Why Are Rutland & Springfield So Horrible? (Burlington, Bennington: how much, new home)
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I guess the savvy politician's viewpoint is- why bother with towns that tourists and visitors aren't going to see? Right now the Senator is trying to pull pork to revitalize the top portion of Burlington's Church Street. This is great and all, and I wouldn't argue that this section doesn't need some new storefronts, but why spend money on something so frivolous when there are towns like Rutland that could much benefit much more from this money?
Simply put, visitors just don't go out of their way to visit Rutland or Springfield. There's no draw. So the towns most in need, and the real Vermonters that live in them, suffer while one little tiny section of Burlington takes all the benefit.
Hmmm, who says [smile] that Rutland and Springfield are horrible -- I think there are places in any town that can be better than others -- and, as a real estate broker, I have found all categories..Springfield has some stunning beautiful large homes AND they have some wonderful properties in the outskirts that look like they belong in Vermont Life or even NatGeo..and there are some wonderful homes in the Rutland area that are equally as descriptive as the Springfield ones too.
Of late, I have certainly noticed a lot more rehab going on in Springfield - some new businesses coming in - an initiative to have new businesses continue to come in. The Ellis Theater building, for example, which had a terrible fire [and, by the way was the home of The Simpson Premier] is finally being rehabbed and that will be a terrific bonus for the town again. Further, there is another restaurant that just opened up in Springfield [actually where Brickers used to be] and it is doing incredibly well [have been there and the food is good]; if you are also looking for additional stuff to do, Chester is about 15 mins away [sweet town]; Ludlow [Okemo] is 15-20 mins away, tops.
Rutland is certainly a larger city and has its merits as well.
North Shore Long Island and Chester homeowner.
We scoured many areas in south eastern VT and our search included a number of properties in Springfield. Rutland was a little too far to consider for our needs, we had nothing against Rutland otherwise. Springfield had the shops and such we would need, easy access to 91, and some nice properties. The only problem we had was back then, the area was rather blighted looking.
Over the past 8 years the wheels of progress have turned rather slowly. The fire was a setback and the tool factory looked more tired each year. Now the theater is being rebuilt, the factory rehabbed for medical offices and businesses. Next the town should go after the absentee landlords who allow their properties to become rundown...
I would suggest the OP look into Chester. There's a town pool, ball fields, decent schools, a nice library, friendly local shop owners, several churches, a responsive staff at the town hall -- I am very happy with my decision.
I lived my entire life on Long Island (North Shore) and moved here 20 years ago, having also tried South Carolina first and hated it. I think Vermont may be a very good fit for you and your family. Think of Springfield and Rutland as comparable to the South Shore of Long Island (think Hempstead, Franklin Square, etc. Not bad but not the same.) I second the advice about White River Junction/Hartford/Hartland/Norwich, maybe even across the river in NH (Hanover/Lebanon) because there are lots of educated people, cultural activities and jobs there. I live in Windsor and have always commuted the Lebanon/Hanover area for work, but I would not recommend Windsor. The area is known as the Upper Valley, and has much to offer. Dartmouth is in Hanover, NH, and the teaching hospital DHMC.
Horrible is a bad term to describe one of my favorite Vermont towns (Rutland) However I would agree based on the criteria you provided that most of our New England cities would not be best suited for you.
The meth stuff seems to be a problem all over rural US. Especially tennessee. Last fall while hiking & exploring along the Roaring Branch River we spotted some debris along the banks in the rocks. Closer look revealed about a dozen or so used needles. Hard to believe considering we were really out in the wilderness!
I lived my entire life on Long Island (North Shore) and moved here 20 years ago, having also tried South Carolina first and hated it. I think Vermont may be a very good fit for you and your family. Think of Springfield and Rutland as comparable to the South Shore of Long Island (think Hempstead, Franklin Square, etc. Not bad but not the same.) I second the advice about White River Junction/Hartford/Hartland/Norwich, maybe even across the river in NH (Hanover/Lebanon) because there are lots of educated people, cultural activities and jobs there. I live in Windsor and have always commuted the Lebanon/Hanover area for work, but I would not recommend Windsor. The area is known as the Upper Valley, and has much to offer. Dartmouth is in Hanover, NH, and the teaching hospital DHMC.
I wouldn't put either in the same category as Hempstead. Have you been to Hempstead recently? Rutland is certainly has a little urban vibe going on, but it doesn't have quite the trashy element as swaths of Hempstead does. Springfield is too small to put into the category. South shore is a good analogy. Maybe the nicer sections of Freeport or Baldwin; maybe the revitalized Patchogue area. Some parts of Rutland sort of remind me of Westbury -- Post Ave area. Springfield is more south shore Suffolk. A lot less nonsense, though, in VT.
I just got back from a trip to Rutland, and I have to say I was surprised. Reading all this I expected a real dump! It's a city so there are areas of 'lower quality', but it was all clean and felt safe. We had several great meals, and enjoyed walking around. It felt like cities I'm use to (Philly-NY are), but in the 1970's (with a Wal*Mart).
Horrible is way to strong a word here. I think those that complain about it need to get out more!
I just got back from a trip to Rutland, and I have to say I was surprised. Reading all this I expected a real dump! It's a city so there are areas of 'lower quality', but it was all clean and felt safe. We had several great meals, and enjoyed walking around. It felt like cities I'm use to (Philly-NY are), but in the 1970's (with a Wal*Mart).
Horrible is way to strong a word here. I think those that complain about it need to get out more!
Hear, hear. I've lived in Rutland since 1996 (and my husband since the '70s) and we agree completely.
So how was your trip? What are you considering at this point?
Had a great trip! We looked at several areas, and will probably move to the Pittsford/Chittenden areas. Close to Rutland, and Brandon they have everything we want.
You can really see the sence of community, and the efforts to make Rutland a nice 'downtown'. Hopefully the economy will improve (national and local) to move it along.
As for the improvement all the way around, I hope so, too, for all our sakes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by joffficer
Had a great trip! We looked at several areas, and will probably move to the Pittsford/Chittenden areas. Close to Rutland, and Brandon they have everything we want.
You can really see the sence of community, and the efforts to make Rutland a nice 'downtown'. Hopefully the economy will improve (national and local) to move it along.
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