[Air]

Originally Posted by flu189

We do buy power from Hydro Quebec and have been doing so for quite some time. The contracts will run out in the next few years so we will see how much and for how much we can continue to get power from up north.

Everyone heats with electric here in Québec. They must be selling it to Vermont at a really high price.

Did Vermont have the blackout in August 2003? Ontario did, along with New York, but Québec did not.

[Air]

Originally Posted by 68vette

Even though Montreal is further north the winter temps are more mild than in much of Vermont. It has to do with elevation. We have gone to Montreal at times and it seemed like a heat wave compared to home. Burlington is a good example. It is more north than the central part of the state and the temps are more mild by 5-10 degrees. Also there is less snow as well.

Well, the city proper is going to be warmer because of the population and because it's an island. But I've been living in the Laurentides, and even in St-Sauveur and Ste-Adele, people drive Echos and Civics. But they often discuss making it a law to use snow tires by November.

I think snow tires are really key. Blizzaks are good.

[flu189]

Originally Posted by Air

Everyone heats with electric here in Québec. They must be selling it to Vermont at a really high price.

Did Vermont have the blackout in August 2003? Ontario did, along with New York, but Québec did not.

Blackouts have to do with power grid distribution and can be sporadic or widespread. There is no way to predict which areas will be affected for sure meaning a region hundreds of miles from an affected problem could lose power while a nearby area will not.

[Stiner]

Originally Posted by 68vette

Even though Montreal is further north the winter temps are more mild than in much of Vermont. It has to do with elevation. We have gone to Montreal at times and it seemed like a heat wave compared to home. Burlington is a good example. It is more north than the central part of the state and the temps are more mild by 5-10 degrees. Also there is less snow as well.

The cities of Montreal and Burlington benefit from their lake locations- the lakes keep the areas more temperate, and those cities are always much warmer than the surrounding areas as a result. It isn't completely an issue of elevation- though being in the valley helps, as opposed to up on a mountaintop!

[MRVphotog]

The Census Bureau just came out with some interesting stats for 2006. Regarding this thread I thought it was interesting that Vermont is the 8th Most Moved TO state in the nation. So I say to all the reasons people leave Vermont, blah, blah, blah blah.........you will be replaced.

BTW NY was 49th, NH 25th and Maine 33rd.

[flu189]

Originally Posted by MRVphotog

The Census Bureau just came out with some interesting stats for 2006. Regarding this thread I thought it was interesting that Vermont is the 8th Most Moved TO state in the nation. So I say to all the reasons people leave Vermont, blah, blah, blah blah.........you will be replaced.

BTW NY was 49th, NH 25th and Maine 33rd.

Read this story also which appeared in USA Today and the basis for data was analysis of census data by US Today based on residents in the state in 2006 who had moved the prior year. Percentage data only tells part of a story so for a small state like Vt a 4.2% equates to 26,000. 2005 was the high end of the bubble. Since then Vt property tax transfer data for residential transactions shows this year will likely be 20% less than 2005. Of course, over 70,000 families rent in Vt, but Vt also has one of the tightest rental markets in the country. The stats from the major moving companies over the past several years shows only a slight difference between in and outbound shipments. In fact, the only state to record more outbound than inbound shipments in every year since 1977 is New York. Quite a bit of Vt population migration data actually involves college students. However, based on the OFHEO report for the third quarter released yesterday Vermont compared to the other New England states seems to holding onto housing value and from the third quarter of 2006 to this year we were only 2 out of 46 reporting states to show a increase in existing homes which for us went up .8%. Compared to many other states we are truly fortunate for the time being.

[arel]

I just thought of this. From what I've been reading, people leave Vermont mainly because of the local economy - high cost of living and disproportionaltely low wages - and because of the long, cold winters.

So far, though, I don't think anyone posted about boredom. (I didn't reread the entire thread, so I could be wrong.) Someone posted, on another thread, that he/she misses the "buzz" of the city, but that refers, I think, to the underlying feeling and the pace of life more than to the choices of things to do. But it does refer, I think, to the stimulating environment that a big city, especially New York, provides.

I have read there are always things to do in Burlington. In Brattleboro, I am told there are always things to do. Lots of arts venues, lots of community activities. Some have complained there is nothing to do in the NEK but others love to do outdoor stuff there.

On local websites in Brattleboro, there are about 10 things to choose from on a Saturday. Here in NYC, there are about 60 museums and probably hundreds of shows. But realistically, how many museums and shows can you go to in one evening or one weekend? How many restaurants can you go to? And, also realistically, don't you spend a big part of the weekend on chores, errands and simple rest and downtime? And, in terms of recreation, don't you spend time socializing with family and friends? And reading? And pursuing hobbies?

Is all that big city distraction even healthy?

Of course, it's not about doing everything. It's about having choices. I don't do much in NYC. Been there, done that. I prefer to do other thngs with my free time, at least right now.

And yet, I dread the thought of moving to a place like Brattleboro and feeling the need to go to the Metropolitan Museum or to Lincoln Center. Yes, Brattleboro is not prohibitively far from NYC, but it's still a trip that takes up a big part of the day.

It will be hard to not have what I have always taken for granted.

Of course, some big city transplants prefer the slower pace and simpler pleasures of Vermont life. Some choose to stay in Vermont permanently. But I wonder how many transplants from big cities (not owners of second homes, but real transplants) leave because of boredom. Even from places like Burlington and Brattleboro. And even after they give themselves time to adjust to their new environment.

[KoZmiC NinJa]

^^^ That was one of my biggest complaints about VT.
The accessibility of culture. As an artist it was painful to
drive and hour just to hear music or visit a tiny museum.
I was able to occupy myself by music and art, but most
people moving to VT better be happy with just cold weather
outdoor activites because the cultural stuff is extremely limited
relative to even slightly more populated areas.

[Lilybeans]

I like to sit outside and see birds, and hear trees rustle. Have a cocktail. Shoot my gun. Fool around with the dog. I like sports on tv. I really have no desire to be in a crowded place with people jammed all around me.

I don't mind going to a city for a day, but after that I feel like I'm being surrounded and need some peace and quiet. There is always something to do. Work on the house, work in the yard. Visit with friends.

[tkln]

I have this conversation with my fiancé all the time...we are both born and raised in NYC. Ask me the last time we went to a museum!! Or the theater. Which is ironic, as I was a theater major in college (I think I overdosed and that's why I have not seen a show in about 12 years). Yes, we have it all at our fingertips. But we never use it! That is his big gripe - that we'd be bored in VT. But when I ask him what is it we do here that we couldn't do there, he has no answer for me.

Our lives are taken up by going to work, cooking dinner, relaxing, running errands, cleaning, etc...once in a while we go out to dinner or see friends, we go to the movies maybe four times a year.