Johnson or surrounding areas (Burlington, Colchester: property taxes, job, housing)

[ab8mi]

I just received my offer letter today and it covered most of what I had asked for from the company. The job would be based in Johnson and I was wondering what were good places to live and which were not so good within about a 30mile radius. Things like schools, crime, property taxes, people, etc. Also probably would want a place with a few acres.

[harry chickpea]

"I was wondering what were good places to live and which were not so good within about a 30mile radius. Things like schools, crime, property taxes, people, etc. "

The quick answer? There ain't nothin' in a 30 mile radius of Johnson. The only company I can think of that is based in Johnson is the woolen mill outlet. Good people, but I'd take the concept of "based out of Johnson" with a grain of salt.

[vter]

There is also the college.
Johnson and surrounding towns send their high school kids to Lamoille Union High School.
You may want to look into Cambridge. Good location between Johnson and Essex (Burlington area).

[ab8mi]

No the company would be VEC.

[Jason_Els]

Did you actually visit Johnson before you accepted the position?

There are a few Johnson threads here in the archive. I suggest reading them.

You will love Johnson if you love:

• Quietude
• Cold
• Hunting, camping, hiking, and skiing
• Freedom from choice in recreation and entertainment
• Driving
• Wondering what it is like to live on an island of relative culture in Appalachia
• The safety. If you're in the witness protection program

[chaz longue]

ab8mi -

Although I myself need a larger town/city, (I live in Burlington) I think Johnson is a very nice little town indeed. And as Vter suggested, there are a number of very nice communities in between Johnson and The Burlington Area you may want to consider, depending...They include (coming toward Burlington on Rt 15) Cambridge, Essex Center, Essex Town, Essex Junction) and (with minor detours) Westford, Jericho, etc. If you have kids (you asked about schools) you'll have heard about the Essex school system which has an excellent reputation.

Morristown/Morrisville, Smugglers Notch Ski Area, Stowe (in the Summer-the road's closed in the Winter) are all close enough to enjoy too. Burlington's a pleasant and manageable drive as well. I even have a client who lives in Jeffersonville/Cambridge who tells me she can drive to Montreal in very nearly the same time kind of time it takes her to drive to Burlington. I adore Montreal, but can't confirm her claim, simply because I always drive from Burlington up through the Champlain Islands which takes me less than an hour and 3/4, - and gives me dazzling scenery as a bonus.

Johnson State College may end up adding some lustre to the town for you, just because it offers regular and frequently outstanding performing arts events and other cultural offerings. I end up driving to JSC at least twice a year for performances in one of the best small performing arts facilities in the State, Dibden Performing Arts Center.

The best and most detailed source for school information on VT (as well as some other info you may find helpful) is http://crs.uvm.edu/education/

For property tax info, (I'm a Realtor) the best I can do can't be posted here, but I'd be happy to send you a link to MLS data on the towns you're interested in. Feel free to PM me and I'll send you a link.

Hope this helps,
David

[Julie*]

I live in Colchester, VT now but grew up in Jeffersonville and my parents still live there. It's 8 miles from Johnson and a great little town.
It also makes it an easy 45 minute drive to Burlington and 1.5 hours from Montreal.

I went to Johnson State College so I lived in Johnson for a few years and just don't like the town itself as much. But, if you have kids then you may like Johnson better b/c you'll be 8 miles closer to the highschool. I imagine that Johnson has cheaper housing than Jeffersonville/Cambridge too. Jeff/Cambridge are both are bedroom communities for many people who commute to Burlington while Johnson is not.

Please let me know if you have specific questions b/c I am very familiar with both towns.

Julie

[harry chickpea]

Julie, did you know Ruth, who died at 108 in Jeff?

[Julie*]

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

Julie, did you know Ruth, who died at 108 in Jeff?

Hi~

No I didn't know her but I'm sure my folks did. What was her last name? I'm sure I know the family since there are only 500 ppl in Jeff. I've lived away from Jeff since I graduated college in 1995 even though I only moved to Chittenden county.

Julie

[harry chickpea]

Chase. House with the red metal roof on Main St.