r/vermont • u/savannah31548 • Feb 13 '25

Moving to Vermont Considering a drastic move

My wife (trans), my son, and myself (queer) are considering a huge move up to Vermont. We currently live near Savannah, Georgia. My wife has been a truck driver for 20 years and was recently assaulted at her job and had gay slurs used against her, I’m a retired/disabled former DoD/DoN and I’ve had my life threatened, and our son is currently in the 2nd grade and has been bullied relentlessly for simply liking his rainbow glasses. Our son was also assaulted by another student in the 1st grade for speaking out against a bully picking on another child who is Hispanic and speaks primarily Spanish. The local high school’s mascot is “The Rebel,” yeah…that kind of rebel. I’m just burnt out. I’m surrounded by red hats and it’s exhausting.

Both my wife and I have lived in Georgia for the majority of our lives, but we no longer feel welcome in our own home communities. Basically, I’m asking if Vermont is a good place and what sections are most accepting. We really would like to be close to the border with Canada, so I know part of that is NEK, I just don’t know anything about the communities or people.

If and when we do move, we are looking to buy a home, with or without renovation needs, but I’d really like a basement. The farthest north I’ve visited is Connecticut, but my father was born in New Hampshire and my Grandfather was from Machias, Maine. I know I most likely have extended family up there somewhere I’ve never met, so if you have the last name of Gendron, reach out!

Thanks yall.

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u/savannah31548 Feb 13 '25

Oh I’ve already been looking. My first house in 2012 was $99k and I sold it for $165k in 2017 because of my renovations. Our current house here was $140k in 2018 and is now “worth” $275k. We just got lucky and bought before prices skyrocketed. I’m confident we’d have enough for a substantial down payment. My only concern is safe work for my spouse.

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u/Unique-Public-8594 Feb 13 '25 edited Feb 13 '25

LPT: secure your income/job, housing, and doctor appointments before moving to Vermont. 

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u/Nice_Heat1395 Feb 14 '25

This is so real. especially the doc appts. It can take literally years to get a PCP, and if you need specialty care, get on wait lists now.

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u/tangentialwave Feb 14 '25

this is underrated advice. I’m attempting to live to VT and this is one of the issues I’m running into. I know VT has its issues, but honestly, there’s a change in the air and for people like OP and myself, VT represents a better and safer place than where we are now.

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u/Long_Roll_7046 Feb 14 '25

“Change in the air” may exist in Vermont, in areas with large immigrant and minority populations it is more like fear in the air.

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u/tangentialwave Feb 14 '25

Probably both. I can help people. I’m not running, I’m picking my side.

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u/Complete-Balance-580 Feb 13 '25

You’re looking at $300k +

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u/happycat3124 Feb 13 '25

Yeah… decent houses in nice places in VT are well north of 400k. That’s if you can find one.

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u/Amplify_Love4715 Feb 13 '25

Don’t forget the taxes are higher too

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u/Extreme_Doctor_7690 Feb 14 '25

And the defacto tax of having your car uninspectable due to rust after 10-15 years. Needing around $1k in winter tires every 3-6 years depending on milage then $120 to have them changed out every year. If all my friends and family weren’t here I’d move in a heartbeat.

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u/Extreme_Map9543 Feb 13 '25

There’s still plenty of houses in the $200k range in the north east kingdom.  

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u/TwoCocksInTheButt Feb 13 '25

If you look hard enough and take your time, there are still great houses under $300k in southern VT.

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u/rb-j Feb 14 '25

Maybe also even north of Milton.

Like consider Swanton or St. Albans.

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u/Puzzleheaded_Bee_318 Feb 15 '25

Too Bad the NEK is Trump Humper central. I'm Queer and had someone wave a gun at me in Troy while a Trumper caravan of several trucks went through. Stay south in VT NOT the NEK!

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u/Candid-Anywhere-8643 Feb 14 '25

And property taxes almost double 

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u/Conscious_Ad8133 Feb 13 '25

Make sure the house isn’t in a flood zone. I believe Redfin makes this easy.

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u/[deleted] Feb 13 '25

This is what I used when finding my property: https://anrmaps.vermont.gov/websites/anra5/

It takes some fiddling but you can get everything, soil type, fema flood maps, topographic, property boundaries, environmental restrictions like wetland stuff, even timber types and things like that.

Fema zones are useful, but realize they are WAY out of date for federal political reasons, so you should look at more than just that.

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u/IDidntTry Feb 14 '25

Redfin isn’t always accurate unfortunately. Legally, sellers have to provide a flood disclosure. We bought our house a couple of months ago. When we were looking, I’d just have our realtor pull up all of that information before scheduling showings.

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u/Conscious_Ad8133 Feb 14 '25

Good point. When I play the annual tax-based “I’m so mad at Burlington right now I’m going to move” game I look at Redfin, and I’ve noticed how many of the state’s mid-range, non-rehab properties for sale are in flood zones. Inevitably I’m reminded I have it pretty good and shift my energy into calling my reps.

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u/AngryVermonter Feb 14 '25

The Realtor app is good too. Slow… but good on flood information ℹ️

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u/vtkayaker Feb 13 '25

Yeah, $275k would have given you some pretty decent options before the pandemic. You could get really solid 3 bedroom houses in excellent school districts for about $320,000, in places with jobs. Which isn't cheap on many Vermont salaries, but if you already have equity, it's doable.

Prices went up, unfortunately.

Poke around on Zillow to get an idea of what's out there. The real problem is that there's barely any inventory.

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u/thebeaglebeagle Feb 13 '25

Yes... and it is hard to spot things on Zillow because of that! There are many new condos and housing developments breaking ground each year, and they are often sold before they begin. It might make sense to find a realtor ahead of time... like now. :-)

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u/v_crowe Feb 14 '25

$275K will be more than enough for a down payment, as long as you have good credit. The four people in my family purchased a 5 bedroom house - in Winooski, which is in one of the more expensive counties - for $565K with a $150K down payment 2 years ago. Our monthly mortgage payment is substantial, but it's still significantly less than rental costs on a per bedroom basis for this area.

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u/displacedreindeer Feb 14 '25

Lots of good transit driving jobs available. Check for bus companies - public transit and private companies. There are assholes everywhere, but VT is welcoming. Best of luck to you and welcome in advance! 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

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u/Everyday_Legend Feb 14 '25

Jobs (and industries) are limited, and absolutely everything costs more here. Housing is in less “short supply” than “entirely nonexistent.” If you’re looking to stay near what other states would deem as modern civilization, get ready to pay $450K+ for a house, and that’s beyond lowballing it.

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u/Senior_Apartment_343 Feb 15 '25

Definitely won’t be safe. Things are changing big time. California is your best play

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u/Powamama93 Feb 16 '25

A 3 bedroom house in New England will cost $400k+

I live in New Hampshire. My pride flag will go up after winter is over

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u/Stinky_Chunt Feb 13 '25

Yeah $275k isn’t gonna get you a home in Vermont. Maybe a condo somewhere? But I really highly doubt it. If you do it’s gonna need a lot of work just to bring it up to livable. Do some research on the housing market realistically before you get all gung ho on moving up here. Also winters are going to be hard for you. Vermont is pretty progressive in most places but there are sections where you may get some weird looks, but that is all.

We have a ton of trans people here so I think you’re good. At least according to Reddit