NH Best State to Retire

[TiltonBB]

New Hampshire was named number one by Bankrate.com.

Maine is 3rd

Mass is 7th

http://www.bankrate.com/retirement/t...ment/#slide=11

[fatlazyless]

This area is soooo safe as far as crime goes, that it seems to be much more likely to have a car collision with bambi the wild deer, than to have a home burglary while away from home. Is a good thing all the wild deer do not know enough to be breaking into your home, looking for food, which is supposedly something that bears can do in Alaska. Last week, I had a herd of ten deer, no fool'n, spread onto mine and my neighbor's yards ..... ten hungry deer ..... all in one group...and wanting to eat something.

A fire at home, such as a fire that starts in the middle of the night, or in an unoccupied, at the time, residence ...... is a real concern. Fire makes a huge mess!

In Waterville Valley, a very large, expensive, relatively new, and unoccupied (at the time) single family home was totally burnt to a burnt out crisp in something like one hour, in January or February, 2017, when it exploded, and was immediately engulfed in a huge, powerful fire. The charred ruins are easy to see.....today....still there.....what's left is covered by deep, heavy snow. Probably, it was a propane gas leak that was ignited by an undetermined item such as the propane or oil powered boiler/furnace firing up and igniting leaked flammable propane gas with explosive force......... but who knows?

Just look what happened with a fire to a very sturdy looking, elevated, interstate highway in Atlanta, Georgia, recently. How the heck did that fire get so big and strong, so fast, that it could do what it did?

[Slickcraft]

Well I suppose that ranking #1 sounds good. However only 6 better than Mass in the rankings makes me wonder about the criteria.

[Hillcountry]

Does anyone else think that these "surveys" are all baloney?
Along, of course with political polls, "voted best" polls, and any other drivel some obscure entity can come up with to justify their existence??!!

I'm retired and live in NH and love it...but not because of anyone else's "determination of the week"

Gimme my family, my boat, my guns and my freedom...your surveys are wasted on me.

Oh, and someone throw FLL a couple of fat Kmart noodles...I believe he's drowning in his own brand of drivel...

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

This area is soooo safe as far as crime goes, that it seems to be much more likely to have a car collision with bambi the wild deer, than to have a home burglary while away from home. Is a good thing all the wild deer do not know enough to be breaking into your home, looking for food, which is supposedly something that bears can do in Alaska. Last week, I had a herd of ten deer, no fool'n, spread onto mine and my neighbor's yards ..... ten hungry deer ..... all in one group...and wanting to eat something.

A fire at home, such as a fire that starts in the middle of the night, or in an unoccupied, at the time, residence ...... is a real concern. Fire makes a huge mess!

In Waterville Valley, a very large, expensive, relatively new, and unoccupied (at the time) single family home was totally burnt to a burnt out crisp in something like one hour, in January or February, 2017, when it exploded, and was immediately engulfed in a huge, powerful fire. The charred ruins are easy to see.....today....still there.....what's left is covered by deep, heavy snow. Probably, it was a propane gas leak that was ignited by an undetermined item such as the propane or oil powered boiler/furnace firing up and igniting leaked flammable propane gas with explosive force......... but who knows?

Just look what happened with a fire to a very sturdy looking, elevated, interstate highway in Atlanta, Georgia, recently. How the heck did that fire get so big and strong, so fast, that it could do what it did?

What part of this post is related to retiring in NH?

[rsmlp]

US News and World "ranking" recently put MA as #1 state to live in so I agree with Hillcountry that these reports are dubious. Besides with another 6" of snow
expected tomorrow how many retirees would agree?

[rsmlp]

Wait-this isn't another April fools thingy is it?

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by chipj29

What part of this post is related to retiring in NH?

Just another one of his rambling posts with no useful content.

[fatlazyless]

Starting at age-65, you can ski for free Mon-Fri, holidays excluded, at state owned www.cannonmtn.com and the big tram runs on Fri-Sat-Sun, so the Cannon Tram is doable for free for silver ski streakers on Fridays.

[Rich]

If NH didn't have a interest and dividends tax, I'd think it would be at the top of the list of places to retire.

Anyone that is retired will be living on their investments, and SS. Most investments will probably create interest and dividends. Have enough to live on, and you end up paying taxes to NH.

So all your life you work, and there is no income taxes in NH (but we have our high property taxes), then you retire and you will probably end up paying interest and dividends taxes, a bit ironic, no?

At this point I'm here, but would like someplace less expensive to live, but I can't find any place as beautiful as NH, and that is less expensive to live.

[dpg]

Originally Posted by Rich

If NH didn't have a interest and dividends tax, I'd think it would be at the top of the list of places to retire.

Anyone that is retired will be living on their investments, and SS. Most investments will probably create interest and dividends. Have enough to live on, and you end up paying taxes to NH.

So all your life you work, and there is no income taxes in NH (but we have our high property taxes), then you retire and you will probably end up paying interest and dividends taxes, a bit ironic, no?

At this point I'm here, but would like someplace less expensive to live, but I can't find any place as beautiful as NH, and that is less expensive to live.

You have high property taxes in NH?? Hmmm interesting I'd swap tax bills with 3/4 of the people on this site I'm sure......

[WINNOCTURN]

Originally Posted by dpg

You have high property taxes in NH?? Hmmm interesting I'd swap tax bills with 3/4 of the people on this site I'm sure......

Find the Town with the MOST SHORE FRONT and see how your Property Taxes are.

[wifi]

Originally Posted by WINNOCTURN

Find the Town with the MOST SHORE FRONT and see how your Property Taxes are.

The assumption is that that town keeps spending in check, because of a rich tax base. That answer is up for debate.

[Biggd]

Taxes in Ma. are no bargain.

[TiltonBB]

Just for comparison purposes here are some 2015 Tax Rates:

MA Towns 2015

Stoneham - FY 2015: $12.96

Tewksbury - FY 2015: $16.37

Wakefield - FY 2015: $13.48

Wilmington - FY 2015: $14.37

Winchester - FY 2015: $12.14

Woburn - FY 2015: $10.17

NH Towns 2015

Alton 14.27
Barnstead 27.15
Belmont 28.27
Bridgewater 9.73
Bristol 20.13
Brookfield 18.98
Center Harbor 14.38
Conway 19.09
Effingham 20.47
Farmington 25.09
Freedom 12.10
Gilford 17.97
Gilmanton 25.94
Hebron 7.96
Holderness 14.18
Laconia 22.20
Madison 16.51
Meredith 15.20
Middleton 28.65
Milton 28.60
Moultonboro 9.01

[8gv]

Regarding the tax rates, are there other factors that affect the actual tax bill?

I might be behind the times and am also basing my understanding on another state's methods. Here is how it worked in CT:

1) Every ten years there would be a new assessment that would fix the value of your property.

2) You would be taxed on 70% of that value.

3) The mil rate would go down a lot in the first year of the assessment because the value of the property would be significantly higher than it was in the previous assessment ten years prior.

4) Each year the mil rate would creep up as the town increased its spending.


So my question is:

Is there that much difference in the taxes actually paid in the towns listed above or am I seeing a big spread in mil rate due to the timing of property assessment?

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

Just for comparison purposes here are some 2015 Tax Rates:

MA Towns 2015

Stoneham - FY 2015: $12.96

Tewksbury - FY 2015: $16.37

Wakefield - FY 2015: $13.48

Wilmington - FY 2015: $14.37

Winchester - FY 2015: $12.14

Woburn - FY 2015: $10.17

NH Towns 2015

Alton 14.27
Barnstead 27.15
Belmont 28.27
Bridgewater 9.73
Bristol 20.13
Brookfield 18.98
Center Harbor 14.38
Conway 19.09
Effingham 20.47
Farmington 25.09
Freedom 12.10
Gilford 17.97
Gilmanton 25.94
Hebron 7.96
Holderness 14.18
Laconia 22.20
Madison 16.51
Meredith 15.20
Middleton 28.65
Milton 28.60
Moultonboro 9.01

Keep in mind though that tax rate is not equal to tax $ paid. What I mean is that the property values in general are higher in Mass than they are in NH. Of course if you own waterfront property that will probably not be true. But a 2,000 sf non-waterfront home in Gilford would be worth quite a bit less than a 2,000 sf non-waterfront home in Stoneham for example.

[Orion]

The tax rates are rough guidelines on relative taxes, but you really have to look at what the actual taxes are on any given property. My MA home in central MA is valued 20% lower than my waterfront property in Tuftonboro, but I pay about the same tax on both. Too many variables in using a tax "rate" to assess relative taxes.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by chipj29

Keep in mind though that tax rate is not equal to tax $ paid. What I mean is that the property values in general are higher in Mass than they are in NH. Of course if you own waterfront property that will probably not be true. But a 2,000 sf non-waterfront home in Gilford would be worth quite a bit less than a 2,000 sf non-waterfront home in Stoneham for example.

Waterfront homes in Mass pay high property taxes also. Mass has income tax and sales tax too. We didn't get the name taxachusettes for nothing. But we reap the rewards when we sell and move out as I hope to do in a couple years.

[Rich]

I didn't think we were discussing MA in any way in this thread. I thought this was about retiring in NH?

Personally, and especially since I have no immediate family that lives in MA, I couldn't care less what the tax rate is south of our state border.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by Rich

I didn't think we were discussing MA in any way in this thread. I thought this was about retiring in NH?

Personally, and especially since I have no immediate family that lives in MA, I couldn't care less what the tax rate is south of our state border.

You're contradicting yourself. "I couldn't care less"? Anyway, it's a discussion board. If there's something you don't like then don't read it and respond to it. Mass is in the OP's opening post at #7 so it is also open for discussion. Maine is also in there at #3 so I guess that opens that state up for discussion too.

[Donzi Minx]

I live in one of the Cities in Mass that has the hottest zip codes for real estate.
Melrose, 02176 was not listed in the comparison but people (young professionals jumping on the commuter rail to work in Bahstun) are indeed buying in Melrose. What is really eating my yearly salary is something that is never talked about by local agencies. The hot housing market will slow when the 3 percent hike annually in water in sewer rates becomes equal to your taxes. I'm talking about MWRA.....thank you Mr. Dukakis for not appropriating federal funding to clean up the Harbor. Water and sewer at my address runs $2,800.00 to $3,200.00 a year....ouch, Lynfield pays $500.00.
Did the Melrose Howlands pollute Boston Harbor? Conversely people in Worcester didn't either but the cost to bear, was saddled to approximately 60 communities
within the Commonwealth of Cash. Apply rates broadly and fairly.....someday.
Tell me I can pitch a tent on the witches.... I'm there!

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by Donzi Minx

I live in one of the Cities in Mass that has the hottest zip codes for real estate.
Melrose, 02176 was not listed in the comparison but people (young professionals jumping on the commuter rail to work in Bahstun) are indeed buying in Melrose. What is really eating my yearly salary is something that is never talked about by local agencies. The hot housing market will slow when the 3 percent hike annually in water in sewer rates becomes equal to your taxes. I'm talking about MWRA.....thank you Mr. Dukakis for not appropriating federal funding to clean up the Harbor. Water and sewer at my address runs $2,800.00 to $3,200.00 a year....ouch, Lynfield pays $500.00.
Did the Melrose Howlands pollute Boston Harbor? Conversely people in Worcester didn't either but the cost to bear, was saddled to approximately 60 communities
within the Commonwealth of Cash. Apply rates broadly and fairly.....someday.
Tell me I can pitch a tent on the witches.... I'm there!

That's a heavy water bill. I live in Waltham and we also are on MWRA but our water bill for a single family home generally runs about $800.00 to $1000.00 a year. I don't have underground sprinklers but I do occasionally water my grass. You need some water conservation. New water saving toilets and shower heads. Maybe shower and wash clothes once a month while Fabreezing in between.

[Descant]

Originally Posted by Rich

If NH didn't have a interest and dividends tax, I'd think it would be at the top of the list of places to retire.

Anyone that is retired will be living on their investments, and SS. Most investments will probably create interest and dividends. Have enough to live on, and you end up paying taxes to NH.

So all your life you work, and there is no income taxes in NH (but we have our high property taxes), then you retire and you will probably end up paying interest and dividends taxes, a bit ironic, no?

At this point I'm here, but would like someplace less expensive to live, but I can't find any place as beautiful as NH, and that is less expensive to live.

There were three bills in the NH Legislature this year on the I & D tax. One to repeal (killed) one to "phase out", held in committee until January, and one to increase the exemption to $10,000, that was tabled to later in the budget process.

While other expenses can be high, (slip rent, winter storage) those who use their boat as a second home pay only the registration fee, no direct property tax. Of course, the slip owner or marina pays property tax.

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by Donzi Minx

I live in one of the Cities in Mass that has the hottest zip codes for real estate.
Melrose, 02176 was not listed in the comparison but people (young professionals jumping on the commuter rail to work in Bahstun) are indeed buying in Melrose. Water and sewer at my address runs $2,800.00 to $3,200.00 a year....ouch, Lynfield pays $500.00.
Did the Melrose Howlands pollute Boston Harbor? Conversely people in Worcester didn't either but the cost to bear, was saddled to approximately 60 communities
within the Commonwealth of Cash. Apply rates broadly and fairly.....someday.
Tell me I can pitch a tent on the witches.... I'm there!

Lynnfield has two water departments and does not have town sewer. All of the homes in Lynnfield have private septic systems. South Lynnfield gets it's water from the MWRA and the other half of the town is on wells. Because of the cost savings I would take a good septic system over the MWRA rates any day.

[noreast]

Obviously You have to look at the entirety of the taxes, Not just RE. The only real negative for me is basically 6 months of winter. Other than that Mrs Lincoln how was the play?

[MAXUM]

NH seems cheap because it hides many of it's taxes as "fees" that get overlooked.

[Just Sold]

Originally Posted by Donzi Minx

I live in one of the Cities in Mass that has the hottest zip codes for real estate.
Melrose, 02176 was not listed in the comparison but people (young professionals jumping on the commuter rail to work in Bahstun) are indeed buying in Melrose. What is really eating my yearly salary is something that is never talked about by local agencies. The hot housing market will slow when the 3 percent hike annually in water in sewer rates becomes equal to your taxes. I'm talking about MWRA.....thank you Mr. Dukakis for not appropriating federal funding to clean up the Harbor. Water and sewer at my address runs $2,800.00 to $3,200.00 a year....ouch, Lynfield pays $500.00.
Did the Melrose Howlands pollute Boston Harbor? Conversely people in Worcester didn't either but the cost to bear, was saddled to approximately 60 communities
within the Commonwealth of Cash. Apply rates broadly and fairly.....someday.
Tell me I can pitch a tent on the witches.... I'm there!

That water and sewer bill was one of the reasons I sold and moved to NH in 1991. I saw those costs increasing faster than my property value and jumping ahead of the property taxes. Although my brother still has the family business located in Melrose. Moving to NH was the best decision I have made.

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

Lynnfield has two water departments and does not have town sewer. All of the homes in Lynnfield have private septic systems. South Lynnfield gets it's water from the MWRA and the other half of the town is on wells. Because of the cost savings I would take a good septic system over the MWRA rates any day.

I am not sure the bolded is true. I grew up in Lynnfield Center (right off Main St near 128), and we had a well but it only provided water to the irrigation system.

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by chipj29

I am not sure the bolded is true. I grew up in Lynnfield Center (right off Main St near 128), and we had a well but it only provided water to the irrigation system.

I am sure that is true but I was not referring to private wells at individual homes. The Lynnfield Center Water District gets all of it's water sold to residents from wells. That is the source of drinking water coming into homes, not the MWRA. It represents a substantial savings over MWRA rates.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Descant

There were three bills in the NH Legislature this year on the I & D tax. One to repeal (killed) one to "phase out", held in committee until January, and one to increase the exemption to $10,000, that was tabled to later in the budget process.

While other expenses can be high, (slip rent, winter storage) those who use their boat as a second home pay only the registration fee, no direct property tax. Of course, the slip owner or marina pays property tax.

I didn't know about these bills. It would be good to at least raise the exemption, as it costs more these days to retire than it probably did when this tax was put in place or last adjusted. A higher limit would give retirees more of a break while trying to live on their fixed income.

Repealing the I&D taxes would go along with the 'no income tax' mentality of NH also, I wonder how much revenue comes from this source.

Oh... doing some googling, it looks like the NH revenue from this is about $96K. One has to wonder if we cut some waste if this could easily be repealed.

https://www.nh.gov/transparentnh/whe...ey-comes-from/

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by Rich

Oh... doing some googling, it looks like the NH revenue from this is about $96K. One has to wonder if we cut some waste if this could easily be repealed.

https://www.nh.gov/transparentnh/whe...ey-comes-from/

You may have missed three zeros, it was $77 million in 2011.

http://www.granitestatetaxpayers.org...nue-come-from/

[Rich]

Oh, looking closer there was an asterisk at the bottom of the page stating the numbers were in millions, I thought this seemed like an awfully small number!

Still... cut some waste!

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

I am sure that is true but I was not referring to private wells at individual homes. The Lynnfield Center Water District gets all of it's water sold to residents from wells. That is the source of drinking water coming into homes, not the MWRA. It represents a substantial savings over MWRA rates.

Yup, you are correct, sorry for the misinformation.

[mcdude]

Originally Posted by Biggd

Maine is also in there at #3 so I guess that opens that state up for discussion too.

Maine will tax your retirement income at 6%....unlike NH.

[jeffk]

Originally Posted by Rich

...
Anyone that is retired will be living on their investments, and SS. Most investments will probably create interest and dividends.

I disagree, especially now. Interest rates are almost non existent. If at 1% interest you needed $25,000 (in addition to SS) for retirement living expenses you would have to have $2 1/2 million saved to earn the $25,000. Dividends are better but not great. I have been investing for over 50 years and the vast majority of my investment income has been from capital gains, the appreciation of an asset. New Hampshire does not tax investment capital gains.

If you are a conservative investor, you may put all your money in CDs and bonds. Safe, but you won't earn very much. In the past, such investments did a little better and they may again in the future. But investment in quality stocks has proven, over time, to provide good returns with reasonable risk. If you can get an average return of 5% on stocks, a conservative target, you would only have to have $500,000 invested to earn $25,000 a year.

Everyone, of course gets to make their own choices but if you are seeking capital gains, NH taxes are very income friendly, making retirement very comfortable.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by mcdude

Maine will tax your retirement income at 6%....unlike NH.

Taxes are high for everything in Maine. #3 really? They couldn't have used cost of living in this rating because Mass and Maine are both very high.

[8gv]

Originally Posted by mcdude

Maine will tax your retirement income at 6%....unlike NH.

I am retired and thus do not have wages.

My income typical for a retiree without a pension.

On 4/18 NH wants a B.F.C..

Somebody has to pay for government services.

I feel a bit better paying taxes here than in CT because there is at least some level of fiscal restraint in NH.

[mcdude]

Originally Posted by 8gv

On 4/18 NH wants a B.F.C..

um.....what's a B.F.C.? I googled it but didn't come up with much. Thanks

[8gv]

Originally Posted by mcdude

um.....what's a B.F.C.? I googled it but didn't come up with much. Thanks

A very large check...

[Doobs41378]

Originally Posted by mcdude

um.....what's a B.F.C.? I googled it but didn't come up with much. Thanks

[upthesaukee]

It's an adjective, a gerund, and a noun.

Sent from my GT-P5210 using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

[Mr. V]

I wouldn't want to retire in NH, primarily because of the usually cold winters.

My folks moved to NH to work and retire there, and shortly after retiring mom slipped on some ice and broke her hip.

[MikeF-NH]

Originally Posted by Biggd

You're contradicting yourself. "I couldn't care less"?

I usually defer to "The Caring Continuum" for this one
https://incompetech.com/gallimaufry/care_less.html

[TiltonBB]

NH came in 4th lowest for crime:

24/7 Wall St. reviewed violent crime rates in each state from data collected through the FBI’s 2015 Uniform Crime Report Program.

Violent crimes per 100,000: 199.3
Total population: 1,330,608
Total 2015 murders: 14.0 (2nd lowest)
Poverty rate: 8.2% (the lowest)

New Hampshire is one of just four states where fewer than 200 violent crimes were reported per 100,000 state residents in 2015. The low level of violence in the state is likely at least partially due to economic prosperity. The state’s poverty rate of 8.2% is the lowest in the nation.

For a variety of reasons, cities tend to report more violence. Manchester reported 671 violent crimes per 100,000 city residents, one of the highest violent crime rates of any U.S. city. However, Manchester is also one of New Hampshire’s only major cities, and the low number of urban areas in the state could partially account for New Hampshire’s low violent crime rate.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

NH came in 4th lowest for crime:

24/7 Wall St. reviewed violent crime rates in each state from data collected through the FBI’s 2015 Uniform Crime Report Program.

Violent crimes per 100,000: 199.3
Total population: 1,330,608
Total 2015 murders: 14.0 (2nd lowest)
Poverty rate: 8.2% (the lowest)

New Hampshire is one of just four states where fewer than 200 violent crimes were reported per 100,000 state residents in 2015. The low level of violence in the state is likely at least partially due to economic prosperity. The state’s poverty rate of 8.2% is the lowest in the nation.

For a variety of reasons, cities tend to report more violence. Manchester reported 671 violent crimes per 100,000 city residents, one of the highest violent crime rates of any U.S. city. However, Manchester is also one of New Hampshire’s only major cities, and the low number of urban areas in the state could partially account for New Hampshire’s low violent crime rate.

Manchester is also a high drug use city. I think violent crime and high drug use go hand in hand.