[Sherylcatmom]

Originally Posted by ranchero

For those who've moved to Vermont or those who live there, where are places in the state you'd rather live now that you know it?

If I was selecting a Vermont town that seemed just right for me, I'd probably pick Montpelier first, Brattleboro/Putney second, and Middlebury third. But that's because of who I am and the activities and kind of community I most enjoy. It might not apply to you at all.

A frequent contributor to this forum lives in Chester. Maybe she'll talk about that.

[ranchero]

Thanks. Those towns have been recommended to me, actually, and would be good because of more job possibilities. Perhaps the person in Chester will weigh in. I wonder if there's any significant difference in the climate between Montpelier and Brattleboro/Chester. Perhaps a two-day longer growing season?

[Sherylcatmom]

Originally Posted by ranchero

I wonder if there's any significant difference in the climate between Montpelier and Brattleboro/Chester. Perhaps a two-day longer growing season?

In the last two years when I've gone to Montpelier frequently, I've noticed that during non-winter months it seems similar in temperature to Rutland. In spring, the vegetation is just slightly behind Rutland's and in fall Montpelier vegetation is browning slightly ahead of Rutland's.

Last winter there was waaayyyy more snow piled up in Montpelier than in Rutland but this winter we seem about even. That may have been a function of last year's storms. I don't know that Montpelier really gets much more snow than the Rutland region.

[arel]

I can't write about Montpelier or Burlington, or even too much about Vermont in general.

A little over 3 months ago, after about 2 years of research (mostly on this forum) and visiting, I moved from Brooklyn, NY to Brattleboro.

So far, I am very happy here. I can be in as rural an area as I want and still have easy access to most (but not all) urban amenities. As for big stores, there is a Walmart about 5 minutes away iin Hinsdale, NH, and that can be convenient, but if I want certain stores, I have to drive a half hour to Keene, NH. If I want a mall, I have to go about an hour to Holyoke, MA. And, yes, there is little lighting at night. It was an adjustment to drive on unlit roads at night, but I was able to make it. And much of the town shuts down at about 6 or 7, but the Co-op stays open until 9 and a little tea lounge stays open until 10. Maybe some of the local restaurants stay open until 9 or 10, or even later. I don't know.

People here seem well-educated, well-read and cosmopolitan. There are a lot of artists here and in Putney, with lots of venues, and there is a great library. There are several cafes, most of which I use, and which are, I have read, very popular with students and writers. I have also read about Brattleboro's "New York vibe", and, in truth, I sometimes feel like I am in a rural version of Greenwich village.

I think it is true that there is not much work here, but I am a mental health professional and I am pretty comfident I'll find something. I have been dragging my feet a bit in looking for work, but it is a priority right now.

If you live in the southeastern corner of the state, where Brattleboro is, you have the option of working in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. If you live in or near Bennington, you can work in Massachusetts or in New York State, even in Albany. I think in Montpelier or in the Mad River Valley, you might be more limited in terms of geography, but I will defer on this point to people who are familiar with that area.

In terms of quality of life issues, I have no regrets about leaving New York for Vermont. But lots of people leave because of the economy and because of the cold winters. So far I really like it here, but I have no idea how I'll feel a year or two from now.

Try not to burn your job bridges, so if you want to return to New York, you will have a job, or, at least, solid contacts.

That's all I can say right now. Apart from casual familiarity with some other towns, I only know Brattleboro, and then I have only lived here for about 3-4 months.

But I have read that New Yorkers tend to fare best if they, at least initially, choose Brattleboro, Montpelier or Burlington when they move to Vermont.

[ranchero]

Thanks. Great information. As for burning bridges, in the line of work I'm currently in, (newspapers) there may not be any bridges in two years whether I burn them or not...But I think the southern part of the state would have plenty of access to different kinds of training.

[OhBeeHave]

Hi Ranchero,

I am part time in Chester. One former owner of my house commuted to Keane, NH. She was a licensed health professional employed by the Federal Govt. Her husband had connections with a large, Ivy League U. They had decent income to sustain themselves.

You're in newspapers? Local to Chester (and surrounding area) is a weekly, very tiny thing, called The Message for the Week. There's a small office not far from the Town hall. It's probably staffed by a handfull of people at most.

Some local people I've met are artists, farmers, excavators, small business owners, but a good many are working for others and not earning a whole heck of a lot. Chester is not the place to move to if you do not have a job in place.

It's not far to Ludlow(Okemo) if you opt to work in the tourism based industry -- provided something's available. It's about 35 mins from Chester village green to Manchester where there are more retail career opportunities, and going back to Keane, NH -- about 45-50 mins, but it's not a drive I'd like to make in the winter. However there are many more job opportunities to be had there.

Burlington, Montpelier, Brattleboro might be better for starting out in the state. Once you've established yourself within your profession (or in a new career) and have gotten a better feel for the state, well then you might wish to consider Chester.

Chester has had a few interesting residents: at one point actor Michael Douglas spent time here, Late night talk show host Craig Ferguson was married here on 12/20/08 and has a farm here with his bride (armed with that knowledge, I now understand why a Scottish pub opened in town!) Former ambasador L. Paul Bremer lived right in town, too.

The area is a real mix of people of all economic walks. My neighbors to one side are working class Joes like me, the man across the road owns over 300 acres and a huge road contracting firm in southern New England; while Okemo's owner's live over the hill.

It's a quiet area; and after dark everyone is home. During the days there is activity in town (especially on weekends when the tourists are out) and there is a town rec center where there is swimming, tennis, baseball, basketball, skateboarding, and in the cold weather -- snowmobiling (you can pick up the VAST trails right there) sledding, X-country skiing. You have fast access to many ski areas. There's plenty of fishing in the area, hunting, hiking -- if you love the outdoors, this is heaven.

There is a bookstore in town which has writers and authors readings, a used book store, a natural food store with a small sit down area to enjoy a meal, and 2 small groceries (the one by the depot is far superior to the one on the green) There's a pretty decent pizzeria and several diners. The 'General Store' is for tourists.

You don't feel like you are in the middle of no where when you're in Chester and if you need something, you can usually get a hold of it -- provided it's not too late in the evening! Most of the 'large' grocery shopping is done in Springfield at Shaws. We head into Bellows Falls to go to the movies at the Opera House which is an inexpensive treat. There's also a good Chinese restaurant in BF, too.

Here's a neat article about the area:
http://www.boston.com/travel/explore...ains_the_same/

Here's the town's website:
http://www.chester.govoffice.com/

Chester is a beautiful area, but unless you have a sure job, it might turn ugly fast.

[ranchero]

Thanks, OhBeeHave. The beauty of the place seems unquestionable. I think I'll have to read up more about this issue of taxing retirees that I've seen referenced in other threads, since I'm about 15 years from Social Security age. Also, I can't help but wonder a little whether I'd be trading the Bible Belt with its unhealthy level of churchgoing, etc. for an equally dominating culture of winter sports. Could a person who doesn't ski have any hopes of fitting in? Finally, do you have any thoughts about whether commuting to the Brattleboro area is a possibility?

[Sherylcatmom]

Originally Posted by ranchero

Could a person who doesn't ski have any hopes of fitting in?

This is a reasonable question! It probably depends on where in Vermont you live, but at least in the Rutland area I can tell you that I don't ski and I've never felt like an outsider because of it. I love being outdoors all year long, but that's quite different from an intense ski culture. Though I know many dedicated skiers, including friends who do ski patrol and teach skiing every year, I don't sense nonskiers having problems fitting in.

[chaz longue]

Originally Posted by OhBeeHave

Hi Ranchero,

I am part time in Chester. One former owner of my house commuted to Keane, NH. She was a licensed health professional employed by the Federal Govt. Her husband had connections with a large, Ivy League U. They had decent income to sustain themselves.

You're in newspapers? Local to Chester (and surrounding area) is a weekly, very tiny thing, called The Message for the Week. There's a small office not far from the Town hall. It's probably staffed by a handfull of people at most.

Some local people I've met are artists, farmers, excavators, small business owners, but a good many are working for others and not earning a whole heck of a lot. Chester is not the place to move to if you do not have a job in place.

It's not far to Ludlow(Okemo) if you opt to work in the tourism based industry -- provided something's available. It's about 35 mins from Chester village green to Manchester where there are more retail career opportunities, and going back to Keane, NH -- about 45-50 mins, but it's not a drive I'd like to make in the winter. However there are many more job opportunities to be had there.

Burlington, Montpelier, Brattleboro might be better for starting out in the state. Once you've established yourself within your profession (or in a new career) and have gotten a better feel for the state, well then you might wish to consider Chester.

Chester has had a few interesting residents: at one point actor Michael Douglas spent time here, Late night talk show host Craig Ferguson was married here on 12/20/08 and has a farm here with his bride (armed with that knowledge, I now understand why a Scottish pub opened in town!) Former ambasador L. Paul Bremer lived right in town, too.

The area is a real mix of people of all economic walks. My neighbors to one side are working class Joes like me, the man across the road owns over 300 acres and a huge road contracting firm in southern New England; while Okemo's owner's live over the hill.

It's a quiet area; and after dark everyone is home. During the days there is activity in town (especially on weekends when the tourists are out) and there is a town rec center where there is swimming, tennis, baseball, basketball, skateboarding, and in the cold weather -- snowmobiling (you can pick up the VAST trails right there) sledding, X-country skiing. You have fast access to many ski areas. There's plenty of fishing in the area, hunting, hiking -- if you love the outdoors, this is heaven.

There is a bookstore in town which has writers and authors readings, a used book store, a natural food store with a small sit down area to enjoy a meal, and 2 small groceries (the one by the depot is far superior to the one on the green) There's a pretty decent pizzeria and several diners. The 'General Store' is for tourists.

You don't feel like you are in the middle of no where when you're in Chester and if you need something, you can usually get a hold of it -- provided it's not too late in the evening! Most of the 'large' grocery shopping is done in Springfield at Shaws. We head into Bellows Falls to go to the movies at the Opera House which is an inexpensive treat. There's also a good Chinese restaurant in BF, too.

Here's a neat article about the area:
In Chester, song remains the same - The Boston Globe

Here's the town's website:
http://www.chester.govoffice.com/

Chester is a beautiful area, but unless you have a sure job, it might turn ugly fast.

Very nice post!

[chaz longue]

Originally Posted by ranchero

Thanks, OhBeeHave. The beauty of the place seems unquestionable. I think I'll have to read up more about this issue of taxing retirees that I've seen referenced in other threads, since I'm about 15 years from Social Security age. Also, I can't help but wonder a little whether I'd be trading the Bible Belt with its unhealthy level of churchgoing, etc. for an equally dominating culture of winter sports. Could a person who doesn't ski have any hopes of fitting in? Finally, do you have any thoughts about whether commuting to the Brattleboro area is a possibility?

Great question, but I don't think you'll feel out of place not skiing.

People don't walk up to strangers at social gatherings and ask "what ski area do YOU attend on Sunday morning?"