[Adream]

My husband and I have a small vacation home in Stowe. DS will be going to college in Vermont next fall, which leaves our youngest DD at home for one more year before she graduates from high school and goes off to college. Oldest DD is already on her own and heading to graduate school.

Our house goes on the market this year, since we have decided to downsize. We are seriously considering calling Stowe our homebase while we explore the possibilities: (a) travel places to decide where to live (b) should we relocate to Stowe (or the general area) permanently.

We love Stowe and much of Vermont, but so far have spent limited time there. This would be an experiment to spend an extended time to see what that 'feels' like. There can be a huge difference between vacationing in a place, and calling it a permanent home. (Could be great, could be rotten!)

I am open to input and opinions from those who have relocated to Stowe, or Vermont in general, from outside of the state. THANKS!

[vter]

Definately take your time exploring Vermont. Stowe is a resort town as you know, and atypical of most of Vermont. Lots of second home owners, etc. Some friends of mine from high school lived in Stowe for a couple years and didnt like it-said there were lots of "transient" folk (meaning folks onlyup for ski season) and the town "died" during the summer. Since you are at a different point in your life, then obviously it may be different for you.
I would establish residency at your second home and take your time doing research and travelling to other parts of the state. If you find somewhere you like better, great! If you find Stowe is for you, then you're all set.
What are you looking for in a community?

[MRVphotog]

The village of Stowe and the Mountain Road is in total traffic gridlock pretty much all year long now......winter, summer, fall. Not my cup of tea but diferent strokes for diferent folks. Fighting for a parking space in town is not the Vermont I love.

The property tax squeeze is so bad in Stowe that for a few years after Act 60 passed they depended on a private money resource, Freeman Foundation, to help pay for schools. No more Freeman Foundation money so......

[tkln]

I live in NYC, and we own a condo in Stowe...I've been going there with my family for over 30 years - several family members own homes/condos there as well. We are also planning on moving permanently to VT in the next year or two and will be positioning ourselves in Stowe in the condo while we figure out where we want to settle down.

There are several things about Stowe that are important to know:
1. the cost of living is much higher in resort towns...the property taxes in Stowe are extremely high in comparison to other towns, and most everything in town is priced for the tourist. Due to the high value of real estate within Stowe, the taxes are not going to come down anytime soon, and will continue rising - along with the town budget.

2. I'm not sure how much time you have spent in Stowe or what times of year you have been there...but holidays periods are a nightmare. During winter holidays, getting around town while skiers get to and from the mountain (morning and 5pm) is insane...traffic is a standstill at the intersections of 100 and 108 a lot of the time...people can be rude and obnoxious (sigh, yes, those would be my fellow NYers)...summer is crowded as well, and well, foliage - that's obvious.

3. Real estate in Stowe, like taxes, is very expensive. But if you already own a home, you've got that covered!

4. I'm not sure how much a 'real-town' feel Stowe has in comparison to other towns in VT. There is definitely a very strong and vibrant local community, but as an out-of-towner, it takes time to break in...

5. Stowe and northern Lamoille County are running out of electricity...there are constant brownouts and the solution, running new power lines, is in the works and construction should start soon - but in the meantime, Stowe is in court with Vermont Electric over the cost - if Stowe loses, electric rates in town are slated to rise 45%. Something to consider.

On the positive end:
1. Because it's a resort town, there are more amenities in the area, which is one thing I like - the gym, swimming hole, movies, food markets, etc are a big draw. Obviously, there are other towns in VT that have this as well though.
2. If you get up early enough, you can get to the mountain in 10 minutes.
3. The farmers market, Mozart festival, Antique Car show and the like are all a lot of fun, and the town in general has a lot going on and a lot of cultural activities as well.
4. You CAN live there for cheap if you know how...and you can also avoid the traffic most of the time.


All that being said, the only way you'll know if you can live there is actually spending considerable time there and comparing it to other towns...Waterbury is a great town as well, close to Stowe and yet nowhere near as touristy...we've also considered the Mad River Valley, Montpelier and the Jericho/Underhill area. We will be 'living' in the condo for a month or so this summer so we can start scoping out potential living spots...I'm sure others here will chime in with lots more advice and I'm sure I'll remember a few other things too.

[Adream]

Originally Posted by tkln

We are also planning on moving permanently to VT in the next year or two and will be positioning ourselves in Stowe in the condo while we figure out where we want to settle down.

tkln - it sounds as if you are thinking precisely the same thing. We will also be living in our condo while we figure out the future. Nice place to contemplate, isn't it?

All of your points regarding Stowe are spot-on, including the electricity issue. Have you read the latest Stowe reporter regarding the struggle with the electric company? Should be interesting to see how this shakes out.

The points made by you and MRVphotog regarding the traffic are good points. I must admit, after living at the Jersey Shore for 15 years, I've become quite used to seasonal tourist traffic. Stowe's is nothing compare to what I see around here in the summer. Kind of like the parade leaving Spruce Peak at dusk, only it's all day long.

I'm wonder how easily (or not) one makes friends in Stowe? We know very nice people who live in our condo complex. The upside to relocating to Stowe (in my humble opinion) is that many have moved there from outside the area, therefore increasing the possibility of others looking to make friends and have a social life. Your thoughts?

[tkln]

Adream - where do you guys have your place? We own a unit in Notchbrook...

Yes, I've yet to see traffic ANYWHERE in VT compare to even non-rush hour traffic in NYC, but everything is relative. I guess once you get used to no-traffic, even a little is annoying! I know that I am always timing my drives on Mountain Road to avoid the Spruce parade.

I think living in an area where there are more transplants should definitely help with the friends/social life factor - I've heard similar remarks about Burlington and Bratt as well...we've run into lots of nice people, but we've rarely been up there for more than a week at a time, so it's a bit more difficult to sustain more lasting friendships. I think once we're there for a longer period of time and get involved with more of the community activities, there will be more opportunities to meet people. One of my cousins lived there for two years and made tons of friends, but he's a ski-bum so it's not too hard for him.