[skivino]

Our vacation date is almost upon us...we're leaving this Saturday the 11th for 2 weeks in what clearly is a beautiful area..>BUrlington! We're staying just north in Colchester on the lake. We're contemplating moving there in 3 years and wanted to get a feel for the area. Everything I've read says "This is the place for us!" My husband can work from anywhere and has a good salary so we have that going for us.

We're going to check out South Burlington, Burlington, Colchester and Essex areas, but if anyone can offer any 'insider' tips, places etc other than what's been mentioned on these boards that would be great. Specifically any certain neighborhoods to check out? Or stay away from? We'd need a 3-4 bdrm home min, want some neighbors, easy access to Burlington would be nice. We have 3 children although our oldest will be in college by they time we'd move. So we'd have a 12 and 11 year old girls.


I realize 3 years is well 3 years, but time flies. I'm so excited to finally experience this lovely area in person, rather than online!! Our bikes are ready!!

Thanks in advance.
Maureen

[vter]

Pick up a Chittenden County map when you get to the area. You should be able to find one in most supermarkets. This will show you all the neighborhoods etc.
I'll try and post more tomorrow...too tired to think right now

[pipkinra]

I know that most of the post here seem to be a bout Burlington and to the south but it really is work the time to pay a visit north to Salem Lake, Seymour Lake and without doubt Lake Memphrenmagog. These lakes and the surrounding countryside are really something to see.

[pipkinra]

Forgive my terrible grammar, my barking dog and a ringing door bell were distracting me.

[Tupperpatr]

1)Be sure to take a ride through Smugglers Notch to Stowe. It will amaze you. Then you can ride your bikes on the Stowe bike path and grab a snack in Stowe village or drive to Ben & Jerrys in Waterbury. 2) The view of Lake Champlain from Mount Philo in Charlotte is breath taking. You can either drive up the road or hike it. You will be glad you did - take your camera! 3) The Champlain Islands is a great day trip. 4) Take the Charlotte ferry to Essex, N.Y. and have lunch at the restaurant right next to the ferry dock. You can park your car on the Charlotte side and take your bikes with you to take a ride around town to work off your lunch. You can also just walk to the restaurant, walk around the small town of Essex and hop back on the ferry to the Charlotte side. This is a great trip to take after visiting Mount Philo. The ferry ride takes about 20 minutes one-way.

Have a wonderful vacation and best of luck with your relocation.

[Tupperpatr]

Just wanted you to see part of the view from Mount Philo in Charlotte. This picture was taken this June. Imagine the view at sunset!!

[skivino]

Thanks for the suggestions...they're great. I'm making notes! I'm glad we have 2 weeks...never could have 'experienced' the area in just a piddly seven days, although it sounds like 14 won't be enough either....ah just another reason to return. I haven't even been there and I'm talking about going back!!

[sugarmaple]

You might want to picnic at the Sandbar....beautiful beach...

[DogLady321]

Certainly don't miss Stowe, my favorite town in all of VT, besides Woodstock.
Check out the Whip Grill at the Green Mountain Inn.

Real estate in the Burlington area is a bit more expensive than other parts of the state.
Right now here in southern VT we are seeing ALOT of houses on the market but not a whole lot of buyers.

Perhaps when you buy in 3 years things will have come down somemore.

VT is a beautiful state but don't forget we still get winter up here and there is a season called "mud season". The longest season is winter.

Some of the people here are pretty cool.

[skivino]

Thanks again for the tips. I'm so darned excited that we're finally leaving tomorrow!!

Winter is not a problem for us, we love it, the colder the better. We were skiing in VT this past March when it was -12 in the morning and stayed single digits all day. Our girls skiied all day with us (of course many more stops for Hot Choc) without complaint. It's been close to 100 here recently and almost the same amount of humidity....that I cannot stand.

I've looked at the prices in Burlington and honestly compared to where we are they are they are more reasonable, so we have that on our side.

Thanks!