[tkln]

MPG is all relative though - I'm currently averaging 14.5 in my Jeep. Granted, it takes regular fuel, but I've read on many of the VW/Touareg forums that people get a lot better mpg than what the EPA claims...some people were getting low 30s on the highway, which is incredible for a vehicle that heavy. But yes, the cost of diesel is something to consider (though here in NYC it's about $4.39!), plus the urea changes that seem to be mandatory in every new diesel car I've seen.

[MRVphotog]

Originally Posted by vter

If the job is in Shelburne I'd concentrate south of Burlington. Shelburne, Charlotte, Ferrisburgh, Vergennes, Hinesburg.

All the towns above means you'll be driving up on Rt7 except Hinesburg which can get you right back into the gridlock traffic thing during commuting time in the morning/evening. I would look at places where your not using Rt 7 as the commute.

[vter]

Sorry MRV..disagree. The worse traffic on 7 is basically from GE Healthcare and north to 189 always headed NORTH into Burlington. If one doesn't want to take Route 7 there are many other options...Spear Street, Dorset Street, Mt. Philo Road etc. It's a very easy commute. We are 18 miles south of Burlington and commute to SB daily during "rush hour" and takes 25 minutes. If the job is in Shelburne the commute will be a piece of cake.

[MRVphotog]

Originally Posted by vter

Sorry MRV..disagree. The worse traffic on 7 is basically from GE Healthcare and north to 189 always headed NORTH into Burlington. If one doesn't want to take Route 7 there are many other options...Spear Street, Dorset Street, Mt. Philo Road etc. It's a very easy commute. We are 18 miles south of Burlington and commute to SB daily during "rush hour" and takes 25 minutes. If the job is in Shelburne the commute will be a piece of cake.

Well, I was coming up from Saratoga NY and needed to stop in Burlington and I hit gridlock just south of Shelburne Museum. I thought of getting on Spear or even Dorset but didn't think it would have helped. They help some but you still end up being in alot of traffic. They widened Rt 7 around the GE area but just south of the campground, just north of Shelburne Villagr, it is still two lanes and can be a chokepoint.

Just saying it should be taken in consideration. Like you posted getting to know the side roads can make a big diference.

[JGBigGreen]

I have lived in Vermont for nine years and have been commuting around 35-40 minutes each way on I89. I can say that the roads in Vermont ARE NOT well taken care of and have gotten worse in the past few years. Winter conditions have gotten especially bad so please take that into account when making a decision.

Originally Posted by -penguin-

I've stayed in Vermont many times, but only as a vacationer, never someone on the clock. My overall impression is that roads are well taken care of and with less than 5+ inches of snow at a time the expectation is that life goes on. Is this accurate?

[RJARRRPCGP]

Originally Posted by jackmccullough

Yup. And the last one before that was the Valentine's Day Blizzard in 2007.

When it happens most things are back up and running the next day.

2007 was bad, because it ironically snowed as much, if not more in April! It took until April 16 for the snow to stop permanently for the spring!

Then, Cavendish, where I lived in 2007, is one of the worst places when it comes to snow! It's a snow belt!

It was strange, January had less snow than April, IIRC!