[quickdraw]

Originally Posted by focail

There are two issues with local and organic foods that makes them more expensive. One is that they are not subsidized by the federal government, unlike big corporate farms/food producers. If there was a level playing field then the big producers couldn't undercut the locals who would start getting a bigger piece of the pie, which would then lead to a drop in their prices because they'd be dealing more with volume.

The second issue is simply old fashioned greed. Retailers know that if you really want organic foods you'll pay their prices if you possibly can. Yeah, they've got me because it's mainly for my kids health and future well-being that I buy organic milk. We pay just under $5 per gallon at a gourmet food store in Des Moines for local, organic milk. The bigger grocery stores charge between 5 and 6 per gallon. Organic cheeses, unfortunately are way too high in price, so we can't usually buy those. But 95% of what we buy is organic or natural. We don't spend more than the average household for groceries though ($140 per week) because we don't buy very many convenience foods and I make most things from scratch including sandwich bread (you have to pay an arm and a leg around here in Iowa for bread without corn syrup or other chemicals).

Even though the prices of organic/local foods may be about the same in Vermont as they are here in Iowa, at least they'll be more readily available, which I am definitely looking forward to. It's hard to believe how much energy and time it takes to get natural foods here in the so-called Heartland!

Only problem is that Vermont's growing season is about 6 weeks shorter, per year, than Iowa's. I lived in Illinois before coming here. A lot of people here don't plant anything until Memorial day weekend because of a possible freeze. We can get a frost by mid September, easily. Although global warming has helped us a bit the past few years.

[mtsd5468]

Don't over look Milton Vermont. It is a little further from Burlington. The school district does not have the same reputation as South Burlington but the community is more relaxed and not so far from everything.

I am a retired school business manager, I worked in Colchester and Milton. These are two of the least expensive school districts in Chittenden County.

I am now the Director of Operations of the Canal Winchester Local School District in Canal Winchester Ohio. With out any question I would have my children in any of those districts in Vermont. This local school district in Ohio has less regard for how the management decisions impact the children. Also the school budgets in Vermont are voted each year. This ensures that the community is reflected in the school district.

Lord willing I will be returning to Vermont in July 2008.

I am also a retired Coast Guard officer. I have lived in 10 different states. I am returning to Vermont because of the quality of life the crime rate the attention to the environment and the quality of the people. Also my wife told me too.

So anyone considering a move to the Burlington, consider Milton and Colchester.

[Mary77]

I live in Milton. I think it is one of the smartest places in Chittenden county to invest in real estate right now. Milton is getting ready to explode with growth. Hannafords is planning to expand their grocery store here this summer and along with it will come a lot more retail space, a restaurant and another bank. We also have a hotel, a laundry mat and another restaurant coming in at a different location and a trucking company is relocating here. Milton is a great small, safe community with a lot of good people. We have lived here for six years. When we first moved here we heard people say that Milton had a bad reputation and that the schools were not good. I think that used to be true, but things have changed a lot. Milton is one of the few places in Chittenden county where you can purchase a house or land for a reasonable price (relatively speaking--this IS Vermont). We have a nice library that provides a lot of activities for the kids, we have one of the most beautiful beach areas in Chittenden county--Sand Bar state park, there are a lot of nature trails/snowmobile paths to explore and we have a great place to go sliding in the winter--Cobble Hill. Milton is one of those towns where you can walk or ride your bike to just about anywhere. We have a group of people who are working on a plan to expand the bike paths around Milton. I live in the middle of town and my son walks to school. It's very convenient because he can stay after school for extra help with homework or an extracurricular activity or even walk up to the school dance in the evening. As far as the schools go... I have three sons. Two of them are in the elementary school and are doing very well. This school is unique because a lot of the teachers grew up in Milton and have their own kids in this school. There is a nice small town feel in this school. For example, last year my son's teacher took the class on a field trip to her father's sugar house. They got to walk back into the woods and see how the sap is drained from the trees down into the sugar house and made into syrup. My kids love their school and have made a lot of friends. I could go on and on about Milton.

[picante]

I'd have to agree with the last two posts about Milton. If you're looking for a home, in Chittenden County, the best values are in Milton. It has had a poor image in the past, largely unjustified, but the town is taking steps to change that and are doing a good job. Milton is one of the largest towns acreage wise in Chittenden County so it offers lots to do for recreation. In the summer I go paragliding off Cobble Hill. In a slower market, there are some good deals at the moment including in Milton.

Colchester is also a good town. Much of Colchester is a quick jaunt into Burlington via 127. If you're commuting and factor in gas costs. It may make sense for folks to pay a bit more for a house in Colchester to be a closer to Burlington. MOD CUT

[Alt Dach]

UVM as a private school who recruits little in VT but heavily in the richest Ny-NJ-CT burbs.Typical UVm student is an under-acheiver with a bother at Columbia and a sister at Brown. Many stay after their 4-5 yr vacation at UVM and finace homes thru the bank of Mom and Dad and dip into the trust fund for the AWD Volvo needed at ski season. Entire market is priced towards them.