[Isabella Tiger Moth]

My family and I are considering a big move. We currently live in Virginia, but have family in upstate New York (Albany area) we'd like to be closer to. Please tell me what's special and lovely about Vermont and why you love living there. I'd especially like information about what (if anything) makes it different (better?) than upstate New York if anyone can comment on that. Obviously, if we're moving to live closer to family, living (literally) closer would probably be smarter. But I just can't get VT out of my head.

[Biker53]

Besides the natural beauty, what I love most is the live and let live culture. Folks generally get along with a wide range of lifestyles and personality types. People judge you on what's in your head and heart more than what's in your wallet.

Looking at NY vs VT, while Upstate NY has cultural differences vs Metro NYC and Long Island, Upstate NY is still subject to govt. micromanaging every aspect of your life and the same corrupt State Govt that runs the rest of the State. Rural & small town folks have no say in things as their voices are drowned out by the vast urban population. Comparatively, VT has small govt. and the majority of the population are rural & small town, so average folks do have a say.

Whenever I head over towards Albany from Bennington or towards Glens Falls from Rutland, as I cross the border I often feel sorry for the folks living in the border towns, so close yet so far away.

Not knowing where you stand on the issue, a key difference between NY & VT is guns. NY is extremely anti-gun whereas VT is about as gun friendly as you can get. No licensing here at all as the VT Constitution is explicitly clear on the matter.

[Isabella Tiger Moth]

Originally Posted by Biker53

Whenever I head over towards Albany from Bennington or towards Glens Falls from Rutland, as I cross the border I often feel sorry for the folks living in the border towns, so close yet so far away.

Lol. Love it. Thank you for your awesome answer.

[cgregor]

Yeah, whereas New Yorkers know where they stand on the possibility of gun ownership, we Vermonters are really energized by the fear that the government will take away our guns. In checkout lines across the state, it's a common topic of conversation: "Did the government try to take away your gun yesterday? They tried to come for mine last week, but I was showering with it, so they said they'd come back next month."

Seriously, Vermont is such a small state, you don't have any problem being heard. the first week of his job, one of our school superintendents had an appointment to talk with a parent about a problem her child had at the bus stop. Any hanky-panky in the Legislature is discovered at near-warp speed. (It was common knowledge that a vital piece of legislation was not moving because of an affair between a major proponent and a major opponent). Legislators who don't make it a point to remember every one of their constituents don't last long. (The Koch brothers are going to have to buy the candidates with the best memory for faces.)

If you're the adventurous sort, you can live the Swiss Family Robinson life here and create everything you want from the ground up. If you're not, upstate New York would be better.

[Isabella Tiger Moth]

This actually sounds just like we're looking for. I think I would love everything about it...except the cold. That I would have to get used to again, and I'm not sure I want to. Am I the only one cheering on global warming, so I can move north again? ( ) Thank you for your input. My husband's really pushing for the move. Now I'm the one putting on the brakes. I need some more I <3 VT talk.

[cgregor]

I lived in the pre-air conditioned South, and it almost killed me. Here in Vermont, if you're cold, you can move around to warm up, which is why I adore snowshoeing and cross-country skiing (18 calories/minute), even though it's pretty much limited to mid-January to late April. But in the South, you don't get any cooler by lying more motionless.

[Isabella Tiger Moth]

Originally Posted by cgregor

...I adore snowshoeing and cross-country skiing (18 calories/minute), even though it's pretty much limited to mid-January to late April.

Lol. Is it telling that I find the fact that you can still snoeshoe in VT in late April horrifying?

I am so not built for the cold...

[Sierrajeff]

at this point ... easy to flee to Canada

[Isabella Tiger Moth]

Originally Posted by Sierrajeff

at this point ... easy to flee to Canada

Oh, ain't that the truth...

Vermont is looking so very, very appealing this morning.

Maybe it's time to strap on my big girl snowshoes after all.

[joe moving]

skiing (snowshoeing whatever) in april is the best. you will get dreary days but when the sun is out, is it really intense, and reflecting off the snow you are really drenched in it.