[sannhet]

Hi all -

Just came across this forum and have found some good information. I was wondering if anyone has moved to Vermont from sun-drenched areas and if so, how was the transitition. I've only lived in Phoenix, Newport Beach (CA.), and Hawaii, so this is going to be an entirely different kind of experience.

Thanks,
Scott (sannhet)

[skytrekker]

Originally Posted by sannhet

Hi all -

Just came across this forum and have found some good information. I was wondering if anyone has moved to Vermont from sun-drenched areas and if so, how was the transitition. I've only lived in Phoenix, Newport Beach (CA.), and Hawaii, so this is going to be an entirely different kind of experience.

Thanks,
Scott (sannhet)

Lived for a time in the SF bay area- but came back to Connecticut-
Moving to northern Vermont (St. Albans) will be a huge change. The town has around 7,650 people. Not far from the Canadian border-so if you become bored wonderful Montreal is a little more then an hour away.

St. Albans is a pleasant New England town- very quiet and peaceful- with no traffic, smog or road rage. A nice enough place to live with no chain stores and a nice Main Street; and really with down to earth folks.

The biggest change is going from a snow less sunny climate to one that has rigorous 4 seasons. Northern VT has winters far colder and snowier then my southern New England location in CT- that will be the biggest adjustment- and the much slower pace of living.

Expect at least 75" of snow a winter, and temps below zero. However see the link below regarding climate change in Vermont- things are not what they used to be in the Green Mountain state- its becoming milder- and in years to come is likely to become very different then the Vermont of the past. http://www.climatechoices.org/assets...mont_necia.pdf

[KoZmiC NinJa]

I think moreso than the cold itself is how long it lasts, and
worst for me, was how dark it is in the winter. It seems
like there is only about 6 hours of daylite for about 6 months
of the year. FRom a mental standpoint, that can be quite
a hardship.

[vermont08]

From what I heard first hand when I talked to people on our trip. The whole global warming or "change" has already started there. The last three winters have been more mild. But I was in the Burlington area (since that is where we plan to move) not as far north as where you plan to move but close. Don't let the whole daylight comment get to you. You are moving to Vermont not Alaska. lol Here is a chart of dawn/dusk and daylight hours per day. Even at it's shortest there is still +9 hrs of daylight. much of the year there is much more then that. )

Burlington, Vermont - Sunrise, sunset, dawn and dusk times for the whole year - Gaisma

Winters can be long and gray but it depends on your mind set and how much you get outdoors and have "fun" in it. Even if you are not one to play in the snow (meaning you have kids and go out with them to sled) or do snow sports (like snow shoe or ski) just getting out in the sun during the winter is a HUGE help. I found that out the hard way when I moved back here to MD where we do have a winter period of about 3 months after living in So. CA with no winter at all for 4 years.

[sannhet]

Thanks Skytrekker, Kozmic Ninja and Vermont08 for your replies. It's going to be a big adjustment, but workable. We both love winter sports, so as long as I can learn to drive in the snow and there is occassional sun in the winter, we should be good.