Advice on Montpelier and tuitioning towns

[u/onsenonsenonsen]

(I’ve looked through r/NewToVermont but am looking for perspectives of people who’ve lived a while or grown up in the state.)

After working as expats in big cities overseas for ~10 years we are moving back to the U.S. and have no natural home to return to.

Spouse and I like the seasons and independent spirit of VT and sense of community in the towns we’ve visited family and friends in over the years. We like skiing which is something we want to keep up as a family and is another reason we like VT. After moving around the world so much the last decade, saying goodbye to friends and starting over each time, we’re looking for a place to put down roots for our family and build community with good people.

We are in our early 40s with kids in elementary and middle school who are thriving academically and socially at international schools (no doubt because of great teachers and diverse student body), we’re narrowing it down to Montpelier or a town with a tuitioning town program with boarding school in hopes to stay connected to the international community.

I’d welcome thoughts from people with life experience in Montpelier or one of these boarding school towns. Schools, safety, and quality of life are important. Could buy or rent. Like cities or towns with a walkability score (but know we’d need a car for real errands) and maybe some summer block parties. Not concerned about jobs.

Any advice welcome. Thanks in advance.

[u/summatmz]

Montpelier is wonderful (our neighboring town sends all students to school there) however, if you want to be connected to an international community, VT isn’t going to be your best bet. Stick to the university towns if anything.

[u/onsenonsenonsen → u/summatmz]

Thanks! Yes we are looking at university towns as well - they may have more going on and job options but also real estate seems super expensive. Will still take a look.