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-smaller sized Northern New England cities (I'm done with really huge cities)
-low crime
-close to a lot of nature and beauty (mountains and ocean)
-historic homes and buildings
-I like the fact they aren't growing gangbusters and sprawling out like a lot of the U.S. is
-close to Boston (Portland and Portsmouth), White Mnts, Green Mountains, skiing, ocean, Montreal (Burlington)
-love the summers and falls in New England
-farmers markets with small local farms
-sense of community
-lots of great natural lakes, rivers, streams
-New England country back roads
-laid back
It would be great to find someone with a strong opinion that has lived in all three, but I knew that was a shot in the dark
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
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Originally Posted by usernameunavailable
I also think Burlington takes a hit reputation wise since it isn't on the coast.
I really don't think that's much of a disadvantage for Burlington. It has a beautiful and scenic waterfront on a very large lake with mountain ranges on both sides of the city, so honestly I would say Burlington's location is part of its advantage in many respects. It's downtown is one of the most vibrant for a New England city outside of Boston's sphere of influence. It also has a different vibe, it feels like a cousin of college towns like Boulder, with a more mountain grown vibe. Vermont also has a brand and reputation on its own, and where Burlington is really the only sizable city in the state, it collectively brings the vibe of Vermont along with outside influences together. The UVM campus also makes a big impact on downtown and its atmosphere and French Canadian roots and influences are palpably in the area as well. I'd say Burlington has just as much notoriety and attraction as the other two cities, it just holds a different appeal.
Portsmouth and Portland do have a more traditional New England vibe, being coastal cities their downtown areas have a miniature Boston atmosphere to them. Many New England coastal ports all seemed to all have their day when a great fire ravaged the city so they built the downtown cores out of brick. Both Portland and Portsmouth exude a similar historic charm that parts of Boston have with historic brick townhomes. When it comes to dining and nightlife I think downtown Portsmouth could go toe to toe with the Old Port Exchange in Portland as there are seemingly just as many options to explore even though Portsmouth as a city has less than half the population than Portland. The greater Portsmouth area also has just as much retail, and NH has no sales tax. Though every time I go to Portland, Maine I always make a stop at the giant LL Bean store up the road in Freeport.
Last edited by Champ le monstre du lac; 03-28-2016 at 07:54 AM..
Thanks for mentioning but I'm not a big fan of Plattsburgh or that part of upstate NY. I like it much better over on the VT side. Also I would take Portsmouth NH and Portland ME over Plattsburgh in a heartbeat. Something about it just doesn't do it for me over there.
I really don't think that's much of a disadvantage for Burlington. It has a beautiful and scenic waterfront on a very large lake with mountain ranges on both sides of the city, so honestly I would say Burlington's location is part of its advantage in many respects. It's downtown is one of the most vibrant for a New England city outside of Boston's sphere of influence. It also has a different vibe, it feels like a cousin of college towns like Boulder, with a more mountain grown vibe. Vermont also has a brand and reputation on its own, and where Burlington is really the only sizable city in the state, it collectively brings the vibe of Vermont along with outside influences together. The UVM campus also makes a big impact on downtown and its atmosphere and French Canadian roots and influences are palpably in the area as well. I'd say Burlington has just as much notoriety and attraction as the other two cities, it just holds a different appeal.
Portsmouth and Portland do have a more traditional New England vibe, being coastal cities their downtown areas have a miniature Boston atmosphere to them. Many New England coastal ports all seemed to all have their day when a great fire ravaged the city so they built the downtown cores out of brick. Both Portland and Portsmouth exude a similar historic charm that parts of Boston have with historic brick townhomes. When it comes to dining and nightlife I think downtown Portsmouth could go toe to toe with the Old Port Exchange in Portland as there are seemingly just as many options to explore even though Portsmouth as a city has less than half the population than Portland. The greater Portsmouth area also has just as much retail, and NH has no sales tax. Though every time I go to Portland, Maine I always make a stop at the giant LL Bean store up the road in Freeport.
Thanks Desert_SW_77, excellent and well written info. The state of VT definitely has a uniqueness and vibe all it's own. I've spent a lot more time in Burlington vs. Portsmouth and Portland ME so I have a better feel for it. I have only been to Portland ME once. I have only been to Portsmouth once recently (was there a few times 20+ yrs ago). If I chose Portland ME, Burlington or Portsmouth I would not live in the downtown areas of those cities, probably on the perimeter maybe outside the city limit, but still have access to the city.
I really don't think that's much of a disadvantage for Burlington. It has a beautiful and scenic waterfront on a very large lake with mountain ranges on both sides of the city, so honestly I would say Burlington's location is part of its advantage in many respects. It's downtown is one of the most vibrant for a New England city outside of Boston's sphere of influence. It also has a different vibe, it feels like a cousin of college towns like Boulder, with a more mountain grown vibe. Vermont also has a brand and reputation on its own, and where Burlington is really the only sizable city in the state, it collectively brings the vibe of Vermont along with outside influences together. The UVM campus also makes a big impact on downtown and its atmosphere and French Canadian roots and influences are palpably in the area as well. I'd say Burlington has just as much notoriety and attraction as the other two cities, it just holds a different appeal.
Portsmouth and Portland do have a more traditional New England vibe, being coastal cities their downtown areas have a miniature Boston atmosphere to them. Many New England coastal ports all seemed to all have their day when a great fire ravaged the city so they built the downtown cores out of brick. Both Portland and Portsmouth exude a similar historic charm that parts of Boston have with historic brick townhomes. When it comes to dining and nightlife I think downtown Portsmouth could go toe to toe with the Old Port Exchange in Portland as there are seemingly just as many options to explore even though Portsmouth as a city has less than half the population than Portland. The greater Portsmouth area also has just as much retail, and NH has no sales tax. Though every time I go to Portland, Maine I always make a stop at the giant LL Bean store up the road in Freeport.
Good points. I agree re: Burlington. Of the three cities listed, it's the one I'm least familiar with. I do get the feelings you're describing when I visit Burlington. I love it. There are definitely hints of French Canada in Burlington as Montreal is actually closer to Burlington than Boston and the border with Quebec is closer than the border of any New England state (though New York State is just across Lake Champlain).
I agree with most of what you've said about Portland and Portsmouth. I don't know that I would describe either as having a "Boston atmosphere" (even a mini one), but they are definitely coastal New England cities. I also agree with Portsmouth being on par with Portland's Old Port as far as nightlife and dining goes. I've always felt that Portsmouth felt like something of a Northern New England sibling to Newport, RI (although Portsmouth has a bit more of a working waterfront).
Of the three I'd choose Portsmouth. Especially if you're talking about a 20 mile radius from downtown. As Desert_SW mentioned, although Portsmouth is smaller, downtown Portsmouth is on par with Portland and Burlington in terms of shopping, dining, nightlife etc. The Portsmouth area also competes with both as far as retail is concerned. Portsmouth is also on the periphery of the metro Boston area. within 20 miles of Portsmouth, you can live in Newburyport which has an excellent downtown (gorgeous brick) and commuter rail access to Boston which is also under an hour by car. Within that 20 mile radius, you have access to great beaches like Plum Island, Hampton Beach, Rye Beach, York Beach, Ogunquit, etc. You also have an excellent university in the University of New Hampshire. It's the best located of the bunch for access to multiple areas.
Good points. I agree re: Burlington. Of the three cities listed, it's the one I'm least familiar with. I do get the feelings you're describing when I visit Burlington. I love it. There are definitely hints of French Canada in Burlington as Montreal is actually closer to Burlington than Boston and the border with Quebec is closer than the border of any New England state (though New York State is just across Lake Champlain).
I agree with most of what you've said about Portland and Portsmouth. I don't know that I would describe either as having a "Boston atmosphere" (even a mini one), but they are definitely coastal New England cities. I also agree with Portsmouth being on par with Portland's Old Port as far as nightlife and dining goes. I've always felt that Portsmouth felt like something of a Northern New England sibling to Newport, RI (although Portsmouth has a bit more of a working waterfront).
Of the three I'd choose Portsmouth. Especially if you're talking about a 20 mile radius from downtown. As Desert_SW mentioned, although Portsmouth is smaller, downtown Portsmouth is on par with Portland and Burlington in terms of shopping, dining, nightlife etc. The Portsmouth area also competes with both as far as retail is concerned. Portsmouth is also on the periphery of the metro Boston area. within 20 miles of Portsmouth, you can live in Newburyport which has an excellent downtown (gorgeous brick) and commuter rail access to Boston which is also under an hour by car. Within that 20 mile radius, you have access to great beaches like Plum Island, Hampton Beach, Rye Beach, York Beach, Ogunquit, etc. You also have an excellent university in the University of New Hampshire. It's the best located of the bunch for access to multiple areas.
Thanks Irfox for the terrific input. Also thanks for giving me your opinion on which you would choose, that is helpful. I think it will come down to whether I want to be closer to more activity & the beach (Portsmouth and Portland), or be closer to the mountains and that bucolic country feel that VT has.
One thing about Porstmouth proper is housing is very expensive. You can go outside the area and likely get a lot cheaper. Portland ME I think is overall lower housing costs than Portsmouth both in the city and outskirts. Burlington VT has high rents too. So Portland ME the most affordable housing of the three.
I don't know much about Portsmouth. But the other 2:
Portland's proximity to the ocean gives it relatively cooler summers and warmer winters copared to Burlington. Lower cost of living as well.
Those are some good attributes for Portland over Burlington. From looking at City Data's days of sunshine chart, it looks like Portland ME gets more sunshine than Burlington as well. Cost of housing is a big one in Portland ME's favor, lowest of all 3. Burlington VT has very high rents I hear (especially when compared to the median income there).
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