[Yankeecybercraft]

I have been doing much research on the computer about places to relocate too. I am origiannly from Western Massachusetts and have lived in Florida for the last 21 years, Daytona Beach to be exact. I need to get back to New England before I loose my mind. I have looked at Keene New Hampshire and am now looking at Brattleboro VT. Does anyone have any light to shed on life in Brattleboro. I am looking for a new England feel, far enough away yet close enough to visit family in Massachusetts. I will be renting and will need a 3 bedroom apartment or house. Peace and quiet, safety and interstate access is of utmost importance. I also am an LPN, are there any jobs in the health care field? Please HELP!!!!!!
Diane

[arel]

I, too, have been considering Brattleboro.

What I like: It is a small town, not crowded, but with lots of city amenities like arts, concerts and restaurants. It is a major reginal hub. There are all sorts of neighborhoods, some urban, some suburban and some rural. It is near other places of interest, such as Keene, NH and the Pioneer Valley in MA. Other nice towns are nearby. There is a great Food Co-op and I hear there is a great Farmer's Market. The population is largely educated and cosmopolitan. There is a train station, with a train to NYC and to northern Vermont. Also, I understand that there is a great sense of community there, with plenty of civic engagement and participation. Politics are generally liberal and progressive. Mot people I have asked love the area.

What I don't like: Parts of the town are run down and dreary looking. The nearest real airport is about 90 minutes away (Hartford). It's not like Burlington, where the airport is right there. Large cities are hours away. The ocean is hours away. The cost of living is high and salaries are reportedly low. Reportedly, winter is long, cold and dreary, with people in hibernation. In the warm weather, clothing is optional.

Sometimes the place feels like a throwback to the 1960's, with the activism and the counterculture. Sometimes I feel like I am caught in a time warp.

If you are an LPN, you will probably find work. Brattleboro Retreat is there, and there are a couple of hospitals in town. In nearby Massachusetts, there are several more hospitals. If you are willing to commute for an hour each way, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center is there. I can't imagine being a nurse, RN or LPN, and not being able to find work.

I have been using this forum a lot for researching Brattleboro. So a lot of Brattleboro issues have been addressed here. I am not originally from New England, though, so you will undoubtedly have a lot of questions different from mine.

Good luck!

[spunky1]

Originally Posted by Yankeecybercraft

I have been doing much research on the computer about places to relocate too. I am origiannly from Western Massachusetts and have lived in Florida for the last 21 years, Daytona Beach to be exact. I need to get back to New England before I loose my mind. I have looked at Keene New Hampshire and am now looking at Brattleboro VT. Does anyone have any light to shed on life in Brattleboro. I am looking for a new England feel, far enough away yet close enough to visit family in Massachusetts. I will be renting and will need a 3 bedroom apartment or house. Peace and quiet, safety and interstate access is of utmost importance. I also am an LPN, are there any jobs in the health care field? Please HELP!!!!!!
Diane

In my view Brattleboro is a more typical New England town than Keene. It is much more livable and walkable IMO. That said I said if political climate makes a difference to you then be aware that Brattleboro is extremely liberal. . It has a lot of the "aging hippy scene" etc. LPN you can check out the Brattleboro Retreat, and there is also and a hospital in town. I'm sure there are plenty of jobs in health care in the area. Good luck

[greycella]

Not sure if you're still reading and considering Brattleboro- but here's a few things that came to mind in reading your post.

LPNs are in high demand here, and there would no doubt be a sign-on bonus for you at an area hospital.

Rents here are a bit higher than the state average, but right on par with what you would find in Western Mass. 1 bedrooms go for around 700, 2 for 900 and a 3 bedroom house would start at 1200/mo. You can get a nice single family home for between 175,000 to 350,000 depending on how fussy you are. Because there's never been a crazy real estate push here, you'll find that not a lot of remodelling has been done and if you're coming from a more urban area the homes might seem a bit outdated.

I can see what you're saying about parts of Brattleboro being run down, but they are really just one or two pockets- it's mostly comprised of nice little sleepy neighborhoods with post war capes and older victorian style homes. We have a lot going on considering what a small town it is, but with none of the commute or headaches of city life.

Hope this helps.