another fellow former MN resident - we live in SW NH since last year - while it was a dry summer, I did not see any ticks to speak of, just found a few during an extended deep brush hike with my son in the fall. I had all these horror stories shared on this subreddit, but I think it's really just situational. If you went into the deep brush it would probably be icky depending on the time of year.

The weird midges and biting flies though, that's a new thing for us, glad we live in a town and not out in the country. Picaridin is some good stuff, highly recommend.

This winter has been unusually warm but wow it's the easiest/warmest winter I've ever experienced in my life! you'll love being able to go for long bike rides in February.