As the largest city in New Hampshire and CNN Money's 13th pick out of the best 100 cities to live and launch a business in for 2009, you might ask yourself what the region doesn't offer rather than what it does.
The New England town, which is only hours from New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Canada, has the feel of any one of the noted celebrated cities since it is the business capital of New Hampshire.
With low taxes, likeable climate and locals who make great neighbors, the New Hampshire municipality may just be for you and your family. Read through this guide to find out why more than 100,000 residents reside in the 33 square miles of Manchester.
Manchester Climate
With summer, fall, winter and spring all fully extending three months of the year, locals live in hot, cold and comfortable climate. The summer, averaging 82 degrees at the highest, and the winter, averaging 20 degrees at the lowest, gives locals a chance to lather up with suntan lotion and layer up with sweaters.
Residents keep their umbrellas close in the summer, which averages around 12-inches of rain, and their driveway salt close in the winter, which averages 36-inches of snow. However in the fall and spring, locals are a bit more comfy with tepid temperatures that are not too hot, giving them a chance to cool off following the summer and warm up after the winter. Moving in the fall is a great time of year to relocate, with comfortable climate and no chance of snow.
Manchester Neighborhoods
Twenty five neighborhoods make up Manchester, with each district distinct. Youngsville, Goffes Falls, Rimmon Heights, Notre Dame/McGregorville, Hallsville and Bakersville are a some of the major neighborhoods spread out among the west, east and north ends of the city. With many neighborhood initiative programs in place like Chronic Disease Prevention and Neighborhood Health and Neighborhood Facade Improvement Program, the municipality is keen on keeping both its locals and locale feeling and looking good.
Downtown Manchester is vibrant and full of life with the hustle and bustle of business all around. As the center of economics for New Hampshire, the environment downtown is professional. However, don't let the 9-5 attitude fool you since residents from all over the city come to the core to calm down and have a good time. And don't let all that working and relaxing fool you since there was a 19.7 percent residential growth downtown from 2000 to 2010, proving locals enjoy living in the area that so many others labor and party in. No matter where you move in Manchester, it is a good idea to research neighborhood crime rates in an effort to keep you and your family safe and sound in the city.
Registering Your Car
To register your own vehicle, you must submit the title and proof of residency. If the vehicle is leased, or if there is a lien holder or the vehicle is title-exempt, you must submit the out of state registration, lease agreement, lien holders name and address and proof of residency to the town clerk of the region you live in. Fees differ for each vehicle.
To obtain a New Hampshire license once you move to Manchester, you must fill out an application, pay a fee and provide sufficient identification. The state requires a birth certificate, passport, military identification card, valid photo license from another state, Social Security card, student identification, marriage certificate or divorce degree, military discharge papers, lease or rental agreement, mortgage statement, any current utility bill or payroll check. Some other forms of identification can substitute the preceding paperwork.
For a full list of all the acceptable documents and how to apply for a state license, visit the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles.
Manchester Schools
The Manchester School District, run by Superintendent Dr. Thomas J. Brennan Jr., has 14 elementary, 4 middle and 4 high schools. With a vision statement that reads "each student is prepared to be a responsible citizen, lifelong learner, and contributing member of society," the district imagines success for all the youth that attend the many schools.
With a few elementary and four private high schools, including Holy Family Academy and Trinity High school, Manchester offers students specialized and religious training in town. If your children are not yet college-aged, it is wise to move them from one school to the next in the summer, however, if you have to move during the school year, be extra sensitive to your child's needs.
There are an array of post-secondary sites with the University of New Hampshire at Manchester, Granite State College and Hesser College all offering four-year degrees. Manchester Community College offers two-year degrees, giving area students a chance to attain their associate's in dozens of different fields of study. Other colleges in the area are the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and the New Hampshire Institute of Art.
Manchester Employment
With a 6.6 percent unemployment rate, down 1.3 percent from the national average of 7.9 percent, Manchester proves to be a marketable municipality when it comes time to finding a job. Some of the area's top employers include Elliot Hospital, Verizon Communications, Citizens Bank and Saint Anselm College. However if you are not interested in working in the medical, communications, financial or educational field, other top employers include Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield and Public Service of New Hampshire.
With no earned income tax or general sales tax, Manchester is considered a favorable community to own commerce in. The Manchester Chamber of Commerce is an excellent source to seek out if you are bearing in mind moving your business within the New Hampshire town borders. Chief Executive Officer and President Robin Comstock of the chamber touts marketing opportunities and representation in both local and state government if you join the local organization.
Living Costs in the City
With a median family income of $60,352 and the median home price of 167,533, according to CNN Money, Manchester's cost of living is equal to that of the state and 20.4 percent greater than the national average. Of course when you weigh the cost of living--housing, utilities, transportation, food and health care-- to other nationwide cities, the outlay of livelihood is not as expensive as it seems.
According to Kiplinger, Anchorage, Alaska; Oakland, California; Washington D.C.; Stamford, Connecticut and New York, New York are some of the most expensive municipalities to move to and live in, making Manchester much less expensive. With affordable area houses, cost-effective condominiums and reasonably priced rentals, finding a place to call home is financially feasible if you are considering relocating to the region. Couple that with no earned income and sales tax, reasonable utility rates, and fair food and healthcare costs, and Manchester may just be where you want to move.
Manchester Moving Resources
Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Manchester, whether you’re moving from out of state or from another county in New Hampshire. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:
Manchester Transportation
If you plan on doing most of the driving, Interstate 93 and 293 are the regional routes you will travel to get around town. However, if you can wait to get behind the wheel in Manchester, ship your car to the state and fly in, saving you time and your car mileage. And if you really want to keep your mileage low, ride the Manchester Transit Authority a few days a week, taking the bus to work or play in the province.
Though there is not presently a rail system to ride, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation and the New Hampshire Rail Transit Authority are studying the area for a future train system. Also under consideration is a rail loop downtown. If approved by the Manchester City Council, a three-mile loop that would make it easier to commute within the city center will be built by 2017. Flying is the only option locals have when they want to get far out of town, leaving from the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport that is conveniently located three miles south of the central business district.
Culture & Contemporary Life
Between major sports arenas and museums or parks and lakes, there is always something to do both inside and outside of Manchester. Locals love to cheer on the Manchester Monarchs in hockey or the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in baseball. If not found in the Verizon Wireless Arena with painted faces holding up homemade signs, locals enjoy a more formal time at the Currier Museum of Art or the Manchester Historic Association Millyard Museum.
When it is time to enjoy the outdoors, residents revel in the many parks and Crystal Lake, where they can compete in their own sporting activities. If not caught catching or kicking a ball, locals can be seen picnicking and playing around Brown Mitchell, Pine Island, Cullerot or Piscataquog River Parks. After all the indoor and outdoor fun, residents fill themselves up at one of the many area restaurants. For fine dining, Cotton and Hanover Street Chophouse are popular places to eat, and for a more casual setting, 900 Degrees and Blake's Creamery are where locals buy a bite.
Manchester Relocation Tips
- Before you move to Manchester, do some research and decide exactly where you want to move and avoid making a hasty decision that could cost you time, money and stress.
- If you do decide Manchester is the municipality for you, make a moving inventory in order to begin preparing for the big day of departure.
- Call the Manchester Police Department and ask about the area, finding out about local crime and the safest neighborhoods.