[Missionsix]

Originally Posted by MN1031

I moved to Vermont a year ago because of a new job. I knew a bit about this state, but never visited anywhere in Vermont, until that new job brought me there. I lived in Montpelier, the state capital, which is geographically located almost in the center. They call it the city of Montpelier, but it is just a village. A village with some state building, and many people who go there for work in day time, and immediately leave there evenings. The town (or village) is dead after 6-7 PM. There is not anything there to do rather than a couple of bars and restaurants.
After a few months , I found that moving to Vermont was a big mistake! The people do not like to talk or connect with non-Vermonters and I was totally unsuccessful despite hard trying to somehow connect with someone. They are not welcoming and have their own circles, which do not let go get in. If you go there, you should be ready to stay alone for a very long time.
It is a very rural state, and the whole state is a big farm. There is no activity, construction, development, major business or industry to attract people. Infrastructure is very poor and cost of utilities is very high. It is not a place for you to live in if you are young and ambitious, if you are an immigrant, non-white American or simply a city-type person. It is best for retirement, old couples, those who want to escape from huge cities, extremely rich people and anyone enjoy just the country, farm, animals and a village style of life. The pace of life is slower than other areas in US and there is not much news.
Vermont has a very long and severe winter. If you are not use to such a harsh climate, you better stay away. The winter begins in November and continues till May. There is almost regular weekly snow, heavy frost and very low temperature. I experienced a temperature around - 22 F several times. Roads could be bad in winter and you will be stuck at home for weeks, since there is nothing to do outside. It is of course different if you love skiing and are wealthy to spend the high cost of skiing and using those facilities.
The state is economically very poor, probably among the poorest in US. Most people do not have enough income and struggle for life. The big houses and rich people you may sometimes see, or those who spend much money for ski resort and so forth are mostly not Vermonters. They are rich people of NY, CT, MA, NJ, DC and other areas who coming up north and sometimes even afford to buy a big house there. These people are a major source of income for state government of Vermont. So do not make a mistake if you see somewhere, even in country, a big house or people who are everyday in ski resort. Almost in all cases they are not the local people.
Cell phone and Internet connection is either not available in many regions or the quality is very low and often non reliable.
Vermont is an expensive state. Houses are ridiculously expensive to buy or rent. Most are very old and even not maintained well. A good house in Montpelier can cost you $ 500,000, and a monthly rent of a good one bedroom apartment could be around $ 1000 without utilities.
Most cities are away from major cities and more populated centers. In Vermont you feel isolation and it is somehow like end of the world or a dead end road! There is only one airport in Burlington, which is a small one with very limited number of flights. The airport is very unreliable in winter, and the few daily flights could be canceled or have long delays. So you should be ready to get use to this isolation. Access to other places is not so easy. The nearest major city (Boston) is about 4 hours drive from Montpelier. So it is not something for a couple of times driving a week, or a routine daily trip.
Well, I can say if you are young, if you want some sort of affordable social life, if your a city person, if your sociable and like to find friends, if you are professionally active and ambitious, if you want to be in a diverse area with people from different racial and cultural background and finally if you cannot tolerate the extremely low temperatures and huge amount of ice and snow, then never think of moving to Vermont. You will be badly disappointed.
It is only good for a short trip, a visit and then go back home. Your life will be wasted here, unless you are a hippie, a hunter, a villager, a farmer, hate urban areas, hate any other than white people and enjoy isolation and idleness.

DAMN.... that was deep. But c'mon... 4 hours to Boston from Montpelier? :P 3, tops!

[Missionsix]

I spent 4 beautiful years in Vermont. It took a year or so to learn how not to be bored. But I did just that! Learned how! And from that I found myself in better shape, more in tune with nature, and other than missing my family and old friends, a much happier Man. My wife and I moved back to Southern California 5 months ago and guess what... we're going back to VT in a month. We can't handle it here. As for you feeling down about your race in relation to such a white washed state or feeling outed, (i'm not sure what town you're in) head to Rutland or Burlington!!! It's a tad more diverse than lets say, Tunbridge or..... Barre. haha There are good and bad places in every county of every state...

[cgregor]

If you're in Vermont already, be in Montpelier on May 1 for the annual May Day festival! You will meet every stripe of Vermonter under the sun-- and probably love all of them!!

[Native Transplant]

I'm white, and not an immigrant, but as a native Southern Californian, I loved my time (a little less than 4 years) north of Brattleboro. Beautiful scenery, different vibe. Much easier to cross state lines (well, I was in the Tri-State Region). If I wanted to bail Putney/Brattleboro, tons of other areas are within a day.

You just need to be the one that changes. Don't expect it to be like where you are from. I've never had the privilege to expatriate. Honestly, I've only ever been to Canada, Mexico, and St. Maarten. But I know the culture shock would be overwhelming if I never tried to adapt.

[Missionsix]

well said! ^^^^

[BS Walks]

Originally Posted by plausible

Mn1031 couldnt have said it better. Vters are unfriendly, unwilling and if your opinion differs from theirs in any way, they tell you to move and get out

I've read many of your comments on this topic and couldn't agree with you more.