. 16 kind of sucks. no wait it really sucks, and you also have to pay crazy tolls before Rochester ( 3 dollars each way now). 125 used to be a good bypass for metro west flatlanders but that road has reached all time new levels of suckiness. 93 north to an easterly route may work better but we all know how hard it is to get east-west north of concord. 93 corrider would sure be convenient for you.

If by crazy tolls you mean a grand total of $2, then yes.

16 is a big problem right around Portsmouth, but as alluded to here, there are ways around that.

 

[cbcbd]

I'm also not a fan of Lincoln - just doesn't give off a nice vibe for some reason.
I was looking at condos this year up in the Whites and found some really good options near Attitash, in Bartlett, that I almost jumped on.
Beware of Jackson and N. Conway - prices way too high and property taxes seem to double when you cross the border.

 

[Vortex]

I'm kind of with siskier. He does ski too fast for me though. As do most.


I could have gone to Lincoln. I chose campton casue it was mellower. When I bought at the River my Loon friends said why not just buy on the bus loop here.. Its too busy for me. .

I know some who do love it.

The ride home from 20 min south made sunday a breeze as well as Friday night.

Some sundays coming home were shorter time wise than my midweek commute to southern nh from bost.

 

[hammer]

Some sundays coming home were shorter time wise than my midweek commute to southern nh from bost.

I can believe that one...:roll::wink:

 

[wa-loaf]

I guess to each his own but I have no interest living in Lincoln.No offense but it's like being in Mass on weekends.I've had ski houses in Lincoln,N.Woodstock,Littleton,Bethlehem,Sugar hill,Easton,Twin Mt,and Franconia.For me,I love being on the"quiet side of the notch",which is actually at the top of the notch.I am now at the base of Cannon for the last 14 years and love it right there.I have an interstate 1/2 mile from my house but aside from the rest of Mittersill village,there is not much clutter with in veiw.Of course Cannon is right out my window but areas like SR and Jay are an 1 1/4 hours away.If you must,Loon is 10 min and Wallyworld is 20.BW is 15 min,Wildcat and Attitash are 40 min.For me,I'd take the laidback Franconia anyday over Lincoln.And hey,it's only 10 minutes down the road if you want it.FWIW

So when do you plan on hosting the AZ Cannon Mt weekend? ;-) :lol:

I like that area a lot. Definitely going to be the area we land in once we are in a position for a second home. Central to all of the northern ski areas. Cannon and BW in the back yard and an awesome summer location.

 

[SIKSKIER]

Geez Bob,I thought you were right behind me.I'm surprized you remember me from that 10 seconds at the top of the quad.I must apologize to you formally now.I just can't ski slow at that mountain.It's like I'm plugged in to auto and I can't seem to ski slow.
I would be happy to be involved in an apre AZ if the schedule works.It's about a 30 second ride from the Peabody slopes or a hike across the street if you ski Mittersill.

 

[Vortex]

lol. I am a slow skier and get my stones busted all the time about it. I hosted last years apres event. I like your place idea better idea, casue its not mine. I mean its alot closer.;-)

 

[jack97]

For me,I'd take the laidback Franconia anyday over Lincoln.

How you you feel if the state leash Canon's operation to privatize entity?
This movement is driven by local business to get revenue stream into the area.

 

[snoseek]

If by crazy tolls you mean a grand total of $2, then yes.

16 is a big problem right around Portsmouth, but as alluded to here, there are ways around that.

Tolls just increased across the board. Six dollars per week is annoying additional cost. I can't stand any part of 16, i drove it at least 5 days per week from dover to the mountains last year, it is a very very dangerous road. Also getting around portsmouth is tough, although you could take 236 through Eliot and cut over to dover or rochester, but that is a serious pain. Three dollars is too much to pay for 30 miles of road I think.

 

[ccskier]

Forget all of our recommendations, just buy a place at Killington, I have heard it is great over there.

 

[deadheadskier]

Forget all of our recommendations, just buy a place at Killington, I have heard it is great over there.

come to think of it....that's probably not bad advice. I'm sure the condos in the developments serviced by the K1 are steals right now

 

[ccskier]

What about Bethlehem, NH area? few lakes, VT skiing w/in hour and a half, 302 is right there, head to ME or all the NH hills.

 

[frozencorn]

Tolls just increased across the board. Six dollars per week is annoying additional cost. I can't stand any part of 16, i drove it at least 5 days per week from dover to the mountains last year, it is a very very dangerous road. Also getting around portsmouth is tough, although you could take 236 through Eliot and cut over to dover or rochester, but that is a serious pain. Three dollars is too much to pay for 30 miles of road I think.

93 will get you there too then, with only one toll before the 89 juncture. The time it takes is a wash too.

 

[castlerock]

Come on folks, tolls an issue when buying a freakin' second home?

Just prioritize the needs and the ability. If you are into woods and powder, you really should be looking in Northern VT (Bush and up). The side benefit those areas have is less crowding. The MRV is a true gem, with a year round community un-sullied by the franchises, and outlets mistakenly called "shopping". If you are looking to buy something special, you'll find plenty of shops. If you want a second label "Ralph Lauren" shirt made in a sweat shop in Sri-Lanka, go to North Conway.

Stowe is a bit expensive, and Rt108 is a massive traffic jam all summer. North of the notch it can be rather "desolate"

The other side of the coin is the summer.I love summers in the MRV, the hiking is fun, but it isn't the Presi's. The swimming is great, but it isn't a lake scene like Winnipesaukee or Sunapee.

It is a just a question of where you want to make the compromises. I bought in the MRV based on the fact that it was a SKI home, and skiing was the priority. I couldn't ski full time in NH, Sugarloaf was a bit far, and I was willing to compromise on the summer.

Then I found out I made a mistake. The summer was no compromise! The summer there was every bit as much fun as the winter.

Now forget every thing I said as I am trying to keep the place uncrowded.

 

[Vortex]

Tolls is kind of funny. I care about how long it takes to get throught them thats about it. Gas is another thing, but just made me bring one car not two.

 

[stomachdoc]

Tolls is kind of funny. I care about how long it takes to get throught them thats about it. Gas is another thing, but just made me bring one car not two.

Agreed (as usual with Bob)! Now that NH has EZPass/FastLane the tolls are hardly ever an issue. Will be trying the one-car thing lots more this winter as well!!

 

[SIKSKIER]

How you you feel if the state leash Canon's operation to privatize entity?
This movement is driven by local business to get revenue stream into the area.

I've always had mixed feelings about that one.I been so frustrated over the years at how the state run area runs the mountain.But having said that,It's part of the reason I love this place because we almost never have crowds.I'm pretty much a weekend skier and I'm so spoiled with lack of liftlines that if they grow to 5 minutes I'm not happy.Overall,I think I'd still be against privatizing.

 

[Angus]

Disclaimer: Lake house located in Meredith NH primarily used for summer but an occasional winter weekend.

Rangeley - between Sugarloaf and Saddleback for winter - x-c trails in town, lake and hiking. I think Rangeley is optimal but it's not feasible for weekend commuting purposes from Boston unless you have flexibility on leaving/returning early/late on Monday and Fridays IMO. More difficult than MRV - see below.

Conway area - south around Silver Lake and Ossipee has always intrigued me - summer water, access to mt. washington valley and even Sunday River and Shawnee & don't forget about King Pine! My experience with N. Conway is congestion - although Wildcat is a late spring ritual - day trips from home - with us!

From our experience in Meredith - Cannon is one hour, Sunapee maybe a bit more but close (30-40 minutes) to Gunstock and a revitalized Ragged? I want to say we got to Burke in 2 - 2:15 hours last year. The lake(s) are a big positive and I find it to be a great jumping off point for hiking in summer and fall. Access to Boston is a big plus - the thought of going to MRV/Stowe each week like many of our neighbors do (west suburbs) is daunting from my perspective.

Sunapee area - we visit friends - lake a big plus and then central vt and MRV/Stowe is doable as day trips. also an easy ride from boston.

how about bretton woods? and I know people who love franconia/sugar hill both in summer and winter. Also, Sebago area would work for day trips to Mt. Washington Valley and Sunday River.

how about the rumford, nh area - people have said plymouth is a killer tax-wise but again it's manageable commute wise and puts you in relatively easy access of lots of things 4 seasons.

good luck