[sslvc19]

I've seen a lot of posts about Burlington; an impressive city. What can anyone tell me about Rutland and or Montpelier? Are they a good place to consider for relocation to the area? What would be the benefits of living in these two areas?

[vter]

IMO, Rutland is kinda blah. The surrounding towns are nice - Brandon, Pittsford, Clarendon, Wallingford etc. Rutland is just a hop skip & a jump to Killington Ski Resort. It has fairly quick access over to the NY Thruway.
Montpelier is a great small city. It's the state capital - lots of restaurants & nice shops. I would pick Montpelier over Rutland any day.

[chaz longue]

Me too.

I don't know Rutland, but have been though it a few times. I'd go visit any time, but doubt I'd want to move there. I'm sure it has a lot going for it - I just don't know what that would be.

Montpelier on the other hand, is

- The only capital city in the nation without a Mcdonalds
- Full of shops and small restaurants of all different kinds
- A capital city with a truly small-town feel
- A fashion-free capitol city ;-)

Montpelier has arts and culture.

-The Savoy Movie Theatre is unique and wonderful.
- The VT Symphony plays at The Statehouse on Farmers Night every year
- There's great food and local agriculture galore.
- There's live music to go see

I'd find Montpelier altogether too small to live in. But I enjoy visiting.

[sevdie]

Didn't someone also say that it doesn't have a Wal-Mart?

[vter]

There is not a Wal-Mart in Montpelier, but 3 miles away there is one in the neighborhing town of Berlin in the Berlin Mall. There is also a McDonalds and a Burger King within 1/2 mile of the Montpelier town border with Berlin.
There is a Wal-Mart in downtown Rutland.

[chaz longue]

Originally Posted by vter

There is not a Wal-Mart in Montpelier, but 3 miles away there is one in the neighborhing town of Berlin in the Berlin Mall. There is also a McDonalds and a Burger King within 1/2 mile of the Montpelier town border with Berlin.
There is a Wal-Mart in downtown Rutland.

Yikes -

I keep forgetting there's more than one now.

Well, we can hold on to the destinction of being the last state to allow one...

[vter]

We have 4 - Williston, Berlin (Barre/Montpelier), Bennington, & Rutland.
I wish we'd get a dang Target already!

[chaz longue]

Originally Posted by vter

We have 4 - Williston, Berlin (Barre/Montpelier), Bennington, & Rutland.
I wish we'd get a dang Target already!

I'm with you there...I'd trade all 4 sprawl-mart's for a Target in a heartbeat!

[Georgia]

Montpelier...
My retirement choice. I traveled Vermont for 5 years from top to bottom.

In my opinion Montpelier has the captial building which is very nice, looks much like the building in Charleston, WV. People are great, I IMO it has a slight Canadian touch. Most of all my favorite.

Question:

How are taxes etc. now in Vermont. I know that you used to have a fixed tax rate until Dean handed down the tiered and one of the highest overall rates in the nation. Can someone provide some insight.

[Georgia]

Originally Posted by chaz longue

I'm with you there...I'd trade all 4 sprawl-mart's for a Target in a heartbeat!

UGH!
C'mon Vermonters don't let them take over!!!!
I have, now consider my county here in GA has 100,000 more people alone than the entire state of VT, we have 6 Wal-Farrts and 5 Plargets within 10 miles of my home.

Remember Gone with the Wind. Well, thanks to these guys and just about every fast food and other chain, the entire Old Southern culture and identity is "Gone with the Wind".

Don't lose what makes Vermont, Vermont. You, along with West Virginia, the Dakota's, and Alaska are about the only thing left with you own identity.