RFI: New Hampshire

[HeavyDuty]

I’ve been looking to relocate, and something happened to put NH on my radar screen. (There’s no way I would live in MA, I’m an asshole, not a Masshole.)

What is NH like? I know their gun politics are historically quite good, but is the state shifting?

[EricP]

What is NH like? I know their gun politics are historically quite good, but is the state shifting?

The current gun laws here are very good. It is hard to say how long that will stay that way. HB109 - Dealer Transfer and HB 514 - Waiting Periods both passed the House and Senate, but were not signed by the Governor. Currently at the federal level, I would not expect much help from our Congress people or Senators.

Were you just curious about the possible shift in gun laws or did you have other questions about New Hampshire?

[HeavyDuty]

I’m trying to get a feel for it in general. I would be living there for at least five years.

[Norville]

I lived there for many years. The Free Staters managed to improve the nebulous knife laws and constitutional carry is now in effect. I visit monthly on business so I appreciate that.

The representatives in DC are not conservative to put it mildly. The current governor is good, but as noted who knows how long he, and the other rational folks can stay in office.

The southern part of the state is crowded and leans left now, up north is more sparse and generally more conservative.

[EricP]

Unemployment is very low. A large portion of it is south and east of Concord. There are a goodly number of people who live in southern NH and work in Mass. Property south and east of Concord is fairly expensive. Property taxes are fairly high. Cost of living is fairly high. There is no state income tax. School districts somewhat depend on location.

New Hampshire offers a lot as far as outdoor activities. You could go from the Presidential range; hiking and skiing, to the lake district; fishing and boating to the sea coast in a couple of hours. There are no shortage of shooting ranges, but not a lot of public land (in southern NH) to shoot on. New Hampshire's largest city is Manchester and only has ~100,000 residents. If you are used to larger cities and what they have to offer, Manchester might not be the most exciting place on the planet.

We do sort of drive like aggressively.

If you have any other questions, please ask.

[Dan_S]

I’ve been looking to relocate, and something happened to put NH on my radar screen. (There’s no way I would live in MA, I’m an asshole, not a Masshole.)

What is NH like? I know their gun politics are historically quite good, but is the state shifting?

Give me a call. This is VERY much in my wheelhouse.

[snow white]

outside of spending some time on the west coast after graduating high school I have lived in NH all my life. i think this is a fantastic place to live, some of the lowest crime rates in the country, a high employment rate and very good schools overall. fantastic state to be a gun owner both because of the laws as well as the gun culture. I would suggest staying away from the southern part of the state (only my opinion) as its more congested and beginning to become overdeveloped and seems to me like mass just bleeding into the state. central and northern NH are my preferred areas with northern NH being my favorite. i live in the lakes region, there must be some force field here because allot of the sociological issues that plague the country seem to have missed us. i have always felt an amazing sense of community and overall safety in my area. the 2a culture is very strong but that being said allot of mass residents end up moving here due the positive attributes ive mentioned, and they bring their politics as well.

[0ddl0t]

What is it like for business owners? Are there regulations everywhere you look? Do you have to pay for employees time while they're on breaks? Do you have to give a lot of sick days or extended family leaves? Are you free to hire the best candidate or must you factor in quotas?

Can you build a garage or workshop on your personal property without too much hassle? Can you still install and use a fireplace/wood stove?

Can you build a hotrod without worrying about smog checks/registration hassles?

Can you buy liquor from privately owned stores... on a Sunday?

Can your children attend school without being vaccinated?

Can you ride a bicycle on the fogline of most roads without being hassled/threatened by motorists?

[JAD]

Can your children attend school without being vaccinated?
Wait, what?

[pooty]

snow white
What makes New Hampshire a pro libertarian state while Vermont right nextdoor elects a communist slash socialist?
How can you can you make sure that things stay that way?
What do you call yourselves Hampshirerers, Hampshirean?

[snow white]

snow white
What makes New Hampshire a pro libertarian state while Vermont right nextdoor elects a communist slash socialist?
How can you can you make sure that things stay that way?
What do you call yourselves Hampshirerers, Hampshirean?

I have no good answer as to why we have such different policies than most of our neighbors. I assume it's a multi level answer but I'd guess it has to do in part with just the traditional ideology of the area mixed with the fact that most of us are relatively strong headed lol. The whole "live free or die thing"... although the whole quote is "live free or die, for death is not the worst of fates" so interpret that as you will. Also a vast majority of the people I know have a resentment twords Massachusetts and the fact that they seem to be flooding our state. I also live in an an area that relies on tourism so they co.e in hordes around here. That feeling of resentment is present no matter where I go in the state tho. As far as keeping things this way... vote I guess, be involved in the law making process and writing your government officials. This is a small state so your voice has more power than it might somewhere else. Lastly we refer to ourselves as new Hampshirites although I prefer to be called daddy. 😎

[Norville]

Can you buy liquor from privately owned stores... on a Sunday?

No.

Liquor stores are all state run, and generally inexpensive, plus no sales tax.

[snow white]

No.

Liquor stores are all state run, and generally inexpensive, plus no sales tax.

Or just hop over to ME if need be.

[Norville]

Or just hop over to ME if need be.


I remember when the Maine State Police used to run surveillance in the parking lot of the Portsmouth NH store looking for ME license plates and then pull them over once they crossed the border.

Not sure that would happen in reverse.

[snow white]

I remember when the Maine State Police used to run surveillance in the parking lot of the Portsmouth NH store looking for ME license plates and then pull them over once they crossed the border.

Not sure that would happen in reverse.

Why? What's illegal about buying booze in NH as a ME resident? My wife and I went up to bar harbor for a few days ( I was going to a lary Vickers rifle class in Bangor but it was canceled at the last minute) anyway I had forgotten about the liquor in gas stations thing till we stopped in a convenience store. Not somthing I pay much attention to as I drink very little alcohol, like if I buy a six pack and I finish it in three months I'm doing allot of drinking.

[Norville]

Almost every state has an import limit, above which you are prohibited or have to pay excise tax. AAA used to publish it in their travel guides to keep road trippers out of trouble.

A bottle or two is not a problem, but buying cases of liquor at a time to avoid higher prices and sales tax was frowned upon.

[snow white]

Almost every state has an import limit, above which you are prohibited or have to pay excise tax. AAA used to publish it in their travel guides to keep road trippers out of trouble.

A bottle or two is not a problem, but buying cases of liquor at a time to avoid higher prices and sales tax was frowned upon.

Ahhh ok. Like I said I drink very little so buying more than one or two bottles of liquor is not even a thought that crosses my mind lol

[HeavyDuty]

This is all great information - I don’t know squat about NH other than the fact Mas keeps everyone in line.

[HeavyDuty]

Give me a call. This is VERY much in my wheelhouse.

Messaged you. Thanks!

[snow white]

What is it like for business owners? Are there regulations everywhere you look? Do you have to pay for employees time while they're on breaks? Do you have to give a lot of sick days or extended family leaves? Are you free to hire the best candidate or must you factor in quotas?

Can you build a garage or workshop on your personal property without too much hassle? Can you still install and use a fireplace/wood stove?

Can you build a hotrod without worrying about smog checks/registration hassles?

Can you buy liquor from privately owned stores... on a Sunday?

Can your children attend school without being vaccinated?

Can you ride a bicycle on the fogline of most roads without being hassled/threatened by motorists?
Dont know allot of the specifics on being a business owner but I do know the laws are in your favor, you can fire someone without giving any reason as to why. Hot rod stuff, I dont know. Riding your bike on the side of the road is a yes. Vaccinate kids and school, i have no clue. The building thing depends on where you live. Nh gets pretty fucking rural the farther north you get. And the more north the more "Independent" the mindset gets.

[snow white]

Most importantly I think tho is that the wrestler HHH is from nh and comes to Santa's village every year to play Santa for the kids. Hes a solid dude...both physically and as a person in general.

[Norville]

This is all great information - I don’t know squat about NH other than the fact Mas keeps everyone in line.

He moved to Florida to escape the snow :cool:

[HeavyDuty]

I’m flying in to Manchester in a few weeks. I think this trip will be confined to the hotel ( :p ) but, if all goes well, I will be back on a regular basis to find a new town and then home. I may play residency games by buying a condo in a vacation area for my residence, and renting it out on AirB&B or the like most of the time while I “visit” MA. Not sure how I’d handle the guns doing that, though.

[peterb]

There’s a nice indoor range right near the airport: http://www.gunsnh.com/

[EricP]

Flying armed into Manchester isn't a problem. Flying armed in Logan shouldn't be a problem, assuming NH (or VT and ME) is your final destination. I wouldn't want to be playing with Mass residency while armed.

Where do you actually (approximately) do you need to spend your time? A large part of southern NH commutes to Mass, unless you are going to fully embrace that process.

If there is anything else the New Hampshire contingent can do for you, please ask.

[peterb]

There’s a nice indoor range right near the airport: http://www.gunsnh.com/

Check on the current policy for renting. They have restrictions on people alone renting firearms — suicide prevention, I think.

[EricP]

There’s a nice indoor range right near the airport: http://www.gunsnh.com/

Check on the current policy for renting. They have restrictions on people alone renting firearms — suicide prevention, I think.

I believe they will rent to you while alone if you have a carry permit.

[NH Shooter]

I moved to NH 12 years ago from NY and it is a night-and-day difference.

I'm 10 minutes away from the Manchester AP (in Bedford) and would be happy to meet up with you, and go to the Manchester Firing Line (good group of folks there) if you're game. Let me know via PM.

[TheRoland]

I’m flying in to Manchester in a few weeks. I think this trip will be confined to the hotel ( :p ) but, if all goes well, I will be back on a regular basis to find a new town and then home. I may play residency games by buying a condo in a vacation area for my residence, and renting it out on AirB&B or the like most of the time while I “visit” MA. Not sure how I’d handle the guns doing that, though.

I've lived in all the northeast states... If I had to spend all my time in MA, I might go ahead and live in MA depending on what I was into and where I spend my time.

There are some serious convenience gains, and at risk of being a heretic, MA is better for most non-gun things. The microbreweries in MA are world class, the microbreweries in NH are "go to MA". The hospitals in MA can plug gunshot wounds and sew limbs back on, the hospitals in NH will send you to MA. The tech companies in NH are a short list of defense contractors; the tech companies in MA are too numerous to list.

The major shooting sport events in the region are normally in MA, for whatever reason.

But it has an assault weapons ban and magazine limits. Residency games won't save you from these; they apply to out-of-staters, and non-resident CCW permits are even more of a pain than a resident permit.

[HeavyDuty]

Flying armed into Manchester isn't a problem. Flying armed in Logan shouldn't be a problem, assuming NH (or VT and ME) is your final destination. I wouldn't want to be playing with Mass residency while armed.

Where do you actually (approximately) do you need to spend your time? A large part of southern NH commutes to Mass, unless you are going to fully embrace that process.

If there is anything else the New Hampshire contingent can do for you, please ask.

I can work from home or anywhere, and the potential GF I’m coming east for has a home based business and two teens in school that will keep her tied to her current location in Reading, MA for at least four years. Our intent is if this works out the way we hope is for me to take NH residency with some kind of brick and mortar home in NH, but I’ll actually spend much of my time at her place working and sleeping there. I realize there won’t be any kind of CCW reciprocity with MA, and that if I took MA residency much of the contents of my safe would probably violate state law for residents. I will not willingly become a MA resident.

Down the road we have discussed selling her business and making a full time move to NH or elsewhere, she was planning that with her late husband anyways. We may also consider coming back this way to WI, but NH taxes are very compelling.

Thank you for the offer, I’m sure I’ll be taking you and others up on their offers of help.

[HeavyDuty]

I moved to NH 12 years ago from NY and it is a night-and-day difference.

I'm 10 minutes away from the Manchester AP (in Bedford) and would be happy to meet up with you, and go to the Manchester Firing Line (good group of folks there) if you're game. Let me know via PM.

I’ll contact you when I’m prepping a trip that won’t be so busy. Thanks!

[HeavyDuty]

I've lived in all the northeast states... If I had to spend all my time in MA, I might go ahead and live in MA depending on what I was into and where I spend my time.

There are some serious convenience gains, and at risk of being a heretic, MA is better for most non-gun things. The microbreweries in MA are world class, the microbreweries in NH are "go to MA". The hospitals in MA can plug gunshot wounds and sew limbs back on, the hospitals in NH will send you to MA. The tech companies in NH are a short list of defense contractors; the tech companies in MA are too numerous to list.

The major shooting sport events in the region are normally in MA, for whatever reason.

But it has an assault weapons ban and magazine limits. Residency games won't save you from these; they apply to out-of-staters, and non-resident CCW permits are even more of a pain than a resident permit.

I do not plan on bringing any weapons into MA. I might look at a nonresident permit at some point, but to be honest it’s not that important to me compared to the reason I’ll be there.

[TheRoland]

I can work from home or anywhere, and the potential GF I’m coming east for has a home based business and two teens in school that will keep her tied to her current location in Reading, MA for at least four years. Our intent is if this works out the way we hope is for me to take NH residency with some kind of brick and mortar home in NH, but I’ll actually spend much of my time at her place working and sleeping there. I realize there won’t be any kind of CCW reciprocity with MA, and that if I took MA residency much of the contents of my safe would probably violate state law for residents. I will not willingly become a MA resident.

Down the road we have discussed selling her business and making a full time move to NH or elsewhere, she was planning that with her late husband anyways. We may also consider coming back this way to WI, but NH taxes are very compelling.

Thank you for the offer, I’m sure I’ll be taking you and others up on their offers of help.

This is an interesting situation that's likely way more interesting in terms of taxes than it is in terms of gun laws.

[HeavyDuty]

This is an interesting situation that's likely way more interesting in terms of taxes than it is in terms of gun laws.

Very true! For me, going from IL to NH looks like an instant 10% pay raise. And the real estate taxes I’m seeing are less or equal to what I pay here.

[xray 99]

I’ve lived in NH since 1973. The state has drifted from red to purple. We voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election since 1992 - the exception being 2000, and if Nader had not been running Gore would have won. Our four Congresspeople are Democrats and Democrats control the state legislature. Further, the pro gun Democrat no longer exists. Only the Republican governor is holding the line. The college towns and sea coast area are very liberal. The NH Republican party is Trump-centric; not a winning formula here. We have seen the best of our times.

[HeavyDuty]

I’ve lived in NH since 1973. The state has drifted from red to purple. We voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election since 1992 - the exception being 2000, and if Nader had not been running Gore would have won. Our four Congresspeople are Democrats and Democrats control the state legislature. Further, the pro gun Democrat no longer exists. Only the Republican governor is holding the line. The college towns and sea coast area are very liberal. The NH Republican party is Trump-centric; not a winning formula here. We have seen the best of our times.

How quickly do you see things changing? In five years I will be able to relocate permanently.

[TheRoland]

How quickly do you see things changing? In five years I will be able to relocate permanently.

It's hard to say. This is a political landmine for this forum, but Trump is an anchor here and it remains to be seen if he'll drag down the otherwise very popular governor. My bet is that New Hampshire stays pretty free, so long as the GOP doesn't totally implode. But it's going to be a close thing.

[HeavyDuty]

It's hard to say. This is a political landmine for this forum, but Trump is an anchor here and it remains to be seen if he'll drag down the otherwise very popular governor. My bet is that New Hampshire stays pretty free, so long as the GOP doesn't totally implode. But it's going to be a close thing.

Well, I’m of the belief that when they start unboxing docs for the Trump Presidential Library in twenty years we will find payments to 45 from Soros to have him destroy the Republican Party, but...

(Not serious, but that cynical)

[HeavyDuty]

Update.

This past weekend was my first trip her way - she came here for a short visit a few weeks before that to take the edge off. Lol.

The purpose of this latest trip was mostly to meet family and head down to Cape Cod where she is from, but we did spend a half day wandering southern NH looking at likely areas for me to relocate. I’m trying to concentrate on areas a half hour or so from her home in Reading, so initially I am concentrating on Salem, Derry, Londonderry and possibly Hudson and Nashua. I really like what I see, in many ways it reminds me of northern WI.

All signs are good that I will be relocating by this time next year, and hopefully sooner.

[HeavyDuty]

It’s interesting re-reading this thread a year later, and seeing what happened vs. what was planned.

Corona f’ed up the timelines, but I’m closing on my new home in southern NH Thursday. Michelle lost her business due to mandatory Covid shutdowns, so she and her youngest boy are moving in with me from the start. Her middle boy was supposed to start at SUNY Purchase this coming week, but he was converted to remote learning for at least the first semester so he will be with us for now, too.

It’ll take a few months for me to get everything moved and purged, but I hope to have the house here on the market sometime in October.

Big changes afoot...

[HeavyDuty]

I should have moved here years ago. Closing went well Thursday, and he moved Michelle and the kids in over the weekend. We’re still at the boxes everywhere stage, but we are settling in. Even this far south, wildlife is everywhere and the air is wonderful.

[snow white]

I should have moved here years ago. Closing went well Thursday, and he moved Michelle and the kids in over the weekend. We’re still at the boxes everywhere stage, but we are settling in. Even this far south, wildlife is everywhere and the air is wonderful.

Welcome, happy to have you.

[NH Shooter]

Glad to hear you made it - welcome!