[68vette]

You need to think about income tax. NH has no income tax at this time, but Mass does and you may have to pay income tax to both states if you work in Mass and live in Vt. Not to turn you off to living in Vt, but upstate NY is very affordable compared to Vt. I work in Burlington and many of my coworkers live in NY and commute to Vt every day. It takes about 1 hr by the ferry that runs up to the islands. You can live right on Lake Champlain for half the price of living on the Vt side.

As for rednecks, they are in almost every state. Some more than others. The majority of the state is rural and having lived in a rural part of the state for most of my life there are many rednecks. Many are as hard core as any redneck you can find in the south. Many are kind people who would give you the shirt off their back. In fifteen years I never locked my door once. People would never even consider breaking into a home or trailer in town. Not because of lack of crime, but as the old Vermonter down the road said " You break into a house around here, you may not make it out of the house alive." Many people have rifles in their homes. Not so much for protection, but for hunting. There are native Vermonters who don't like out of staters or "Flat landers" as many of us are called, and many people in rural areas don't consider Burlington a part of the state because it is so different than the rest of the state. Some will disagree with me on my opinions, but remember just a few years ago when a large portion of our rural state stood by the slogan "Take Vermont Back."

[maryanneg]

I fell in love with Vermont three years ago when I visited. I've been reading many postings from people and am a bit shocked. I'm saving money to buy land for second home in Vermont. I was born, reared, and live in Texas - I love it because it's home, but I could actually breathe in Vermont, and it was so laid back, and the people seemed so nice. What am I missing by just being a visitor? These young restless criminals - are they in certain areas of Vermont, all over, or what? That's one of many of Vermont's appeals to me - the crime here isn't good. I don't need to have buddies and necessarily be accepted there (not into any sort of social scene), but what struggles are you all talking about besides the harsh winters?
Thanks,
Maryanne

[tkln]

I'm sure if you read a lot of the posts you will see that the main struggle is finding a job that pays enough so that you can survive. The job situation in VT is not great so that is one main concern. If you are not living here permanently, probably not a big concern for you.

Others can cover the crime aspect, though if I had to take a guess I would say crime is nowhere near the problem in VT as it is in Texas, for many reasons, one major one being the smaller population.

If you are going to be a second homeowner, one might assume you are going to be in one of the resort areas- if that's the case, be prepared to pay up the wazu for property taxes. We have a one bedroom condo in Stowe, and our taxes are $2400 a year. FOR A ONE BEDROOM CONDO. If you have a lot of land, with a big house, and a big view, prepare for the worst. My aunt and uncle have a second home on 4 acres in Stowe and pay $13K for property taxes.

[KellyVT]

[quote=KewGee;527741]It kind of reminds me of a show Oprah had on 6 months after Katrina hit New Orleans. People were still complaining about the way they were living and grant it, they were in dire straights. But why couldn't they at least pick up all the junk and debris in their yards and in their homes. Even if their roofs had holes and they weren't able to fix that, why I don't know, but at least they could have made the outside and inside of their living areas nicer. I'm sorry, but I have no pity for laziness and constant complaining about no help. For goodness sake, HELP yourself!!

I think people who lost everything they own to a hurricane have bigger things to worry about than the junk in their yard. Like for instance, where are my children? Why didn't my homeowners insurance cover this? How am I going to rebuild with no job and no help from the government? Are my pets still alive? When is my electricity and gas service going to be turned back on?

You're pretty sick-minded to say what you said. Lazy is absolutely the last term I would use to describe those poor people.

[Eeyore]

You might be a redneck if.......

You mow your lawn and find a car.

My favorite redneck joke.

Im from Alabama, my dad is from Vermont. Here, redneck is a derogatory term. An insult.

You cannot equate "redneck-ism" with racism. "redneck" is not a race or nationality. It is a way of life.

Recently, some have begun to wear the "redneck" label with pride. Apparantly because of some country song a couple of years back.

To me its similar to the recent trend for African Americans to use the "n" word. A "white" person couldn't say that word, of course. Its becoming similar with "redneck' around here. You would never call anyone that, but some will proudly proclaim they are one. I dont understand it.

I cant wrap my head around the concept of an insult becoming ok, but only if you say it yourself.

The definitions around here for the term "redneck" are as varied as there are people.

suffice it to say: if you ever call me a redneck....well.....dems fightin' words. lol

eeyore

[goatwoodward]

Pidgett,
Burlington doesn't have many places in that kind of squalor. When you do find a rundown place, chances are it's a rental property that the landlord isn't taking proper care of. I think you'd like the South End of Burlington or areas of Shelburne, Colchester, and South Burlington. In more rural areas around Burlington and on the way to Canada, the most I've seen is a rusted tractor, a falling down barn, or other large things that would be difficult to throw away properly.

LoopyLou, I've heard that Ludlow is a bit more expensive than some other areas you may see as it's a touristy ski town.

[brokenwallclock]

Most Vermont (and Northern) rednecks are not like the ones you find down south (the scary Deliverance style guys in the woods). They're mostly just rougher around the edges up there.

[breeze823]

Originally Posted by brokenwallclock

Most Vermont (and Northern) rednecks are not like the ones you find down south (the scary Deliverance style guys in the woods). They're mostly just rougher around the edges up there.

Oh please, I have not seen any "scary Deliverance" style rednecks in the south...Rednecks are just good ol boys here. There's scary type people anywhere, what a stereotype!

[NowOrNever]

Originally Posted by Pidgett

I have lived in rural Maine (Skowhegan) and rural West Virginia (Mingo Falls) for all my life. That is, almost 50% of my life in Maine, and the rest of it presently in W. Va. While I love living in these rural areas, and love all the benefits one can enjoy from a country life, I have to admit that there has always been a negative side (in my opinion) to being in the "boonies/small towns." That downside I am refering to is rednecks. I am refering to those denizens of rural America who live in broken-down trailers or homes with old junker cars sitting on blocks on the lawn for all to see, old fridges rotting and rusting out back, and all manner of litter and old tires strewn about. These folks take no pride in their communities and are the first ones to complain about where they live as they do not appreciate the unsung benefits of rural living in today's America. They have a most conservative mindset too. They believe painting one's house and tidying up their yards will only make their taxes go up, so they chose to live in squallor as this is better on their wallets. They usually drive the biggest pick-up possible, even if they never haul anything in the back payload. They usually smoke and are often-times big drinkers. They favor NASCAR and monster truck pulls. I won't go on. You know the type.

Does Vermont harbor this species of country dweller as does interior Maine and rural West Virginia? Are they perhaps less noticeable than in my two states? My wife and I are seriously considering Vermont, New Hampshire or perhaps upstate New York to move to due to business reasons primarily, and, secondarily, to get away from the rednecks I have been living near for all my life. BTW, I am expressing an opinion that is mine. It is in no way meant to be a slam on a lifestyle that many endorse and love to live. I am saying, however, that I do not choose to live this way, and wish to live in a part of the country (pun intended) that has less or none of it.

Whatever you do DO NOT move to new jersey or upstate new york. Talk about rednecks then they are there.

You should move to either New Hampshire or Vermont, they both appear clean and safe and well better than the states you and I both mentioned. Vermont appears to be more free though, like out of all the states in the nation Vermont appears great. However, I hear it snows A LOT their.

Also look for more urban areas to live by just to be safe. Like in Vermont, if you move their, live in Burlington. That's where I want to live if/when I move to Vermont.

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by NowOrNever

Whatever you do DO NOT move to new jersey or upstate new york. Talk about rednecks then they are there.

You should move to either New Hampshire or Vermont, they both appear clean and safe and well better than the states you and I both mentioned. Vermont appears to be more free though, like out of all the states in the nation Vermont appears great. However, I hear it snows A LOT their.

Also look for more urban areas to live by just to be safe. Like in Vermont, if you move their, live in Burlington. That's where I want to live if/when I move to Vermont.

Burlington is pretty close to VT I guess. Just a short drive.