Was in a similar boat, here’s some thoughts:

The prop tax is outrageous. Sure, it’s coming off of a low base number (ie cheap housing stock) but still…. Also, there is no good news in sight. Many people left, many businesses left, the property tax cannot help but rise

The water utility rate is astronomical. Really sorry down with a spreadsheet and crunch the numbers. I live in seacoast NH and my water bill is basically nothing (maybe a few hundred?). Berlin is like 5 to 10x what you’re used to. I haven’t had it sufficiently explained to me just what the deal is, but REALLY do your diligence

Much of the housing stock is in disrepair. A cheap house or an expensive house both have the same cost to reshingle the roof or put a new water heater in. The costs don’t change because the purchase price was low. Many houses are effectively scrap, the cost to properly fix up is more than the property is worth. Be smart and honest about your initial investment and how much you’d need to put in it

The local environment is not suitable for children. You may disagree but I was not able to imagine sending my kids to the local school. It’s not bad per se but it isn’t going to be suitable for high iq or ambitious students. There, I said it

It is shockingly poor. Crime is very low (anyone not from NH laughs at us when we discuss “crime”) but tawdriness and a sort of pervasive hopelessness abounds. Many “important community figures” are the people running the rehab support group, not the small business association. Many renters are on some form of government assistance

Having said THAT, it’s next to snow mobile trails, not far from some solid hiking and skiing and overall a “B+” outdoor destination for “D-“ prices. It is very possible you’re buying into The Next Big Thing (TM)

Also, the scale is nice. If you have big ideas you realistically could matter there, whereas a Manchester or Dover you’re just another dude. There’s opportunity, I think, for a certain sort of go-getter