[SimpleLifeNY]

A view of a person who just moved to Montpelier from NYC area - consider it as an alternative to Burlington.

We knew we'll be taking 30+% paycuts; My wife found work; I still have not found any work (I just do occasional web design and network setup work, but its sporadic and doesn't count).

We moved here for the lifestyle. We enjoy fresh air, mountains, social climate, community of environmentally minded people, access to local quality organic food. True, designer clothing is out of our reach, but we do not want it anyway: shopping in ReStore, garage sales and CSA's is lot of fun; we actively participate in FreeCycling, just learned about Vermont Free Skool... We feel that there is a great community here.

In 2 month we've been here we made lot of friends, we have people over at least once a week. At the same time we met a guy who was moving back to NYC because he could not find anybody to socialize with...

At the same time, I agree with what is said in above posts. Jobs are rare and few, and pay less. Quality food is expensive (can be cheaper via CSA's), car insurance, although, is much much cheaper ($160/6 months for 2 cars). So if you move here, make sure you know the reason you'll be making such drastic lifestyle changes.

We've completely cut down on going out (well, maybe we'd go out once a month) - but we do not consider it a step back. It is a price to be here. We enjoy living simpler, low impact life.

For us, it kinda boils down to "your money or your life" kind of a deal.

[rangerfan27]

Thanks, I appreciate the reply's thus far. What are some pros/cons of Montpelier compared to Burlington? It seems as though I may be fortunate enough to actually be leaving NYC for a position that pays nearly 40% MORE than I am currently earning in NYC. The $160/6months for insurance is just music to my ears! I guess I would be moving for the career opportunity, as well as a perceived lifestyle improvement because I'm assuming I'll be earning much more than in NYC plus the COL is lower in VT when compared to NYC.

[FrugalYankee]

Wherever you end up, could you please bring pizza?

[rangerfan27]

Yummm L&B's squares, Totonno's and Di Fara's!. How is the food situation in Vermont? Any foods that are specific to the area (other than cheddar cheese)? How is the dining out scene?

[Sherylcatmom]

Originally Posted by rangerfan27

Yummm L&B's squares, Totonno's and Di Fara's!. How is the food situation in Vermont? Any foods that are specific to the area (other than cheddar cheese)? How is the dining out scene?

I'm vegan, and I eat better here than I could have imagined. The variety and quality of the vegetables and fruits grown here are wonderful. We eat almost entirely local produce all year long, and I pay less for it than I would at a grocery store because of CSAs, buying "seconds" (which seem fine to me), and such. Rutland's weekly farmers market runs all year long. Farmers are doing an impressive job at extending the growing season and storing food well for dispersal during winter.

There are also good local beers and decent wines.

Restaurants are another matter. Unless you live in Burlington or near Brattleboro, dining out opportunities are limited, especially if you enjoy more interesting cuisine. I have no problem finding vegan, healthy, and even local food at restaurants, but we frequent the same three or four places pretty much regularly.

[SimpleLifeNY]

there is a very strong food culture - at least in central VT. read this NYTimes article about Hardwick, VT. Also, in Montpelier you have NECI - New England Culinary Institute, which runs a bunch of high quality restaurants in town. So overall there is not as much variety for eating out - but it offsets on food quality.

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by SimpleLifeNY

there is a very strong food culture - at least in central VT. read this NYTimes article about Hardwick, VT. Also, in Montpelier you have NECI - New England Culinary Institute, which runs a bunch of high quality restaurants in town. So overall there is not as much variety for eating out - but it offsets on food quality.

Agreed! We had one guest to our home who was amazed that there was 'good food' in Vermont. There's always something good, creative, funky, traditional -- you name it -- in so many restaurants and cafes across the state. There's even a pizzeria in town which serves some excellent, non NY pie -- awesome, creative and uniquely Vermont!

[jackmccullough]

Originally Posted by rangerfan27

Thanks, I appreciate the reply's thus far. What are some pros/cons of Montpelier compared to Burlington?

I live in Montpelier, and have since 1983. I think it's the best place in Vermont to live. It's a great small community, we have live music every night, generally in multiple venues, and professional theater. You can stand at the intersection at the middle of town and see something like five independent bookstores. (I've lost count, but I remember being downtown one Friday night and seeing five different Harry Potter release parties going on at the shops.)

On the other hand, when my wife, son, and I went out to Burlington and had dinner there a couple of weeks ago I couldn't overlook the fact that the downtown is a lot livelier up there: throngs of people streaming up and down Church St., lots of restaurants with outside seating, more music, more shopping. Also more crowds, more noise from drunks (or what's worse, drunken college students) getting out of the bars, more crime, higher housing prices.

I'm still glad we wound up in Montpelier, but there are people who would reasonably prefer Burlington.

[michellew_]

I don't live in Vermont, and I want you to go into the move with your eyes open, much like I am trying to do- I suggest you go over to the thread titled 'The One Millionth Vermont Relocation Post". I got a lot of good, realistic, advice there with a whole lot less negativity.

[tmas456]

Originally Posted by quickdraw

This figure won't really scare people, until they find out they'll be making 12 bucks an hour

we will be moving somewhere in VT this spring from the south gulf coast of florida and to find a job that pays that much would be a dream. With 20yrs exp I got a top job here for $10.25hr. $250k would buy you a house in the best slum section we have. Drop $400k and you wont get shot in your driveway and for $800k you can be in a neighborhood where your car wont get stolen. I'll take 12 bucks and stinky hippies any day.