Five Reasons Why Young People in New Hampshire Like Old Places

Whether you’re making your way as a young person, or you’re a seasoned preservationist looking for new energy and investment, here’s some good news: Old houses aren’t just for old people! Here are some thoughts from some of our colleagues involved in our Old House & Barn Expo about how and why younger people are buying and repairing old houses and engaging in community preservation activities.

It’s about great, not just really old or fancy, places

New Hampshire is filled with wonderful older houses of many styles. Photo: Second Empire-style in Exeter.

New Hampshire is filled with beautiful farmhouses that date from the mid-19th century sheep boom, later 19th century sturdy places built for people working in the mills, and cool mid-20th century camps and cabins built for tourists. Thousands of post-World War II houses are now also attracting new appreciation for their distinctive style and use of materials, as well as their smaller size, affordability and clean lines.

David Deysher of Coldwell Banker Realty said that he sees more young families attracted to antique homes than he’s seen in the 25 years he’s been in business. “Like comfort food, older homes provide a comfort level, in many cases reminding them of their own youth and in many respects providing a sanctuary from the world we live in,” he said.

It’s healthy

Steve Bedard of Bedard Restoration and Preservation notes that young people are understanding that old house living is healthy for residents (less breakdown of synthetic materials) and the environment (smaller carbon footprint). With the boomerang generation to accommodate, old houses also provide lots of space and flexibility. Old buildings also can be divided up, offering “micro” home possibilities that are popular in cities like Portsmouth, Manchester and Concord as well as in rural areas.

It’s the original “green”

The greenest building is the building that's already built. Homes were often built with climate in mind (think about southern orientation, porches and windows placed to maximize cross ventilation), and old houses can and should be made energy efficient. Studies show that it takes 20-70 years to reclaim the embodied energy lost when an old building is demolished for something new.

Old houses are good investments with typically durable materials and strong marketability.

Older building can, and should, be energy efficient. Old windows can be preserved and heat retained by adding exterior or interior storm windows, installing weather-stripping, or fully repairing the sash and reglazing the panes, often work that a homeowner can do. New heat and cooling exchange systems can be introduced into older homes with minimal disruption, and appropriate insulation that doesn’t permanently alter historic features can be added.

It’s a good investment

With today’s tight housing market with low supply, finding an old house through family or neighbor networks, or taking on a major fixer-upper, might be a way to buy your first house. Once in a home, regular maintenance helps prevent big expenses, and caring for (and using) long-lasting materials protects your investment as well as the building’s character. On a community level, research by Stay Work Play, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, American Express and others reinforce that preservation investment stabilizes and improves values, and helps attract and retain residents, large and small businesses, and visitors

It’s a good job to work on old buildings

Study reinforced what we know anecdotally, that people who work on buildings have high job satisfaction rates and good pay.

With many craftspeople retiring and lots of preservation work around the state, young people are looking at entering the old building trades. Understanding and Advancing the Preservation Trades, a recent report by UNH Cooperative Extension for the N.H. Preservation Alliance and three of its statewide peer organization, emphasized the gaps as well as very high job satisfaction and good pay.

Interested in learning more?

Spend time at the N.H. Old House & Barn Expo on March 16-17 in Manchester. The Preservation Alliance will be featuring next generation preservationists as speakers and exhibitors, and you’ll have a chance to collect useful information and have some fun. Experience hands-on old building crafts, informative talks, and live demonstrations. Learn about a local timber framer's journey to the Notre Dame Cathedral restoration in Paris and the adventures of Cheap Old Houses’ founders.

The Expo will also offer informal and formal opportunities for prospects to discuss career paths. Exhibitors include North Bennet Street School, Heartwood School and other educational organizations, and the Preservation Alliance will showcase information on jobs, internships and scholarships.