[Sherylcatmom]

Originally Posted by BickleTravis

I lived in MA, and I must say I prefer the "southern NE mentality" to whatever it is that has taken over in VT. At least the "southern NE mentality" is real, it's not an act, like converting to Buddhism in your 40's.

Not sure why you'd think it would be an act for someone in their 40s to pursue a path of spiritual consciousness. Some find their path later in life than others. Should they skip it because they didn't find it sooner?

Not sure what you think has "taken over" Vermont. Not sure I believe there's a stereotypical "southern NE mentality."

I love reading this forum for people's experiences, whether pleasant or unpleasant. However, I think labeling entire states and regions with stereotypes is unhelpful. For one thing, they don't ring true to me. Granted, I've lived in Vermont only 13 years (in Northern New England for 22 years). But I work extensively with Vermont communities and find none of the phoniness or supposed hordes of trust-funders I read about on these forums. I've met a small handful of people fitting that description, mostly in Burlington, but no one objectionable.

Our family and friends in Connecticut & Massachusetts seem to be authentic people, too. They pay a lot more for everything than my husband and I do, and they fight rush-hour traffic and other high-population-area traits. They have more shopping/service options. But they're just people, too.

Not sure what all this stereotyping is intended to accomplish, except perhaps venting frustration.

[momnh]

SherylCat, you just articulated my wondering on the other thread very well (the "why do people who are down on VT....". I get the ones that are really helpful, but this broad stereotyping and negativity has me perplexed about motivations.

[Sherylcatmom]

Originally Posted by momnh

SherylCat, you just articulated my wondering on the other thread very well (the "why do people who are down on VT....". I get the ones that are really helpful, but this broad stereotyping and negativity has me perplexed about motivations.

Guess we're all repeating ourselves.

[Tinker26]

I just discovered this forum - how interesting! I turned down an opportunity for a job in Rutland this year and keep wondering if I did the right thing. Originally from FL, now living in Houston, but yearn for the seasons (lived in NC for 12 yrs) and actually LOVE cooler weather. I'm in the clinical research side of life and at 53 I am converting to Buddhism, which was so strange to read about in the other comment! I just wonder if I could find a job in clinical research anywhere in VT. Any ideas? I am in the field of Ophthalmology.

[68vette]

Originally Posted by Tinker26

I just discovered this forum - how interesting! I turned down an opportunity for a job in Rutland this year and keep wondering if I did the right thing. Originally from FL, now living in Houston, but yearn for the seasons (lived in NC for 12 yrs) and actually LOVE cooler weather. I'm in the clinical research side of life and at 53 I am converting to Buddhism, which was so strange to read about in the other comment! I just wonder if I could find a job in clinical research anywhere in VT. Any ideas? I am in the field of Ophthalmology.

The only area in Vermont you would have luck finding a clinical research job would be in Burlington. UVM/FAHC is the only show in town unfortunately. I know of others that have tried getting research jobs in various fields in the last year and have had little luck, but you can check the job postings to see what is available now. Fletcher Allen Your Ophthalmology background could most likely land you a job in an office if that is what you are interested in as well.

[Wingfoot]

Originally Posted by Tinker26

I just discovered this forum - how interesting! I turned down an opportunity for a job in Rutland this year and keep wondering if I did the right thing. Originally from FL, now living in Houston, but yearn for the seasons (lived in NC for 12 yrs) and actually LOVE cooler weather. I'm in the clinical research side of life and at 53 I am converting to Buddhism, which was so strange to read about in the other comment! I just wonder if I could find a job in clinical research anywhere in VT. Any ideas? I am in the field of Ophthalmology.

Probaly little chance, perhaps Dartmouth/Hitchcock on NH/VT border.

Look at upstate NY, much better chance, many areas in upstate are pettier than VT with lower cost of living and higher salaries.

[NEKOUT]

I want to point out to anyone considering living in Vermont that you need to spend some time researching WHERE in the state you might want to live. We often felt it was almost 10 degrees warmer and about a month less winter in Burlington than the northeastern part of the state where we lived. Different towns within the state have very different appeals. You would have a totally different experience living in Island Pond than you would enjoy in Stowe----BOTH considered GOLD towns in Vermont.

We have since moved away from Vermont after nearly 20 years there. Do we miss Vermont after living there so long? Yes and no. Yes, we miss the beautiful summers, the crystal clear streams, the haunting cry of the loon, the majestic mountains and hiking trails with magnificent views, autumn and the brilliant colors of fall foliage, apple picking, the first snowfall, cross country skiing and the toasty warmth of our woodstove which usually had homemade soup and fresh bread baking away at lunch time during the long, long, long winter days where we would see one sunny day every ten days.

Our kids HAD to move out of state to find employment as so many others do. They now enjoy a financial quality of life that would never be possible in Vermont. We have since moved on and find our new digs in the south are considerably less expensive. Our property tax burden is less than half of our property taxes in Vermont and there is a very small heating bill compared to Vermont where we spent thousands to heat the house each year. And no more winter coats and boots, mud, salty dirty cars and frostbite...Oh and NO MORE stinky odor from the farmer's fields every spring. Oh how bad that odor is....

Would I return to Vermont? Probably not. Like a beautiful woman, Vermont is an incredibly beautiful state on the outside but complicated inside. I can't tell you how much I loved growing my own food and canning, quilting and working in Vermont. However, Vermont has changed a great deal over the years. I don't care for socialism and liberal Vermont politics. I prefer a well-rounded place to live. I also don't care for the public nudity, you may or may not see it personally but the good news stations will always show you what you may have missed. And then there is the recreational drug use/abuse issue. You will encounter it just about everywhere and more than you would think. Sadly, unemployment and even worse underemployment. Too many college educated people working in meaningless, low-paying jobs. Just my personal opinion here from my experiences living in Vermont...

There is a lot to consider before moving anywhere. Many people move to Vermont but many also move out again after a few winters leaving behind broken dreams and missed opportunities. They didn't realize how hard the winters can be or just how much mud there is in the spring on those dirt roads. So good luck to all of you deciding whether Vermont is right for you. I wish you only the best.

[quickdraw]

Originally Posted by NEKOUT

I also don't care for the public nudity, you may or may not see it personally but the good news stations will always show you what you may have missed.

Really, I have had the opposite experience. I settle down with a bowl of popcorn to watch the nudity on the news and all I see, sadly, are people in their underwear.