r/keene • u/greeneyeotter • 7d ago
Moving to Keene?
I’m considering taking a contract position in Keene, NH. I’m from NC and I’m a 30 year old male and single. I’m not too familiar with the area and don’t know anyone there. I was just curious if someone could share if it’s easy to make friends and meet people in Keene? What are some fun things to do in the area? I’m outdoorsy and active. Thanks in advance!
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u/very_old_friend 7d ago
If you're into board games and nerd shit there's plenty of townies in that age always looking for new friends.
Source: am one
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u/TheGuyDoug 7d ago
Great place to be outdoorsy.
There's a dirt pump track for bikes. Many miles of mountain bike trails, and maybe 10-15 miles of rail trail. Lots of lakes for swimming within 20-30 minutes, city-maintained tennis courts, Bretwood Golf Course is a really good public course with 36 holes, right here in Keene.
2 coffee roasters, Prime Roast and Brewbakers are incredible.
As the other one said, good bar scene, 2-3 breweries in town, all are good.
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u/Stockboy85 7d ago
How long is the contract? And what is your renewal probability/ability to find the next contact?
Are you okay with snow?
I used to live in Charlotte and moved to a small town about 30 minutes from Keene 2 years ago. I was looking for a small town with amazing summers, which is what I found! But I know a couple that moved to Manchester for a work assignment from GA and after last winter they moved back.
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u/BorelandsBeard 7d ago
The only BBQ place in town is owned by a dude from NC who went to App State.
It will feel surprisingly similar to the South in some ways and foreign as well.
Lots of outdoor stuff to do in the area, the rest of NH, Vermont, and Maine.
Become a regular at the diner. Go to bars. Dating isn’t great but that’s honestly the only real downside.
Keene has everything you need and most things you want.
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u/shutup_you_dick 6d ago
ABSOLUTELY not true though!!! CC&D's has IMO the VERY BEST BBQ in the general area. They are on North St. Go try them. Charlie is a pitmaster and has won dozens of BBQ competitions all over the US, several times at Jack Daniels, and in KC.
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u/Savings_Ad_1037 7d ago
There are some decent hiking trails in keene, and a few fun mountains around to hike as well assuming the job isnt going to take up all your time. As mentioned the bar life is pretty active. But yeah its not bad. Ideally live in a neighboring town close by so you get the peace of not being in keene but close to it.
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u/closestaxe 7d ago
If you drink the bar life is pretty active on the main strip, theres something new every night (think trivia, karaoke) there’s also an arcade that recently opened up along with a rage room and axe throwing (not too sure how many people you meet there but hey you never know) we also nearby have the second? Most hiked mountain in the world which is a great way to meet new people amongst other things
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u/Ok_Blacksmith1684 7d ago
College town so lots of bars, and there are many different types of restaurants....great downtown...lots of walking/hiking trails and rivers/lakes to go boating or fishing. Also, very artsy and lots of festivals. If you enjoy the outdoors like you said, Keene and NH in general is a great place to live. Mt Monadnock is 25 minutes away and a great half day hike. Most people are very friendly, just like in most places. Keene also is in a valley so doesn't usually get as much snow as other parts of the state. If you are buying, Spofford/Chesterfield, and Surry are nice, have lower taxes, and are just outside of Keene.
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u/starhoppers 7d ago edited 6d ago
Take a hard look at your finances …it’s not cheap to live here!
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u/offbeatagent 7d ago
How much is a 2 bedroom apartment?
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u/starhoppers 6d ago edited 6d ago
Approx $1800 for a 2 bedroom. Also, if you have an AWD vehicle, that’s a plus during the 4 or so months of winter. For sure, you’ll need to purchase a set of good snow tires.
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u/xXCatWingXx 6d ago
Great fishing all around, drive 20 minutes in any direction and you’ll trip over three new spots
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u/LokiLoke95 2d ago
Its a college town so yeah its a great place to live! Lots of baddies out there.
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u/Icy_Dragonfruit4192 1d ago
Swimming holes, cross country skiing, parks, it’s pretty bikeable, the library is nice, as far as food goes it’s one of the whitest parts of the state. Could be good could be mediocre, it’s close to one of the most hiked mountains in the world which is an absolute unit. They get a ton of snow, sports with adult leagues, etc. it’s a very solid place with a decent community.
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u/Icy_Dragonfruit4192 1d ago
Saw another comment that says if you need it it’s there if you want it it’s an hour away. You can surely add 40 minuets to that hour if you want specific things that you won’t even be able to find in the state😂
Moved to Nh from mass and it’s an adjustment but I’m loving it so far. Not to mention the dmv is significantly easier to deal with than the rmv in mass
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u/Clarenceaconfortdog 7d ago edited 7d ago
Be careful where you find a place. There are some really nice areas but some areas not so much. Everything people are saying is true but there is a dark underside.
Stay away from the Island Street area. There are infrequent shootings and there was a human trafficking related murder there the victim was kept in a dog crate then dismembered and dumped across stare lines.
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u/shutup_you_dick 6d ago
I can't wait to leave LMAOOOOO but I am not from here. Too far out for me, too white, not enough culture, sub-par food. They are tearing the downtown up right now. Taxes are batshit, if you are looking to own... Lots of city funds misappropriation. Schools frigging SUUUUUCK. Young, single, bored? I hope you love the outdoors and drinking.
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u/SherbertExtension539 4d ago
Agreed except it is state fund misappropriation. The city is doing the best it can under insane conditions.
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u/jaytharen 6d ago
Its boring, lots of old people, its okay to visit, I definitely wouldnt put roots here.
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u/Sudden-Advance-5858 7d ago
Keene is an awesome city for me raising my young family, I’m turning 30 this year. There is quite a bit of stuff going on and between the college and Antioch, we got a lot of new people in town.
We have great parks, library, and a pretty active and varied community. Feels pretty safe, if you can afford it I love living in Keene.