Laconia...

[Winnisquamer]

Originally Posted by Acrossamerica

It generally takes a full 6 inches to get the schools closed.

Is this true? Curious is it like a rule somewhere? I feel like over the last 2-3 years the schools have gotten a lot more trigger happy on calling it a snow day.. They were cancelling school days before we even got snow this year.

[GBGX2]

Before making any decisions, I would check this out:

http://www.joeshimkus.com/NH-Tax-Rates.aspx

The difference from town to town is very significant!

[Pontoon Goon]

It may be putting your life on hold but maybe it would make sense to rent for a year. Researching communities, homes and church's on line is a good start but nothing will give you a true lay of the land like living in it. Best of luck with whatever you decide.

[Oregonrain]

So true, we plan on doing that too. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Pontoon Goon

It may be putting your life on hold but maybe it would make sense to rent for a year. Researching communities, homes and church's on line is a good start but nothing will give you a true lay of the land like living in it. Best of luck with whatever you decide.

[greeleyhill]

Originally Posted by GBGX2

Before making any decisions, I would check this out:

http://www.joeshimkus.com/NH-Tax-Rates.aspx

The difference from town to town is very significant!

Don't be fooled by tax rates. What you pay each year is driven by two things, your tax rate and property assessment or valuation. You may live in a town with high tax rates but low valuations, or a high tax rate and low valuations. Do your homework and get both.

[Outdoorsman]

Originally Posted by greeleyhill

Don't be fooled by tax rates. What you pay each year is driven by two things, your tax rate and property assessment or valuation. You may live in a town with high tax rates but low valuations, or a high tax rate and low valuations. Do your homework and get both.

You do understand how property value is assessed... right?

[greeleyhill]

Originally Posted by Outdoorsman

You do understand how property value is assessed... right?

Ahh - wild guess? My property was assessed by the town at 68.9% of the market value as determined by my bank...and no....that doesn't mean I overpaid for my home. The bank does a far more thorough job of comparing like properties, after all, they are on the hook if the owner stops paying and defaults on the loan. They're not going to write a mortgage for $500k when the property is only worth $300k. The town can change valuations MUCH easier than they do the tax rate - which is a very public decision.

[Outdoorsman]

Originally Posted by greeleyhill

Ahh - wild guess? My property was assessed by the town at 68.9% of the market value as determined by my bank...and no....that doesn't mean I overpaid for my home. The bank does a far more thorough job of comparing like properties, after all, they are on the hook if the owner stops paying and defaults on the loan. They're not going to write a mortgage for $500k when the property is only worth $300k. The town can change valuations MUCH easier than they do the tax rate - which is a very public decision.

I never suggested that you over paid for your lot. I just said you need to understand property ASSESSMENT. I stand by that statement after reading your quote above.

[DesertDweller]

Not sure I would agree with the post about assessed value either. Most of the towns around the lake keep the equalization ratio (i.e. the assessed value to market value) pretty close to 100 percent. At least that is my experience when looking at homes anyway. In terms of Laconia, their property tax rate is far and away the highest in the towns surrounding the lake. At 22.2 it is almost 2.5 times that of Moultonborough. I looked at a lot of properties in Laconia but paying almost $9,000 in property taxes for a $400,000 home scared me away.

You should also factor in some of the towns, like Laconia, you will also have a separate water/sewer bill as well. There are a lot of positives to being on public water/sewer but it does come at a cost.

I would agree with the rental concept. If you are truly looking to be on the outskirts, Moultonborough, Tuftonboro, parts of Meredith, and some other areas would be the way to go in my opinion.

[GBGX2]

There is no question that assessment plays into the equation, but it is far more driven by tax rate......

See:http://revenue.nh.gov/mun-prop/munic...2014-local.pdf (the latest grand list totals that I could find)

Alton: $1,518,990,817.00 Tax Rate $13.85
Wolfeboro: $2,013,269,984 Tax Rate $13.01
Gilford: $1,571,339,584 Tax Rate $18.30
Laconia: $1,815,646,944 Tax Rate $22.40

Assuming you purchase comparable properties in any of the above referenced towns... your property taxes will be significantly different.

Originally Posted by greeleyhill

Don't be fooled by tax rates. What you pay each year is driven by two things, your tax rate and property assessment or valuation. You may live in a town with high tax rates but low valuations, or a high tax rate and low valuations. Do your homework and get both.

[bclaker]

I believe there is a ham radio repeater on Belknap Mountain in Gilford near the Gunstock Ski Area. There is a local Amateur Radio Club in the area.

[sum-r breeze]

Originally Posted by GBGX2

There is no question that assessment plays into the equation, but it is far more driven by tax rate......

See:http://revenue.nh.gov/mun-prop/munic...2014-local.pdf (the latest grand list totals that I could find)

Alton: $1,518,990,817.00 Tax Rate $13.85
Wolfeboro: $2,013,269,984 Tax Rate $13.01
Gilford: $1,571,339,584 Tax Rate $18.30
Laconia: $1,815,646,944 Tax Rate $22.40

Assuming you purchase comparable properties in any of the above referenced towns... your property taxes will be significantly different.

Some of the positive things you pay for with your Laconia taxes are
#1 FULL TIME FIRE DEPARTMENT
#2 FULLY STAFFED POLICE DEPARTMENT
#3 LAKES REGION GENERAL HOSPITAL RIGHT IN TOWN
#4 LACONIA WATER AND SEWER SERVICE
#5 FULL TIME STAFF AT LACONIA CITY HALL
#6 WEEKLY TRASH PICK UP WITH RECYCLING-NO NEED TO GO TO THE DUMP
#7 GREAT CITY WIDE SNOW PLOWING

So when someone rips Laconia in such a way they might want to consider some of what's offered in the line of services before painting with such a broad brush. We have friends at Southdown Shores who have paradise in Laconia as do the people who live at the "Meredith Bay" community that is in Laconia also.
The Akwa Vista Marina and beach bar complex has that upscale destination feel to it every time we visit. We love Laconia

The Breeze
Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back

[Billy Bob]

a very busy police department at that . and the hospital can handle any second amendment issue you bring .
Seriously you are talking apples and oranges here , total difference in lifestyle and surroundings between Laconia and say Wolfboro.
Laconia is a old textile /shoe manufacturing city that never fully recovered economically when that business moved south . Places like Wolfboro are the old summer home areas where the marriotts and Mitt hang today . you have to come and see this and decide yourself

[GBGX2]

Sum-r Breeze:

To be clear, my post was not intended to “rip” Laconia…. However, it is beyond disingenuous to imply that the towns of Wolfeboro, Gilford and Alton provide fewer or less "positive" services to their residents than Laconia does.

I can assure you that ALL the folks listed below have their citizens’ best interests at heart, just as the employees at the City of Laconia do.

Some of the positive things you pay for with your Laconia taxes are
#1 FULL TIME FIRE DEPARTMENT
#2 FULLY STAFFED POLICE DEPARTMENT
#3 LAKES REGION GENERAL HOSPITAL RIGHT IN TOWN
#4 LACONIA WATER AND SEWER SERVICE
#5 FULL TIME STAFF AT LACONIA CITY HALL
#6 WEEKLY TRASH PICK UP WITH RECYCLING-NO NEED TO GO TO THE DUMP
#7 GREAT CITY WIDE SNOW PLOWING

If folks are interested, they can find the facts as it pertains to the specific points that you brought up below.

#1. Fire Department:
http://www.gilfordnh.org/towncloud/staff/-8
http://www.alton.nh.gov/government/fire-department
http://www.wolfeboronh.us/Pages/WolfeboroNH_Fire/staff

#2. Police Department:
http://www.gilfordpd.org/towncloud/staff/-24
http://www.alton.nh.gov/site-page/al...lice-personnel
http://www.wolfeboronh.us/Pages/Wolf...lice/personnel

#3. All areas are served by several hospitals in the area… as to Wolfeboro; their hospital is in their back yard.
https://www.hugginshospital.org/
http://www.frisbiehospital.com/

#4. Water:
http://www.gilfordnh.org/towncloud/entity/-29
http://www.alton.nh.gov/government/water-works
http://www.wolfeboronh.us/Pages/WolfeboroNH_Water/index

#5. Town Hall Hours of operation: ALL full time staff
http://www.gilfordnh.org/towncloud/entity/-3
http://www.alton.nh.gov/site-page/hours-operation
http://www.wolfeboronh.us/pages/wolfeboronh_clerk/index

#6. Going to the dump is a New Hampshire tradition…. Too bad that the citizens of Laconia are missing out on such a great weekly experience! ALL offer recycling programs.

#7. …. I think ALL towns in NH enjoy hard working road crews who do a great job of providing service year round!

Broad brush strokes go both ways.......

Originally Posted by sum-r breeze

Some of the positive things you pay for with your Laconia taxes are
#1 FULL TIME FIRE DEPARTMENT
#2 FULLY STAFFED POLICE DEPARTMENT
#3 LAKES REGION GENERAL HOSPITAL RIGHT IN TOWN
#4 LACONIA WATER AND SEWER SERVICE
#5 FULL TIME STAFF AT LACONIA CITY HALL
#6 WEEKLY TRASH PICK UP WITH RECYCLING-NO NEED TO GO TO THE DUMP
#7 GREAT CITY WIDE SNOW PLOWING

So when someone rips Laconia in such a way they might want to consider some of what's offered in the line of services before painting with such a broad brush. We have friends at Southdown Shores who have paradise in Laconia as do the people who live at the "Meredith Bay" community that is in Laconia also.
The Akwa Vista Marina and beach bar complex has that upscale destination feel to it every time we visit. We love Laconia

The Breeze
Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back

[sum-r breeze]

Originally Posted by GBGX2

Sum-r Breeze:

To be clear, my post was not intended to “rip” Laconia…. However, it is beyond disingenuous to imply that the towns of Wolfeboro, Gilford and Alton provide fewer or less "positive" services to their residents than Laconia does.

I can assure you that ALL the folks listed below have their citizens’ best interests at heart, just as the employees at the City of Laconia do.

Some of the positive things you pay for with your Laconia taxes are
#1 FULL TIME FIRE DEPARTMENT
#2 FULLY STAFFED POLICE DEPARTMENT
#3 LAKES REGION GENERAL HOSPITAL RIGHT IN TOWN
#4 LACONIA WATER AND SEWER SERVICE
#5 FULL TIME STAFF AT LACONIA CITY HALL
#6 WEEKLY TRASH PICK UP WITH RECYCLING-NO NEED TO GO TO THE DUMP
#7 GREAT CITY WIDE SNOW PLOWING

If folks are interested, they can find the facts as it pertains to the specific points that you brought up below.

#1. Fire Department:
http://www.gilfordnh.org/towncloud/staff/-8
http://www.alton.nh.gov/government/fire-department
http://www.wolfeboronh.us/Pages/WolfeboroNH_Fire/staff

#2. Police Department:
http://www.gilfordpd.org/towncloud/staff/-24
http://www.alton.nh.gov/site-page/al...lice-personnel
http://www.wolfeboronh.us/Pages/Wolf...lice/personnel

#3. All areas are served by several hospitals in the area… as to Wolfeboro; their hospital is in their back yard.
https://www.hugginshospital.org/
http://www.frisbiehospital.com/

#4. Water:
http://www.gilfordnh.org/towncloud/entity/-29
http://www.alton.nh.gov/government/water-works
http://www.wolfeboronh.us/Pages/WolfeboroNH_Water/index

#5. Town Hall Hours of operation: ALL full time staff
http://www.gilfordnh.org/towncloud/entity/-3
http://www.alton.nh.gov/site-page/hours-operation
http://www.wolfeboronh.us/pages/wolfeboronh_clerk/index

#6. Going to the dump is a New Hampshire tradition…. Too bad that the citizens of Laconia are missing out on such a great weekly experience! ALL offer recycling programs.

#7. …. I think ALL towns in NH enjoy hard working road crews who do a great job of providing service year round!

Broad brush strokes go both ways.......

So your own fire links tell the story I was trying to get across. There are a bunch of "on call" firefighters listed in all three links you posted and I know some of the guys (very dedicated) but it's not the same as full time in the station firefighters. I never implied the other towns had any lesser quality services but was more explaining why WE bought in town.

The Breeze
Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back

[wifi]

Originally Posted by GBGX2

#6. Going to the dump is a New Hampshire tradition….

BTW, most towns have rebranded "the dump" as a transfer station, have to be PC these days.

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by wifi

BTW, most towns have rebranded "the dump" as a transfer station, have to be PC these days.

True, but Donald will be fixing that PC stuff in Nivember

[SAMIAM]

Originally Posted by wifi

BTW, most towns have rebranded "the dump" as a transfer station, have to be PC these days.

Even "transfer station" isn't as PC as it should be.
In Moultonborough we have a Resource Reclamation Center

[Outdoorsman]

Originally Posted by sum-r breeze

Some of the positive things you pay for with your Laconia taxes are
#1 FULL TIME FIRE DEPARTMENT
#2 FULLY STAFFED POLICE DEPARTMENT
#3 LAKES REGION GENERAL HOSPITAL RIGHT IN TOWN
#4 LACONIA WATER AND SEWER SERVICE
#5 FULL TIME STAFF AT LACONIA CITY HALL
#6 WEEKLY TRASH PICK UP WITH RECYCLING-NO NEED TO GO TO THE DUMP
#7 GREAT CITY WIDE SNOW PLOWING

So when someone rips Laconia in such a way they might want to consider some of what's offered in the line of services before painting with such a broad brush. We have friends at Southdown Shores who have paradise in Laconia as do the people who live at the "Meredith Bay" community that is in Laconia also.
The Akwa Vista Marina and beach bar complex has that upscale destination feel to it every time we visit. We love Laconia

The Breeze
Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back

All that was pointed out was the substantial difference in tax rates between towns around the lake. Laconia is ~$9.39 per $1000 higher than Wolfboro... (translates to about ~75% higher).

To get back to the OP's question, you did point out a nice area of Laconia, Southdown Shores. It fits the "outskirts" part of the question but unfortunately that is an association (?) so they would not be allowed an antenna for a ham radio??

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by sum-r breeze

Some of the positive things you pay for with your Laconia taxes are
#1 FULL TIME FIRE DEPARTMENT
#2 FULLY STAFFED POLICE DEPARTMENT
#3 LAKES REGION GENERAL HOSPITAL RIGHT IN TOWN
#4 LACONIA WATER AND SEWER SERVICE
#5 FULL TIME STAFF AT LACONIA CITY HALL
#6 WEEKLY TRASH PICK UP WITH RECYCLING-NO NEED TO GO TO THE DUMP
#7 GREAT CITY WIDE SNOW PLOWING

With all due respect and acknowledging that everyone is entitled to their own opinion: I own properties in both Gilford and Laconia and I am much more satisfied with Gilford and the employees of the town of Gilford when comparing it to Laconia.

1. I really don't care whether the fire department is full time or part time. I was a call firefighter for 25 years in a town that did 1,200 runs per year and the difference is that we were there to do the job, not because there was a job. A totally different attitude.

2. The police department is made up of individuals and their dedication is predicated upon the management and the personnel. That can change over time.

3. There are mixed reviews about LRGH and many parts of Gilford and Belmont have better, faster access than If someone was actually in Laconia.

4. I have lake water and town sewer in Gilford and it is much less expensive than my Laconia bills. If Gilford offered town water I wouldn't take it because of the additional cost. I would put in a well if I didn't have access to the lake.

5. Gilford town hall has a full time staff and they are the best I have ever dealt with. The Laconia City Hall is staffed with people, many of whom who think they are doing you a favor to be there. The Gilford Town Hall is staffed with people who are pleased to help in any way they can. A huge difference in attitude and effort there.

6. The minimal amount I pay for trash pickup is more than offset by the substantial savings in real estate taxes.

7. .................I hear the snow plowing is good but I am pleased to be elsewhere when it snows!

Again, everyone has their own experiences and opinions and they may be different.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

5. Gilford town hall has a full time staff and they are the best I have ever dealt with. The Laconia City Hall is staffed with people, many of whom who think they are doing you a favor to be there. The Gilford Town Hall is staffed with people who are pleased to help in any way they can. A huge difference in attitude and effort there.

Couldn't agree more with this! The Gilford town hall people are a real pleasure to work with! They go out of their way to help folks out!

Dan