[Dragondog]

I feel for you jipsee

consider moving to Mass- where in 2007 everyone will be required to 'buy' healthcare insurance- but pay for it on a 'sliding scale' based on their income.

I agree with you totally about healthcare- why the 'greatest' nation on earth does nothing to help its citizens in abtaining affordable heathcare is a mystery to me.

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by Dragondog

I agree with you totally about healthcare- why the 'greatest' nation on earth does nothing to help its citizens in abtaining affordable heathcare is a mystery to me.

I suspect that the millions of dollars that the insurance industry "donates" to politicians' campaigns has a lot to do with it.

[jipsee]

HA, yes, I'm sure that may have something to do with it.
Sorry for whining. I could probably apply for health coverage through the state of Vermont, but I'm sure I'd probably fail some criteria. I've only been here for two weeks after all. And by the time I went through the process I (hopefully) will have a job w/bennies.
Mark S., how's your relocation search going?

[sevdie]

Jipsee,

I don't think y ou are whining at all. I think y ou have a valid point and I feel so bad for you. I hope things work out well for you very soon.

[jipsee]

Thank you. Actually they should work out better for me soon, I just got a job offer yesterday!

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by jipsee

Mark S., how's your relocation search going?

We're not actually taking our trip until next spring. Right now, we're researching and narrowing our list of possible places to move. Maine and the Littleton/St. Johnsbury area are on the top of the list, but we're still considering some other New England towns, and even a couple in upstate NY.

So you've moved already, eh? How do you like it so far? Do tell!

[jipsee]

Originally Posted by Mark S.

We're not actually taking our trip until next spring. Right now, we're researching and narrowing our list of possible places to move. Maine and the Littleton/St. Johnsbury area are on the top of the list, but we're still considering some other New England towns, and even a couple in upstate NY.

That sounds very sensible. I just took a drive last weekend up to the St. Johnsbury area. I saw the Moore Station, which is quite a big reservoir on the NH side, quite beautiful. I lived in NH for years and years but had never been to that area. The Northeast Kingdom is awesome. I've heard that Littleton is a great town to live in. It's pretty far removed from any urban (urban in the NH sense) areas, as I'm sure you already know...but maybe that's what you appreciate about it. You have to go through Franconia Notch in the White Mountains to get to points south on I-93, and the weather can be unpredictable. It seems that the Littleton-St. J's area has places to shop so you wouldn't have to drive far to get your essentials, anyway.

So you've moved already, eh? How do you like it so far? Do tell!

So far, great! I think I'm really going to like living in the Upper Valley. It is unbelievably beautiful. There are so many postcard vistas just in the area I live in. I'm in a rural area, yet only about 5 minutes from I-91, which will take me to Hanover, or Lebanon via I-89. I can also take the secondary route just across the river to Lyme, NH. I picked a great time to land here, the foliage is starting to kick in.
Seems there is a lot going on around here. Classes, concerts, arts events, lectures, you name it.
It is reassuring to see so many farms in this area. In light of the recent scare with E.Coli, I've been thinking a lot about how I don't even know where my food has been since it was picked out of the ground - way out in CA. It seems odd that we go to the supermarket and buy food, and we have no idea of what has happened to it before it reaches our tables. Anyway, I'd like to buy more of my food locally, and there are lots of opportunities to do that here, it is widely encouraged. Farmers markets and the like abound.
Just let me know what other questions you may have, I'd be happy to answer.

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by jipsee

The Northeast Kingdom is awesome. I've heard that Littleton is a great town to live in. It's pretty far removed from any urban (urban in the NH sense) areas, as I'm sure you already know...but maybe that's what you appreciate about it.

Yep. If it were up to me, I could easily go Grizzley Adams. But with kids, we don't want to be altogether away from civilization. We're looking mostly at small to mid-sized towns. Burlington, VT and Bangor, ME are about as big as we want to get.

So you're near Lebanon?

We looked into that area, but it seems kinda pricey. I figured it was because of Dartmouth being in the area. Have you found any areas near there that are more affordable?

[jipsee]

Yes, Hanover is closest, then Lebanon. And yes, you are correct, the area is quite pricey, especially the immediate area around Hanover and across the river in Norwich, VT. Very appealing towns, but the price is high.
I rent, there's no way I can afford to purchase a home on my own. I took a place in VT because it's quite near where I'll be working, only about a 15 minute drive, and it seems I could get more for my money. Of course, I'll have to pay income tax so I'm not sure how it will iron out. There are nice towns all along the CT River which possibly may be more affordable...Plainfield, Cornish, and Meriden, NH...as well as towns south along I-89 which are still considered part of the Upper Valley. North of Hanover is Orford and Woodsville. On the VT side there is Bradford, Thetford, Wilder, Windsor, Hartland among others. I'm just naming ones that would be within a half hour or so from Hanover/Lebanon. Most all I've mentioned here are quite small, with a post office, possibly a general store and gas station...and that's about it with the exception of Bradford and Windsor.
Where would you be working? Would you have to commute? You may have told me earlier, sorry if you did.

[sevdie]

I am so happy you found your spot Jipsee and a job too!! That's so great! Please email me, I would love to hear more. I sent you my email address vis PM.