Thinking about moving to Vermont...

[Blue_Roses]

Yes, I really am looking into all I can find that will help me with my decision. I live in Texas and I can no longer take the unbearable summers, the warped politics and politicians, and the list goes on...

I love cold weather and the outdoors. Living here in DFW is like living on a concrete jungle.

I'm just reaching out for your thoughts and the pros/cons.

[mwmisses4289]

1. If it is what you really want to do...

...go for it. If we could afford to move back to the blue state we consider home we would in a heartbeat, but we have family in the red state we live in.

[Historic NY]

2. Its nice an its next to NY sorta, has great maple syrup

[Submariner]

3. I missed the snow too

I left the steam heat of S. Florida last year and returned north to Maine.

If your a renter try this:

https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/rental-market/market-snapshots/most-livable-metro-areas/

[surfered]

4. I would imagine their summers and falls would be beautiful.

[erronis]

5. I've lived in northern VT for the last 15 years (small village).

Housing is ridiculous as it is throughout the north-east (and of course elsewhere.) Not enough stock and prices have shot up in the last 10 years or so. Covid brought us a lot of escapees and 2nd home buyers.

Other than Burlington and a couple other cities, it is really rural. Not much public transportation. Dirt/gravel/mud roads. WiFi can still be very spotty throughout and broadband is still unavailable in some spots.

Beautiful country and pretty nice people.

Let me know if you have any specific questions - happy to try to answer or to let you know "I don't know."

[mitch96]

6. I've always had good luck with this website..

https://www.city-data.com/city/Vermont.html
You can actually interact with people who live in the area you are interested in...
m

[Marigold]

7. PA transplant to VT

I moved to VT in 2006 to get away from ruby red south central PA. It was utopia for me for many years. In the past few years things have changed drastically. You will find a preponderance of like minded individuals, old hippies who came in the 60's and never left, young people interested in homesteading, and an open environment for diversity and LGBTQ+. That is if you stick to the bigger towns, Burlington, Brattleboro, etc.

However these towns have become a lot like Portland with many homeless, drugs, and unaffordable housing. This has angered a lot of multigenerational Vermonters who see the "Flatlanders" as the problem bringing their liberal policies. There has been a huge rise in Free Staters and RW backlash. And if you travel outside of these towns, especially in the North, it is staunchly Trump country.

I guess it depends on your age, your financial situation, how remote you want to be, and if you need medical care. It's still a fantastic place, especially if you have the means to take advantage of the amazing things VT has to offer. Alec Baldwin has a house up here, and Treat Williams lived here. Weigh it carefully before you jump, and visit for a while to get the lay of the land. And winters can be brutal and expensive, especially for heat.

[Think. Again.]

8. Heat might not be the main problem in Vermont...

...but no place is safe from the damage we are knowingly causing to the environment everywhere through increasing CO2 emissions.

In Vermont, the first wave of ecological devastation is happening in the form of flooding.

Vermont is hilly and mountainous, and so extreme run off from the increased precipation (that is forecast to continue increasing) is causing massive damage along the banks of the streams, brooks, and rivers that crisscross all over the state.

Here is some info on the more recent flooding events, but this has building for a few years now;

https://vtdigger.org/2024/07/11/under-water-read-vtdiggers-full-coverage-of-vermonts-latest-flooding-disaster/

[Marigold]

9. We lived through Irene

It seemed unbelievable at the time that hurricane Irene would devastate inland Vermont. It flooded the downtown, destroyed age old streams and rivers, and that was many years ago now. So you are right, it is only increasing, and no place is immune.

[marlboroman369]

10. Vt is great.

Except for black fly season, mud season, deer fly season, mosquito season and mud season again. Summers fine Not too hot. Winters fun if you like snow. Fall and stick season are the best.Food is fresh. Folks are generally nice and helpful. It is a Brave Little State.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

11. I just bought a place in the NEK

I chose the Northeast Kingdom for the world renowned mountain biking.
Just started a demo reno on the property with a stunning view of the Presidential Range.
Got a great deal on the 3BR 2Bath 35 acre property as it is a fixer upper and I am
so up for this distraction to keep me sane through the next 4 yrs.

I cannot wait to tend to my first garden in VT. Looking forward to snow sports once again where
my current place in MA no longer seems to get any. Can't wait to start hiking/camping the Long Trail.

Everyone I have met here so far are just so much nicer. Less Traffic on the roads is a welcome transition.

"You can't get there from here" is for real!

[IbogaProject]

12. Consider your age in the location search

Access to medical facilities especially emergency care at an actual hospital if you're 50 and up should be part of the search.

[Historic NY]

13. Check out Derby Line VT.

Its a border town, nice but maddening since half is in Canada. There is a You-tube. Beautiful country.

This is the town where the library and opera hall have the line through.