[arel]

Originally Posted by 68vette

Most of the winter is somewhere between the teens to twenties. We sometimes have a warm spell in Jan. or Feb. I can't remember off the top of my head, but for a week or so it will get up in the forties. On the other end of extremes it can go to about 20-25 degrees below zero for a few weeks. Some winters are worse than others. Last year it was warm until just after New Years. I went out on New Years Eve with a fleece on(not typical here at all). Then after New Years we paid for it. There wasn't a large amount of snow besides Valentines Day, but it was very cold with temps below zero more than a usual winter. The lake keeps Burlington more mild than most of the rest of the state. I live on the lake and my biggest complaint is the wind can be fierce. It cuts right through you when it's cold out. Another of my complaints (I'm just whining) is that winter on average is about 2 months longer than southern New England or NYC.

The wind sounds like New York. Regarding the other stuff:

[arel]

Originally Posted by flu189

Burlington is OK and does have a nice aesthetic to it, but it is not really a city. Yes, there is some housing density there, but I repeat, it is not a city. I prefer living 18 miles out of the Burlington/S. Burlington area in order to have a nice quiet natural landscape. A short ride is all it takes to get to town to do whatever. Just this morning I had to pick up something and the ride is pleasant without traffic and miles and miles of streetlights. As a former New Yorker I will tell anyone that the best feature here is that you can live close enough to "town" and not have town follow you home. This is something that to a degree used to even exist in Long Island, but no more. For those that agonize over leaving the city and leaving whatever aspects behind I suggest you take several long trips to the country during all seasons and stay as long as you can. For some you may find out that periodic or even frequent visits to Vermont will suit you better than moving here. Myself, September 3, 1976 the day we left NYC as residents is a highlight of my life. I like coming back to visit, but just cannot see putting up with life there on a daily basis. So, I guess I would like to sum it up by saying that anyones comparisons of town "A" to city "B" or country life to suburbia should be taken in very general terms since each person as their own unique likes and dislikes and only you can judge for yourself what you want out of life. The forums are a great way to get both the pro and con aspects plus tips, but everyone is different and nothing beats boots on the ground experience.

By not having "town" follow you home, do you mean you can escape the traffic and the urban environment and get to the country quickly?

I envy you for your ability to break your attachment to NYC. I'm getting there, but it's a struggle.

[girlandpup]

Originally Posted by flu189

Burlington is OK and does have a nice aesthetic to it, but it is not really a city. Yes, there is some housing density there, but I repeat, it is not a city. I prefer living 18 miles out of the Burlington/S. Burlington area in order to have a nice quiet natural landscape. A short ride is all it takes to get to town to do whatever. Just this morning I had to pick up something and the ride is pleasant without traffic and miles and miles of streetlights. As a former New Yorker I will tell anyone that the best feature here is that you can live close enough to "town" and not have town follow you home. This is something that to a degree used to even exist in Long Island, but no more. For those that agonize over leaving the city and leaving whatever aspects behind I suggest you take several long trips to the country during all seasons and stay as long as you can. For some you may find out that periodic or even frequent visits to Vermont will suit you better than moving here. Myself, September 3, 1976 the day we left NYC as residents is a highlight of my life. I like coming back to visit, but just cannot see putting up with life there on a daily basis. So, I guess I would like to sum it up by saying that anyones comparisons of town "A" to city "B" or country life to suburbia should be taken in very general terms since each person as their own unique likes and dislikes and only you can judge for yourself what you want out of life. The forums are a great way to get both the pro and con aspects plus tips, but everyone is different and nothing beats boots on the ground experience.

Hi!
I saw that you live in Hinesburg. From this quote, you seem very happy there, which is always so nice to hear! I don't know if that is where you have been living since first moving to VT on Sept. 3, 1976, or if you lived in other parts of VT first. I have been looking at areas around Burlington, knowing that I do love Burlington but probably would be happier living just outside the "city" of it. I have been living in NYC for many years, and am more than ready for a true change in lifestyle. However, I also know that am so used to the city, so it will be an adjustment for me, especially since I am alone (just my dog and I). I was interested in Hinesburg, as well as considering Winooski and parts of South Burlington since they are both closer to Burlington. I was wondeing how easy it really is to get into Burlington from Hinesburg, esp. during the winter months. Living in NYC for so long, including not having a car (I know I'll have to buy one before moving - four wheel drive I realize), knowing that Hinesburg is "18 miles out of the Burlington area" has very little meaning - it is hard for me to conceptualize this and also difficult for me to understand what that will mean during the cold and snowy months. Could you please help me with this?? (also, ANYTHING you want to add about Hinesburg would always be helpful and appreciated). THANK YOU!!

[vter]

I live south of Hinesburg and commute through town daily. The commute to Burlington is easy and on well maintained roads. Just about everyone who lives in Hinesburg works in the Burlington area. Flu probaby lives outside of town as Hinesburg Center to South Burlington is about 11 miles (another 1-2 into Burlington).
You'll want a good car with at least front wheel drive (not rear wheel) and a good set of snow tires and you're good to go.

[girlandpup]

Originally Posted by vter

I live south of Hinesburg and commute through town daily. The commute to Burlington is easy and on well maintained roads. Just about everyone who lives in Hinesburg works in the Burlington area. Flu probaby lives outside of town as Hinesburg Center to South Burlington is about 11 miles (another 1-2 into Burlington).
You'll want a good car with at least front wheel drive (not rear wheel) and a good set of snow tires and you're good to go.

Thank you, vter!

[flu189]

I live on the very far east end of Hinesburg almost on the Huntington line on a dirt road. The roads are fine in the winter and traffic is not really a major issue. I have several choices of back roads to use to get to work in Colchester and to be quite honest the hazzards of winter travel increase when you get into more congested areas. In the event of a major storm most employers will close or stagger reporting hours anyway. What I like about my area is that I have extensive networks of hiking/snowshoe trails right outside my door as well as having the Huntington River for swimming holes very nearby. The area is very scenic and rural, but a very easy commute to work and shopping. How often do you really need to go to Walmart or the supermarket anyway? To those that live in the metro NY/NJ/CT area you all know too well how far you must commute to "get away" and the high cost of commuting not to mention the housing and taxes $$$$$. If you can find work here that you like and if it pays enough to support your desired lifestyle Vt can be a win win. However, there are issues here which can cause concern. For those looking to make the transition take the time to check the area out and don't rule out living outside of "town" as this is not the wild wilderness. The concerns of winter travel seem to pop up often and I can respect that, but it really is not a major issue if you are a responsible driver. Most of the vehicles that fly off the road is not weather related, but rather operator disfunction. Sometimes I find it comforting to see some of the vehicles out of commission in the ditch because that means the roads will be safer for the rest of us.

[girlandpup]

Originally Posted by flu189

I live on the very far east end of Hinesburg almost on the Huntington line on a dirt road. The roads are fine in the winter and traffic is not really a major issue. I have several choices of back roads to use to get to work in Colchester and to be quite honest the hazzards of winter travel increase when you get into more congested areas. In the event of a major storm most employers will close or stagger reporting hours anyway. What I like about my area is that I have extensive networks of hiking/snowshoe trails right outside my door as well as having the Huntington River for swimming holes very nearby. The area is very scenic and rural, but a very easy commute to work and shopping. How often do you really need to go to Walmart or the supermarket anyway? To those that live in the metro NY/NJ/CT area you all know too well how far you must commute to "get away" and the high cost of commuting not to mention the housing and taxes $$$$$. If you can find work here that you like and if it pays enough to support your desired lifestyle Vt can be a win win. However, there are issues here which can cause concern. For those looking to make the transition take the time to check the area out and don't rule out living outside of "town" as this is not the wild wilderness. The concerns of winter travel seem to pop up often and I can respect that, but it really is not a major issue if you are a responsible driver. Most of the vehicles that fly off the road is not weather related, but rather operator disfunction. Sometimes I find it comforting to see some of the vehicles out of commission in the ditch because that means the roads will be safer for the rest of us.

Thank you! Also, all good points about the driver being the biggest hazzard sometimes - I have seen the most ridiculous and unsafe driving in even the best road conditions (e.g., cutting in and out of lanes to "barely pass" each car while doing at least 20 over the speed limit - they are the ones that cause accidents for others, unfortunately). I will have to remember that when thinking about the winter driving, that maybe it isn't as bad as I'm thinking it to be and I know how to always be a good, safe driver. I am looking to be outside Burlington itself b/c want the quieter town and esp. want what you described - "extensive networks of hiking/snowshoe trails right outside my door as well as having the Huntington River for swimming holes very nearby." That sounds so great to me (and I know my dog would love it, too)! I will be trying to get a job in the whole Burlington area (i.e., Burlington and any of the "neighboring towns"), so don't know where my commute will take me yet. I've read all the warnings on this site about getting a job before moving, but for me I don't have any kind of choice anyway - I HAVE to have a job lined up before can move anywhere. Thank you again, everyone, for your responses!

[sunsettraveller]

Burlington is a great place, access to lots of stores without living right in town, super cultural events, awesome lake cruises, lots of various events, close, lots of different people who ae friendly. it IS cold in the winter but beautiful in the summer, full of life year around; easy commute to many places to work; airport right handy, Montreal and other interesting places very close by..other places are colder in the winter but the wind off Lake Champlain is snappy if you're in direct aim. It also has one of the top hospitals in the United States.

[girlandpup]

"It also has one of the top hospitals in the United States."

I didn't know this. Which one are your referring to?

[vter]

I'm assuming Fletcher Allen. I'm not sure I'd call it one of the best in the US. It's adequate, but not what I would call stellar.