[Jivecat]

Hi folks!

My husband and I are seriously considering moving to VT for graduate school.

I've done a great deal of research about the Montpelier area, and while we are definitely interested in living there, we have also been checking out Barre.
Alas, the internet only has so much information about the place, and almost all of what is available is at least a decade outdated, and a fairly negative assessment of the city.

Can anyone give me an update about Barre?

Thanks in advance!

[JakeThePlowGuy]

This past October my Fiancé and I got an apartment in downtown Barre city.

We absolutely love it.

There's a few nice places to eat on the main strip, walking distance for us.

Everyone talks about the heroin epidemic, it's there if you look for it. But, I have never had an issue with any crime or anyone awkwardly asking for money.

Barre residents are generally all very nice and everyone has one vision of making Barre a better place.

I had serious doubts about Barre, but for cheaper rent, a nicer larger apartment I'm very happy.

Barre area is great as it's less-than an hour to West Lebanon, NH and about 40 minutes to Burlington. It's central location makes any Vermont ski resort a day trip.

More questions just ask away

[Riley.]

Lotta drug problems in Barre (well, in VT in general, actually). Just be aware.

[Tahho]

Hey,
Nothing to worry Barre City had bad rap since ever as it was a blue collar community, as the saying goes Montpelier has all weirdos and Barre City has all bums.

All you need to make sure is from whom you are renting as a lot of landlords have contracts with state of VT ( section 8) housing.
Rule of thumb is higher the rent better the neighbors.

As far as crime goes if you are not in the drug scene, your friends are not criminals or in drug trade chances of you being a victim of crime are between 0.0001 and 0.0000
Good luck with school.

[Tahho]

Forgot to mention you can look for rentals in Barre Town it is more "upper class"

[Jivecat]

Thank you everyone so much for the replies! We will be road tripping up there this summer, and I am both grateful for the help and excited to check it out!