[ctpete]

we are looking to get out of new haven, ct within the next year and are considering brattleboro as possible destination. We are both highschool teachers and are drawn to the small town feel with an arts community that brattleboro offers. what is the current job market like? Is there a need for new teachers (art and history)? Is it possible to own a home and live comfortably on a teacher's salary? Is it better to live right in town or outside? Is it reasonable to move up and expect to be able to find a decent job? we love the outdoors and are hoping the area will be a good fit for us, we just need some more information. thanks for any help or opinions.

[lrmsd]

same question-
looking at brattleboro,or keene. have been to brattleboro to visit once in the winter---have not been to keene. have read forums extensively. [currently live in CA,originally from MA,have lived in MT and CO,too.]

Wondering about living between Brattleboro and Keene-say Chesterfield? To be close to options in both places. Brattleboro had some nice cultural options when we visited,but have a feeling Keene area is more for us,less NY vibe? [based on our one day there,granted.]

Also,Keene has 'better economy'? relatively speaking,would you agree?
We are family of 3,with 7 yr old homeschooled child.
What's the commute like to Keene and/or brattleboro from points in between?
BTW:Am I correct that commute from Dublin to Keene is gnarly in winter? [trying to recall from forums-so many towns=confusing details...]
Not to get off topic-interested in Brattleboro for quality of life.
Professions=IT/Banking,Acupuncture/healing arts. Definitely need full time income going in.
Thanks for feedback,and thanks OP for post.

[nhrocky]

Originally Posted by lrmsd

same question-
looking at brattleboro,or keene. have been to brattleboro to visit once in the winter---have not been to keene. have read forums extensively. [currently live in CA,originally from MA,have lived in MT and CO,too.]

Wondering about living between Brattleboro and Keene-say Chesterfield? To be close to options in both places. Brattleboro had some nice cultural options when we visited,but have a feeling Keene area is more for us,less NY vibe? [based on our one day there,granted.]

Chesterfield is a great town, good elementary school, kids bused to Keene High 9-12, housing prices in Chesterfield can range extremely high 1M+, especially on Spofford Lake. We live closer to Brattleboro in West Chesterfield, 2 minute drive across bridge, if you can get through the a.m. "rush" out onto Route 9, lol From Bratt to Keene is a 15-20 minute drive, a little bit longer if you get behind a slow poke, not many passing zones. The Chesterfield town "center" has the library, post office, elementary school, fire station, Town Hall and the brand-new town offices and that's it!

Also,Keene has 'better economy'? relatively speaking,would you agree? We are family of 3,with 7 yr old homeschooled child.
What's the commute like to Keene and/or brattleboro from points in between?
BTW:Am I correct that commute from Dublin to Keene is gnarly in winter? [trying to recall from forums-so many towns=confusing details...]
Not to get off topic-interested in Brattleboro for quality of life.
Professions=IT/Banking,Acupuncture/healing arts. Definitely need full time income going in.
Thanks for feedback,and thanks OP for post.

Yep, Route 101 from Keene to Dublin has some interesting curves to say the least, but they plow in the winter and just take it slow.

Keene seems to have a more vibrant feel to it at night. I think this is due to Keene State College being there and having students out. As I mentioned in another post, Keene's Main Street is wide, good parking and really beautiful. Not sure if the Keene economy is better, just different from Brattleboro. Taxes are high in both areas.

Vermont has Act 250 (notice there's NO billboards in VT) and it's really very hard to get anything commercial built in Brattleboro and a lot of that is due to the local zoning board. They have very comprehensive ordinances regarding size of buildings, signage, etc. This was probably due to Putney Road going from open farmland to a totally commercial road in a matter of years. They just adopted a long range plan for Putney Road to make it more "Main Street" with sidewalks, parking in back of the buildings, buildings with more residental apts. There aren't many chain stores in Brattleboro, Home Depot just closed their doors here this month.

Keene is where you go if you want to shop at Home Depot, Target, TJ Maxx, Michael's or eat at chain restaurants but they're in shopping centers on the west side of town away from the downtown area.

All that being said, my girls would be happy if we moved from W.Chesterfield to Keene, they think it would be more exciting and closer to their friends They act like we live on the edge of the universe, lol We're closer to Brattleboro because our businesses are there. I lived in Brattleboro from 6 yo to 32 yo and won't move back to VT again. I've only lived in VT and NH, and really don't want to live anywhere else. We love where we live right now and are building a new house in the same area. The first 3 pictures are Chesterfield by the old town offices & school, the last one is the CT River in West Chesterfield