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[Roman_Surf_Goddess]

WOW!

I am very impressed.

It's actually kind of humorous now, that i think about it. How i came across the Free State Project.

I was having an argument with my mother ( so many stories start out that way don't they? ) about
driving my truck which is uninsured. Right now my husband and I are struggling financially and can't afford it
right now ( believe it or not ).

I happen to live in California and was looking up car insurance laws, and happened across something that said not all
states mandate insurance, this was hard to believe but sure enough a woman in my moms group assured me that
she lives in NH and does not have to have insurance by law ( although it can be a good idea ).

I found this incredibly interesting and started researching New Hampshire laws. I found out all kinds of things that
really impressed me. That the people have more power than i n most states, taxes are lower, and that the NH
constitution allows for a citizens right to overthrow the government! I also like the motto Live Free or Die. Our
founding fathers truly believed these things. Until now i thought that all the values and prinicpals our founding
fathers held were gone forever ,never to be realized again. Imagine the excitement i felt when reading about the
freedoms NH residents enjoy! Freedoms that i do not in California ( or most places for that matter )

That is until i discovered the FSP and the wonderful state of New Hampshire.

Before this my husband and I were planning on eventually relocating to Oregon ( since its so clost to us ). But when
mentioning the prospect we were met with allot of disdain. Apparently people don't want Californians to move to their state.
And thus shun them socially when they move .

I really don't want that to happen to us. I would hope if we did move to NH we would be welcomed as a family.

Another problem is finding work! My husband is a professional painter and has worked for the local school district,
he also has a shining resume and good references. NH looks so beautiful but i don't know how we would ever afford to move there, but something is already pulling me there...and i think my husband feels it too.

The state appears to have a general lower cost of living than California which is good, i guess its the whole process OF moving and finding a job that is hard.

Any input and encouragement would be greatly appreciated.

-Teri and John

[JasonPSorens]

Hi Teri and John - Welcome to the forum! Out West, there's been a massive migration of Californians to neighboring states, and residents of those states have come to resent Californians for that reason. In New Hampshire, there's no such animus against Californians. Former residents of New York might come across some of the same sort of hostility, but probably less than they would find in Vermont.

I would definitely recommend coming to the state and taking a look around, getting a sense of the real estate market and perhaps even putting in some job applications (you could establish a N.H. P.O. box for your resume). We have folks that will welcome you and show you around, & take you to some local events. Of course, our big annual events are a great time to visit - the Liberty Forum and Porcupine Freedom Festival, on which you can find more information on the website or on their specific forums here.

[Ogre]

I think the primary reason many are resentful of people from California is that many bring the socialist ideas of California to their local towns and areas.  If you're headed to New Hampshire looking for freedom, I don't think there's a person there that would be disappointed at your arrival.  Instead, you're much more likely to be welcomed with open arms -- especially by other members of the Free State Project.

I'm not directly familiar with the jobs for painters in NH, but I'm pretty sure people need things painted there, too.    My brother is a carpenter, and during the summer he's usually got more work than he can handle -- and he lives way out in the country.  If your husband isn't self-employed, I'd suggest just looking for jobs in NH from where you are.  I'm not there yet, but I've had two interviews with companies in NH -- one just over the phone and one when I went and visited this summer.

[KBCraig]

Welcome to the forum, Teri and John! NHites tend to have "outsider" contempt for "Massholes", but Californians are welcome. 

The NH economy is strong, and there are always construction jobs. One thing I was surprised to see is that even with the New England winter, construction in NH is no more seasonal than it is in Texas (maybe even less so).

Kevin

[error]

If you're headed to New Hampshire looking for freedom, I don't think there's a person there that would be disappointed at your arrival.

Well, there's one, but she's off her rocker anyway.

[lloydbob1]

Both CA & MA have generated valuable FSP activists

[J’raxis 270145]

Nice. Auto insurance figured into my decision to move, too.

I think the primary reason many are resentful of people from California is that many bring the socialist ideas of California to their local towns and areas.

This seems to be the same thing as is happening with a lot of people leaving Massachusetts. They leave because of the declining standard of living and bring their politics with them, not realizing one is the cause of the other.

[Roman_Surf_Goddess]

I definitely wouldn't want to bring California politics with me anyways.

I'm at odds with the politics here anyways so I don't think that will be a problem.

I am however kinda "crunchy" in other ways.

[FreeBoB]

many of us are a bit of granola crunch with a big dash of liberty 

[J’raxis 270145]

I definitely wouldn't want to bring California politics with me anyways.

I'm at odds with the politics here anyways so I don't think that will be a problem.

I am however kinda "crunchy" in other ways.

There are plenty of left-leaning freestaters—environmentalists, anti-corporate activists, and so on. The key is that they don’t believe in using state coercion to attain their goals. If you fit with that description, you’ll fit in just fine.

[Roman_Surf_Goddess]

Well...I lean very strongly to the Libertarian side, if that answers your question 

[freedominnh]

Does your name imply a need to be near the ocean at morning high tide?  If so NH has an avid surfer population.

[Simon Jester]

And thus shun them socially when they move .

I really don't want that to happen to us. I would hope if we did move to NH we would be welcomed as a family.

Well, if you ever change your mind about not wanting to be socially stigmatized, just tell people you're from Massachusetts and you personally think an income tax would be a great idea.

I'm sure they'd organize a shunning