[djlynn]

Hi! My partner and I may be looking into moving in a couple of years, we have 2 children and my partner prefers a city to the country. We would also like to be able to have a union, that's why I am looking at Vermont. Our oldest child is Autism Spectrum so we would also want good schools near by. Our youngest is a very active and typical boy who loves playing outside so an area with near by activities would also be nice. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I have lived in the South all of my life until I moved with my partner to her home state of IN, so I really wouldn't mind a mix of the city/country atmosphere if possible.
Thank you in advance!

[Vermonr]

Sounds like Burlington would be right up your alley. It's a city, but you're surrounded by wonderful hikes and forests. And there will be plenty of fun things for the little ones to do (you're close to Stowe, not too far from the new Jay Peak water park, you have the Teddy Bear Factory, Shelburne Museum/Farms, etc.). I don't know anything about the school system though, and keep in mind that housing is quite expensive in Burlington. You might want to look in Colchester, Shelburne, Essex, and other surrounding towns too if you want a more country feel.

Burlington also has a rather liberal slant, and in conjunction with its mostly-transplant population it's one of the most accepting cities in Vermont. There's a pride festival that occurs every year too, if that interests you.