[Atomicdoug]

Hi, I am taking a new job as a consultant, it is a work from home job. I would like to move from my current home in Metrowest (Boston) Mass.- which is expensive and crowded to somewhere closer to outdoor recreation. In the warmer months I like to do road/gravel cycling, and hiking and kayaking. In the winter I ski, snowshoe, XC/backcountry ski.

Since I am 50+ and divorced I need a large enough town that I can meet other single people and develop a network of friends and some kind of social life. There needs to be enough restaurants and stores to make the town interesting. I like the Mad River Valley but it's way too small and isolated. I am not really a big city person.

In terms of a home, I want something with a decent size property (maybe 1-2 acre) so that my dog can have room to exercise and run.

So I am considering Waterbury, Montpelier, Richmond, and Burlington I guess.

Is Montpelier too small and shuts down at night?

[timberline742]

There is some nightlife in Montpelier (handful of places). But it would be too small and early for me as a single person. I can't imagine being an adult single anyplace else but Burlington if you're actually looking to date, etc. There is no big city, or anything resembling one, anywhere in Vermont.

[harry chickpea]

Shelburne. Second choice, South Burlington/Williston (take notice of the flight paths).

Once you get beyond slip hill in Richmond you are effectively out of the Burlington social scene. Otherwise, the recreational activities are there or nearby and it would be a decent choice. Much of Vermont shuts down at night. Exceptions are some bar/restaurants in tourist areas, movie theatres, and the rare fast food drive-thru. Morning people survive better in Vermont.

[Atomicdoug]

Well I guess there lies the dilemma... any place that has the characteristics I want- small, more rural, less expensive will be too small to have a good social life.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by Atomicdoug

Well I guess there lies the dilemma... any place that has the characteristics I want- small, more rural, less expensive will be too small to have a good social life.

Yup, but that's universal. It's like people saying they want a great job market and easy commute, but want space at an affordable price. Well, the world doesn't work like that.

[tkln]

I have to say I'm so glad Harry pointed out the morning people thing - my mom, when visiting from NYC, always laughs at how quiet everything is at 7pm....and I always notice how many people are up and about early in the morning.

I am a morning person through and through...and fit in just great.

That being said - is nightlife the only place you can meet other people? I've met far more people doing activities/volunteering/etc than going to a bar/etc.

[vter]

I would suggest renting for a bit to get a feel for the different areas. You don't have to live in Burlington to enjoy it. 20 minutes out and you are in the "country". Shelburne, as mentioned above. Hinesburg and Richmond might be other options. We live 30 minutes (17 miles) out of Burlington and it's close enough for us to get out and enjoy what it has to offer.

[jackmccullough]

I'm even older than you (66) and I think Montpelier is the best place to live in Vermont. We have a downtown where things are happening, live music and professional theater, locally owned bookstores (yes, plural). We're also close to the great outdoors for skiing, hiking, and other outdoor sports. Our latest hot spots are Rabble Rouser, the downtown chocolate bar, and Barr Hill, where they distill and serve natural gins.

As for the chances at romantic relationships, I suspect that the single population may be more age-appropriate for you here than in Burlington.

Still, I suspect renting for a while would make sense.

[Atomicdoug]

Well, I do love Montpelier. I love the small town feel, its not completely tiny like Waitsfield or Warren, but it's also not what feels like a sprawling suburb- Burlington. I am more of a morning person, I tend to eat dinner by 6 pm- I don't like going to a restaurant and being seated at 7 or 7:30 pm because then by the time you're eating it's 8 pm. Great for NYC, but my body seems to have adapted to eating dinner earlier.

Definitely would be looking for a social group that does outdoor activities- hikes, XC and BC skiing, alpine skiing, kayaking, gravel biking etc.

I am pretty sure I have been in the bookstores, I used to eat lunch at what was the Main Street cafe (run by the NECI), and frequented Buchspieler (spelling) record store. Also I heard Onion River Sports closed?

Doug