[vter]

In today's Rutland Herald:

"Overall, the state scored just behind Iowa as being the healthiest state to raise children. Vermont was ranked No. 1 in categories such as "potential to lead long, healthy lives" and the percentage of children under 5 at risk for developmental delays."

"When it comes to costs, however, Vermont does not stack up that well against the other states. Overall, it ranks 44th for affordable health care, putting the cost of insurance for a family several thousand dollars higher than the best states in this category."


Vermont is second-healthiest state to raise kids: Rutland Herald Online

[mustmove]

I don't buy it. VT is number 1 in drug use how could we be number 2 for raising kids? Plus VT is 49 in state gross product. We have lots of drug use and we are poor and that is good for kids how?

[vter]

Mustmove, can you please provide a source to back up your claims? Thanks.

EDIT: Found one.
Vermont ranks near top in per-capita drug use: Rutland Herald Online

[mustmove]

State GDPs listed here:
131 - US States Renamed For Countries With Similar GDPs « Strange Maps

[picante]

where did that statistic come from. I'd put good money that's not true. VT is a great place to live. Burlington and surrounding are consistantly in the top 10 of various lists as the best cities in the country to live in. You get what you pay for. The cost of living may be cheaper if you live in Kansas, but then you're living in Kansas. It's tiring hearing on the forum how expensive VT is. For example, as a rural state, VT is going to be more expensive for gas than say if you live in NYC. So what? If people want to live in a rural area, they expect to pay more for transportation. If folks don't think its worth paying to live in VT, they move. As a real estate agent, I get calls from people all over the country looking to relocate to VT because of the quality of life. Some of those folks find the cost of housing less expensive than where they currenlty live.

[mustmove]

Sure a decent apartment in NYC cost 2 million bucks, but the difference is you can make enough money working in NYC to pay for it. VT is a relative bargain but you better bring money earned elsewhere to pay for it. VT has lots of nice 200k houses(I'm selling one myself) but try affording one on ten bucks an hour. VT has highest drug use, poverty, low wages and limited economic opportunity. I have no problem with folks moving to and from VT, but understand that VT exists largely on transfer payments, wealth isn't generated here.

[vter]

MY DH and I do very well for ourselves here in Vermont. We have a nice, small house, have good jobs, and are able to save for the future. It's not impossible. As with any rural state, the economy is going to be smaller. With only 600,000 people here, you can't expect to have the amenities/job availabilities/etc of larger (population) areas.

[tkln]

Gas in NYC is definitely NOT cheaper than in VT.

Definitely the other way around!

[mustmove]

Gas in NJ is cheaper and you don't have to pump it yourself. Actually it is illegal to pump it yourself which is pathetic.

[tkln]

Unfortunately, the $8 toll sort of defeats the purpose of going over there for gas.

But anytime I'm in NJ, I definitely fill up!