Lisa Sevajian Group
Why Did a Family From the Carolinas Pick Haverhill MA Over Windham NH?
The quick answer: Because the numbers and the daily life fit better. A family moving from the Carolinas started out set on Windham NH. Once they learned about wells, septic, heat and prices, they chose Bradford in Haverhill MA: an older home near downtown with town water and sewer, natural gas heat and a mortgage they're comfortable with.
Why do my buyers keep crossing the Massachusetts and New Hampshire border? This family crossed it the other way, and it was the best call they made.
You're moving to New England from the South. You picked a town from a list, and you're excited. Then the questions start. Is that house on a well? What's septic? Why does this one heat with oil?
If that's you right now, you aren't alone. Almost every family I help move here from out of state hits this same wall.
Here's the story of one family who did, and how they ended up in a home they love. I'm not using their names, but every part of it's real.
It's not as new or as big as the house down south. That was the trade, and it was worth it.
Where did this family start?
They were moving up from the Carolinas. They'd done their homework online, and Windham NH was at the top of their list. Good schools, pretty roads, and no state tax on wages in New Hampshire. On paper, it looked perfect.
They had no idea what homes cost here. They didn't know which towns had town water. They'd never lived with a well, a septic system or an oil tank. Back home, most of that never came up.
So we started at the very beginning. No showings yet. Just a long talk about how they wanted to live, and what they wanted to spend each month.
What surprised them most about homes in New England?
The systems behind the walls. Their house in the Carolinas had town water and sewer, and heat was never a big topic. Here, those answers can change from one street to the next.
- Water: some homes have town water. Others have a private well that you own and test.
- Sewer: some homes connect to town sewer. Others have a septic system, a tank and field in the yard that you own and care for.
- Heat: natural gas, oil and propane are all common, and each one costs a different amount to run.
- Land: some listings come with farm land or big lots. That sounds great until you think about the upkeep.
None of these are bad. They're just new to you, and they change what you spend every month. You deserve to know about them before you fall in love with a house. Do you know which ones the houses on your list have?
What's different about homes in Windham NH?
Windham NH is a lovely town, and many of our clients are happy there. For this family, it just wasn't the right fit.
The Town of Windham NH describes private wells as its main water supply, and it reports more than 2,400 wells built there since 1984. Septic systems are common too. Across New Hampshire, oil and propane heat a lot of homes. All of that's normal in Southern NH.
Have you priced out your list yet? Price was the other piece for them. The homes they liked in Windham NH pushed past the monthly payment they wanted. Once we put the payment, the taxes, the heat and the upkeep side by side, the picture changed.
Why did Massachusetts turn out to be the better fit?
When we lined up their wish list, Massachusetts gave them more of it. They wanted to be close to things. They wanted simple systems. They wanted a payment that let them breathe.
So we looked just over the border, in Haverhill MA. It's a short drive from Windham NH, so they kept the area they'd fallen for. They gained a lower price and homes with town services.
Massachusetts does have a state income tax, and New Hampshire doesn't tax wages. We put that on the table too. For them, the lower price and the simpler house still made Massachusetts the better choice.
Why Bradford in Haverhill MA?
Bradford is the part of Haverhill MA on the south side of the Merrimack River, right across from downtown. It has older streets, big trees and homes with real character. The Bradford Common Historic District, the old center of Bradford, has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1977.
The home they chose sits in a comfy, historic neighborhood close to downtown. It has town water and town sewer, so there's no well to test and no septic to pump. It heats with natural gas. Their mortgage is one they feel good about every month.
What did they give up to get here?
Size and newness. Their house in the Carolinas was newer and bigger. This one is older, with the charm and the quirks that come with it.
That was the trade for coming to New England, and they made it with their eyes open. They got a neighborhood with character, downtown shops and restaurants just minutes away, simple systems and a payment that leaves room for life.
That's what a good fit feels like. It isn't the most house you can get. It's the right house for the life you want here. Could you make that same trade? Most of the families I help find out you can, once you see what you get back.
What should you ask before you move here from out of state?
If you've been searching "moving from North Carolina to Massachusetts or New Hampshire," start with these questions for every house you like:
- Is it on town water or a private well?
- Is it on town sewer or a septic system?
- How is it heated, and what did heat cost last winter?
- What are this year's property taxes, from the town assessor?
- How far is it to the places you'll go every week?
- What would the same budget buy one town over, or one state over?
Ask them before you tour. They'll keep you from falling for a house that doesn't fit your life.
For families moving to Massachusetts or New Hampshire
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About Lisa Sevajian
Lisa Sevajian is a Realtor with the Lisa Sevajian Group at eXp Realty, licensed in Massachusetts. The Lisa Sevajian Group helps families buy and sell in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. She has guided almost 2,000 families through buying and selling and has ranked in the top 1.5% of over 1.4 million Realtors nationwide, verified by RealTrends. She serves the Andovers, the Merrimack Valley, Seacoast MA and NH, Southern NH and the North Shore. Buying, she makes sure you don't overpay. Selling, she makes sure you don't say yes to too little. Call or text Lisa Sevajian at 978-457-3406.
Questions people ask
Is it cheaper to live in Haverhill MA or Windham NH?
For this family, yes. The homes they liked in Haverhill MA cost less than similar homes in Windham NH. New Hampshire doesn't tax wages and Massachusetts does, so compare the full monthly cost, not just the price.
Do houses in Windham NH have town water?
Many don't. The Town of Windham NH describes private wells as its main water supply, so plan on a well, and ask about septic too.
Does Haverhill MA have town water and sewer?
Many neighborhoods do, including much of Bradford. Always confirm it for the exact address with the City of Haverhill MA before you buy.
What's a septic system?
A septic system is a private tank and drain field in your yard that treats your home's wastewater. You own it and pump it on a schedule. In Massachusetts it needs a Title 5 inspection when the home sells.
Is a private well a problem when buying a home in New Hampshire?
No, but it's a new job. You'll want the water quality and the flow tested before you buy, and then test it on a schedule after you move in.
Is natural gas heat cheaper than oil?
It depends on the year and the house. Ask the seller for last winter's heating bills, and compare them to what you paid before you moved.
Where is Bradford in Haverhill MA?
Bradford is the part of Haverhill MA south of the Merrimack River, across from downtown. It was its own town until it joined Haverhill MA in 1897.
Should I move to Massachusetts or New Hampshire?
It depends on your budget, your commute and the home systems you're comfortable with. Compare a few towns on both sides, like Haverhill MA and Windham NH, with the full monthly cost in front of you.
Can I buy a home in Massachusetts before I move there?
Yes. Many relocating buyers tour by video first, then visit in person. Your attorney and lender can handle a lot of the paperwork from a distance.
Are older homes in Haverhill MA a lot of work?
They need a good inspection and a plan. Many older homes in Bradford have been updated over the years, and your inspector will tell you what's next and when.
Do I pay state income tax in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire doesn't tax wages, and Massachusetts has a state income tax. Ask your CPA how each one fits your income before you choose a side of the border.
How do I start a move from the Carolinas to Massachusetts or Southern NH?
Start with your monthly number and your must-haves, then compare towns on both sides of the border. Call or text Lisa Sevajian at 978-457-3406 to start at the beginning.
Sources
This is general information, not legal, tax or lending advice. Check with your attorney, lender and CPA before you decide.
I'll guide you home.
Lisa Sevajian