[cdove72]

Been lurking around these forums a lot lately as my family is preparing to make a big move, after having wore out of the hectic NoVa lifestyle that has swallowed up the Winchester, VA area, we are wanting to enjoy the simpler more rural life. Had been looking out west, but when my wife asked me where Id prefer to live if we could stay on the East Coast I advised Vermont or New Hampshire. Have always loved the image of New England. Now obviously this is different than where I was looking at: New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado. I have read a bunch of threads here and it covers a lot but I have just a few personal questions I need answered if possible.

1: Winter, Ive seen threads on it, Ive heard the horror stories involving it. I am typically known as a winter hater, but most of that is due to a current job I have that forces me to always come out in the snow, and in a FWD Toyota Matrix, I tend to struggle with it. I dont really mind cold, and I have a 2 year old who I know would love the snow. But basically, the question is, coming from a Mid-Atlantic region state, how much of a shock will this be.

2: Politics: I dont really judge a place on my politics, it really doesn't matter to me. My only question comes in how I would be treated. I'm an old school fiscal conservative republican, Im not really socially conservative, I'm center right I guess you would say. I know VT is liberal to socialist, and Im cool with that, I have tons of liberal friends. I just wonder if I will be accepted, I dont want to be hated or otherwise attacked over my belief system, not that Im loud about them. So my question is, will I be accepted by the people of VT?

3: They say that VT is non-religious, which is fine, but I would like to find a church, and being Methodist, I wonder is there a Methodist presence, i.e. would I be able to find a church.

I probably have more, a lot Ive learned by reading through threads, and if im going over old stuff, please forgive me. Just want to make sure I know as much as I can before I make that decision, because having lived in the Winchester, VA all my 33 years, this move will be a big one.

Thank you.

[vter]

I plan to respond in more detail later when I have time but first a quick question. Will you be looking for jobs? If so, what field? What kind of living environment are you looking for? In town? Suburban? Exurban? Rural?
Will write more later....

[cdove72]

Thank you, I am looking probably to do suburban or rural to be honest. Burlington looks nice, but I believe it will be outside our price bracket. I will definitely be looking for jobs, I have experience in banking industries and even did factory and retail work in the past. I would like to stick with banking area, cause I have enjoyed the job I have currently, nothing against it at all, just looking for a physical change to a different state. Thank you again

[Lunabell]

I am originally from NoVa...Alexandria so I can answer the winter shock question a bit. We first moved to Minnesota and I nearly ran back to VA that first winter. I thought cold weather people were nuts. However, you can grow to like it if you chose to embrace. I now live in AK and spent a year above the Arctic Circle...that was too cold. We are planning a move back to the lower 48 and are looking at VT, NH and ME because they have real winters, along with the other seasons.

What will be a pleasant surprise is that northern folk know how to handle snow. What shuts down schools in Northern Virginia makes us laugh. Ice is a different matter, I don't think anyone likes that but people up north tend to prepare better for storms.

[vter]

The banking/financial capital of Vermont is Burlington. That is your best shot at jobs. If you don't mind a commute you can find more affordable properties 30-45 minutes out. Bristol, Starksboro, Monkton, Ferrisburgh, Vergennes, Milton, Waterbury.
Winter - lasts from November to April. It can get super cold. This coming week we are supposed to be at or near 0 for a high. But its usually in the 20s-30s during the day, teens-20s at night. Its not uncommon for it to snow a couple inches every other day or so. Everything goes on like normal. Things rarely shut down because of snow. My school district only had 2 snow days last year and have not had one yet this school year.
Politics - Definitely left but most "conservatives" that I know here in Vermont are how you describe yourself - fiscally conservative yet socially liberal.
Church - yes plenty of methodist churches around.
Have you ever been here before? If not, come visit.
You should be aware that good jobs are pretty tough to get - lots of competition for them. Please be sure you have some savings to fall back on should you move up here and not find employment right away.

[cdove72]

Thank you very much for your response. I haven't been there yet, and this came up as a possible place here recently, while we were already looking out west. I have a two week vacation coming up in February, and have honestly considered heading up there, because if I'm going to feel the cold, that is probably the best time to do it. I just have always loved the ambiance of NE, and really think Id be happy up there, been looking at properties and amazed at the amount of just wonderful old houses, nothing that looks like it was made in a mold and dropped down somewhere. Thank you so much again!

[Targo]

One of the deepest 24 hour snowfalls I've even encountered in my life was the 38" we got in Middleburg in Feb of 2004 I believe.

1. Living in the Champlain Valley or the Green Mountains can be two very very different things. So some of how the winter goes will depend on where you settle. Who know you might love ice fishing!

2. I'd wager much of VT is financially conservative and much less so socially. The squeaky wheels at both extremes make a lot of noise and get a lot of press though.

3. Compared with the deep south we're mostly all heathens but you'll have no trouble finding a place and people to worship with.

Think of much of VT as Leesburg 25 years ago.

[Oriz]

Like yourself, I am also more of a libertarian, meaning I'm more fiscally conservative but socially liberal. What I have found is that despite a vast majority of VT politicians being way on the far left and socialist(like Sanders), the people you meet in the street are normally more towards the center. Most of them are pretty accepting of other opinions, but some of them might give you a look if you talk Obama or the ACA down.

Winter - I personally love winter so I'm not very objective. Some people will tell you that so far this year has been bitterly cold - I think it's been fairly mild. But I'm used to Wisconsin winters, so...

[sovertennis]

Life long VTer here.
>>The cliché re: talking about your politics or religion? It's true. We all have our beliefs, but they're not a general topic of conversation. It's very unlikely anyone will judge you for being (gasp!) moderately conservative.
>>Outside of Burlington, there is little opportunity in banking, so you should focus your search there.
>>It's a long winter, but if you're committed to outdoor sports (snowshoeing and xc skiing are inexpensive and great fun) you'll come to embrace the cold, and cheer when the forecast calls for snow.

I live in SW VT. If you want more info about this area, send me a pm and I'll respond. Good luck.

[pauldorell]

vter is a real pro about the state. I moved here 2-1/2 years ago partly based on feedback from these threads and love it. The only thing I'd emphasize is that good jobs are hard to come by, and most of them are in the Burlington area, which is somewhat different from the rest of the state. I avoid Burlington like the plague because it reminds me of suburbs that I escaped from, but even so it's not bad in comparison. Jobs are not an issue for me since I'm retired.

Vermont is definitely one of the most liberal states, but when you look at politics at the town level most of it boils down to boring spending decisions, which you can get involved in or ignore. At the federal level I think we have two of the best senators, but you may not like them. I don't think libertarianism is going to catch on here because that seems to be a young-people thing and this is an older population. There are plenty of churches around. People attend them, probably for social reasons as much as anything. Religion isn't prominent, but most people aren't card-carrying atheists like me.