[Fearringtonflash]

Although some folks think we are crazy, we are strongly considering moving from North Carolina and retiring in Burlington, VT or the area. We are looking for a place that is vibrant, politically progressive, has a strong academic, arts and cultural presence, and that has good public transportation. From what I've heard (except possibly for the transport part), Burlington seemt to fit the bill.

How is Burlington as an area for younger retirees (in mid-60's)? Are there lots of condos, apartments, houses, etc. in the university or downtown area that cater (at least in part) to active retirees? Is there an active seniors community in VT/Burlington?

Is there pretty good transit from the 'suburbs'--e.g., Winooski, Colchester, So. Burlington? How about Montpelier--is that an easy back and forth to B'ton?

Thanks for any info, comments, etc.

[Dragondog]

Most are going in the opposite direction-north to south. The 'more enlightened' like yourself are going north.

I have nothing against North Carolina- but the cultural differences outside of the 'golden triangle' can be difficult for northerners.

As for your questions about the Burlington area;

Winooski is an old mill town just north of Burlington - they have recently done much redevelopment on the river, in the downtown area. Pop is just under 7,000

South Burlington pop around 17000 is near the Burlington International Airport

A pleasant town offering great recreation, services for the elderly, libraries, and easy access to Burlington.

Traffic patterns between the towns you specified and Burlington would be easy- traffic is considered 'light' even during 'rush hour'

The local transportation system (Public) see http://www.cctaride.org/main.php (broken link)

Seniors in Burlington and Vermont
http://www.fahc.org/ElderHealth/Reso...531_22721.html

[chaz longue]

Dragondog is correct again!

Here's more

February, 1996 – Burlington rates as one of the seven best retirement areas according to New Choices, a magazine devoted to “living even better after 50".

http://www.churchstmarketplace.com/accolades.html (broken link)

You'll also enjoy looking the other Burlington threads over if you haven't done so already, Fearringtonflash. They are full of information you'll enjoy.

[ontheroad]

While I love Vermont and my daughter attended UVM and hence I visited Burlington frequently, I can't say I would select this city to retire. It is very expensive to rent, and buy, too; it is not as cultural as Western Massachusett's mega-college area (the Pioneer Valley) nor did I particularly notice many plus 50s folk.

It is lots of fun to walk around, but it is impossible to get easy parking. Except for Border's, it has few good second hand bookstores, except perhaps for the Crow, and I don't recall too many extra-ordinary eateries.

However, some of the outer towns--north and east--albeit small, are warm, welcoming and were a pleasure to visit. Can't recall which, but one of the smaller towns north of Burlington as I recall, had a cosy bakery/coffee shop and a nice feel.

I think when I ask this question of myself--where would I be comfortable as a retiree--I have to have a list of must-haves near by me so that it is clear what I want rather than what appears to be ideal by other peoples standards.

Good luck!

[grimstuff]

It is lots of fun to walk around, but it is impossible to get easy parking.

Well, there are plenty of cities where it's horrendous to walk around but easy for parking. Which would you rather have?

[ontheroad]

Can't disagree with you, Grimstuff but as far as I recall, I needed to drive to walk and hence park!

[chaz longue]

ontheroad -

Fascinating observations. I enjoy Northampton and The Pioneer Valley too. I've got a kid about to go to school there, actually, so I'll be getting more familiar with it now, and perhaps you'll seem wiser the more I learn But I think not everybody would agree that Burlington is "less cultural" than Western MA. And I'm a guy who's been known to drive to The Iron Horse Music Hall from Burlington...

And yes - it's true that it's not as easy to find parking as it was when Church Street was used for automobile traffic, Leunigs Bistro was an A&W and Woolworth was where Old Navy is now. But let's not forget the municipal parking garages which are free for 2 hours at a stretch.

And as to Restaurants: de gustibus non est disputandem est. (There's no accounting for taste). But did you try "Penny Cluse" for breakfast? Parima, 3 Tomatoes, Tantra, 5 Spice, La Trattoria Delia, Smokejacks, Sweetwaters or NECI Commons for Dinner? Actually, The New England Culinary Institute has closed NECI Commons. My guess is that there was too much competition in downtown Burlington...

cheers,
cHaZ

[ontheroad]

We all have our own measurements of culture and I suppose ours may differ, Chaz.

Enjoy your visits to the Valley, and hope we can compare more at another time and place. BTW, my daughter, who did graduate work at UVM (Burlington) attended undergraduate school in Amherst but not at Amherst College.

I use my points of comparison from (a) living in the Valley and (b) visiting Burlington. Several of my gauges are: number of bookstores, availability of research material, comfortable coffee houses (not a chain), good movie and theatre, ability to have an informed conversation with locals, and a good shopping network.

Cheers,

[Georgia]

Originally Posted by Fearringtonflash

Although some folks think we are crazy, we are strongly considering moving from North Carolina and retiring in Burlington, VT or the area. We are looking for a place that is vibrant, politically progressive, has a strong academic, arts and cultural presence, and that has good public transportation. From what I've heard (except possibly for the transport part), Burlington seemt to fit the bill.

How is Burlington as an area for younger retirees (in mid-60's)? Are there lots of condos, apartments, houses, etc. in the university or downtown area that cater (at least in part) to active retirees? Is there an active seniors community in VT/Burlington?

Is there pretty good transit from the 'suburbs'--e.g., Winooski, Colchester, So. Burlington? How about Montpelier--is that an easy back and forth to B'ton?

Thanks for any info, comments, etc.

Good choice, If I could get my wife to move North I would go to Vermont in a heartbeat. For me, I love downtown Montpelier, Rutland in the South, and parts of Burlington.

Vermont is a great state, the folks are laid back. The mindset is more progressive in Vermont than the hard core non-tolerant left wing lib's you find in from Mass to Md. Their liberal, but open minded. Liberal, but want to maintain Vermont's true identity.

Only negative is High Taxes. But then again, North Taxalina holds the bar in the south on taxation, so it might not be that large of a change.

Good Luck,

[chaz longue]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

We all have our own measurements of culture and I suppose ours may differ, Chaz.

Enjoy your visits to the Valley, and hope we can compare more at another time and place. BTW, my daughter, who did graduate work at UVM (Burlington) attended undergraduate school in Amherst but not at Amherst College.

I use my points of comparison from (a) living in the Valley and (b) visiting Burlington. Several of my gauges are: number of bookstores, availability of research material, comfortable coffee houses (not a chain), good movie and theatre, ability to have an informed conversation with locals, and a good shopping network.

Cheers,

Wow - You and I have nearly identical criteria, ontheroad. I'm now even more certain I'll be able to enjoy my trips to Northampton now. I'm pretty sure she'll go to school somewhere in MA, based on her interests and experience in Summer school this Summer.

You mentioned used book stores - did you find the enormous one, beneath the building just up the street from Crow? It's in the ornate building which was Abernathy's department store years ago - right at the building at the North East corner of Church and Pearl. It's got to be about 3000 sq ft, and it's underground which lends it a quiet, rather monastic vibe. There were more small bookshops until the behemoth, Borders, moved in a few years ago.

I'm with you too about Coffee Houses too. I'll be looking for the Northampton version of Muddy Waters and Uncommon Grounds next Autumn. And I'll need to find the local Stone Soup too!

Cheers,

cHaZ