[Soup Nazi]

Your budget is going to be a problem if you are wanting a house, a few acres and a garage, especially in an area where you can find employment. You might find a fixer-upper for $100k but that all depends upon where you will be moving to. You should definitely secure employment first and go from there. You may have to rent first, which isn't a bad idea really when you move someplace new. You would need to rent a house since you have dogs, and even that will be a little difficult. What kind of dogs do you have?

Don't listen to people who tell you that Vermonters are unfriendly. I am from New York originally, and have never had a problem meeting friends in Vermont. People will go out of their way to help you when you need it. It's a beautiful state and I don't find it gloomy at all.

[maxwellrich]

Originally Posted by Soup Nazi

Your budget is going to be a problem if you are wanting a house, a few acres and a garage, especially in an area where you can find employment. You might find a fixer-upper for $100k but that all depends upon where you will be moving to. You should definitely secure employment first and go from there. You may have to rent first, which isn't a bad idea really when you move someplace new. You would need to rent a house since you have dogs, and even that will be a little difficult. What kind of dogs do you have?

Don't listen to people who tell you that Vermonters are unfriendly. I am from New York originally, and have never had a problem meeting friends in Vermont. People will go out of their way to help you when you need it. It's a beautiful state and I don't find it gloomy at all.

I would be ok with putting some work into a home if I could get something I really liked. I have been looking at rentals for the past few days and have found some that allow dogs. I have a golden retriever mix and a fox terrier, they are both very nice dogs. Thanks for your positive input! I have been reading posts on this forum for months and there seems to be a lot of negatively about the state, but just like anywhere Vermont has both positives and negatives.

[Soup Nazi]

I think you will see that in all the state forums. Sometimes people move to a new place and it doesn't meet their expectations, so they bash it. Sometimes the complaints are legitimate, since no place can be perfect. But all in all, I like Vermont the best of all the places I have lived.

You should be OK with the dogs if you can be prepared to pay a pet deposit. Good luck to you.

[ansible90]

Originally Posted by Soup Nazi

...

Don't listen to people who tell you that Vermonters are unfriendly. I am from New York originally, and have never had a problem meeting friends in Vermont. People will go out of their way to help you when you need it. It's a beautiful state and I don't find it gloomy at all.

Originally Posted by Soup Nazi

I think you will see that in all the state forums. Sometimes people move to a new place and it doesn't meet their expectations, so they bash it. Sometimes the complaints are legitimate, since no place can be perfect. But all in all, I like Vermont the best of all the places I have lived.

You should be OK with the dogs if you can be prepared to pay a pet deposit. Good luck to you.

I second this. I have been here 1.5 years. People are friendly. And the mountains are green and gorgeous. But it does get VERY cold sometimes.

[gentlearts]

I spent 40 years in Ohio, but am a native New Englander and spent many happy summers in E. Thetford, VT. I think you sound like a sensible guy and think Vermont is a beautiful state. You are young, so there is nothing stopping you. If it turns out you don't like living there, you can always move somewhere else.

One of the worst things about living in Ohio was day after day of cloudy skies in the fall winter and spring. I remember New England being sunny in the winter. There's nothing more fun than a sledding hill or ski slope with the sun sparkling off the snow, and summer in VT was breathtaking. I'd go for it if I were you. It is no colder than Ohio.

I am very surprised to hear that wages are lower in any NE state than in Ohio. I have heard that VT is expensive and I would think the wages would reflect that. Besides the employment issues, a rural lifestyle will mean more travel time between jobs, and I wonder how the schools are for your little bun?

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by RememberMee

VT is all around gloomy, the vibe is gloomy, November, April or June, spooky at the times. Small too , small and overpriced, everybody and his dog tries to make a living in overpriced crafts. VT mountain peaks are just two to three times higher than major Ohio hills. People? You can get good taste of reclusive detachment, NE is famous for, in Ohio. I am not even sure who is more messed up.

Sounds like someone that has never been.

[maxwellrich]

Thank you all very much for your input. I am going to plan on making a few more trips in the next few months to get a feel for other areas. I have been searching a few sites for rentals every day to get a feel for prices. It is a little sickening thinking about taking a large paycut but money isn't everything and I will still make enough to live comfortably.

[cgregor]

Warning, maxwellrich: When you move here, you will no longer be able to drive for a half hour straight into a setting or rising sun. You have been warned!

[maxwellrich]

Originally Posted by cgregor

Warning, maxwellrich: When you move here, you will no longer be able to drive for a half hour straight into a setting or rising sun. You have been warned!

I had that problem this morning! Haha I will not miss that.

[Soup Nazi]

Originally Posted by cgregor

Warning, maxwellrich: When you move here, you will no longer be able to drive for a half hour straight into a setting or rising sun. You have been warned!

lol I drove from Oregon to Vermont in November and the biggest problem was the rising sun as I headed due east. I actually had to hold a magazine up against the windshield to blot the sun out as it was literally blinding as it rose.