[seanpecor]

I second the Middlebury area. It's a college-driven town, with alot of interesting folks in the area. It's teaming with artists and writers, some of whom are quite well known. If you have school age children, Middlebury ranks quite well. In fact, if you care about statewide "report cards", it has according to my research, an elementary school in Cornwall that ranks in the top 3 within the state. Middlebury's high school also performs very well and it's large enough to have a variety of enrichment offerings outside of the standard curriculum.

I also like the Brattleboro area, although I must confess a preference to the Champlain Valley so my views on the CT river valley are tainted. If I were to focus on Brattleboro as my "hub" I would consider living just over the border in MA or NH, where the tax burden is notably lower.

I grew up in Burlington and it's a great city. I've returned a couple of times recently and it seems to have continued growing.

Sean

[GypsySoul22]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

We have someone moving to Connecticut (forum )also from SA-Capetown- popular are we or not in New England.

I keep telling my friend to get the heck out of South Africa...it's just not a good place to live!

When we lived in England (1999-2000) there was huge flood of White S.A.'s moving to Britain. I guess they are all looking for a better life.

[southernnaturelover]

Originally Posted by GypsySoul22

I keep telling my friend to get the heck out of South Africa...it's just not a good place to live!

When we lived in England (1999-2000) there was huge flood of White S.A.'s moving to Britain. I guess they are all looking for a better life.

I don't understand why our goverment won't encourage them to come to states like Iowa or Nebraska, where we really need experienced farmers. That's another topic I guess.

[Goa]

Thank you everyone, for your genuine hospitality.
I would like to give you an update on what's happening in my life. We are buying the house in Stowe. It's a good investment and has a solid vacation rental history. The price is....too good to be true and the location, 1.8 miles from the village.
I think I suffered cabin fever until yesterday, when I realized, if I allow myself to go any further down the dumps, I might as well go jump off the roof, which I am not prepared to do. I love life too much! So I made a conscious effort to change my negative mind-set.
Being a South African in the USA is quite an adjustment. I had to find my balance and it took me 6 months, I still long for many things back home.
We still have a farm - 3 farms in the Western Cape, near Cape Town, where it's not so bad as up North, but the rippling effects from crime and a corrupt government is steadily increasing all across South Africa. Most people are leaving for their children's future and highly qualified individuals lost their jobs due to "affirmative action" - "black empowerment". Our healthcare, educational, social and infrastructure was ranked among the best in the world, until 1993, when it all started to slowly and steadily move backwards. It's sad, because the country I once knew to be the "land where the milk and honey flows" is now becoming a cesspool invested with corruption, crime, disease and poverty.
Excuse my outrage, I should rather focus on my new life here in Vermont.

[ANDERVERM]

I have just returned to Essex Vermont after 2 weeks in Natal Province. I'll say more later.

My vote is for Essex of course. Having said that, I stumbled across your posting while researching a move to Underhill Vermont. The sole reason for moving 'east' is to reduce our commuting time to work. My wife Shelley (WITS grad occupational therapy 1989) has found employment in Morrisville (Yikes..1 hour commute). Back to Essex...

Essex has a high % of transplants due to IBM, IDX, and the 3 nearby Universities. I see people from SA, New Zealand, India, China, Mexico, Canada, England, France in my neighborhood of 100 houses (Fairview). You would not be confused as a tourist BUT you would quickly tire of the assumption that you work for IBM (unless you do work for IBM).

Essex is on the edge between Burlington and the Green Mountains. It has a balance of close shopping, ice rink, respectable schools (1st or 2nd SAT scores in the state each year) and ponds , trails, lakes, streams. Driving 15 minutes in any direction, you can be at the airport, Underhill state park, Lake Champlain, Route 89, or Burlington.

Shelley is from Jburg-Parktown North. She came here in 1992. We married in 1994 and have been back 3 times as our family has grown to 3 children. Our experiences moved us from Nashville TN, to Newport RI, and finally to Essex VT. If it was not for the insane crime in SA, I would want to live in SA, the most diversely beautiful country in the world. Jburg was OK, but Capetown was spectacular. On our recent visit we experienced Natal (Howick, Umhlange Rocks, Hluhlue Game reserve). I felt safer than I did in 1995 or 1998, but I met a tourist who had everything stolen from his room in Port Edward.

Anyway, I must get back to work. Good luck in your search for Vermont.

Greg (Anderverm)

[ivona.k]

Hiya Goa,

I hope you got some great tips here... Well, I would like to ask you or also anyone else about Capetown or generally about South Africa... My boyfriend got a job there and I would be traveling with him.. unfortunately without a job...

As I have heard it shall be a mission to get a job for an European I wonder if it is really truth? I would be holding work visa done by his company but will have to look for a job by myself. Do you reckon it is good to search before the arrival or the recruitment agencies will work with you on a spot? Or just how does it work there?

Well, another question would be regarding criminality, is it really that dangerous? Where do you reckon would be best to look for a place to stay (Capetown)??

Would very much appreciate your help...
Ivona

[sugarmaple]

Hi, fascinating reading and learning with this link. A former high school classmate/friend of mine, Adrienne Belefonte Beismeyer established the Anir Foundation/Anir Experience which, I am sure you know, is humanitarian work in So. Africa. Adrienne lives in W Va. and is incredibly committed to this program.

Another community I was going to suggest is Cavendish; Cavendish is approx 7 miles outside of Ludlow (also a ski resort area) thus Cavendish is somewhat less expensive, including housing....on the other side of Ludlow is Belmont and Mt. Holly. And, Mt. Holly/Belmont are nice country communities and are closer to Rutland, which is a 'city'.

Any questions, feel free to scoot over an email. Hmm, another thought would be Chester...sort of the 'quintessential' VT town!

As a transplant, now here for over 16 years, I have always found VT welcoming!

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by sugarmaple

Hi, fascinating reading and learning with this link. A former high school classmate/friend of mine, Adrienne Belefonte Beismeyer established the Anir Foundation/Anir Experience which, I am sure you know, is humanitarian work in So. Africa. Adrienne lives in W Va. and is incredibly committed to this program.

Another community I was going to suggest is Cavendish; Cavendish is approx 7 miles outside of Ludlow (also a ski resort area) thus Cavendish is somewhat less expensive, including housing....on the other side of Ludlow is Belmont and Mt. Holly. And, Mt. Holly/Belmont are nice country communities and are closer to Rutland, which is a 'city'.

Any questions, feel free to scoot over an email. Hmm, another thought would be Chester...sort of the 'quintessential' VT town!

As a transplant, now here for over 16 years, I have always found VT welcoming!

Cavendish is a nice town, but I noticed that the ski crowd is starting to spill over into it due to proximity to Okemo.

I love Chester, which is why I have a place there Good mix of people, not over the top touristy, but so lovely. We looked at Mt Holly, Belmont, Weston, Cavendish, Springfield, Weathersfield & Plymouth.

[sundialstreet]

Originally Posted by Goa

Being a South African in the USA is quite an adjustment. I had to find my balance and it took me 6 months, I still long for many things back home.
We still have a farm - 3 farms in the Western Cape, near Cape Town, where it's not so bad as up North, but the rippling effects from crime and a corrupt government is steadily increasing all across South Africa. Most people are leaving for their children's future and highly qualified individuals lost their jobs due to "affirmative action" - "black empowerment". Our healthcare, educational, social and infrastructure was ranked among the best in the world, until 1993, when it all started to slowly and steadily move backwards. It's sad, because the country I once knew to be the "land where the milk and honey flows" is now becoming a cesspool invested with corruption, crime, disease and poverty.
Excuse my outrage, I should rather focus on my new life here in Vermont.

This passage suggests you'll fit in quite nicely with your new neighbors. Since there is very little racial diversity, you needn't worry about a rerun of your SA experience. Enjoy your time here!