[Pondering]

My husband and I are considering a move to the NH/VT area. (We're still looking, so please don't hate me for cross-posting to the NH board). I'm wondering how the job situation in VT is for our two fields.

I am a high school English and Latin teacher. He is a book designer/graphic designer (who prefers to work in books/magazines rather than advertising). We would both prefer to live and work in-state, rather than having to commute to Boston. (Or is that just way too far?) Of course, telecommuting (for him) is always a welcome option.

Any info on job availability, locations/industry areas, salaries, suggested resources, etc., would be greatly appreciated. I am starting to gather some general statistics, but they are never as reliable or helpful as actual experience.

Thank you!

[vter]

Hmm...I wish I could be more specific, but can only tell you to look into the Burlington area and the Upper Valley (White River Jct area), and possibly Montpelier. Those are two fields that I don't really know much about job-wise!
For job listings in the Burlington area check out www.burlingtonfreepress.com and www.sevendaysvt.com

[square peg]

Those sites are solid recommendations vter. I have always assumed that teaching, like nursing, would land someone a job about most anyplace and with the advent of telecommuting Pondering could live way up in Canaan and still make it. She definitely has some good options.

[Pondering]

Thank you very much for the suggestions, vter. I'm keeping tabs on the Burlington Free Press, but I had never heard of Seven Days. Very helpful.

As teaching goes, square peg, it kind of is that way but depends on your subject. If I taught math or science, I could find work almost anywhere. But stupid me had to be good in the humanities -- in many areas, we're a dime-a-dozen. Add my husband's job, which is even more specific and region-limited, and it poses a challenge.

If only I taught math and he were a CPA, we'd be set.

Thank you both!

[vter]

Will you be able to visit both states before you make a move? Vermont and NH, while look similar on the map, are very, very, different. Different landscape, different vibe, different politics etc.

[Pondering]

Oh yes! We won't be moving blind, vter. We have friends in both states, so we've spent lots of time in both -- each has different features that we like. Right now we're on the fence over which features should take more priority, so we're going to be exploring more fully with a potential-home-scouting road trips. We're also considering parts of upstate NY and MA, so we have a lot of road trips ahead of us.

Wherever we go, I don't want to fall in love with a place where there's just no possibility for work (counter-productive), so we're aiming to start our search with major work areas and then branch outward. Otherwise we won't be able to live anywhere for very long.

I've been reading through lots of posts on the NH/VT preference debate, but may I ask your own reasons for choosing VT, vter?

[vter]

I was born and raised here, went to school at UVM. Moved to Boston after college...last 6 years.....was so sick of the city and the area, so I moved back home!

[Pondering]

Heh. VT through and through. Excellent.