[TheDarkHorse]

Im from NJ, born and raised. I do love certain aspects of NJ but the whole state is rapidly going downhill.

There are many reasons for me wanting to jump ship, but the biggest is overdevelopment. NJ is the most densely populated state in the nation, and each year it seems more and more rural land is rapidly being lost to strip malls and housing developments. This is very sad to me since I love the outdoors and enjoy hiking, hunting, fishing, camping, etc.

In addition, I am a gun owner and NJ has among the most oppressive gun laws in the nation.

As you can see I am not the typical NJ flatlander. So to me Vermont seems like utopia (vast wilderness, gun-friendly, lack of development, etc.).

But I worry about the flood of people from NY, NJ, MA, CT, etc. moving to vermont and how this will impact VT in the future as far as development, taxes, gun laws, conservation, etc.

I would hate to come to Vermont only to have it turn into another NJ in 20 years!

So is the state being "invaded" and rapidly changing? Or does this get a bit blown out of proportion?

Comments, advice, etc. much appriciated. Thanks!

[mustmove]

Gun laws are safe(in the state constitution.) Have seen bumper stickers that say : Stop Jerseying VT. But fears of an invasion are overblown. Much of what you want exists in VT. Taxes are just as high(as a percentage). Be careful what you wish for the lack of development also means a lack of money. COL is probably close, salaries not so close. NJ sucks in so many ways but the amount of disposable income folks easily make is not available in VT. Hard to comprehend until you have lived it. Might want to work at vacationing in VT and making your living elsewhere. VT is very much set up as a park and it is tough to live well fulltime in the park. Moving to VT is like taking a job at Disneyland for the purpose of enjoying Disneyland. Doesn't quite work out.

[68vette]

Vermont has and will continue to change. It's just the nature of the beast. The number of transplants out numbers native Vermonters. People come here with good intentions, but often times they can't live without the social programs of the comforts in life from where they come from. We as a state don't have the population/income to continue to tax it's citizens the way we have been for the past decade. We are at the high tide mark. The state is in financial trouble. It's either going to be more taxes to make up for the states shortcomings or many programs are going to have to be cut or downsized. The state has changed greatly from when I first moved here 15 years ago and many natives who were alive in the fifties and sixties will tell you the state is nothing like the state they grew up in. It's a wonderful place to live and raise a family, but it's getting more and more like southern New England (where I came from) as time goes on (I am referring to where I live right now). I don't see development being a huge issue for most of the state with the exceptions of Chittenden County and possibly in areas like Rutland. The state regulations make it hard to develop. This is a good thing and a bad thing for the obvious.

[arctichomesteader]

Avoid Southern Vermont, as well as Burlington and Montpelier, then. More "flatlanders," sprawl, and Southern New England ideas there...since you're not the typical NJ transplant in your attitudes, etc., I'd definately give the Northeast Kingdom a look.

Gun rights are probably relatively secure but of course the legislature must be watched carefully. A bill aimed at lead issues almost banned lead ammo until gun rights supporters discovered it and it was amended to change it. PETA, HSUS and a few other groups are active in VT working against hunting and trapping but so far have generally failed. There's quite a bit of land in the Green Mountain National Forest, along with state forests, parks and WMA's that won't be developed, much of which is open to hunting, hiking, etc.

Your biggest obstacle here will be the lack of jobs, and the high taxes (not as high as NJ but high given the worse economy). That lack of development in much of the state does come at a cost, namely, less jobs. And the liberals who have taken over the state have gotten a lot of costly programs passed which is to blame for the taxes.

As I see it the state was already "invaded" and the lines are more or less stable now; the NEK is most like VT used to be with the least amount of flatlanders, while Southern VT, the Burlington area and Montpelier are the most left-leaning areas.

You might also look into Maine as well if you decide against VT.