[arctichomesteader]

There's many legitimate complaints about Vermont...on the top of the list being high taxes, heavy regulations on everything, and high cost of real estate. I don't buy into much the complaints about it being hard to make friends, etc. Every place is about the same in that respect. No place is perfect either. My land in Alaska was inexpensive, has no taxes or regulations affecting it. Eliminates my biggest problems with VT. Of course it has its own set of problems...mainly being more difficult to grow things, no sugar maple trees will grow, only a few apple trees can grow there...

It really comes down to finding a place where the negatives are things you can deal with.

[Ellwood]

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

Hmmm, I've found that people do vary from state to state, and especially north to south and with the size of the municipal area and the level of wealth.

This spring, I would have had to take a shotgun to keep a neighbor from turning the soil in my garden for me, with no expectation of recompense. When we moved to the area, we had to try to keep the neighbors from giving us things. I've lived in areas where people would refuse to help jump start a car.

I think a lot has to do with you. If you move to an area and keep talking how wonderful it was where you lived before, complain about your new town or state, people will be offended and certainly not want to socialize.

We moved north and couldn't ask for better neighbors who are always helping out and visiting, dropping off vegetables from their gardens, or plants that have been divided.

[GypsySoul22]

The only real downer here (apart from too damn long winters) is the lack of jobs.

I don't care what Pollyanna sails into this forum and says "You are crazy Gypsysoul..." I have worked my little butt off trying to hired in this state for the last 2 years (in Sept). The economics and 'politics' here go hand in hand...

I gave it my best. Now it's going to mean exit strategy...the last 2 interviews where I got turned down really soured me...They could have had someone with a Masters degree at Associate Degree salary...well, their loss...

This week we drove around VT a lot (up to Bethel, up to St. Johnsbury). The state is lovely in summer but I warn everyone the job situation here in the Upper Valley is dire. (that also goes for neighboring NH). No, wait, if you KNOW someone or you dress like a slob and act stupid, then maybe you will get a job. As far as being a professional, well, no one wants that (it seems).

[looking4home]

Have you thought of the Carolinas, Gypsy? I've heard it's one of the few places in this horrible economy that isn't doing too badly. I know you have said in the past that you are leery of the Bible Belt, but there are so many transplants from NY/East/Mid-West that it has changed, some areas more than others. NC is very progressive in many ways, especially near the Triangle, where the universities are. and Asheville is great. the only problem for you would be finding a good school for your son. I understand that schools are still somewhat lacking, but they are making progress and I imagine they are better the closer you are to the bigger, metropolitan areas. And the weather is great, hence all the snowbirds there.

I really feel for you, Gypsy. I have been following your posts on here since your move to Vermont, and I was so hoping it would work out for you. But you are at a productive stage in your life right now, and I'm sure you want to contribute to your family's finances, and take some pressure off of your husband. Anyway, check it out, and see if those two states might offer you and your family some opportunities.

[Sherylcatmom]

Originally Posted by looking4home

Have you thought of the Carolinas, Gypsy? I've heard it's one of the few places in this horrible economy that isn't doing too badly.

My friends in NC (Asheville & Charlotte) report circumstances every bit as grim is Vermont and everywhere else in the country. Actually, they were reporting that even before the economy tanked. One of my friends there has 20+ years high-tech technical and management experience and he has bounced from one temp or contract job to another -- when he's lucky. But they do love living there.

[arctichomesteader]

I have relatives in NC. It's pretty bad down there. One's into logging and, well, business is about dead for them. Low prices for logs, competition from cheap imported wood, environmentalists destroying them on top of it all. One was into real estate, that's nearly dead too. Housing collapsed. Foreclosures, banks not lending, etc...

But, OTOH, while things were booming there they made and saved up a lot of money so they're okay for now. Up here there was no such boom. Those smart enough to save well during good times get through bad times easily. Problem in VT is there's never any good times.

[BickleTravis]

Hippies and fake people.
I grew up in Burlington.
Phish may have made a pile of cash, and helped UVM do the same, but they've ruined this town.

[sundialstreet]

Originally Posted by GypsySoul22

The only real downer here (apart from too damn long winters) is the lack of jobs.

I don't care what Pollyanna sails into this forum and says "You are crazy Gypsysoul..." I have worked my little butt off trying to hired in this state for the last 2 years (in Sept). The economics and 'politics' here go hand in hand...

I gave it my best. Now it's going to mean exit strategy...the last 2 interviews where I got turned down really soured me...They could have had someone with a Masters degree at Associate Degree salary...well, their loss...

This week we drove around VT a lot (up to Bethel, up to St. Johnsbury). The state is lovely in summer but I warn everyone the job situation here in the Upper Valley is dire. (that also goes for neighboring NH). No, wait, if you KNOW someone or you dress like a slob and act stupid, then maybe you will get a job. As far as being a professional, well, no one wants that (it seems).

Your last paragraph really hits me in the old "right" there. I had your plight and it was only by the grace of Zeus and LUCK that I found my grant writing job (in DC!!!) and was able to continue living here while I thoroughly researched my options and planned for a move.

Having lived a LOT of other places, including other countries, I can assure you that there are many places that provide a better quality of life for someone than Vermont. Vermont worked fantastically for me while I was a full time graduate student, had zero expenses and had a large subsidized life. I was free to volunteer, take in the state's resources (despite being a decidedly indoorsy kind of nerdy person) and all that other chow chow. But once I need to seek employment, Vermont no longer met my needs in terms of quality employment with opportunities for career enhancement (not ADVANCEMENT) commiserate with my experience and education.

Someone pointed out in another thread that many of the bright young, innovative (detached) young people flee the state leaving behind those with few options or who are already saddled down at a young age with children and such. This makes those who are looking for partnerships with equally yoked mates (like for me, professional, 30 to 40ish with NO KIDS or previous marriages) difficult to find, and ultimately, rendering the state just not a good fit.

At first I was just really angry, and you can see this in my previous posts, but after awhile I realized I didn't need to be. (Not that zen puts food on the table or repairs a battered self esteem) But I actively accepted my time here is for a reason, and I just try to make the best of it. To that end I have found things to do, ways to sharpen my skills and gotten really clear about what kinds of things I want in my living environment. I found a place that fits what I'm looking for and I wish this for you as well.

Keep your chin up!

[68vette]

Originally Posted by Sherylcatmom

My friends in NC (Asheville & Charlotte) report circumstances every bit as grim is Vermont and everywhere else in the country. Actually, they were reporting that even before the economy tanked. One of my friends there has 20+ years high-tech technical and management experience and he has bounced from one temp or contract job to another -- when he's lucky. But they do love living there.

It depends on your profession. I have two former coworkers that moved to Asheville about a year ago and they love it. I keep in touch with one of the two and her husband couldn't find a job to save his life up here. They moved because of her job. He had a job there before they even made the move.
flu189 said it all. The reason I moved to Vermont about 15 years ago was because it was a very affordable place to live. I bought a 4 bedroom home with a three car car garage and 12 acres of land for a little over 110,000. My property taxes were less than $800 per year. We were able to have my wife stay at home with the children while I was the sole worker. That has all changed in a big way. In just over a decade home prices have double or tripled, taxes have done the same as well as heating costs, fuel, services and whatever else you could think of that has gone up. In this time frame incomes have gone up very little. We have gone from an affordable place to live to a place that many are having a tough time trying to survive.

[sundialstreet]

Yes, a couple I met when I first moved here escaped (their word) to Asheville two summer and they are thrilled with their decision. They both work in academia and have found the compensation and quality of life very much to their liking. When they planned to build a life in VT they took kids off the table. I'm happy to say they just had their THIRD kid and mom has decided to stay home and there has been little economic disruption.

They aren't high powered folks. A librarian and a Biology professor.