Most Expensive Lakefront Property

[Dogg]

Originally Posted by PROPELLER

I don't think Dogg disagree's with the premise that living here is great. What I got out of his post is that you can be paid substantially more somewhere else that allows you to afford a second vacation home here in the lakes region. But if you stay here in NH & work it would be much more difficult.

It appears he was responding to a post that stated the poster wondered what others do to afford the McMansions.

Thank You Propeller.. This is exactly what I was attempting to get at. Do not get me wrong, I love NH, I have traveled the country and have had the chance to see many different parts of the US.. Not many at all up to the beautiful landscape and area that NH has to offer.

[Mr. V]

Dogg is probably correct about earning money elsewhere, and spending a portion of it in NH.

But, off on a tangent...

I had to decide years ago where to live; growing up in NJ, we always spent a couple weeks during the summer vacationing on the lake; I toyed with settling in NH, but chose not to for several reasons.

*these are my opinions, and NOT tossed out to flame*

NH is a "hardscrabble" state, economically. There are not a lot of lucrative opportunities for a self-starting professional.

NH is somewhat of a cultural desert, at least compared to what is offered to someone living in or near a good sized city.

NH schools are reputed to be spotty, due to your bizarre tax structure.

Rural New Englanders are reputed to be a bit clannish and aloof to outsiders.

Things are a bit boring in NH, a bit too laid back, too slow.

Long, cold winters are not necessarily a good thing.

Now for many folks, the above points would be reasons to settle in NH, and that's fine, you see the glass half full, I see it half empty.

I chose to settle near Portland, Oregon and I've never looked back; it suits me to a tee.

I still like to visit NH, at least during the high summer season.

Yeah, I earn my money elsewhere and spend it in NH: works for me.

[Lakegeezer]

Originally Posted by Mr. V

Dogg is probably correct about earning money elsewhere, and spending a portion of it in NH.

But, off on a tangent...

I had to decide years ago where to live; growing up in NJ, we always spent a couple weeks during the summer vacationing on the lake; I toyed with settling in NH, but chose not to for several reasons.

*these are my opinions, and NOT tossed out to flame*

Mr V. You have great insight as to what New Hampshire is about and are lucky that you found a spot that you like, yet wasn't New Jersey. I'm glad that you still appreciate what NH has to offer enough to cross the country for it. You said that you see the glass, half-empty. Here is the way I see the half that is full.

NH is a "hardscrabble" state, economically. There are not a lot of lucrative opportunities for a self-starting professional. Hardscrapple is one of the best ski runs on Cannon Mountain, and indeed, represents the state well. The job opportunities are here, just like they are in India. The 'virtual office' for the professional is anywhere that there is telecommunications. Much of NH is in fine shape for professionals to live in the woods, by a ski area, the seacoast, or a lake. There could still be additional Internet infrastructure added to some regions and while Manchester is a good airport, if you are in the NH north country it is a bit far away.

NH is somewhat of a cultural desert, at least compared to what is offered to someone living in or near a good sized city. The nearest city, Boston, way outclasses much of what NH has to offer, but Boston is only an hour away for about half of the state's population. NH is something like 90% white anglo, so it can be a desert outside the cities for other cultures. However, its cities of Concord, Nashua, Manchester, and Portsmouth compare well to the Mass cities of Lowell, Lawrence, and Fitchburg. NH has small cities. Heck, the population of the whole state of NH is just a fraction of Boston's, and only twice the population of your city.

NH schools are reputed to be spotty, due to your bizarre tax structure. With schools, outsiders that move in have a choice of towns. Each has local control of its schools. You can pay high taxes for a very good school or pay lower taxes for a good school. You are reminded of the price of the freedom, to choose your school district every time you get a tax bill. Many like it that way - its part of the hardscrapple. Overall, the schools are quite good, but there are a few cities that could use a state handout for their schools while they work on getting back on their feet.

Rural New Englanders are reputed to be a bit clannish and aloof to outsiders. Ah-yup. Not as bad as LA, not as good as in the mid-west. Something to do with the long dark winters. Plus, we have to question the sanity of anyone that wants to live here. If you are second generation NH citizen, you have nothing to worry about.

Things are a bit boring in NH, a bit too laid back, too slow. Slow and laid back doesn't always have to be boring. You can spend hours just reading the Winni forum - how is that for excitement!?

Long, cold winters are not necessarily a good thing. But, a long cold winter is not necessarily a bad thing either. We get earlier ice on the lake and deeper snow on the trails. In the spring, the lake is safe into March and the skiing lasts into April. I'll admit April can be boring, laid back and slow, clanish and make people aloof while waiting for the ice to melt - but, seriously, if you like winter sports, snowstorms, and tending woodstoves, NH has great winters right in your back-yard, and $49, 3-hour plane rides to Florida on Southwest Air.

[Paugus Bay Resident]

Mr. V,

Guess I'm in line with Lake Geezer. Everything you see as a disadvantage, I see as an advantage course, that's why I live here.

In terms of

There are not a lot of lucrative opportunities for a self-starting professional

couldn't disagree with you more. As the owner of a couple of small businesses, I've found NH to be a very entreprenurial state with lots of opportunity and little of the stifling beurocracy I've seen elsewhere. I recently read where we have the highest per capita income and the lowest poverty rate in the country. Highest percentage of people with insurance, etc.

In terms of schools, Gilford and Alton, to name a few do pretty well. We also have some of the best private schools (Phillips Exeter, Tilton School, Brewster, etc.).

Winter, skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, snuggling by a fire, cutting down your Christmas tree, hot chocolate ..... (OK, sometimes it doesn't seem to ever end )

People, mostly no BS, easy to get to know if your not pushy.

Slow pace, just the way I like it.

Cities, I'll take Portsmouth any day, Portland a close second. Easy ride to Boston if I need to raise my blood pressure.

Anyway, as I said earlier, guess that's why I live here. Not perfect, but not too shabby either

[glennsteely]

If I thought I could make the money I make now, I would be there already....

[Paugus Bay Resident]

Just have to have a little imagination and be willing to do a major career change (coupe of years to make it happen doesn't hurt either)

[Pineedles]

Earlier in my life I dreamed of living at the lake. In more recent years I've come to realize that my time here is a rejuvenation. The "Porch Paralysis" (sitting on the fron porch facing the lake) that I as well as my many relatives that share this cottage enjoy is a chance to unwind from the realities of our lives in many different states across the Northeast.

Yes, I said share. I wanted to address some of the postulations by contributors to this thread. Built in 1892 this "cottage" has passed through several generations and has survived because of the wisdom of my great uncle and grandfather whom designated a system of sharing the house in 2 week increments during the months of June through September. The sibling rivilary hasn't occurred because we all acknowledge that most of us only get 2 weeks vacation from our jobs as well as it makes it affordable as far as taxes go when we all share the expenses.

This is no McMansion and could be considered a tear-down but it serves the purpose of a place of recovery, and if I lived here there would be nothing to recover from and it might lose its charm.

I'm not criticizing those who choose to make this their home, just add another perspective to being "upthesaukee".

[Grant]

A few weeks ago, as I was pondering the end of another summer season, sitting on the dock enjoying the stars, it came to me:

"I want to live here, not leave here."

[Pineedles]

But, "I'll be back".

[glennsteely]

Me too!!! I second that. Still and all, I would like to live in that air...