[swanstone1]

I'm sure there have been postings for this but can't remember any helpful hints you all seem to have.....

A dear friend is moving to Brattleboro area this summer and is conflicted about in-town vs. rural. Job is actually secured in Keene, but he prefers to live in VT. Is it a walking town with anything to do or does it matter? I've heard of drug problems further south (and yes other parts as well) is it a problem there? I think I've driven through it once and don't really remember it. Any honest opinions are appreciated since everyone here is quite good with their responses. I thank you and so does my friends Mother.

[CatwomanofV]

I loved in the Brattleboro area back in the 1990s, and even then drugs were a problem. Most of it came up from Conn.-Hartford to be exact. I'm sure it has gotten worse. That being said, when I was there, it was sort of an artsy place-very laid back, bohemian-type. I don't know if it still is that way or not.

In terms of a walking town, there are really two sections to Bratt. You have the downtown area which is very walkable & then you have upper Route 5/9 which is more of a shopping area which isn't quite as walkable. And it is not very walkable to get from one area to the other.

I did not live in Bratt but West Dummerston-in a cabin on a mountain-off of Route 30. But I worked in Bratt. If they are going to be working in Keene, my advice is to look for something north of Route 9 off of Route 5-like Putney or Dummerston. It is rural but I think the area is nicer than Bratt.

That is my opinion.


Cat

[Native Transplant]

I went to college in Putnery in the mid-90's. I now live in my native San Diego. But I loved the Tri-State Region back then, and especially Brattleboro. Loved going to Mocha Joe's for maple coffee. Loved just walking Main Street. Strange but intriguing mix of urban and small-town. Many relocate to the area from Boston, NYC, Baltimore, and smaller towns. Bratt is 12,000 nowadays and Putney maybe 2000?

It very much had a hippie/artsy vibe back then. USA Today called it a college town without the college. And that's pretty much right. Lots of academic types driving their very old Subarus and Saabs and such.

I do hear that there is a pronounced drug problem now. That seemed not to be the case back in the mid-90's, but maybe I just chose to ignore it.

Look them both up on the web, maybe in Wikipedia. I'd post links, but I'mnot sure what the rules are here for that.

[Aville239]

As a native of the area who moved away, I would advise him to move to Keene rather than Brattleboro.

There are some decent walking trails in town if that's what you mean by "a walking town." Otherwise, not so much. If he lives in Bratt but works in Keene he will need a car. Public transportation is almost nonexistent.

It's not a very happening town and he will end up driving to Keene or Western MA for shopping & entertainment.

[Mtneer12]

Don't forget, if your friend works in NH and lives in NH, no income tax (unless self-employed). Work in NH and live in VT and there will be Vt. income tax + commuting.