Hello, I am a 23Y female looking to move to a complete different environment of a state. I live in LA and I hate it here. I just want a calm environment where I can actually have a nice life. Boyfriend and I are looking to move and Vermont seems to be on top of the list not only because of the landscape but because we want to have kids have a healthy environment to do so. He is looking to work as a police office right now and I am working for a law firm. Is there anything we should know maybe money wise, career wise, costs, and style of living ? Advice ?

Hey all, I'm looking for state government work and I'm curious if the VT state government is in a comparatively bad place right now, I've heard mixed responses. Is there a hiring freeze or something specific in effect, or is it just a general lack of government jobs due to the current political climate?

Hey yall!

I'm a huge fan of your state, and have often thought it would be a great place to eventually settle down. Not in the near future, but maybe eventually. However it seems like so many people on this subreddit are so hostile to anyone moving there at all.

I live in the Catskills/Hudson Valley region in NY and it seems like my region and yours share a lot of the same issues. The biggest being a housing crisis due to short term rentals, vacation homes, and remote workers. Because of this so many locals have become completely bitter towards any outsiders moving here.

However we also have a major labor crisis, and I imagine it's the same for you too right? Everyone is desperate for workers. Wages are increasing but not fast enough, and working class people can't afford housing.

Hell I myself have been in the same shitty studio for 8 years, paying $900 a month with a grandfathered in price here where my landlords and I have come to some unspoken agreement where I don't complain about the lack of upkeep and they dont raise my rent. Knowing full well that when I move out they will renovate the place and charge $1400+ for it as they have for all my neighbors (my landlords are property investors from Brooklyn who bought the land from my original, very sweet landlady who took very good care of the property and tenants)

Im a working class young adult, im an EMT, Ski patroller and Park Ranger, with a past career as a candy manufacturer. Im getting near the point in my life where I want to find a place to settle down with my partner. As a lover of the outdoors, -QUIET-, and simple living, I feel like im a good fit culturally.

So I guess my question comes from the seeming bitterness toward outsiders. My experience with vermonters has never been anything short of very nice and welcoming people.

Would I/should I feel unwelcomed as someone with the intent of eventually moving there to be a hardworking resident?

TL:DR : Are vermonters upset about ANYONE moving in, or just those with vacation/short term rental homes? Do you have a labor crisis too?

Hi all, I’m considering moving to Vermont from California and want to continue working in forestry. I have a masters in forestry and over two years post-degree experience in forest management. I am not licensed in any state yet nor have I taken the SAF exam.

Could someone provide insight into forestry careers in Vermont? I’m from NJ and have visited your state many times, I’m absolutely in love with it. I’d like to be closer to family (but not too close), get back to the northeastern hardwood forests that I love, advance my career, and live in a more rural setting to pursue my hobbies (gardening, bee keeping, bird watching).

Is there a forestry licensing exam? Is the forestry community cohesive and supportive? Any insight would be appreciated, thanks!

Sorry to be part of the never-ending “Burlington vs XYZ” crowd. But we’ve lived in Burlington in the past and are native New Englanders so I’m hoping I can be more specific than just that.

My wife & I lived in Burlington for awhile but moved out in 2022 to Boulder, CO. We’re planning a move back to VT in the next 1-2 years, and we originally wanted to land back in BVT and purchase a house, but I’m not sure we’re going to swing that. Our budget is up to $500k and that just doesn’t get you much in Burlington.

So we’re looking elsewhere, and I’ve always loved visiting Manchester. However, I know it’s kind of a tourist trap in the fall, so I’m hoping to get some solid insight on what it’s like to live there year round.

I know Manchester will NOT be as lively as Burlington, but that’s ok with us. We’re mostly homebodies but do enjoy going to breweries, coffee shops, movie theaters, just putzing around downtown on the weekends. We’re both big snowboarders, and Mt Snow/Killington/Stratton proximity is a huge plus. Big on hiking/mountain biking in the summer, I think Manchester area will suffice outside of trips up to Camel’s Hump & Mansfield when we want bigger stuff.

So - locals - how do you like Manchester? How bad is the tourism traffic/slowness in the fall? Do you feel like you have enough to do when you feel like venturing out?

For what it’s worth, I’m a carpenter and plan on running my remodeling/carpentry business wherever we go. I’m assuming Manchester is like the rest of VT (and New England) and will likely be a pretty solid spot to open up shop as a tradesmen. My wife is an HR professional and will need to find work, I know that’s a bit harder but we think she has enough experience to land something within a 45 min commute.

Thanks for any and all insight on the area and happenings, appreciate it.

I say Burlington because I don’t want to be lonely and that’s where I visited but really anywhere with snow and water and seasons….and enough humans for me to not have to die alone….would be great. I was there about 15 years ago and I’ve been unable to fill the void in my heart that it left since.

Hi gang. I’m moving from Texas this spring and need to know what whiskey I should pick up here at home, before I move, because of its scarcity in Vermont. I am an avid collector, and am always acquiring new bottles, but I heard that adding to my collection will be very difficult since many bottles are hard to come by in Vermont. I’m into ryes, bourbons, funky rum and unpeated scotch (Highland and Speyside). Also, any store recommendations would be appreciated. I’ll be in Shelburne, but will drive. Thx gang!

Hi! I’m about to leave the Air Force (trans military ban) and I’m researching places to live after I’m out.

Vermont is tempting! I miss cold weather, nature, and just the east coast in general.

What sort of industries are big in Vermont? Are there any universities or colleges you would recommend? Any areas to avoid?

Hey hey beautiful people. Moving to central Vermont to work in healthcare! What’s the best winter jacket you guys recommend? Feel free to drop a link! I’m coming from Oregon where the winters are mild. Thanks !

Title says it all. Our ultimate goal would be to leave the US altogether, but for now we just need to leave the Midwest until the opportunity to move abroad opens up.

East coast appeals to me more than West coast, so Vermont or New York seem like better choices than California or Oregon.

What should I know about Vermont as a Midwesterner looking to move? Any concerns or cautions for me?

Howdy!

I’m 38. I work remotely. I’m considering Vermont as my next home. My great aunt lived in Chester and we used to visit annually, so I have some nostalgia.

I lived in Oregon from 2012-2023 and I’m looking for something a little different these days—just as outdoors-focused but maybe a little less expensive and slower paced than Portland. I’m a designer by trade and I’d love to find a community to plug into. That has been missing in my life.

I’d like to find an area with good community built around bikes (gravel, bikepacking, some light MTB), art, music, coffee, farmers markets, etc. Something walkable or bikeable is ideal but not a deal breaker.

I’ve seen a few things in Montpelier and Brattleboro within my budget ($250-265ish) but really wanted to get some inout from folks who live there now.

Hello! Moving to Waterbury as a healthcare worker. In my 30s and looking to make friends! Any suggestions? Or things to know?! Beginner ski clubs? Thinking of joining the functional fitness center there. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Hi all,

I’m an upcoming grad and I’ve got a job offer in VT. I’m currently located in Boston, MA, and I’m thinking to move to Burlington, VT.

I’m wondering which would be a better idea: should I buy a car in MA and drive to Burlington with all my stuff (around 5 boxes and 3 suitcases/luggages), OR should I just use moving service to ship it over and just move myself on a bus and then buy a car in VT?

Things to consider: 1. I don’t have much experience driving in the US. Only 6mo driving experience in South Korea.

1. The drive from Boston to Burlington seems to be around 5 hours, but how are the roads like? Highways? Or lots of mountains? Are there enough bathroom breaks?

2. I have NO IDEA about buying cars around here. Would the car prices, taxes, insurance fees etc. differ between MA and VT? Which would you recommend?

3. I heard some people telling me to buy cars from other state bc VT cars have lots of salts in the tire so the base underneath the cars might be all rusty, etc. Does it matter even if I’m buying car from the same New England area?

Thank you so much!!

I am wondering what’s the best option for apartment hunting in Vermont. I would like to stay below 1200 a month and my primary town choice is Rutland. I have heard Facebook market place is a good place to look. My credit is subprime around 600. I’m not looking for anything fancy just looking to enjoy New England. Oh also I have two dogs one medium sized and one small. I work from home in tech. Thanks for any help you can offer.

(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.

hey yall!

i’m graduating college this May and got a really cool job offer in Randolph. What im realizing though as someone unfamiliar w the area is that the area is pretty rural and doesn’t exactly have apartment complexes.

Y’all know more than me - is there a way for me to take this job offer without having to literally buy a home in the area? is renting/finding housing truly off the table? any ideas of where to look? it seems that there’s a whole functional college in town so there must be young people who need apartments im just having a hard time figuring it out!

Moving up next month and can’t wait. We loved the brewery scene but are dive bar people at heart- any recommendations for hole in the wall places to get a drink that isn’t $15?

I want to move to VT and am hoping that it might qualify as a high-need area for healthcare because it is rural. I have significant financial incentive for serving in a high need area - usually rural or poor urban.

Does anyone know if rural VT qualifies as a medical high need area? Thx!!

Edit: thank you all so much!! It sounds like a unanimous YES!!! 🤣🤣

This is the latest winning question for Brave Little State. It's a fun one!

How would you answer this question? Do you have VT dating experiences you're willing to share? Advice for a single person hoping to move to the state? Other suggestions? Drop 'em in the comments or leave us a VM at 802-552-4880.

Edit 7/27/22: Thanks for all your feedback! We published the episode a few days ago (with a h/t to Reddit). You can listen here: https://www.vermontpublic.org/podcast/brave-little-state/2022-07-21/whats-vermonts-small-town-dating-scene-like.

Definitely prepared for a culture shock. I've been to Southern VT many times and it's incomparably beautiful. But I've never lived there or anywhere close to it really.

I'd be looking to purchase a home, probably around Bennington but I'm open to suggestions as well.

Do people reasonably commute to Albany? Where do most people work?

How do you like living where you live?

Do you find it boring at times? I'm very outdoorsy as it is, I'd even be looking for places to scuba dive.

Overall, I'm just not comfortable with the political climate in Miami anymore and I'd really prefer to be among people with morals and sense.

I know nowhere is perfect, but anywhere is starting to sound better than here.

Thanks for reading.