Considering relocating to Burlington for grad school, almost 50 yo (apartment, rentals)

[Suelli5]

Hi!

I am making a much needed career change in mid-life. That might sound crazy, but I'm in good health and the way the economy is I will probably need to work another 20 years. So, I am looking into grad schools, and UVM has a 2 year program that meets my needs. I am considering relocating and have some questions.

I have lived in Seattle for over 20 years and still love it most of the time, although dealing with its massive gentrification and rapidly growing population can be a bummer. Burlington sounds like it has a lot of what I like about Seattle - beautiful mountain and water views, easy access to hiking, a well-read population, and progressive politics.



Questions:
How much would it cost to rent a decent (preferably quiet) studio apartment within walking distance from the school? How hard is it to find places that will accept pets? What's the overall cost of living like? I live pretty simply.

How easy/hard is it for middle aged singles to meet people around their own age? Seattle has really active Meetups and hiking/outdoor rec clubs through which it's pretty easy to meet new people.

I really like a good neighborhood coffeehouse/cafe. Seattle, of course, has a zillion, but I'd need access to only one or 2 good ones to be happy. I figure a college town like Burlington would have a few of those, are there some?

Re: weather. It sounds like summers and falls are really nice. I grew up in MD and miss fall colors. I've never lived somewhere that gets super cold, but I figure I can dress against it. I am leery about driving in the snow, but I have an AWD and I figure most people on the road would know what they are doing. When we get even an inch of snow in Seattle, the city shuts down. I know Vermont is far enough north that I'd have to suffer through super short days in the winter there too, but at least there'd be a lot more days with sun, right?

Thanks in advance for your responses!

S

[timberline742]

Burlington isn't as expensive as Seattle, but it is surprisingly expensive for a place it's size, and for the quality of the rentals available. I actually never found it much cheaper than living on the outskirts of Boston, where I had moved from when I lived in Burlington... its cheaper, but not as much as you'd think. COL is fairly high, especially compared to the wages. I can't speak to pets. I'm betting $1000-1200 + is doable.


There are plenty of coffee houses and cafes, and even more breweries. The brewery seen has really taken off in VT.


You shouldn't have to drive much if you live and go to school right near UVM. I often didn't touch the car for months in the winter, honestly.