[68vette]

The change depends on the person. I lived in Manhattan for several years and I have lived in Vermont for over 13 years now. It was a big adjustment for me, but I made the adjustment. My sister still lives in NYC and has a hard time being here anything past a week. It is an adjustment, but it is possible. You won't find many of the amenities that you have in NYC(if that's important to you). There will be a bit of culture shock or lack of it as well. The air is clean and it's quiet and there isn't much for traffic. Summers are fantastic, but you pay for it with a long cold winter.

We go back to the city every month or two to get the different cultural exposures we don't get here in Vermont. If your income is going to be important, get a job first. It can be very difficult to find a decent paying job in Vermont. Maybe your husband has the opportunity to work up here and transfer back if it doesn't work out. You may love it here, but he may find that he can't tolerate the change. That way even if he needs to find a new job you will at least still have yours.

[nancny]

thanks everyone... tkln, you are absolutely correct about the sometimes dramatic differences between NYC and Vermont. While I have always lived in the city, I've never been one to "do the town." I meet friends for dinner, visit relatives but rather infrequently. I work, period. That is one of the problems. There is no quality of life, no fresh air, no quiet. We are middle class and don't have a cushion for retirement yet but if we wait until we do, then we'll be too old to change--we already are edging into middle age. I guess my main concern is finding a job once I get there (of course I will start to look remotely before making the move). And tied into that is having health insurance. That is a major concern for me because I have seen what happens to those without.

Yes, Burlington is a good possibility--it seems to be large enough so one doesn't develop cabin fever. It also strikes me that Vermont depends on tourism. And tourism is a fickle industry.

Does anyone know what are strong job sectors in Vermont if any?