Hiltonizer
Banned
This may not at first sound like the right sub-forum but bear with me...
So, I *shudder* the thought as a NH die hard... but I might have found a reason to consider moving to Maine.
We just got back from visiting some friends that moved up to Maine earlier this year. They, like us, decided they were sick of the BS down here and bought something they could easily trip over the money to pay for. (They are not Preppers, but choose a liberty oriented and agrarian lifestyle and really like popping off rounds. Area of topic is greater Skowhegan area)
Our intention when we bought this house here on the MA/NH border was that, when we have more equity, we're done with the city jobs and will move up north.. with a next-to-nothing mortgage, if one at all.
I've always loved NH, for many of the same reasons as most of you, but I also grew up on just barely on the wrong side of the border, and spent much time both working here and renting here. NH "feels" right to me, granite staters are my people. My only complaint is the MA plates on weekends and consequent traffic.
Our long term plan wasn't ever set in stone or narrowly defined, it was more like a general concept that depended on what opens up for opportunity... buy land and build later? buy a bug out location and improve it? wait it out and buy our homestead? stumble on a job and go balls deep? JUST MOVE NORTH!
Well, Maine is a hell of a lot cheaper than I ever gave it credit for... so cheap in fact we could get "almost" what we want now for cash and leave the city life behind us once in for all... nearly no debt. That means though a little less house, but A LOT more land. 30 acres and a mediocre house vs 5 acres in a great house... but the 5 acre great house costs almost 2x as much (NH). Long story short, I've been looking at it all wrong.. you need to ignore the MLS and look at FSBO's. And a particularly good opportunity has arisen that would actually allow us to buy property adjacent to said friends.
In the mold of Ben Franklin, I'm working on a list of pro's and con's and distributing to my friends (you wankers). What do you think and what do you know that I don't?
Pro's:
Cheaper and therefore doable now. We can quit risking our lives and health sitting Boston traffic.
Lax regulation in additions and outbuildings.
Lower population density/traffic.
Distance from metro if SHTF.
Worn out tin-roofs are socially acceptable visually. I love the idea of a one-time roof.
Close to long-time, like-minded friends.
Con's:
Government.. I just feel like NH has a leg up in this area. Stand your ground law makes me warm and fuzzy.
People.. I'm aware there is a generally similar rural mindset, but in central Maine drug use and welfarism seems to be rampant. I'd also be abandoning the free-state-project if I left NH.
Less available turnkey situations, would likely require building to which I'm a noob.
Feeling of being an outsider... culture shock?
Distance to familial visits.
Less likelihood of low-latency internet, which limits my side-work opportunities as an IT generalist.
Generally less favorable economic environment resulting in less income opportunities.
Taxation I consider a push overall where we won't be heavy on income and spending.
Context: We're in our very late 20's and this will be our second property, and ideally our forever property. Our "great bug out" you may call it. I am working with roughly 100k cash which would almost 100% cover Maine but not quite 50% cover NH. Income plan for property taxes and utilities is farm-standing and basic part time work in our fields of expertise.
Most of you are older and more grizzly... put this in perspective for me and share that wisdom.
EDIT: I should note that the woman is go-time with either but favors Maine given the cheapness and time-frame possibilities... and accuses me of seeing NH with rose-colored glasses... to which I correct her and say granite colored glasses
So, I *shudder* the thought as a NH die hard... but I might have found a reason to consider moving to Maine.
We just got back from visiting some friends that moved up to Maine earlier this year. They, like us, decided they were sick of the BS down here and bought something they could easily trip over the money to pay for. (They are not Preppers, but choose a liberty oriented and agrarian lifestyle and really like popping off rounds. Area of topic is greater Skowhegan area)
Our intention when we bought this house here on the MA/NH border was that, when we have more equity, we're done with the city jobs and will move up north.. with a next-to-nothing mortgage, if one at all.
I've always loved NH, for many of the same reasons as most of you, but I also grew up on just barely on the wrong side of the border, and spent much time both working here and renting here. NH "feels" right to me, granite staters are my people. My only complaint is the MA plates on weekends and consequent traffic.
Our long term plan wasn't ever set in stone or narrowly defined, it was more like a general concept that depended on what opens up for opportunity... buy land and build later? buy a bug out location and improve it? wait it out and buy our homestead? stumble on a job and go balls deep? JUST MOVE NORTH!
Well, Maine is a hell of a lot cheaper than I ever gave it credit for... so cheap in fact we could get "almost" what we want now for cash and leave the city life behind us once in for all... nearly no debt. That means though a little less house, but A LOT more land. 30 acres and a mediocre house vs 5 acres in a great house... but the 5 acre great house costs almost 2x as much (NH). Long story short, I've been looking at it all wrong.. you need to ignore the MLS and look at FSBO's. And a particularly good opportunity has arisen that would actually allow us to buy property adjacent to said friends.
In the mold of Ben Franklin, I'm working on a list of pro's and con's and distributing to my friends (you wankers). What do you think and what do you know that I don't?
Pro's:
Cheaper and therefore doable now. We can quit risking our lives and health sitting Boston traffic.
Lax regulation in additions and outbuildings.
Lower population density/traffic.
Distance from metro if SHTF.
Worn out tin-roofs are socially acceptable visually. I love the idea of a one-time roof.
Close to long-time, like-minded friends.
Con's:
Government.. I just feel like NH has a leg up in this area. Stand your ground law makes me warm and fuzzy.
People.. I'm aware there is a generally similar rural mindset, but in central Maine drug use and welfarism seems to be rampant. I'd also be abandoning the free-state-project if I left NH.
Less available turnkey situations, would likely require building to which I'm a noob.
Feeling of being an outsider... culture shock?
Distance to familial visits.
Less likelihood of low-latency internet, which limits my side-work opportunities as an IT generalist.
Generally less favorable economic environment resulting in less income opportunities.
Taxation I consider a push overall where we won't be heavy on income and spending.
Context: We're in our very late 20's and this will be our second property, and ideally our forever property. Our "great bug out" you may call it. I am working with roughly 100k cash which would almost 100% cover Maine but not quite 50% cover NH. Income plan for property taxes and utilities is farm-standing and basic part time work in our fields of expertise.
Most of you are older and more grizzly... put this in perspective for me and share that wisdom.
EDIT: I should note that the woman is go-time with either but favors Maine given the cheapness and time-frame possibilities... and accuses me of seeing NH with rose-colored glasses... to which I correct her and say granite colored glasses
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