My Thoughts:
Work - Best from Concord, South, especially your field. I work at a dealership (car sales, fleet leases, and long term rentals) in Hooksett, NH (manchester area) and our IT group is huge. Mostly huge becuase we are now developing our own fleet management software that is supposed to be cutting edge stuff --- a program that we expect other fleet leasing companies to own. So, that being said, check out
www.merchantsauto.com and look at what we have to offer.
there are MANY an IT people I know that commute to Mass. each day for great pay in your field. If you need some contacts, PM me and I'll hook you up.
Living - I grew up in the Lakes Region (Belmont to be exact) and just bought last year in Gilmanton (still the lakes). I commute 40 minutes south each day and even though it can be rough in the winter, I still enjoy the wind down time during the commute, plus the fact that I can walk down my road and get in my kayak or walk in the woods from my backyard, for hours.
NH has no sales or income tax, which is great, but you make up for it in Property Taxes! We have a couple of acres with beach access, and a 2,100 sq ft house. I pay just over $4k/yr in taxes.
Concord - Great city, clean, decent restaurants, but no breweries.
Nashua - Ok City, dirty, getting full of "crazy eyed" people from Massachusetts.
Keene - another nice city, but getting flooded with some of the above as well. There are also these freedom fighter people taking that city over. I used to love to go there in college (2002-2005) but the last time I went there (2010) made me not want to go back.
Seacoast - Probably one of the best places to live in the country, but it can be pricey. Great food, great beer, good night life, nice shopping. Plus, it's only 17 miles long and then you hit Maine north or Mass South.
Breweries --- Your opinion is tainted here. The seacoast has a TON of great breweries, and more are opening all of the time. Places like Garrison City, Earth Eagle, Stoneface, Throwback, Portsmouth Brewing, Smuttynose, are great. Plus, you are literally 20 minutes to Maine Beer Company, plus many other of the new great places Maine has opening up. Also, again, Mass is just south, and they have some good small breweries opening on. If you go north, you have Woodstock Inn, and some others (escaping my mind) that are opening and making quite the stir.
I love NH, but hate winter. But, in my 30 years, I can't leave it. I tried to move to San Diego, but knew my heart would miss this State. Plus, our motto is "Live Free or Die" , how badass is that? I've live in the Lakes Region and Seacoast mostly, but can help you find a good place to be if you wish. Let me know, I welcome anyone to the idea of moving to NH, I don't think you'll be disappointed!
-Murph