Relocating to Massachusetts or New Hampshire: How Do You Pick a Town and Buy From Far Away?
The quick answer: To relocate to Massachusetts or New Hampshire, pick an area first, like the Andovers in MA or southern NH towns like Salem NH. Then search by video, take one short trip to see your top homes, and plan your sale. After you move, NH gives you 60 days for a license. Massachusetts wants your car registered right away.
It's never just the house. Sometimes it's a baby, a breakup, a parent, or a fresh start.
For you, it may be a new job. Or a parent who needs you closer. Or a fresh start in New England.
Whatever brings you here, moving from far away can feel like a lot. You're picking a state, a town and a house you may only see once. If that makes you nervous, you aren't alone. Most of my relocation buyers feel the same way at the start.
Here's the good news. You can do this well from far away with a clear plan. This guide walks you through it, in order.
Pick the life first, then the town, then the house. In that order.
In this guide
Which area north of Boston should you move to?
Start with three things: where you work, what you need from schools and your budget. Then pick an area, not a single town.
| Area | A few towns | Often a fit if you want |
|---|---|---|
| The Andovers | Andover MA, North Andover MA | Established neighborhoods, train stops in Andover MA, strong demand |
| Merrimack Valley | Haverhill MA, Methuen MA, Dracut MA, Chelmsford MA | More house for the budget and quick highway access |
| Seacoast MA and NH | Newburyport MA, Amesbury MA, Portsmouth NH, Exeter NH | Coastal towns, historic downtowns, the ocean close by |
| Southern NH | Salem NH, Windham NH, Pelham NH, Derry NH, Londonderry NH | No tax on wages, often more land, I-93 to Boston |
| North Shore | Topsfield MA, Georgetown MA, Danvers MA | Small towns, farms and trails, Route 1 and I-95 |
Each area feels different. A family that loves a busy downtown may be happy in Newburyport MA or Portsmouth NH. A family that wants a big yard may like Windham NH or Topsfield MA better.
Try to narrow it to two or three towns before you start looking at houses. Searching everywhere at once is the most tiring way to do it.
Should you move to Massachusetts or New Hampshire?
It depends on where you earn your pay. New Hampshire doesn't tax wages and has no sales tax. Massachusetts taxes wages at 5% and has a 6.25% sales tax, per the state.
Property tax rates are often higher in New Hampshire, though not in every town. If you live in New Hampshire and work in Massachusetts, Massachusetts still taxes the pay you earn for that work.
Our Massachusetts vs New Hampshire comparison runs the full math with real 2026 rates.
Can you buy a house without seeing it in person?
Yes. Many relocation buyers see most homes by video first and only fly in once.
Start with the 3D tours and photos in each listing. Then your agent visits the homes that look good and does a live video call. That's when you see what photos skip: the noise from the road, the slope of the yard, the smell of a damp basement.
Before a busy weekend, decide your top price and your deal breakers. That way you can say yes quickly if the right house shows up and you can't get on a plane.
How do you plan a house hunting trip?
Plan it to confirm your choice, not to start over. Show up with two or three towns and four to eight homes.
Two days is often enough. Arrive the night before. See your homes on day one. Go back to your favorite on day two.
While you're here, drive to work at rush hour. Drive by the school at drop-off time. Stop at the grocery store. Little things like that tell you if a town fits.
How do you sell your old home and buy here at the same time?
Pick your order before you write an offer. There are three common paths.
Sell first. Your money is ready and your offer is simple. You may need a short rental or a stay with family in between.
Make your offer depend on your sale. A home sale contingency means you can back out if your house doesn't sell. Some sellers say yes. Many say no when lots of buyers want their house.
Borrow to bridge the gap. A bridge loan is a short loan against the home you own. It lets you buy before you sell. It costs more, so ask your lender for the full price of it.
Our buying and selling at the same time guide and home sale contingency guide go deeper.
Do you have to be here for the closing?
Not always. Ask your closing attorney early how you can sign.
Some buyers sign with a power of attorney. That's a paper that lets someone you trust sign for you. Others can sign some papers from where they live. What's allowed depends on your lender and your attorney, so ask at least two weeks ahead.
We keep in touch with your lender and attorney, set up a video final walk-through if you need one, and go over your closing papers with you before the day.
What do you need to do after you move to MA or NH?
Your car and license come first. The rules are different in each state.
| After you move | Massachusetts | New Hampshire |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's license | Switch when you become a resident | Within 60 days |
| Car registration | As soon as you become a resident, with no grace period | Within 60 days, starting at your town or city clerk |
| Inspection | Within 7 days of registering | Safety inspection at an approved station |
For school, call the district office in your new town. Most ask for proof of where you live, shot records and old school records. Look up the exact school for your address on the state's school profiles site.
For movers, get at least three written quotes. Check each company's USDOT number with the federal moving safety agency before you sign.
For families moving to MA or NH from far away
Moving here from out of state?
Send me where you're moving from and where you'll work. I'll send back the towns worth a look.
About Lisa Sevajian
Lisa Sevajian is a Realtor with the Lisa Sevajian Group at eXp Realty, licensed 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 Lisa Sevajian at 978-457-3406.
Home, for me, is here
This is home for me. I grew up north of Boston. I raised my two daughters here as a single mom while I built my business. When they were little, they hosted open houses with me.
We lived at Mill Pond in North Andover MA. I hiked Weir Hill with my dogs. I launched my kayak on the pond. A lot of my mornings started at Good Day Cafe.
So when you ask me about a town, you get more than numbers. Ask me about a school, a street or your commute, and you get someone who has lived it. If you're making a move here, you won't make it alone.
Lisa is an expert negotiator and we were able to get everything that we wanted for our offer.
Kevin Liu, bought a home in Georgetown MA, verified Zillow review
She listened to me and understood what I needed in this home sale.
Elizabeth Reifsnyder, sold a home in Andover MA, verified Zillow review
Read real client storiesSee all reviewsMore about Lisa Sevajian
Featured by HGTV, Forbes, HousingWire, Boston magazine, RealTrends Verified and Boston Agent Magazine, syndicated by The Globe and Mail and Yahoo Finance, among many others.
Questions people ask
What's the best area to live north of Boston?
It depends on your work, schools and budget. Many families look at the Andovers like Andover MA, Merrimack Valley towns like Haverhill MA, Seacoast towns like Newburyport MA, or southern NH towns like Salem NH.
Can I buy a house in Massachusetts without seeing it?
Yes. Many buyers use video tours and one short trip. Your agent can visit homes for you and show them on a live video call.
How long do I have to get a New Hampshire driver's license after moving?
New Hampshire gives new residents 60 days to get an NH license and register their car.
How soon do I have to register my car in Massachusetts after moving?
Right away. Massachusetts says to register as soon as you become a resident, with no grace period, and get it inspected within 7 days.
Where do I register my car in New Hampshire?
Start at the town or city clerk where you live, such as in Salem NH or Windham NH, then finish any state steps.
Should I move to Massachusetts or New Hampshire?
If you work fully remote for a company outside Massachusetts, NH can save on income tax. If you commute to a Massachusetts job, MA still taxes that pay.
Do I pay Massachusetts income tax if I move to Salem NH but work in Boston?
Yes, on the pay you earn for work done in Massachusetts. Days you work outside Massachusetts can lower that amount.
Can I close on a house in Massachusetts without being there?
Often, yes. Many buyers sign with a power of attorney or sign some papers from afar. Ask your closing attorney and lender at least two weeks ahead.
How do I sell my house and buy in New Hampshire at the same time?
Pick one of three paths: sell first, make your offer depend on your sale, or use a bridge loan. Choose before you write an offer.
How do I enroll my kids in school after moving to Andover MA?
Call the district office. Most ask for proof of where you live, shot records and old school records.
How do I check a moving company before I hire it?
Get three written quotes and check each company's USDOT number with the federal moving safety agency.
Sources
- Mass.gov RMV: Transfer your registration and title from out of state (checked October 14, 2026)
- Mass.gov RMV: Transfer your out-of-state driver's license (checked October 14, 2026)
- NH DMV: New resident to New Hampshire (checked October 14, 2026)
- Massachusetts DOR: Massachusetts tax rates (checked October 14, 2026)
- Massachusetts DOR: 2025 Form 1-NR/PY instructions for nonresidents
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration: Protect Your Move brochure
- Massachusetts DESE: School and district profiles
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