[chaz longue]

Originally Posted by ian_m

For 20,000,000 New Yorkers, Vermont doesn't seem unreasonably expensive. My taxes in Burlington are actually almost half of what they would be in Buffalo, Rochester or Syracuse, and my heating bill is substantially less than what i've paid while living in New York State the majority of my life.
However, New York does have many more employment opportunities and higher paying jobs. Its much bigger than Vermont. Thats why I moved to Vermont....to escape the Big-ness. That being said, however; if a person really likes Burlington but can't afford the real-estate market, an excellent alternative would be Ithaca, NY.
New York's Finger Lakes Region is really underrated and undeveloped. Houses are extremely affordable and New York (like Vermont) offers tax breaks (star program) to low income families. Ithaca is an amazing city and equal to Burlington in many ways. It's also slightly warmer in the winter.

Plus ...Ithica's Gorges.

[Grybas44]

Originally Posted by oktaren

I'm not from anywhere close to buffalo, over an hour FURTHER west! so, no, none of that applies to there.

There is only one Western New York. And if you are an hour west of Buffalo, you'd be singing Oh Canada! and waving a flag with a red maple leaf. So if you are going to bag on an area, at least know where it is.

[Grybas44]

Ian...I am curious as to your take on the rest of Vermont. What do you think of people who can only pay $5 in gas and hope they do not run out on the highway? How about the rising crime rate in the rural areas? Alot of the crimes are the result of drug users needing a fix, so they commit burglaries and robberies. What about the schools? I know my family's school cannot afford enough to give everyone books. What about the increase in traffic fatalities due to drinking and driving? If you took time and truly talked with the people who live in these rural communities you will see many sad people who do not see any future. The saddest thing in these communities is how the people just are seeming not to care anymore. Burlington is a gem compared to these areas. I have lived in these communities for years and have gotten to know many of the people in the areas I have lived. Like I said, I am curious to how you feel about the rest of the state.

[flu189]

Originally Posted by Grybas44

Ian...I am curious as to your take on the rest of Vermont. What do you think of people who can only pay $5 in gas and hope they do not run out on the highway? How about the rising crime rate in the rural areas? Alot of the crimes are the result of drug users needing a fix, so they commit burglaries and robberies. What about the schools? I know my family's school cannot afford enough to give everyone books. What about the increase in traffic fatalities due to drinking and driving? If you took time and truly talked with the people who live in these rural communities you will see many sad people who do not see any future. The saddest thing in these communities is how the people just are seeming not to care anymore. Burlington is a gem compared to these areas. I have lived in these communities for years and have gotten to know many of the people in the areas I have lived. Like I said, I am curious to how you feel about the rest of the state.

A very good and valid point. I have been all over the state and for many they don't understand that there is a Vermont different from that of Stowe, Burlington, Manchester, etc., but then again for many they could not care less.

[oktaren]

Originally Posted by Grybas44

There is only one Western New York. And if you are an hour west of Buffalo, you'd be singing Oh Canada! and waving a flag with a red maple leaf. So if you are going to bag on an area, at least know where it is.

You might want to look on a map. Check out where Chautauqua County is. IT IS AN HOUR WEST OF BUFFALO, and in western new york. its also a bit south, but more west than south, and you can go all the way to the pa border, its about 80 miles. sorry.

[oktaren]

Originally Posted by Grybas44

Ian...I am curious as to your take on the rest of Vermont. What do you think of people who can only pay $5 in gas and hope they do not run out on the highway? How about the rising crime rate in the rural areas? Alot of the crimes are the result of drug users needing a fix, so they commit burglaries and robberies. What about the schools? I know my family's school cannot afford enough to give everyone books. What about the increase in traffic fatalities due to drinking and driving? If you took time and truly talked with the people who live in these rural communities you will see many sad people who do not see any future. The saddest thing in these communities is how the people just are seeming not to care anymore. Burlington is a gem compared to these areas. I have lived in these communities for years and have gotten to know many of the people in the areas I have lived. Like I said, I am curious to how you feel about the rest of the state.

Those problems are in many places. Most really. Hey, here in Pittsburgh if you don't drink and drive you are frowned upon They even have to run advertisements on the tv explaining that Pittsburgh is the hometown of these folks and they should take pride in it.

[quickdraw]

Originally Posted by Grybas44

Oktaren...I am from WNY originally. There is no comparison to here. In WNY the schools are better, there is a full time philharmonic, there are actual sports teams, the people are more neighborly, there are actual industries (not cottage industries), technology, banking and commerce are growing (finally), and so much else. It is not a perfect place and there is crime and other problems in WNY, but then again, the region has twice as many people as the state of Vermont.

Burlington is a small city and simply can't compete with the style and sophistication of Jameston..the flair of Buffalo...or the "je ne sais quoi" of a Binghamton.

[oktaren]

Originally Posted by quickdraw

Burlington is a small city and simply can't compete with the style and sophistication of Jameston..the flair of Buffalo...or the "je ne sais quoi" of a Binghamton.

Haha, I hope you are being sarcastic, although Binghamton is very far from Western NY

[quickdraw]

Originally Posted by oktaren

Haha, I hope you are being sarcastic, although Binghamton is very far from Western NY

Eastern NY is disowining it too.

[oktaren]

Originally Posted by quickdraw

Eastern NY is disowining it too.

haha, could be. i honestly haven't been to binghamton in 10 years or so, but I never thought of it as being a terrible place. either way, its as far from western new york as montpelier is from brattleboro!