[ThinkingThinking]

I know, it is just a blessing that my husband has stable employment in this economy.

I did want to say thank you to everyone on the VT board for being so helpful and nice. I found city-data a while back when it looked like we might have to relocate to San Diego, and had, shall we say, a much different reception there.

I hope everyone has a great 2009!

[vtstonemason]

I agree that Rutland / Barre area has reputation for having some "hard drug" problems. It still pales in comparison to other places with "problems". I'm sure a little of that happens everywhere though.

I've lived here all my life, I just turned 30. I've always loved it but coincidentally I've been researching a possible move to Oregon! Mainly due to the length of the winter here. For me it's a little harder to deal with because I'm a self employed stone mason. I've worked for myself for the last 8 years. Every winter things slow down here and the work that you do have is made much harder and more costly due to the cold and snow.

I live in South Hero which is N.W. right in the middle of Lake Champlain. It's part of a short string of Islands which make up the "Champlain Islands". I grew up in Georgia, VT which is right across the lake from South Hero. Both towns are rural and beautiful with good schools and communities.

I might suggest focusing on Richmond, Williston, Hinesburg, South Hero, Georgia, Colchester, Essex, Jerico to start. All are very similar. Williston, Colchester and Essex are the most populated out of the bunch.

I'm more of an independent but I'll admit we do have some backwards politcs here. I can't say it's because of Vermonters' or the lack of native Vermonters' in Vermont's government. Either way, as a state, there are huge efforts to keep Vermont clean. Our air quality is only second to Hew Hampshire, I believe. There is a state wide "green up day" held once a year in the Spring where people can gather up all the garbage that got loose over the winter and have it picked for free. Our rivers and streams are pretty clean and I regularly eat fish from them and the lake.

I could go on but this is long enough for now. Come up for a few days if you can.

[sonofbuster]

to the OP: if you end up moving to Burlington and need a couple to rent a space to help pay your bills, drop me a line we moved to Connecticut from Houston in '07 and sound like we'd get along great (liberal, art-appreciating types). we are considering moving to the Burlington area and trying to start a co-op/commune-type thing. if that falls through, a garage apartment or built-out basement may do. i'm mostly joking here, but seriously, from what people tell me, you sound like you'd like Burlington.