thesimonsens
Premium
join:2007-09-14
USA
|  [NH] Looking to Possibly Move to NH and have some ??s
Hello everyone. I see some names that I haven't seen in the pub so I wanted to do a cross post if that is ok.
My husband is a recruiter for the Army and it is almost time for us to move. I have been checking out a few states and I think I have decided that I would like to move to New Hampshire and I have talked him into giving me first choice of state. We have to make a list of 3 places we would like to go but that doesn't guareentee that we get any of the 3 but so far out of the 2 moves we have had to make while in recruiting, we have gotten first pick.
Anyway, although I was worried we wouldn't be able to afford to live in NH due to what others told me, after doing some research, I was able to find a lot of very nice homes for rent for as low as 800-1300/mth. What I do not know is what the cost of utilities runs a month in an average home in NH. (I did see that not many homes seem to be all electric unfortunately  )
Was wondering if anyone could just provide an average of what they spend a month on utilities and roughly the size of the house. We do not get to pick exact location within the state-that will be decided up to the Army so I can't narrow it down to which part of state even. Sorry
I am so excited about the possibility of moving to NH and really hope we get to move there even though it wouldnt be until the end of April. |
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thesimonsens
Premium
join:2007-09-14
USA | wow- no one? |
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Sarah
Premium,ExMod 2002-05
join:2001-01-09
Cambridge, MA
clubs:
| There's not very many New Hampshire-ites here. (New Hampshirians?) I doubt my numbers from Cambridge would help much...
Maybe these will help a bit:
»www.city-data.com/forum/new-hamp···ase.html
»www.city-data.com/forum/new-hamp···ase.html
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capecoddah
join:2005-03-18
Yarmouth Port, MA
| reply to thesimonsens
thesimonses quoth: "(I did see that not many homes seem to be all electric unfortunately )" ???
Avoid all electric in New England! Natural gas is the way to go for Heat (note the capital "H"), hot water, cooking and clothes drying, don't worry about A/C too much. You'll probably be near a "city" and gas will be available. |
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Sweet Witch
Be the flame, not the moth.
Premium,MVM
join:2003-07-15
Gallifrey
 ·Comcast
| reply to thesimonsens
I agree about the gas. My mother's house is oil and it costs upwards of $450/mo to keep it at 65f. My apartment (1/3 the size) has gas and it costs me about $75/mo to keep at 65f. My gas includes hot water and cooking too, bringing the bill up to $100/mo in the winter.
Many homes in New Hampshire actually use propane, and the ones up north often have wood stoves to augment.
You're gonna love New Hampshire  I don't know where you are now but New England is simply gorgeous and the Maine coast is great.
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"While you can teach an old dog new tricks, you simply can't teach him to be a cat."
"Are you my Mummy?" |
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thesimonsens
Premium
join:2007-09-14
USA
| reply to capecoddah
Why avoid all electric?
Two people here so far have said that there oil bill is only 100/mth
»www.city-data.com/forum/new-hamp···ase.html
We had propane in South Dakota and we ended up paying between 300-500 each month during winter so we are afraid of getting into high bills from propane again.
We are hoping to get a place that is anywhere from 1100sf-2000sf |
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Sweet Witch
Be the flame, not the moth.
Premium,MVM
join:2003-07-15
Gallifrey
·Comcast
| said by thesimonsens  :
Why avoid all electric?
Two people here so far have said that there oil bill is only 100/mth
It's not so much to avoid it, it's just really rare around here. I had all electric in Missouri and it wasn't bad but if you lose power, you're hosed. If I lose power I still have hot water and my stove, and I can jumpstart the furnace.
I'm sorry, but there's no way anyone in New England is paying only $100/mo for oil unless they have another source of heat AND have it spread out over the year. At $3.50/gallon, that's under 30 gallons a month - most homes my mother's size, about 2000 sq. ft., use about 150 gallons per month if the sole source.
I would call a few local oil companies up here and tell them your planned square footage and ask them what they believe it would cost.
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"While you can teach an old dog new tricks, you simply can't teach him to be a cat."
"Are you my Mummy?" |
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Sarah
Premium,ExMod 2002-05
join:2001-01-09
Cambridge, MA
clubs:
| reply to thesimonsens
I've always heard natural gas heat is much cheaper than electric heat. Maybe because we have high electricity costs here?
I pay about $120-$170 per month in winter for natural gas heat, it's about a 750sqft apartment and this building is pretty old and quite drafty.
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thesimonsens
Premium
join:2007-09-14
USA
1 edit | reply to Sweet Witch
I will do that! Thank you for the advice 
We are just hoping that f we find a place that we like in the range of 1000-1350/mth (I have found tons of places I love in this range in many cities) that with utility costs on top that we wont have to go over 1800/mth (in either winter or summer) |
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Dominokat
"Hi"
Premium
join:2002-08-06
Boothbay, ME
clubs:
·RoadRunner Cable
2 edits | reply to thesimonsens
All eclectic.. NO NO NO!
New England has the highest rate for power in the nation. (Edit: My first ONE ROOM apartment with everything electric, cost me 350 a month.... for eclectic alone!)
Power for light, of course. But if you find someplace with natural gas piped in you can use for heat and cooking, SO much cheaper!
I'd love to help with what I pay (in Maine) but my electric bill is flat. I pay the same per month (for 12 months) [right now 95.00] no mater how much or little I use. *(I highly recommend this as there is no month to month surprise!) *
HOWEVER, I recently ditched my 40 gallon electric water heater for an LP, "on demand" water heater. And also switched my electric stove to LP also.
My bill, remains the same 95 p/mo. However. My usage has dropped dramatically so when this "contract" expires at the end of this month I expect to see a drop in what I pay.
None of this probably helps you. But this is my experience with the Electric Company. |
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thesimonsens
Premium
join:2007-09-14
USA
1 edit | reply to thesimonsens
So, I emailed various agencies that had some houses listed that if we were to move in the next 30 days that we would like to move into. A couple have already replied with basically the same statement (even though I asked for an ROUGH ESTIMATE and not EXACT COST)
"We do not quote utility costs because it is very subjective - while some residents keep lights on, turn heat up others are more conservative. Any quote would certainly be just a guess."
That is pretty irritating that if a potential renter were to look into a utility cost, that the rental agency would not be willing to give such information  I would think that they would know what the utilities were for a full year from the previous renter/owner |
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Sweet Witch
Be the flame, not the moth.
Premium,MVM
join:2003-07-15
Gallifrey
·Comcast
| I'm not sure they would know actually since the bills probably went to the tenants name, not the landlords.
What you could ask them is what companies handle their utlities, call for the current rates, look at your current bill for your usage, then do some simple math.
--
"While you can teach an old dog new tricks, you simply can't teach him to be a cat."
"Are you my Mummy?" |
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Gizy
Have you thanked a soldier today?
Premium
join:2002-08-26
Lake Oswego, OR
clubs:
| reply to thesimonsens
The rental company won't quote something like that because too many people take it as a guarantee and then get upset when it's considerably higher. They are just covering their liability by not even allowing an estimate.
Sweet Witch has a good idea for comparing. But your OP doesn't indicate where you're moving from. The New England area can have very cold winters, so you may need to adjust your estimate for 4 months out of the year.
Good luck with your move.
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Any Soldier
My Gallery
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thesimonsens
Premium
join:2007-09-14
USA
| We are moving from Ohio (I was born and raised here but have lived in Texas, Hawaii and South Dakota) and husband is from South Dakota.
We are used to lows as far as -30 with winds up to 40mph. The cold really isn't a concern for us and I am looking forward to them actually
I am going to start contacting the companies that provide services in the areas near recruiting centers to see what averages are. I am hoping that they say we shouldn't spend more than an 500/mth even in coldest temps for source of heat and electricity |
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tenpin784
I Went To The Dark Side?
join:2001-03-30
New Durham, NH
| reply to thesimonsens
I dont think all electric is smart up here.
We pay around $100 a month for electric, and we have an electric range and dryer. We have propane for heat and hot water, and use around 100-120 gallons a month during the winter for it, and keep the house at 68*.
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Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.
Disclaimer: These are MY comments, my employer cant be held responsible. |
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thesimonsens
Premium
join:2007-09-14
USA
| reply to thesimonsens
Thanks everyone for all of your help.
I have contacted several places and have received ranges between 100/mth- 550/mth... so, I guess we will just have to take a gamble. I think we will be fine as long as we keep our rent at something under 1200/mth and if we keep it even at 900/mth will be even better.
One other question I did have that maybe someone could help me with is about food.
What are some of the unique food dishes that NH has to offer that we won't be able to find elsewhere. A favorite unique restaurant that is a must try for example?
Thank you again |
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MsTerra
Completely Ridiculous
Premium
join:2002-08-20
Cambridge, MA
| NH isn't a really "foodie" place, although you will want to go for seafood along the MA/NH/ME coast. Of course, lobster is the big deal, but the clams can be very good, too.
Other typical New England dishes include baked beans and brown bread, and Indian pudding. Somewhat counterintuitively, ice cream is HUGE in this region. You won't find Blue Bunny around here, but most towns and cities of any size will have at least one good ice cream place.
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"Strive to change the world in such a way that there's no further need to be a dissident." Lawrence Ferlinghetti
Read my blog! The Joy of Jello Project |
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Sweet Witch
Be the flame, not the moth.
Premium,MVM
join:2003-07-15
Gallifrey
·Comcast
| reply to thesimonsens
There's a local ice cream company here called Brigham's which is very good. They have a few parlors left but most people get it at the grocery store. They also have the most incredible Hot Fudge and Butterscotch toppings!! S&S doesn't carry the toppings but Shaws does. I haven't checked the other stores. Brigham's Mocha Almond is the best
Depending on where you live, there are four major grocery chains in New England - Stop & Shop, Shaw's, Market Basket and Hannafords. Stop & Shop is by far the most expensive followed by Shaw's, Hannafords and Market Basket. I only go to Stop & Shop if Market Basket doesn't have what I'm looking for even though it's closer.
If you want to go organic, Whole Foods is the place to go, but it's nicknamed 'whole paycheck' for a reason. One thing to definitely get at Whole Foods if you can is spices. WF sells them by the pound and you can easily fill a 2 oz jar for around $1 versus $3-$5 at the grocery store. I got 2 oz of Oregano for $0.34 and 4 oz of Dill for $0.98.
You'll also find farmer's markets around, especially during the summer. And, if you like REAL maple syrup, the New Hampshire syrup doesn't have the aftertaste the Vermont syrup has for me. You can buy it right from the farms for much better prices too. Drizzle it over Brigham's vanilla for a treat.
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"While you can teach an old dog new tricks, you simply can't teach him to be a cat."
"Are you my Mummy?" |
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thesimonsens
Premium
join:2007-09-14
USA
| reply to MsTerra
yum... Ice cream! The most important food group!
I am trying to convince my husband to put in for an early transfer but he keeps insisting that they wont allow us to transfer until April. Not sure if I am able to hold out that long though |
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vaxvms
ferroequine fan
Premium
join:2005-03-01
Worcester, MA | reply to thesimonsens
Another chain grocery store is Price Chopper. Stop and Shop also offers online shopping/home delivery using the name PeaPod.
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