Charming east coast idyll where fed-up residents have had enough - and now want their state to divorce the US
For decades, Live Free or Die has been the motto in New Hampshire.
But for a group of disgruntled residents seeking independence, the slogan is more than just a philosophy.
The NHEXIT movement, which launched earlier this month, is pushing for New Hampshire to secede from the US.
Members say they are fed up with the bloated central government and resent paying more in tax dollars than they get back.
'There are 2.5 million unelected bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. and they are responsible for dragging the nation to the brink of bankruptcy,' movement leader Carla Gericke explained.
New Hampshire residents led by Carla Gerick, pictured, have launched the NHEXIT movement in a bid to secede from the US
Members say they are fed up of the bloated central government and of paying more in tax dollars than they get back
'Not only that, but they are siphoning money out of taxpayers' wallets every year, trampling on the rights of New Hampshire citizens,' she added.
The NHEXIT website states the movement is 'dedicated to securing a sovereign and independent New Hampshire, championing the principles of self-determination, liberty and the preservation of our state's unique heritage and values.'
But economic factors are a large driving force behind the movement. New Hampshire residents pay around $3.53 in federal taxes for every dollar of support they receive back.
The data from SmartAsset shows the state is the 26th most dependent on the central government.
'Economically, it's not a good deal for the residents of New Hampshire. We could probably be richer and more prosperous if we just got rid of them,' Gericke added.
New Hampshire is one of the most prosperous in the US, with a median income of $43,353, well above the national average of $37,585.
As the first state to establish independence from the British Colonies, New Hampshire has a long history with libertarianism.
The state's motto, 'Live Free or Die' was officially adopted in 1945. The words come from those spoken by Revolutionary war hero General John Stark.
Gericke was herself previously involved with the Free State Project, a mass migration of more than 20,000 individuals who have moved or pledged to move to New Hampshire with the aim of concentrating their numbers in a single state to, 'preserve liberty'.
The movement feels like a natural extension of the Free State Project, of which Gericke was also a member, which was a mass migration to New Hampshire with the aim of concentrating libertarians
But for Gericke, the moment has come to push for New Hampshire to break away completely.
'I think the time is right, as I said, a lot of this is sort of bubbling up as a national discussion,' Gericke said.
'We have seen, you know, national divorce start to trend. So for me, the time is ripe in the sense.
'With the election season, you know, people want to be talking about the problems, but I want to start to talk about the solutions and I do believe states' rights and more decentralization and possibly independent countries is the way to go.'
The NHEXIT movement joins a long line of secession movements in the US amid growing divisions across the country.
Texas, Vermont, Alaska and South Carolina among others all have or have had active independence movements.
In liberal Oregon, disgruntled locals have begun a petition to secede and join conservative Idaho.
While last week, a Free Louisiana movement also sprang up amid a belief that most politicians have an 'east-west coast mentality' which is not serving the southern state.
In New Hampshire, a growing number of conservatives have already pushed for the state to leave the union
NHEXIT supporters feel independence would give them more access to direct democracy
In New Hampshire, a growing number of conservatives have already pushed for the state to leave the union.
Earlier this year Rep. Jason Gerhard proposed that New Hampshire should break away if the national debt exceeded $40 trillion.
It currently stands at around $34 trillion and the legislation was ultimately voted down.
A separate bill was introduced by Republican Representative Matthew Santonastaso calling for the commission of a study into the viability and impact of NHEXIT.
However, opposition voices warned about further division if secession proceeds.
'From a political perspective, I am just very concerned that we muddy the waters with insurrectionist talk,' Rep Jess Edwards said.
'The one thing that is very important to me personally is to emphasize we are a peaceful movement,' Gericke said.
'The bills we introduced all very categorically state that this is a peaceable separation from the union if it were to happen. We need to be able to talk about difficult ideas and it shouldn't resort to violence.'
Gericke said that many of her supporters are 'not really comfortable with this empire that the US is building'
'They're now recruiting the National Guard to go overseas and congressional wars aren't being declared anymore. So even something like that, being able to keep our National Guard local to New Hampshire to serve the residents of New Hampshire would be better.
The NHEXIT website acknowledges it would take a, 'a multifaceted approach, including legal, political, and diplomatic efforts' to secure independence
Supporters also say they are not happy with being dragged into overseas wars and that independence would allow more direct access to democracy
'We'd be richer. There'd be less war, there'd be less violence. From the perspective of the closer you are to your government, the more responsive it can be to you.'
Whether the secession is legally possible remains to be seen, with the NHEXIT website acknowledging it would take a, 'a multifaceted approach, including legal, political, and diplomatic efforts. Initially, it would involve a statewide referendum demonstrating the will of the people'.
Similar movements have already failed in Mississippi and South Carolina.
Still, Gericke believes her vision of a free New Hampshire could be achievable within the next decade.
'I'm an eternal optimist. So I will say anything is possible,' she explained.
'People keep saying there's this polarization, but then also they talk about the uni-party, right? So which one is it? And the answer was, well, it's kind of the uni-party,
'So there's a system that is now marching on that is creating outcomes that are unfavorable to states.
'Is it possible? I do believe it's possible. Is it gonna be tomorrow, but in 10 years, quite possibly.'
