[GypsySoul22]

Tri-state folks..NY, NJ, CT...

Jobs here are the biggest issue in Vermont. Getting a good job is very, very hard. (unless you are hooked up or lucky). Otherwise, the taxes are a lot less than in NYC suburban NY (I know that area the best). Of course, if you NEED a McMansion or a huge house then you will find some issues.

It is a good place for retiring if you like snow and cold. The days after a storm are usually lovely, sunny and they clean the roads off fine where I live.

You will not have the excitement of malls every few miles or 10,000 restaurants but you will realize shopping is not your life and really to live to shop is a shallow waste of life.

[beam me up]

amen to that gypsy

[Adream]

Originally Posted by veggieck

I am also considering a move to Vermont to escape the rat race of NJ and the taxes.

Originally Posted by edkop

And I thought I was the only one ..

Oh noooo, you're not! It's not just taxes... We just got an auto insurance quote from an office in Vermont last Tuesday - it would cost half (1/2!) to insure our cars in Vermont as it currently costs in NJ.

Originally Posted by GypsySoul22

You will not have the excitement of malls every few miles or 10,000 restaurants but you will realize shopping is not your life and really to live to shop is a shallow waste of life.

Amen sister!

[flu189]

I fully agree that vehicle insurance is cheaper than in many other states and when I arrived it was a pleasant surprise. However, the added other costs and taxes have far outpaced any savings on my auto insurance for my three vehicles. The money I saved on insurance did not end up in my wallet to spend on personal discretionary spending, it was merely rerouted to cover other required expenses. Just something to beware of for folks that are counting dollars.

[quickdraw]

Originally Posted by Adream

Oh noooo, you're not! It's not just taxes... We just got an auto insurance quote from an office in Vermont last Tuesday - it would cost half (1/2!) to insure our cars in Vermont as it currently costs in NJ.
Amen sister!

But you'll be paying that insurance with half the salary here in Vermont.

Again, don't look at just the cost of houses, taxes etc. Think about the paycheck you received in 1985-that's what you'll be paying with.

[flu189]

A good point on the wage to cost comparison. As an example, everybody seems to think that state employees are so well paid. Well, do the math. Looks like we will can 660 employees for a savings of $17 million per year which translates to less than $26k per employee. There sure are not that many cheap rest area attendants and other menial jobs in that 660 count. So, yes, beware of implied savings as your wage may surely be comparable to something you may have seen quite some time ago.

[pabear]

Originally Posted by flu189

A good point on the wage to cost comparison. As an example, everybody seems to think that state employees are so well paid. Well, do the math. Looks like we will can 660 employees for a savings of $17 million per year which translates to less than $26k per employee. There sure are not that many cheap rest area attendants and other menial jobs in that 660 count. So, yes, beware of implied savings as your wage may surely be comparable to something you may have seen quite some time ago.

Flu, in your opinion, where do you think state corrections rates for wage? I know they throw out an annual expected salary but knowing there is OT readily available, is this a viable source of income? Again, any opinions are welcome