Looking to move to VT.Any tips?

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JTR357

JTR357

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Hi I live in a state I'm ashamed to admit & I'm seriously considering moving to Rural VT.I vacation there & fell in love with it the first time.I don't mind cold & snow.I actually prefer it.

Is it expensive to live there?...ie-taxes,food,clothing...etc.

Are the Houses & Property very expensive?

Is it easy to find work,for a driver of all types of vehicles?


How are the locals attitude towards outsiders?




Thanks for any tips.:)
 
How are the locals attitude towards outsiders?
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Well, there are some small towns where if you didn't grow up there you'll never be elected selectman. Never even considered. They're not hostile to newcomers, in fact they're very welcoming, but they just don't think of you in the same way as someone who's lived in that town all his life.

I think even that's starting to change, though; lately I've seen newcomers elected selectman after they've only lived in a town five years.

They're very tolerant of diversity. If you wear a beard and a dress at the same time you'll get plenty of odd looks, but no one will beat you up or refuse to help you when you get your truck stuck in the mud. After they get to know you they'll say, "Oh, that JTR357 is an odd duck, his dress never matches the color of his beard, but he's okay. He's a good guy even if he is a little weird."

Taxes are low. Land is cheap. Most of the state is a long way from anywhere trendy.... Jobs are not necessarily easy to find. I don't know about jobs for drivers ... they must need truck drivers, though, and somebody's gotta drive the snow plow....
 
:thumbup:Thanks again Cougar,for a pretty thorough explanation!

Do you live there?I can understand if you don't want to answer,but you seem to know a lot about VT.

Everytime I visited the people were really nice,but I was a tourist & spending money in their state.

Other states aren't so welcome to outsiders.I think Oregon has a motto something like "Visit all you like,but please don't stay".

I welcome all other tips from Vermonters:)


Thanks,
John
 
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Still looking for some helpful tips,if you don't mind.I know we have some Vermonters here.

Thanks,
John
 
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Do you live there?
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I live in western Massachusetts, about 5 miles from the Vermont border. Rural western Massachusetts is a lot more like Vermont than like Boston; sometimes we talk about seceeding from Massachusetts and joining Vermont would be one of the options after that....

I know we have members here who live in Vermont. They'll probably see this thread in a while.
 
Its Vermonter, not Vermontan! :)

I pretty much agree with Cougar, except that given the low average wage the taxes are definately not low (although probably compared to Taxachusetts). Its a fairly expensive state to live in, although the land prices are low. Heating costs in winter are no joke either. Jobs are pretty scarce these days, although I don't know anything about commercial drivers.
 
Shann said:
Its Vermonter, not Vermontan! :)

I pretty much agree with Cougar, except that given the low average wage the taxes are definately not low (although probably compared to Taxachusetts). Its a fairly expensive state to live in, although the land prices are low. Heating costs in winter are no joke either. Jobs are pretty scarce these days, although I don't know anything about commercial drivers.
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Thanks Shann:thumbup:

I don't think it could be any more expensive than NJ to live.I have a CDL & just about every state is looking for a truck driver these days.

As far as heating costs,I'll have a wood burning stove & a fireplace with plenty of firewood;)

sorry about the Vermonter mistake:o
 
JTR,

Vermont has become very liberal, but we still have the best (from my perspective) gun laws in the country. As long as you're not a felon, or insane, you can carry a gun, openly or concealed, no permit needed.

There are no blade length restrictions on knives (except for autos). It's legal to own/carry an auto as long as the blade is under 3". 3" or over is restricted to law enforcement and military.
 
They're very tolerant of diversity. If you wear a beard and a dress at the same time you'll get plenty of odd looks, but no one will beat you up...
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True. Believe me, I know.

I have to second pretty much everything that's already been stated. Poor job selection; long, cold winters; pretty diverse; and amazing gun freedom considering the extreme Progressive-Socialism that festers in every other social sector.

LIKE TO ADD: It's a beautiful state. The transportation arteries of the western corridor south of Burlington are maddeningly primitive. There's a slow, casual pace reminiscent of the deep South, and that might take some getting used to. The beer selection in stores now is fantastic, since they've recently passed certain legislation. TOO MANY Red Sox fans. Real Vermonters have two or three jobs. If you do well in an under-appreciated trade, or make a decent craft or food item, you can definitely have a second source of income. Vermont is passionate about its artisans and craftspeople. You'll have to get used to the "Don't Jersey Vermont" bumper stickers.

In short: it's a pretty cold but beautiful small state with a slow pace that fancies itself as the Little Europe. What you lose in opportunity you make up for in quality of living.
 
Thanks for all the info guys:thumbup:

It's sounding better & better.I can drive a truck(all types), or maybe open a limo or taxi business & I'm pretty good with woodworking.Thinking maybe building home made cabinets or furniture on the side.I will not be selling maple syrup though,cause it seems everyone's got that market cornered up there,since you can't drive 2mi. up there without seeing "Maple Syrup For Sale":D
 
I love Vermont, I am an eighth generation vermonter. Yes the taxes are relatively high and the wages are middle of the road for around the country. As far as Vermonters attatudes you have to remember that only 52% of the people who live in Vermont were born here. This is also more concentrated in the urban areas. Historically vermont was an extremely conservative, Republican state, Vermont and Maine were the only states to not vote for FDR in his 2nd term. However the vast influx of out-of-staters has turned the political enviroment here on it's head. Now what you see is extremely liberal state with very conservative laws. The local "true" vermonters were always an excepting people (as long as you work hard) but many feel resentment over the impact the out-of-staters have had in the political and social climes. Thank god we have managed to hang on to our republican governor, though social laws have been slowly liberalizing:thumbdn:
Anyways if you move here I am sure you will love it as long as you can find decent work. On a bright side the building permiting process is so stringent we never had a bubble so there really hasn't been much of a burst around here. I guess we owe storm water run off legistation a bit of gratitude:rolleyes:
What ever you choose good luck:)
 
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