Reviews & Comments
Ashland, KY
re: New to Ashland
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11/30/2022I just relocated to ashland! I havent been here longer than a month, but in comparison to NH where I grew up and Maine where I had just come from, I assure you the drug problem and subsequent rise in crime is literally everywhere so that wasn't a turn off for me and my family when we picked ashland. What I can say I notice, the sidewalks seem fine, and in decent repair. (In response to more recent rating who said they were dilapidating) I will say, though I have no knowledge of what this city was like prior to our arrival, I can certainly say that work has not come easy. 50 applications in 3 weeks and only 2 interviews for positions you qualify for is questionable. I can't imagine why businesses are hiring without employing around here, but thankfully the cost of living truly cannot be beat, I was able to become a homeowner, which the New England states would not have provided me the opportunity to do while maintaining any form of a life, even the rent prices I have seen offered here are rates I didn't think existed since the mid 2000's. The school district seems to be small but extremely good with my children, the city has definitely done marketing and made themselves available to be seen and found on the internet and social media as that is how I came across Ashland, so really if they can figure out the employment issues residents face, I think they could absolutely entertain new growth here. The bones clearly exist here to do so. My take on this, they need some more industrial businesses and warehouse/transportation/distribution centers. It is clear Ashland has maxed themselves out on the amount of fast food and large chain restaurants offered, while great for entry level jobs, does overall prevent larger wage paying developments from finding the land they need to develop and employ here.
Laconia, NH
Lots to do in this expensive area! -
11/30/2022I lived in Laconia NH for 24 years, born and raised. I left in 2016 because even pre pandemic the area was becoming weak from the drug epidemic, and, starting to re develop more specifically towards a tourist area. This left many locals unable to afford rents and maintain housing. The real-estate market was also not very forgiving in the average cost for a 3-bedroom home, and I have watched many loved ones become homeless as the pandemic hit trying to maintain their lives while inflation increased an already expensive area to live. I will however say, if you can afford the cost, Laconia is a nice area looking beyond the drug epidemic and rising expenses. It is BEAUTIFUL there, Opechee is a nice little lake/park to visit and puts on a great 4th of July gathering, there are a lot of sidewalks available so you can literally walk the entire town from Belmont to Gilford if you wanted, especially now that they have completed a large portion of the walking trail connecting right up into franklin! It's unfortunate gentrification happens so rapidly, NH will always be in my heart, but I wanted a quality of life outside of paying my bills and feeling like I was just getting by. But hey, if you can afford it, you should live here, the weirs is great and the climate is very comfortable.
Jay, ME
Jay IS cold, and also, economically depressed. -
11/30/2022I lived in Jay for the previous 3 years, and franklin county for the last 7 years. This representation is actually very accurate. It is COLD in Jay, the evening hours are hard, there are many days specifically the middle of January to the end of February where the weather is often below freezing certainty at night and frequently in the mornings. The amount of snow suggested is also very accurate, considering the fact that an average snowstorm will drop 8-12 inches and frequently Jay will have back-to-back storms leaving 16-20" of snow within a 72-hour period every few weeks from November-March, further, because the weather is so frigid the snow will stick around for some time and all the mess that comes along with it. This does not mean Mainers live like Eskimos but we are certainly seasoned to the snow, and it doesn't really cause to much delay in regular life or business operations for the locals.
El Paso, TX
re: Born and Raised
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1/17/2019Thank you for this honest review, I planned on moving my family from a dying town in Maine, where wages are reasonable if you can afford to commute 1+ hours for work, but cost of living is far to high. Research has you believe El Paso is up and coming, affordable living, good job growth and a safe, happiest place to be. Your review has made me seriously consider whether my all white, non Spanish speaking family would find work or be welcome in such a place.
Wilton, ME
Dying, Lonely, little to nothing town. -
1/17/2019This town is a shame, it’s a sad excuse for a “Great place to live, work and play” Average Commute Time is actually 1 hour. You WILL not find sustainable work here, it is not worth trying to raise a family in a dead town, the town is poor as are the residents; further there truly is nothing to do here for fun, and the winter blues are so extreme that you are lucky to make it out alive. I would never recommend anyone live here nor visit as it would be a waste of your time. I’m sorry I moved here, thankfully I came for my husband and we are leaving as a family.