[GypsySoul22]

Originally Posted by Sherylcatmom

This is about as clear and true as I've ever heard it put. Nowhere is guaranteed to work out for anyone -- and it's just as true that nowhere is guaranteed to fail for anyone who tries it. Gypsy, I appreciate your sharing your experience here.

Thanks, Sheryl.
I just think we have beaten this to death. Find anyone angry with where they live (especially a transplant) and you will find 'negativity.' Find someone who loves his job, has a great house/life and you will hear "man, this state is awesome..."

[icedtea1954]

I've lived in both Tucson and Vermont. Both are really nice places, but very different. It depends on what you like.

Tucson is a big city nowadays; Vermont is a collection of small towns, each with its own identity, and (mostly) on a very human scale. The population of Vermont is only half as big as Pima County, AZ. And because it's heavily wooded, and more rural in general, Vermont feels much smaller still.

Driving around Tucson means miles and miles of six-lane divided roads and frequent U-turns to get to the other side of the street. Driving around Vermont means lots of two-lane roads. You don't need 4WD in Vermont, but you do need snow tires.

Tucson has high crime. Vermont has some crime, but much much less. You really don't worry about personal security when you go out in Vermont the same way you do in Tucson.

Tucson has hundreds of thousands of acres of public land nearby; Vermont has many lovely small parks and town forests, but nowhere near the amount of public land.

When people complain about the weather in Tucson, they are usually talking about the summer heat. What they like about the weather is the absence of cold and snow.

When people complain in Vermont, it's not usually about winter - - they complain about mud season (usually March) when the snow melts, but the frozen ground doesn't. What they like about the weather is the change of seasons.

I had two children in Vermont schools, (one of whom now teaches high school there) and friends with kids in Tucson schools. In both places, it depends a lot on exactly where you live. We were very pleased with the schools in Essex township. A high percentage of parents were well educated, and many were from other countries.

[tucsonazmom]

I appreciate the last post. Great comparisons between the two cities. We know we are moving to a completely different culture and way of life. However, Vermont is where his is job is and we plan on making the most of our experience there and the possibilities it has to offer. Life is for living and I plan on "living" in Vermont. Hopefully for the better.

[JRSully76]

i am a Native Vermonter who returned 3 years ago after living in Tucson for 25 years. Vermont is very different from Tucson.

[VermontLori]

Hi-
We have one child and live in Charlotte. We live in an intentional community called Ten Stones. It is an amazing family neighborhood. My son has been in private school and we would like him to go to public school next year. Charlotte Central School is excellent. However, we have put our home on the market and are hoping to move to Shelburne so he can go to Shelburne Community School. It is an excellent school, and we are hoping to move to the neighborhood right behind the school, called Davis Park. There are many houses coming up for sale in that neighborhood, and it is extremely family friendly. And you can walk everywhere from there.
My two cents.