Hey there, folks. I'm no one special at the moment. Just someone interested in getting into professional cooking and I have an interest in… anti-politics? Anyway, I found Free Keene through listening to free talk live for approximately a year or two now. My purpose in joining the forum is part of my information-gathering of New Hampshire which I plan to move to as part of the free state project. The reason I'm so interested in moving is mainly because I don't see any safer place to be in America in the coming months (hopefully years) than at the side of well armed, hardcore anarchists. 
At the moment, I don't know what I'll do from an activist stand point yet. I'll likely be more into the agorist, information spreading, financial support side of things than on the ground activism, being an introvert in real life. Though there are known examples of previously introvert people becoming super-activists so you never know. I don't have a problem working though I'd prefer something to do with the kitchen being that's what I want to do as a career, even if it's just dish work. Beggars can't be choosers. I probably should point out that I have next to no work experience at the moment. 
So I guess what I have to ask the forum is how much money should I have stocked up money-wise before I make my move? I'm very minimalist, with all of my worldly processions conformably fitting into a 10x20 apartment room counting the closet before cookware. I don't have any really expensive hobbies sides maybe computers, though I'm not counting gaming and cooking for obvious reasons. I should also point out that I don't have a problem with roommates. Finally, I'm seriously into high-speed internet. I LOVE my FIOs. Good internet is definitely a factor in where I'll move to. Any idea where the places to be for internet are?
And that's all I can think of at the moment. Thanks for chugging through all that.
Welcome to the forums! =]
I myself have not made the move, and much like yourself am interested in the more agorist/information spreading side of things, with plans on moving to Keene within the year (hopefully).
My girlfriend is actually going to culinary school at the moment, and though she isn't a self described anarchist or even libertarian, she respects my views and has promised not to use the gun of government against me or others. ;D
(I guess you could say she is politically apathetic)
She is actually interested in starting a small business in much the same model as Savannah Last Biscuit. I, believing greatly in her cooking (as I have tasted it first hand, and let me tell you, it is AMAZING), am going to be investing some in her business and perhaps try to partner up or employ others who can assist in cooking, cleaning, and delivery.
I look forward to meeting any agorist in NH, and hope you are one of them. Let the counter-economy flourish, and once again, welcome. 
Based on what I've seen people do, having enough to live on for six months with no income seems sufficient. Gives you enough time to relax a bit, meet people, and tour around the state, with enough spare time for the job/income hunt needed to get on your feet.
Generally, it is recommend that adults, no matter where they live, have 3-6 months worth of expenses saved up. I recommend that if you are moving to Keene also. If you moved somewhere like Manchester or Nashua, chances are you would find a better paying job sooner so maybe look on the low end of that. If you move to Keene where the economy is much smaller, I'd play it safe and be on the long end unless you are willing to work anywhere. Keene is a small city and I'm not sure how well a Savannah Last Biscuit would work here, but he, I don't mind if you give it a try because tasty food is good :).
Howdy,
I am a professional cook with over 8 years of experience currently living in Keene. I have lived in Keene for over 2 years and have been in New Hampshire for nearly 3 years. I was wondering how someone with "next to no work experience" knows that they want a career in cooking? Have you spent any time working in a commercial kitchen? Have you been a cook, server, manager, busser, expediter, delivery driver, or dishwasher? Have you worked in catering? There are lots of restaurants in Keene but there are also a ton of young people competing for jobs in those restaurants because of the influence of the college. At the restaurant I work at we would have over 200 people apply and hire maybe 2 people. In the independently owned restaurants downtown you usually need to know someone who is already working there in order to secure a job. You might be able to find work in one of the corporate kitchens, Olive Garden, KFC/TacoBell, Subway, etc, if you are willing to do that. Also New Hampshire actually isn't that great of a state for cooks/restaurateurs. We have an almost 10% tax on prepared food which really puts a strain on small businesses. If you want to avoid taxes by going underground please remember that Keene is a very small town and that word spreads quickly here. It would be very difficult to retain the anonymity necessary in order to protect an underground food vendor and I am sure that the many "approved" restaurants would greatly resent someone undercutting them.
BTW, Keene has some of the highest property taxes in the state so expect rent to be proportionally high. Expect a room to cost $400 a month. Sometimes that will include utilities, but usually not. Heating costs here are also very high, and getting higher, gas and oil are both going up in price.
Thank you for the warm welcome. To OneEyeOpen, at the moment I have more of a feeling that I want to cook than a "know". I haven't done any paid work yet though I do get a sense of enthusiasm when cooking as a team with someone I don't particularly like and I don't see that not stretching out into teams of three or more. I also love the feeling you get when you've made a great dish, and there's the universal appeal of mastering a skill and the satisfaction of having a skill that people want. I also don't mind the hard work the trade comes with and I believe that I'll enjoy the work anyway. If anything, I don't like the idea of sixteen hour shifts but that's the only major problem I see myself having. Finally, I should point out that I have zero problem working weekends and holidays. Being unemployed at the moment makes all the days look the same anyway.
Not to bore anyone justifying my current career choice though I appreciate the concern, I haven't decided on any part of New Hampshire as of now. I'm just doing research at the moment although I can say that I'm more into non-political activism and I like what the Keene folk have been doing, so the ability to get to Keene is a factor. Not too big of a factor since being carless for the foreseeable future, I see a lot of paid carpooling in my future either way and I believe that NH is a small state. Not sure on that.
To KelMg, I don't know about the cooking, but I could help with the prep work and washing. I'm of course talking in the totally off the wall, off-chance that I've happened to move to NH in time to seek employment from your wife.
As for a money stash, I don't see myself wanting much before getting another income stream, and living expenses should be split among others so, two to three-thousand after moving expenses sound okay? just Trying to give myself a goal post here. Also, can the money stash be in silver/gold so I can kill two birds with one stone? Like, how is the commodity trade in NH?
Hello and welcome. Both cable and DSL are in Keene. No FIOS though.
[quote author=shezmu link=topic=4746.msg49972#msg49972 date=1297229606]
"well armed, hardcore anarchists"
[/quote]
If by "well armed" you mean for hugging and "hardcore anarchists" as in "the right FTL state of mind", then you'd be right. Make sure to get arrested several times while you're here, otherwise it doesn't make good content and you'll hear 'the voices' say "somebody needs to step up and do something (visible)" since anything otherwise is drowned out by all the action going on else where :-X