Racer from Chicago... considering New Hampshire

[greeny]

Hey guys! There's a job in Milford that I'm considering taking and I had a few questions about the area. First of all, a tiny bit about me for context:

I'm a MW NESBA CR (well, former MW CR ) and I race primarily with CCS. I've been on an 08 R6 my whole track-riding career but recently picked up an SV to save a few bucks instead. Meh. Anyway, I'm familiar with NHMS and LRRS - so that should satisfy my riding needs for at least a while. I also mtn bike and ski, so I'll definitely find ways to fill my time.

So... from my limited online research, I feel like Nashua would be a good place to call home. I was hoping to get some of your opinions of the area. I feel like it's a good fit because it's about 20 mins from the office and much closer to Boston than Manchester. What do you guys think? Thanks in advance for the help!

Jordan

[OreoGaborio]

I lived in Nashua while going to college... not a bad town to live.................. but that was also 8 years ago.

[nhbubba]

Nashua isn't the worst, and it isn't the greatest.

Avoid down-town. I lived down town for about 5 years up until about 6 years ago. Main street in Nashua is pretty cool; couple decent restaurants and bars. But just one block off main and things go to shit. They call it the tree streets. Just not the NH I grew up knowing.

I have a good friend that still lives in one of the condo complexes west of Everett. It isn't bad out there, I guess. I think most of his neighbors are d-bags. But at least the cops aren't on perma-patrol.

That's another thing, Nashua PD seems to be stocked with wet-behind-the-ear noobs. I imagine they are trying, but they hassled everyone and anyone I knew.

Honestly, if you're getting a job in Milford I'd live in Milford or even points west of there. I have friends in Brookline now. That's nice.

Although realize that I hate the city. I want nothing to do with Boston. I see you list 'nearer to Boston'. If you want easy access to Boston, Nashua is your town.

Everett and I-93 make getting to the skiing in the whites easy. I used to have a season pass to Waterville and Loon. We'd be able to get to loon in < 1.5 hours. Loudon is likewise easy.

I am sure you figured out the tax thing by now. But don't land in MA if you are going to work in NH.

Good luck.

[brady]

Derry is another good option.

[cbr_chick_nh]

I've found most people i know that live in Nashua don't love it... And it's often referred as a temporary living town. Depending on how long you're planning on sticking around might reconsider. No offense to anyway, but it's nicknamed Trashua for a reason

On an good note, they do have a few nice bars and restaurants... Milford is a nice town... Amherst and Bedford are nice but they all come with a price.

What are you looking for?

[mzdagrl]

Nashua isn't the worst, and it isn't the greatest.
Honestly, if you're getting a job in Milford I'd live in Milford or even points west of there. I have friends in Brookline now. That's nice.

I am sure you figured out the tax thing by now. But don't land in MA if you are going to work in NH.

Good luck.

Milford itself is a really cute town, and it is close enough to Nashua that you can get there for anything that you might want very easily. That whole area is basically one giant "Greater Nashua," in that everyone goes there for everything anyway. My boss (I work in Nashua at the mall) lives in Milford, and while my husband was working in Merrimack we considered relocating there ourselves. You could also consider Merrimack, Amherst, Brookline, or even parts of Hollis, without getting too far away from work or play.

[brady]

There's a job in Milford that I'm considering taking and I had a few questions about the area.

please clarify, Milford NH or MA?

edit:

If he's talking about Nashua being ~20 min from work, he has to be talking about Milford NH.

good point

[nhbubba]

If he's talking about Nashua being ~20 min from work, he has to be talking about Milford NH.

[burtonboarder23]

My wife and i bought a house in Nashua over by the air port last Sept and love it. The commute to Burlington can suck down rt3 but if you time it right its almost never an issue.

[greeny]

Wow lots of great info, thanks! I guess my train of thought was that living in Nashua would provide me easy access to Boston (my only current friends in the whole area live in Boston, and it's the only place within reason that somewhat resembles Chicago... if I need a metropolitan fix or somethin'), while still being close to work, and giving me some sort of sense living in a city myself. I'm a single, 28 yr old so I figured living in downtown Nashua or the immediate surrounding areas would be best for meeting people and being social. From what I can tell, it seems like living in Milford would be a little more 'off the beaten path', no? I'll probably get a better sense of the area when I come and visit on the 13th.

Thanks for all the insight! I'm actually pretty excited for the prospective change of pace. It kinda sucks that Loudon is the only track within 7 hours or so, but you can't win 'em all, huh? haha

So I'll be sure to look into a few more options now, thanks!

[JettaJayGLS]

It kinda sucks that Loudon is the only track within 7 hours or so, but you can't win 'em all, huh? haha

NJMP is under 7 hours from Boston, not by much though.

[G21forme]

You are correct about living in milford being off the beaten path but mostly because you have to drive all the way down amherst st to get to 3 and that blows. What are you looking for an apt, house, or condo? Do you need bike and tailor space? I've lived in and around nashua my entire life.

[greeny]

NJMP is under 7 hours from Boston, not by much though.

yea i figured there's gonna have to be a few road trips out there once i'm settled in. who's comin' with me!?

You are correct about living in milford being off the beaten path but mostly because you have to drive all the way down amherst st to get to 3 and that blows. What are you looking for an apt, house, or condo? Do you need bike and tailor space? I've lived in and around nashua my entire life.

i'll rent whatever works out well for me... no preference at this point. and yea, i'll have a trailer with me but in the past, i've rented out storage lockers to work on my bike when there weren't other options at my residence - so that's not a deal breaker for me.

[Pigman]

Welcome and if you want to get up to speed and familar with NHIS we can help you also.... --------> http://bostonmoto.com

[butcher bergs]

Nashua is okay but there's a reason I moved an hr away the instant I had a chance. Just sayin'.

If you don't require being in the "middle of it all", consider surrounding towns such as Hudson and Merrimack.

If you're looking for ease of travel to get to Boston, good luck!! Rte 3 and 93 always turn into parking lots in the morning and afternoon however if commuting to Boston is more important than being close to the job in Milford, consider Pelham, Windham, Londonderry.

Goffstown will also allow fairly easy access to Milford. It all depends on what is important to you.

Again, good luck and hopefully we will be able to welcome you to the area soon!

[nhbubba]

You have it right. If you want easy access to Boston, I think your best options are going to be Nashua (off Everett/Rt 3) or Salem (off 93). If you're going to work in Milford, that kinda narrows it down.

Never been to Chicago. But you'll probably find Nashua amazingly quiet and boring. The 'city' is literally 1 street wide.

I found rent very high in Nashua. Everything is relative to what you know though, so...
I actually regret living there for 5 friggin' years and renting the whole time. Every year I'd re-up the lease thinking "This is the last year, I'm moving next year."

[whynot]

Some of my rides take me into NH. The big question is always, how the heck to get around Nashua? What a congested mess, the worst of Southern NH, worse than US Rte 1 on the coast. Let's say you were in Derry at http://www.seacoastsport.com/ and wanted to ride westward, not many good choices. If I were in your shoes, I'd keep researching and looking in person.

As far as heading into Boston, avoid commuter hours and it can be OK.

[nhbubba]

Say whut? Getting through Nashua N-S is easy as pie. Rt-3 ALWAYS opens right up as soon as you get past that mall exit. Hauling ass through there is not hard.

From Derry to points west? 101.

Given I haven't used Everett on a daily basis in some time, but at its worst it is still a piece of cake compared to 93 or Rt 3 between Burlington and Chelmsford.

There are fun ways E-W avoiding Amherst Street too. They aren't necessarily faster than Amherst. But they are more fun.

[stoinkythepig]

Some of my rides take me into NH. The big question is always, how the heck to get around Nashua? What a congested mess, the worst of Southern NH, worse than US Rte 1 on the coast. Let's say you were in Derry at http://www.seacoastsport.com/ and wanted to ride westward, not many good choices.

I do this route on my commute. Enjoy the plentiful curves, minimal traffic lights, and light traffic.

West on Windham Depot, Left on North Lowell Road, Right on East Nashua Road, Right on Londonderry Road, Left on Nashua Road, Left on Kendall Pond Road, Left on Mammoth Road, Right on 111, Left on Sullivan Road, Left on Clement Road, Right on Kimball Hill Road, Left on Speare Road, Left on Bush Hill Road, Right on Wason Road, Left on 3A, Right on Circumference Highway (toward route 3), Right on Spit Brook. This puts you at the start of some seriously fun roads if you head into Dunstable and Groton.

[greeny]

i'm definitely taking this ALL in, thanks guys.

so i figured machester was a little too far... but it seems that it might be worth the extra 15 min drive into work over nashua. would that be a better "city" option than nashua? a little farther from boston but i'm really don't think i'll be headed that way more than a few times a month anyway - so it's not THAT important. or same shit, diff city?

i'll obviously get a better idea of the area when i come visit, but this advice is WAY more helpful than a quick tour of the area.

Welcome and if you want to get up to speed and familar with NHIS we can help you also.... --------> http://bostonmoto.com

i'll definitely need a couple trackdays to learn the new bike and the new track!

[nhbubba]

would that be a better "city" option than nashua? ... or same shit, diff city?

Never lived in the Manch. Spent a lotta money at the bars up there though.

Ultimately I think it is the same shit, different location. I'd pick Manchester over Nashua if forced at gun-point simply because its further from the border and the associated retail insanity that comes with it. Skiing is ~20-30 min closer too. Nobody goes south to ski. Rents are probably cheaper too.

[BostonSVkid]

I lived in NH my whole life till I was 22 and have been in boston for almost 9 years since. Personally, I would never live in Nashua or Manchester but it all depends on what you are looking for. I live in a city now (boston) but its because my wife works there. If you want to be able to walk or cheaply take cabs to the bars, then they are your best best. If you want quiet an dont mind driving into those cities then there are so many good options otherwise.

[Garandman]

I live in Boston, have an office in Manchster, and used to live in Nashua. Nashua really isn't that much closer to Boston.

Are you by yourself, shopping for a GF, or with a family? Putting kids in school? There are some appealing small towns near Milford, but the social opportunities would be pretty limited. Manchester and Nashua are more active relatively, but Boston is where the women are.

[brady]

so i figured machester was a little too far... but it seems that it might be worth the extra 15 min drive into work over nashua.

There are some great rentals and quiet neighborhoods in the North End of Manchester with easy access to the highways. I'm not sure how clogged up RT 101 West to Milford gets these days, though.

[whynot]

I do this route on my commute. Enjoy the plentiful curves, minimal traffic lights, and light traffic.

West on Windham Depot, Left on North Lowell Road, Right on East Nashua Road, Right on Londonderry Road, Left on Nashua Road, Left on Kendall Pond Road, Left on Mammoth Road, Right on 111, Left on Sullivan Road, Left on Clement Road, Right on Kimball Hill Road, Left on Speare Road, Left on Bush Hill Road, Right on Wason Road, Left on 3A, Right on Circumference Highway (toward route 3), Right on Spit Brook. This puts you at the start of some seriously fun roads if you head into Dunstable and Groton.

Good to know! Thank you. I use the beginning and end of that route, but with 10 miles of Rte 111 in between, your route looks great.

Kurt