[Sherylcatmom]

Originally Posted by leggo

you will have to pay state income tax to BOTH Mass. and VT if you live in VT.

When I lived in NH, I got my mail at a P.O. box at the nearest post office -- just over the border in Winchendon Springs, MA. This turned out to be a huge mistake because I had to defend my right to pay taxes ONLY in NH (where I lived and worked). So much for convenience. I got a glimpse of how much more expensive life would be if I really did live in one state and work in another.

[ex-springfielder]

You will not pay income tax in both states, if you work in Mass you will have to pay income tax there, when you file Vermonts taxes you get to deduct any state taxes paid in another state, at least that's the way I remember it unless it's changed. With Vermonts hunger for tax revenue they just might double tax you. If you commute long distance remember what gas prices were last summer, they will rise again as soon as the economy starts to pick up.

[mustmove]

ex-springfielder is right you don't pay twice but you end paying at the higher rate. If MA was 5% and VT 8% you would pay 5% to MA and 3% to VT.

[Lilybeans]

If you own a gun, you do not want to live in Massachusetts.

[mustmove]

Originally Posted by Lilybeans

If you own a gun, you do not want to live in Massachusetts.

It ain't great but the permitting process in MA isn't that bad. Although it varies depending on the town you live in as the police chief has the power to turn gun permits down for any reason. Regardless the OP has a job in MA.

[Lilybeans]

Originally Posted by mustmove

It ain't great but the permitting process in MA isn't that bad. Although it varies depending on the town you live in as the police chief has the power to turn gun permits down for any reason. Regardless the OP has a job in MA.

The fact there is a permitting process at all makes it terrible. Bratt isn't that far from Springfield. If it was me, I would not live in Massachusetts. If that issue isn't important, then the areas north of Springfield are nice.

[missionhill]

Check out Granby and Belchertown--nice rural towns right next to Westover. Save yourself the long drive. Wilbraham is good too. South Hadley is a little more built up, more suburban--the Center is beautiful and the Falls only OK. Amherst (over the mountain from S H and Granby) has top schools and very academic/liberal/progressive atmosphere with two colleges and the state university but a really fun downtown for you and the kids. Longmeadow, MA is the most "northshore" like town in the area, not as wealthy as Winnetka but... Northampton has the best scene in the area--shops, cafes, performing arts, movies--all in a cozy walking atmosphere. A larger Brattleboro, although without the great Brattleboro food coop!

[leggo]

Mustmove is right about the taxes, I didn't explain it correctly -- you don't pay income tax to Mass AND then pay the full tax payment again to Vermont.

You would have to pay the difference to Vermont if Mass tax rates are lower than VT.

[mustmove]

Originally Posted by Lilybeans

The fact there is a permitting process at all makes it terrible. Bratt isn't that far from Springfield. If it was me, I would not live in Massachusetts. If that issue isn't important, then the areas north of Springfield are nice.

To each their own. One of things that always made me paranoid was going back and forth from gun friendly states to non-gun friendly states. Because of the possibility of leaving something illegal in the car and then driving into the forbidden zone. Hard to forget where your guns are but ammo requires a permit in some states and it is plausible to have some somewhere in your vehicle. So if the OP is a gun enthusiast and will be driving back and forth every day it would be a good idea to get a nonresident MA permit anyway.

[flu189]

The drive roundtrip from the Brattleboro area will be 120 miles so time and cost considerations should be looked at. I 91 is a nice straight shot, but winter issues could add quite a bit of time to the commute as anywhere up here. Taxes and gun laws aside, another factor regarding employment at Westover is the question if this is permanent position or defined term contract slot. Quite a bit of work for the Feds and DoD falls into this criteria. Looking for a rental perhaps in the area would give you time to really check all of your future options. I've been to Westover a couple of times and personally would not really want to relocate to Springfield, but in my travels I found some very nice areas especially west of I 91. The Berkshires can be just as scenic and rural as areas in Vt and you will be surprised how hilly and curvy the roads can be there as well.