[MaroesP]

Can you please tell me what the pros and cons are of living in Montpelier, Vermont?. We are looking into Burlington but it looks impossible to rent or purchase a decend place, so we are looking into places further out the area. We are a family of three and our daughter would start middle school. I am also wondering if Montpelier gets flooded a lot being close to the river. What area do you recommend to rent or purchase? Thank you for your feedback.

[Riley.]

Where do you live now? There is another thread where a gentleman who lives in Montpelier has responded. Have you ever visited VT or Montpelier? That would be my first suggestion. Costs are high here.

[arctichomesteader]

Montpelier does flood periodically. If you have a river you will get floods as a rule of thumb.

[ben young]

Ice Break Up in the spring, the Flows get stuck at bridges crossing the rivers ,a dam results and backs up the Spring melt . These short time lakes flood the "flood plain " .It happens,watch out for Flood Plains

[JackML]

I am also looking at relocating to VT, and I have no idea which city would be best. I work remotely, and I've wanted to move to Vermont for a long time. I had considered moving back to the MS Gulf Coast, but I hate the heat and have to stay indoors most of the time, and the Gulf is too polluted to enjoy the scenery.

I will be coming from the Research Triangle (RDU). I have never lived outside of the South. I hate this. I want to be somewhere I am not a "fish out of water," which is what I have been my whole life in the South.

I can start a new thread asking for advice if I need to. I'm not a frequent user of this forum, but I can change that easily.

I was looking at Montpelier because I have lived in 3 state capitals already, so I like the idea of continuing this. I don't drive, so I would need somewhere that has a combination of public transportation and easily accessible ridesharing services.

I will also be renting, not buying. It's just me. No other adults. No children. No pets.

I appreciate all input. Thanks!

[harry chickpea]

" I have never lived outside of the South. I hate this. I want to be somewhere I am not a "fish out of water," which is what I have been my whole life in the South. "

Why do you feel like a fish out of water? Is it the culture? the heat? the crowdedness? Some reasons might work to your advantage in a move north, some not.

[squarpeg]

Originally Posted by JackML

I have never lived outside of the South. I hate this. I want to be somewhere I am not a "fish out of water," which is what I have been my whole life in the South.

That statement just sets off alarm bells. I think more info is necessary. Have you ever been here before? Do you like long dark cold winters?

[EastwardBound]

Originally Posted by JackML

I am also looking at relocating to VT, and I have no idea which city would be best. I work remotely, and I've wanted to move to Vermont for a long time. I had considered moving back to the MS Gulf Coast, but I hate the heat and have to stay indoors most of the time, and the Gulf is too polluted to enjoy the scenery.

I will be coming from the Research Triangle (RDU). I have never lived outside of the South. I hate this. I want to be somewhere I am not a "fish out of water," which is what I have been my whole life in the South.

I can start a new thread asking for advice if I need to. I'm not a frequent user of this forum, but I can change that easily.

I was looking at Montpelier because I have lived in 3 state capitals already, so I like the idea of continuing this. I don't drive, so I would need somewhere that has a combination of public transportation and easily accessible ridesharing services.

I will also be renting, not buying. It's just me. No other adults. No children. No pets.

I appreciate all input. Thanks!

I think you should get out of the south as soon as you can and think you would love living in Vermont and New England. That said, are you ready for a real winter? You should spend a month here during the winter before making the move, but of course, right now is not a good time with COVID.

I love the winter here and love snow, early darkness, etc. But, it is not for everyone, so just keep that in mind.

[jackmccullough]

I'm probably the person Riley referred to. I've lived in Montpelier since 1983 and I think it's great. Here's my latest response to the question of whether to move to Montpelier, although I tend to post a similar comment whenever anyone asks:

Oh, I'm happy to answer this question.

I've lived in Montpelier since 1983 and I really think it's the best place to live in Vermont. Although we are a small community (just under 8,000) the presence of the state capital brings a vitality to the city far more than other towns of its size. We have an active and educated population, with the benefits that brings: multiple bookstores, professional theater, a regular multi-screen movie theater and an art house, good restaurants (the one that just opened offers Nepali food). We have an attractive, walkable downtown with both specialty shops and a full supermarket. We have some great parks and there's lots of outdoor activity available either in Montpelier or not far: skiing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, disc golf, mountain biking.

Our schools are recognized as among the best in Vermont. My two sons went through our public school system, were well prepared for college, and are now both working in their chosen fields.

We have a professional, well-run city manager style of government with professional police, fire, and rescue services. I am on the city council and our meetings are viewable on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YchTjHR4Qs8.

It's not hard to find housing that is outside of the flood zone. Montpelier is built around two river valleys, but most of the housing is not in a flood plain. That said, housing is in tight supply. My son has been looking to buy a house in town and we have found that it is common for houses to go ten or even twenty thousand over asking. It's pretty hard to find a single-family home at the $250,000 level, although there are attractive condos for less.

When we first moved here I was wishing that I could have found a job in Burlington, but we're definitely glad we're in Montpelier. Much more of a manageable community.

I hope this helps.