[GARDENGAL60]

Hi,

I was born and raised in New Jersey and took a job relocation to North Carolina when I was in my thirties. I will be getting ready to retire soon and I am looking for a small rural town that is not overpopulated but you can drive to a food store within 15 - 20 minutes. I currently live out in the country in NC. But like everywhere else they are building out of control. What once was tree lined is now stip mall lined. I've always liked Vermont and was wondering what it is like to live in St. Johnsbury. How is the community? Are the people friendly? What is the weather like year round? Is the housing affordable? How are people towards pets? Is it pretty easy to pick up a part time job? Sorry for so many questions. Thanks to all who answer.

[vter]

I grew up in St. Johnsbury and still visit often as I have family there, so I will try and help.
St. Johnsbury is a community of about 7500 people. It is the "hub" of the Northeast Kingdom. There is a nice museum (Fairbanks) as well as Catamount Arts which has art show, films, etc. St.Johnsbury Academy hosts concerts and speakers. Lyndon State College, 10 minutes north also hosts concerts, speakers, etc.
I find the people very friendly, but then again I'm from there and know lots of them . The weather is definately 4 seasons. Really nice, but short, summers and cold and snow winters. Everyone I know has pets, so thats really a non issue.
Part time jobs? Not sure, but I wouldnt think it would be a problem.
Housing in general is cheaper in this area than the rest of Vermont, but it's still expensive for locals.
Shopping opportunities are limited. There are a couple good grocery stores in town and JC Penney. Littleton, NH about 20 minutes away is home to all the "big boxes" if you like those.
Check out the outlying towns of Danville, Waterford, Barnet, Lyndon, Burke, etc as well as St. Johnsbury.
Overall, the area is very quiet. So if thats what you are looking for, then you'll get it!
Start reading the Caledonian Record online to get a general vibe for the area as well as an idea for real estate and part-time jobs.
www.caledonian-record.com
Please let me know if you have any other questions!

[sundialstreet]

I did mental health casemanagement and I was assigned the North Kingdom for much of my caseload. I found the area to be overrun with drugs (especially meth) and heroin (St J, even has a needle exchange program, which does a brisk business). It's not a pretty place at all. It's just a kind of sad impoverish community with a pretty horrible economy and a rampant drug problem.

Just my 0.02

[vter]

Yes, the northeast kingdom has drug problems, just like everywhere else. If you're not into that scene, you won't see them. I never did/do. My cousin the firefighter on the other hand can talk to you about some of the calls he's been on....
I find the area very beautiful, but quiet. Again, not much economy.

[architvt]

I am sorry but that was a very narrow opinion (see below) based off of a limited experience in the St Johnsbury area. I work in St Johnsbury and live 20 minutes away and though the area has its own issues with drugs it is certainly still well below most areas of this country. St Johnsbury is a beautiful place to be, it is safe and has a home town feel. It has all you will need or want, and like another member pointed out, if you want large chain stores Littleton is just 20 mins east of town. The only downfall I have ever noted was that it is very often foggy in the morning, because the town is on the river and is in a valley. It will often take to nearly noon to burn off, so you won't see the sun first thing most morings. Other than that it is a very nice town, very little traffic, affordable, and people are still friendly on the streets! You would not be dissapointed. But with any town I would visit first and spend a little time here before making a move.

Originally Posted by sundialstreet

I did mental health casemanagement and I was assigned the North Kingdom for much of my caseload. I found the area to be overrun with drugs (especially meth) and heroin (St J, even has a needle exchange program, which does a brisk business). It's not a pretty place at all. It's just a kind of sad impoverish community with a pretty horrible economy and a rampant drug problem.

Just my 0.02

[sundialstreet]

We're all entitled to our opinions,

[MRVphotog]

Originally Posted by architvt

I am sorry but that was a very narrow opinion (see below) based off of a limited experience in the St Johnsbury area. I work in St Johnsbury and live 20 minutes away and though the area has its own issues with drugs it is certainly still well below most areas of this country. St Johnsbury is a beautiful place to be, it is safe and has a home town feel. It has all you will need or want, and like another member pointed out, if you want large chain stores Littleton is just 20 mins east of town. The only downfall I have ever noted was that it is very often foggy in the morning, because the town is on the river and is in a valley. It will often take to nearly noon to burn off, so you won't see the sun first thing most morings. Other than that it is a very nice town, very little traffic, affordable, and people are still friendly on the streets! You would not be dissapointed. But with any town I would visit first and spend a little time here before making a move.

I agree with archivt tho I realize when your in that line of work(mental health, social work) perceptions can get abit narrower than the community at large which is only natural.

The architechure of the old victorians just north of the downtown is awesome. The Fairbanks Museum is amazing. The downtown pretty much totally burned down not too long ago, the rebuilt and rebirth is inspiring, especially when remembering what it looked right after the fire.

A few years back Walmart wanted to build in St. Jay but the state and the locals fought it off so Walmart built it across the river in NH. Gotta love that yankee spirit mixed in with a nice dose of the 60's. They do have what is probably the nations smallest mall. It's kinda strange, to be honest.

St J is not far to Lydonville and the Lake Willoughby area a few miles beyond. Gorgeous and uncrowded. You have some pretty decent skiing at Burke too.

Overall I think St Jay is a pretty good place to be.

[quickdraw]

Originally Posted by sundialstreet

We're all entitled to our opinions,

You seem to be the meth expert. There are drugs everywhere, and I wouldn't let that stop me from living in St. Johnsbury or Waterbury.

[Jeb_23]

I went to school in St. Johnsbury, and live there after for many years, my experience was very positive. The people are nice, and they'll know who you are very quick (not a bad thing) - I think is a good town for retirement, and even raising a family, I would think finding a part time job would not be an issue... After moving away, I did hear about drug issues, but I never saw any of that when I lived there, and I was at the age where I would have seen it and since, I have visited and still a beautiful town with the same people

There aren't that any places like this left in the US, and the North East Kingdom is small and unique - someone commented about the fog, is not every day, but waking up to a fall crisp morning with some light fog and foliage in the background; who can complain about that?

[Radiojoe315]

I am not sure if you have gotten up to visit the area. But I would HIGHLY recommend it if you haven't.

Just to give you an idea.. Our stories and paths are quite similar, minus the age difference. I won't bore you with details, but I can hopefully compare the area to what your used to. I am from Toms River, NJ. Born and raised. (I am 17, and a HS Senior) Last year my parents, decided to move to Clayton, NC. Turns out my parents were miserable there as was I. I didn't like the HS there. My parents had a very difficult time finding work. And thus we left within 5 months. Moved back to Jersey and are happy to be back.

Now onto my thoughts about Vermont.. I began the college search last year and fell in love with Lyndon State College. They have EVERYTHING I could want as a TV Major. Their Broadcast News program is TOP NOTCH. Lyndonville is the next town over from St. Johnsbury. And I was most concerned heading up there about the rural factor. But I will be honest with you. It's QUAINT. I LOVED it. It's not TOO rural really. The downtown is REALLY nice. Everything you pretty much need is there. And you can take a ride to whatever else you could want. Littleton, NH has a lot to offer and its only a 20 minute ride. The people were EXCEPTIONALLY friendly. After living in NC, I found them to be 10 times more friendly than when I first arrived there.

I was REALLY excited about the area. And can say.. I Think I'll be up there next year. Good Luck!!