[Suzet2262]

I was wondering if anyone would share some of your experiences you have had as to how you have been treated by the locals, and how you have adjusted to life in Vermont. My family is considering the move from Calif. People that I have spoken with on the phone have been very nice and helpful. I called one place to make a reservation for our trip out there in Oct, and talked to this one woman for 45 mins. It was very nice. I would like to know if the locals are happy to have new comers come in to their state, or would really rather have us not be there at all. I hear a lot about how back east, people are not friendly to outsiders. I havent found this to be true, atleast on the phone...lol. So anything you would like to share would be great.

[skytrekker]

Originally Posted by Suzet2262

I was wondering if anyone would share some of your experiences you have had as to how you have been treated by the locals, and how you have adjusted to life in Vermont. My family is considering the move from Calif. People that I have spoken with on the phone have been very nice and helpful. I called one place to make a reservation for our trip out there in Oct, and talked to this one woman for 45 mins. It was very nice. I would like to know if the locals are happy to have new comers come in to their state, or would really rather have us not be there at all. I hear a lot about how back east, people are not friendly to outsiders. I havent found this to be true, atleast on the phone...lol. So anything you would like to share would be great.

I live in Connecticut- and go to Vermont often and find the people to be very friendly. We have a fair number of former 'nutmeggers' who have moved to Vermont and like it very much.

We also have a fair number of Californians now in Connecticut-especially the eastern and south eastern part of the state- and they seem at ease and fit in well. Californians are welcome here also, believe me.

[vt.peanut]

Whether or not you're a native is more of a big deal in Vermont than in other states.

How you will be treated will depend on where you move. I'm generalizing here, but I would recommend being in or within ten miles of the bigger towns like Burlington or Brattleboro, and would not recommend being near the ski areas or in the Northeast Kingdom. Artsy communities like Williamsville and South Newfane (in the Town of Newfane) are also recommended.

If you list some places you're interested in, we could probably give you more help.

[vermont08]

I have heard the thing is to start off moving to the Burlington area as there are people from all over the place there. Then as you get used to things look into other places that are more rural. As I too have heard that it can be hard in Vermont if you move into a smaller/local type town from out of state. We plan to make the move this coming spring (March) from Maryland.

[KoZmiC NinJa]

People in my town are very freindly. A little standoffish
at first, but very,very friendly once they know you. On
the otherhand, and mentioned in other threads, a lot
of Vermonts rural areas are inhabited by people that are
very provincial and not-too-traveled. Going from Danby to
the Tunbridge Fair constitutes being well traveled. From these
people you will hear 'Flatlander' about 40 times a day. You
will read Letters to the Editor in the local paper of all the
evil stuff the Flatlanders have done to Vermont. Expect to
hear sexual and racial derogatories you havent heard since
1970, too. Keep reading these threads. It will become apparent
to you were you want to look around and where you want to avoid.
To diverge from the subject at hand slightly.....Vermonters are proud
at what they have and well they should be. This is different mindset
than anywhere Ive ever been. If you are a proponent of Big Box stores,
strip malls and shopping that might not go over too well with a good
number of people, me included. Really, if this stuff is a priority for your
move you might want to reconsider a few things or check the location
well. I as well as others, hate that stuff and fight it when we can.
I did so in PA too, but Ive never seen such support against it as I
have here. Many people here just dont want it. So, you might incur
some negativities if you come here and explain to your neighbors
you wish there was a WAL*MART close by.
When we came here the local business were part of the draw....the diners,
the old men at the dusty hardware store....people who can tell you how
to sheer a sheep or what type of toads you have in your back yard at
the local feed store....When you get all of that on your trip into town
you will understand why Vermonters dont want that replaced by big
corporate McRetail.

[brattpowered]

I lived in Putney (just outside of Brattleboro) for 1.5 years after graduating college. The people I met were very friendly. Most other transplants (including the old hippies) were easy to get along with and very inclusive, but a lot of the old timey Vermonters were small-town busybodies. They weren't hostile or reclusive-- it's just that they were very curious and somewhat clique-ish. I eventually moved, but it wasn't because of people's attitudes-- it was because there weren't many worthwhile jobs, affordable places to live, or people my age.

[Suzet2262]

vt.peanut, we will be looking into the Manchester, Dorset or Bennington areas. Where did the term "flatlander" come from anyway? That name kills me. I dont think out in Calif we have names for people that relocate out here. Lol. KoZmiC NinJa thanks for your comments. I enjoy reading your posts. I am not hooked on shopping at major dept stores, I think I would actually like to shop at the little stores and country markets. Meeting people and hearing their stories to me, has always been fascinating. Everyone has something to say. I love hearing about how others have lived their lives. Oh btw, skytrekker, what is a nutmegger?? That is too funny.

[chaz longue]

CT is called "The Nutmeg State" just as VT is called The Green Mountain State.

I won't tell you what people from MA get called ;-)

Oh..and people moving into CA are called Okies, no? (sorry - I don't get to make a John Steinbeck joke every day...sorry, no more jokes of any kind for 24 hrs, promise)

[chaz longue]

"Flatlander" because VT is so mountainous. VT is actually the size of Wyoming, but instead of covering a lot of area, we were sort of pushed up into peaks. A long while ago.

Flatlander is a funny term though. Our Governor for many years was a woman born in Switzerland. Guess what letters to the editor writers and political oponents called her? You guessed it.

[vt.peanut]

Suzet,

As far as being labeled a flatlander, you should be ok in Manchester and Dorset. I'm not sure about Bennington, because there are a lot of natives living there, probably a higher percentage than in other big towns. What's good about Bennington is that it is more "real" than Manchester and Dorset.

None of those towns have a food co-op, someplace where you can buy local and organic food. Bennington has a small natural-foods store, but it isn't a substitute for a supermarket. Manchester has a decent chain supermarket, but most of the stores are so-called outlets.

You could also consider Arlington, which is in between Manchester and Bennington.