[MassVt]

...by JS-Online. It had to be one of the most comprehensive,interesting and inflammatory posts I've read on this site (City-Data forum). I don't agree with all (or most) of it, but it did make for some good reading.

I lived my formative years in Burlington; it's hard for me to imagine a better city to grow up in. I also graduated from UVM, as well. But the above poster did make a valid point in regard to economic opportunities after graduation, and there really aren't that many available. If you can secure something at the medical center, UVM, IBM or the defense contractor that replaced GE (whose name escapes me now), then you'll be fine; otherwise, the pickings can be slim. A new college graduate may find that Vermont is a little too placid for him, but someone a little older, and a little more established, would probably enjoy Vermont a bit more.

[GypsySoul22]

The thing that does bother me about this area is how reliant everyone's job is so reliant on tourism & second home owner & their needs.

I guess it's a matter of being frustrated in my life, but when I see some of these very rich people who treat the locals and the state as their personal playground, it bothers me.

That same 'local' mopping the floor at the resort makes far less than the rich guy drops for dinner in a night. The same for the clerk at the desk, the program coordinator at the kids' camp and so on.

Wages here are a joke and I find it bristling to 'deal with' the same people I *hoped* I left behind in NY.

Unless I get a job totally unrelated to 'tourism' & 'wealthy people' in my future, I am doubtful if I will really every settle down here.

PS I have no desire to 'rip off' the tourists as someone once suggested to me.

[vter]

Hey Gypsy - just remember, you live in a very "touristy" part of the state. I think if you were living somewhere different, where tourism didnt play such a huge factor in the local economy, you may feel a little differently. Just remember, when someone stops and asks you directions, just say, "you can't get there from here".

[flu189]

The tourism market and labor force that supports it is very common throughout the United States. The main difference in respects from Vt to other regions is that most other states have a much greater scale of overall business/industry variety and also in many areas lower costs of operational expenses. Like it or not the tourism factor and second home ownership is critical for our economy. Now we just have to wait and see what shakes out of the current economic situation. Yesterday in Montpelier two economists addressing the legislature declared what we already know, that Vt is in a recession, however indicator models forecast it to be of short duration. Of course we will not know until it has run it's term. Today the legislature and governor will meet to discuss options to pare down the $1.2 billion annual budget by the anticipated shortfall amount of $24 million which basically requires a 2% adjustment. The majority of Vermont households for the past several months that have felt the squeeze have already done that and more. For the state to trim that amount basically comes down to a reduction of $37.50 per person per year or a little over a dime a day. Let's see if they have the moxie to cut out the discretionary and nice but not necessary spending without wasting time. Like a previous poster asserted that true Vermonter's are tough, well now is the time for tough Vermonter's to watch closely what goes on in Montpelier and come November remember who performed and who did not, even those of us who are still on "probation"

[mustmove]

Originally Posted by GypsySoul22

The thing that does bother me about this area is how reliant everyone's job is so reliant on tourism & second home owner & their needs.

I guess it's a matter of being frustrated in my life, but when I see some of these very rich people who treat the locals and the state as their personal playground, it bothers me.

That same 'local' mopping the floor at the resort makes far less than the rich guy drops for dinner in a night. The same for the clerk at the desk, the program coordinator at the kids' camp and so on.

Wages here are a joke and I find it bristling to 'deal with' the same people I *hoped* I left behind in NY.

Unless I get a job totally unrelated to 'tourism' & 'wealthy people' in my future, I am doubtful if I will really every settle down here.

PS I have no desire to 'rip off' the tourists as someone once suggested to me.

That nicely sums it up. I'd add that VT is that way by design and many folks(in Mont.) wish to keep that way. Poor but pretty. If you don't have a trust fund you can always move wood or snow for someone who does.

[the pope]

the reason us tough oldtimers are still here is that we pay very close attention to what the strange people in mount-peculiar.

a friend of mine was a town rep for two terms-he told me that there were over 2000 bills presented to the house each session and most are total nonsense. [just a waste of their time]

ask your self ---why would a state the size and population of VT need 2000 more rules per year?

it seems that the old saying in VT that "if it did not happen in chittenden county, it did not happen!

this seems to be the mindset in mount-peculiar that the few conservatives left inVT are trying to deal with.


just a few thought from an old buzzard
take them as you will

[chaz longue]

Having a part time citizen legislature keeps the foolishness down to a manageable pile in Mount-Peculiar, methinks.

[arel]

Hi, everyone. I haven't posted in a while, but here I am again.

I have pretty much decided to move up to Brattleboro as soon as my Brooklyn house sells.

I'm not as worried about jobs as many are - and perhaps as I, myself, should be - because I am a mental health professional and the Retreat is always hiring. (I wonder why they are always hiring; is it because of expansion or because of turnover?) I am concerned, though, about budget cuts that may affect the Retreat. In Keene, NH, a mental health center is making serious budget cuts and it may eliminate jobs down the road.

The economy is hurting in most places. The only people, it seems, who are doing well are on Wall Street. And I saw an article about repo men doing well, repossessing the fancy cars, boats and planes of Wall Street people.

How "touristy" is Brattleboro? It's the first major town on I-91 after the VT/MA border, but I wonder if it is a more of a destination or more of a way station to other places.

BTW, I am the OP for this thread. I want to thank everyone for all the extremely useful, although sobering, replies.

In spite of everything, I still plan to move up. I'll learn to drive on rural roads in the winter. Just as importantly, I'll develop alternatives in case things don't work out as I would like.

[mustmove]

Good luck. Hope you love it. If the newness wears off and things aren't working($$$$$-most likely) remember this thread pack up and try somewhere else.

[Sherylcatmom]

Originally Posted by arel

How "touristy" is Brattleboro? It's the first major town on I-91 after the VT/MA border, but I wonder if it is a more of a destination or more of a way station to other places.

I haven't lived in Brat, but I've spent a bit of time there. I find Brattleboro to have a homey, authentic feel. It has plenty of tourist services, but doesn't seem to me primarily touristy. There's plenty of there there in my experience.

But then I grew up in Miami Beach, which is probably second in plasticity only to L.A.