[lookingforhomeNE]

My boyfriend and I are looking for somewhere in New England to move and perhaps eventually open a small organic/veg friendly restaurant. The most important things to us are that the cost of living (especially real estate costs) be low and for the population to have a fairly liberal bent. We also like to hike and climb, etc. so proximity to outdoor rec areas would be a big plus. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[arctichomesteader]

Low cost of living and Vermont don't go together...

[vter]

Define cheap.

[Aptor hours]

Well after my drive today I would check out Chester Vt but I really doubt it is cheap but I don't know maybe you could make a go of it

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by Aptor hours

Well after my drive today I would check out Chester Vt but I really doubt it is cheap but I don't know maybe you could make a go of it

Chester isn't cheap and I can't say with any certainty that the town is very liberal. Some of the store owners might be a little more liberal (i.e. the Moon Dog's owner) than the actual townspeople.

[ex-springfielder]

I don't think the words liberal and cheap go together. Most of your liberal thinkers and politicians believe in everybody helping everybody else, food, health care, housing, etc. which tends to drive up government cost and the taxes necessary to pay for the liberals programs. Much along the lines of socialism. In these situations there's always too many people willing to be taken care of and don't go work to support themselves. Vermont is an excellent example of that style of liberism. If you plan on opening a restaurant you want to be in an area afluent enough to eat at your establishment, which means the cost of living will be more.

[tkln]

Originally Posted by ex-springfielder

If you plan on opening a restaurant you want to be in an area afluent enough to eat at your establishment, which means the cost of living will be more.

And even then, don't assume because the area is affluent you will do well. I would put Stowe up there in the affluent category, but I have seen many businesses come and go because in the end, you are relying on tourism to make money. Most of the people who live year-round in Stowe aren't rich and if you have an off season due to the weather or economy, that can spell your fate right there.

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by ex-springfielder

I don't think the words liberal and cheap go together. Most of your liberal thinkers and politicians believe in everybody helping everybody else, food, health care, housing, etc. which tends to drive up government cost and the taxes necessary to pay for the liberals programs. Much along the lines of socialism. In these situations there's always too many people willing to be taken care of and don't go work to support themselves. Vermont is an excellent example of that style of liberism. If you plan on opening a restaurant you want to be in an area afluent enough to eat at your establishment, which means the cost of living will be more.

Yeah I think you're right about that. The more liberal a state the more expensive (because of more government and the taxes it requires...). The most affordable part of New England is probably Northern Maine, but it isn't exactly liberal up there like VT, and an expensive restaurant probably wouldn't do well. The economy there is probably worse than VT.

[carolinajack]

that is so true, you have to pay for everyone in a liberal place, because they allow people not to work and to just suck off the system

[KoZmiC NinJa]

Originally Posted by carolinajack

that is so true, you have to pay for everyone in a liberal place, because they allow people not to work and to just suck off the system

Listen to talk radio, much ?

Your statement is patently incorrect.

TaxProf Blog: Red States Feed at Federal Trough, Blue States Supply the Feed

^^^ just one of zillions of articles on the subject.