98 wasn't a big deal down this way (2008 a different story), but the images of those high-tension power line towers just bent over in half up in Quebec will be remembered.
Early December last year was decent...17" or so in that one event with about 27" for the month. Then it went downhill. The past two years have been under-performing but most winters are decent with good latitude for SWFEs and great coastal blizzards. Being close to the water can hurt sometimes but not always. Where in Hampton are you? I grew up in N. Hampton.
If you like "in the rough" lobster, Chauncey Creek over in Kittery does a nice job. Haven't been there in years so not sure if they've softened to appease the tourists but it was mostly bring your own everything except the lobster and maybe steamers.
I remember visiting the Admiral Peary Museum of arctic exploration at Bowdoin some time back in the early 90s. Just made me think of how crazy those people were trying to get to the North Pole, let alone the South Pole, with such low-tech equipment.