[SMN]

Hi all...my family and I are moving to the Burlington, VT area at the end of January. I've spent hours reading all about the pros / cons of the area and what to expect, about the weather, why it is great or not-so-great, etc.

For those of you who have relocated recently, what suggestions do you have for NOT doing when moving there? OR suggestions to make the move more smooth and less problematic.

Some things that come to mind: wait to register a car or avoid the DMV on Tuesdays at 2pm or what NOT to say to the locals that alienated you from them...etc...

I already have a job secured in healthcare and my spouse also will be working in a job in healthcare, so employment is not an issue. We will be in temporary housing for a few months while we get acquainted with the area and sell our home in Maryland. We have 3 kids between age 4 and age 7.

Many thanks!!

[chrismpv]

Don't lose your proof of citizenship such as birth certificate, passports in one of your moving boxes! You never know if you decide to go up to Canada, (the border is less than one hour away).

Don't stay in your home/appartment; get to know the State.

[luv80s]

I agree with chrismpv. In fact, try to carry those things with you instead of in a box if possible. Also, if you're hiring movers get insurance. I can't begin to tell you how much stuff got damaged or lost when we moved here from Texas eight months ago. Also, alot of the convenience stores and other stores have free maps of the state of Vermont so don't waste money buying one at bookstore or wherever. The free maps are usually located with all the other VT brochures and pamphlets. I took two, one for my car and one for home. Ummm, I'm sure there is some other things I could tell you but right now I'm drawing a blank, hehe.

Takes some getting use to living up here (for me at least) but its a nice place. Anyhoo, have a safe and happy move!

[SMN]

That's great advice about the passports...I didn't think about that...since we locked them away in the stong box after a summer trip to London. Thanks!

[lchoro]

Be careful about leaving your passport around in your hotel. It may get stolen by the cleaning people or whomever (happened to me in San Bruno, CA). I only left it by itself on one day out of my first 30 days there, and it was gone.

[quickdraw]

If you have any kind of problem during your move or settling in period, use this number.

Consumer Assistance Program
206 Morrill Hall-UVM
Burlington, VT 05405

Phone: (802) 656-3183
(800) 649-2424 (toll-free in Vermont only)
FAX: (802) 656-1423

It's sponsored by the Vermont Attorney General's office. One of the nice things about Vermont is the government protects it's citizens and you can actually talk to real people on the phone immediately.

When my wife and I moved here we lived in an apartment. The punk kid
we rented from couldn't give us our security deposit back because his money "was all tied up at the time". He stopped taking our phone calls. We called this number and the office told the kid if he didn't give us our deposit back within 72 hours, he'd owes us the deposit times two. The punk came up with the money.

Actually the Attorney General website is very helpful with a lot of good tips. Like the telemarketers "don't call" list. That kind of stuff.

Good Luck

The Office of the Attorney General of Vermont:

[Sherylcatmom]

I find that people in Vermont are decent and kind but not very expressive compared with other places I've lived (Miami, NYC). People may be feeling more warmly toward you than they actually show.

When a couple moved into our Rutland neighborhood, I brought over a basket of fruit. They looked at me like I had ten heads. But they slowly warmed up to us and are now almost chatty.

I am guessing that being kind and courteous, as you probably would be to anyone, should bring positive results, unless someone is just plain determined to be angry.

[GypsySoul22]

We just moved a few months ago. I suggest you overbudget how much money you will need to settle in. You will have to get your car registered and change plates which costs more than in some other states. You will need money for snow tires which can cost a pretty penny. I lived in a Mid Atlantic state and I hadn't seen snow tires since I was a kid...our winters were becoming less severe (as I predict they will here eventually from how people are talking). When you move, a lot of your money gets eaten up in 'vague expenses.' More is better!

[SMN]

Thanks for the info everyone...keep an eye on the passports, know who to call when problems happen and have extra cash on hand for the "other" things. Got it!

Just got the info on our temporary housing...we will be living on East Avenue near the hospital in Burlington for 2 months. How is that area of town?

[Sherylcatmom]

Hello! I live in Rutland and don't know that area of Burlington well.

But my husband has some friends, two elderly women who each live alone in the neighborhood near the airport and feel safe there. Also, when we fly from Burlington, we usually park at one of their houses and walk to & from the airport. Even in the middle of the night, we've felt comfortable doing this.