Living in New Hampshire
At first glance, the only notable thing about New Hampshire might be its motto: Live Free or Die.
It is unfair to judge a state solely by its motto. If we did, we’d have to believe that Idaho really does only have potato farms going for it. And to be fair, Live Free or Die does have a lot going for it in terms of motto offerings: it’s a challenge, it’s a call to patriotism, and it’s more macho sounding than the Tennessee motto of “Agriculture and Commerce.”
That being said, just because it’s the state motto doesn’t mean you’ll be engaged with it at every possible opportunity. Odds are good the person bagging your groceries won’t encourage you to “Live Free or DIE!” before giving you change and wishing you a good day. But if the auto mechanic says it after completing a brake job, you’d be forgiven for taking a taxi.
But don’t let the awesome motto fool you; New Hampshire offers a great deal to its residents.
WORKING
Working in New Hampshire offers some very encouraging statistics. New Hampshire workers earned, on average, $25.26 per hour in June 2018, according to the latest Occupational Employment Statistics estimates. Employment statewide is estimated to be 649,950, which reflects May 2017 data, the latest available for employment figures.
And here’s some more food for thought: New Hampshire does not have a state tax. This means three things: no state tax taken out from the paychecks, no state tax form to fill out during tax season, and you get to go shopping without having to worry about extra fees on the final bill. How awesome is this? So awesome that residents from Massachusetts, Maine, and Connecticut have been known to travel to New Hampshire just to shop.
You know you’re on to something when your neighbors would rather shop in your town.
WEATHER
New Hampshire experiences a humid continental climate, with warm, humid summers, and long, cold, and snowy winters. As with most states, the rain comes and goes as it pleases, so don’t be surprised if the weather outside drops to 20 degrees and adds rain in for good measure.
We know what you’re thinking, by the way: Humid? How does a place with long winters qualify as a humid climate? Simple; it’s not winter all the time in New Hampshire. What do you think this place is, Minnesota? Please.
But the other seasons do make appearances in New Hampshire, and since fall tends to be everyone’s favorite, anyone moving to New Hampshire will get a chance to experience some beautiful fall weather and sites. That may be a blessing to people coming from regions not known for weather diversity, but it will mean you’ll be in charge of raking your own leaves if you’re moving into a house with trees on the property.
Also, the snowmobile was invented in New Hampshire, a fun fact to consider if you get the chance to take one of those bad boys for a spin in fresh snow. Just keep your eyes on the road; those snow rabbits can be tricky buggers if they choose to jump out in front of you.
THINGS TO DO
New Hampshire jumped on the brewery bus some time ago, which means there will no shortage of beer offerings here, including Portsmouth Brewery and One Love Brewery. The diners here enjoy the reputation of providing some of the best pancakes in New England.
But if beer and pancakes don’t seem very exciting, consider this: New Hampshire takes a liberal view on the use of home fireworks (translation: go crazy as long as you don’t get yourself or anyone else hurt). Also, when we say “home fireworks,” we of course mean fireworks you can purchase, bring home, and ignite IN YOUR YARD. Never light them in the house. We’re saying this because we have to, and because someone probably has.
And tying back to what was already said about the snowmobiles, the state also features some fine skiing. New Hampshire’s ski resorts at Attitash and Wildcat, both of which make for excellent places to ski in Mt. Washington Valley.
Additionally, there’s the Harman Cheese and Country Store, Madame Sherri’s Haunted Castle Ruins, the Old Man in the Mountain, and the Mount Washington Cog Railway. During the summer season, try the lakes like Ossipee Lake, Squam Lake, or Hampton Beach.
CULTURE
New Hampshire residents really enjoy being self-reliant. Maybe it’s the motto, but the residents take an active interest in maintaining their state. And we don’t just mean worrying about their home values or whether the neighbors aren’t mowing the yard. The state has a very active conservation mindset, which means they take land conservation very seriously.
Every state experiences a certain level of regional snobbery about their home’s features, and New Hampshire proves to be no exception. When moving to New Hampshire, be prepared to look down upon the people who you will come to classify as flatlanders. Contrary to what you might believe, the term does not apply to people who don’t live in flat areas but rather to the tourists who come to the state to hike the trails and stare at the elevated land offerings.
Snobby? Probably. Who cares? They don’t live here, so they get to be teased. You should hear what the Florida natives think of the tourists. But don’t let the initial coolness throw you; the state prides itself on being open-minded, so being respectful will take you a long way here.
BEER, PANCAKES, AND HIGHER ELEVATION
Liking the idea of moving to New Hampshire? Ready to try the Live Free or Die aesthetic? (Seriously, though; if your Uber driver greets you by yelling the state motto, don’t get in the car. The driver probably doesn’t believe in using turn signals). Relocating can be a difficult challenge, but with help from Colonial Van Lines, it doesn’t need to be an unpleasant experience. Call a Colonial Van Lines professional and find out how simple a move to New Hampshire can be.