Take a nice vacation in Vermont. But live somewhe - 4/18/2007

After living in Vermont for 15 years, the two things that motivate me to leave Vermont as soon as possible are the taxes and the politics. Vermont is one of the most heavily taxed states in the country. Recently CNN proclaimed it as the #1 most tax-unfriendly state. This issue by itself should provide reason for prospective retirees to RUN as far away from this state as fast as possible. It will suck so much of their hard-earned (and saved) money that early retirees will likely find themselves searching for post retirement employment just to stop the financial bleeding. The insufferable tax burden is closely linked to the other issue: politics. Vermont attracts BY FAR the most wacky, liberal, out-of-the-mainstream spendthrift eco-nuts and socialists I've ever encountered. There is no program too expensive, no handout too large, for them to spend YOUR money on. Other posts about the lousy weather and high cost of living are spot on. The scenery in Vermont is indeed beautiful. Here's a better piece of advice for retirees: Take a nice vacation in Vermont. But live somewhere else.

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Take a nice vacation in Vermont. But live somewhe - 4/18/2007

After living in Vermont for 15 years, the two things that motivate me to leave Vermont as soon as possible are the taxes and the politics. Vermont is one of the most heavily taxed states in the country. Recently CNN proclaimed it as the #1 most tax-unfriendly state. This issue by itself should provide reason for prospective retirees to RUN as far away from this state as fast as possible. It will suck so much of their hard-earned (and saved) money that early retirees will likely find themselves searching for post retirement employment just to stop the financial bleeding. The insufferable tax burden is closely linked to the other issue: politics. Vermont attracts BY FAR the most wacky, liberal, out-of-the-mainstream spendthrift eco-nuts and socialists I've ever encountered. There is no program too expensive, no handout too large, for them to spend YOUR money on. Other posts about the lousy weather and high cost of living are spot on. The scenery in Vermont is indeed beautiful. Here's a better piece of advice for retirees: Take a nice vacation in Vermont. But live somewhere else.

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Too cold and gloomy... - 4/18/2007

in regard to comment by d of 4/08/2007...some of his/her comments are a bit of a stretch...burlington is by no means ugly, don't know what he/she is talking about in reference to robberies and trash, guess it depends on where in the city you live...on the other hand, being a native vermonter of 48 years, there is just not enough sun or warmth here, winter is about 4-5 months long...not a lot of employment opportunities here and the cost of living is high.

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Burlington has many positive attributes but like a - 4/10/2007

Having lived in and around this area since I was 11 (now 35) I would say that for the most part Burlington is a great place to live. I am struggling to make ends meet right now. Having had a job making 70K and now not having that, I am finding it difficult to maintain the bills I now have and replacing that income has been almost impossible. It is for that reason that I consider relocating. I love the place though and find that the quality of life here is great. Relatively low crime, beautiful lake and mountains, lots of festivals, cultural events,etc and 2 major cities within a few hours, montreal and boston.

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mental illness - 12/8/2006

My husband and I are considering retiing to Vermont and wonde if Burlington has good support sevices available for our adult son with bi-polar disorder.

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If you're considering Burlington.. - 10/30/2006

..bring a good winter coat. Having said this, if you're looking for a place with the advantages of a small collegiate city, you could hardly do any better than Burlington.Great scenery with the Green and Adirondack mts.,Lake Champlain and several colleges/universities, employment opportunities with the University of Vermont, IBM, and the large medical center affiliated with the UVM Medical School. Very pleasant low-key population and a very agreeable pace and lifestyle.if you're tired of the urban rat race, this would be a great alternative. From an ex-native of 25 years....

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Burlington is for the middle and upper class peopl - 7/6/2006

I feel that the way jobs are the the expence of the rents in the area it is meant for the middle and upper class people.

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From a resident... - 6/22/2006

Burlington has one of the most beautiful natural landscape views you find in any city, not a cityscape, but the rolling Aderondaks across Lake Champlain. Many people complain about the weather, which (like most other New England states) is persinickty but you just have to be prepared and have fun with it, there are numerous winter resorts less than an hour away including JayPeak and the world renowned Stowe. Because of all the colleges (University of Vermont, Champlain College, Burlington College and Community College of Vermont) Burlington has a young and fun spirit. Also, if you are politically active Burlington is a great place to be and there are lots of other people who probably share a passion for your cause, whatever it may be.

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Great Place to Live esp. with kids - 6/22/2006

We chose the Burlington region almost 20 years ago and have never looked back. Yes the winters are long but they are beautiful and people do thing like snowshoe, ski, skate and enjoyu their fireplaces and warming foods/ drinks. It also acts as a barrier to explosive growth in that is the perceived climate was more attractice, Burlington would probably have five times the population and all its consequences.... The telling point for me is that so many people who move away from here to go to "better climates" or whatever move back in a short while. There is just no place like it: fantastic scenery; vibrant, progressive community; low crime rate, easy-going lifestyle, three colleges, great resturants, day-drive distance to Montreal, Boston, the Maine Coast, the Green Mountains or Adirondacks; BEN & JERRY'S everywhere!

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Good place to visit, hard to make a life here.... - 6/4/2006

Burlington is great-best place I've lived (and Ive lived in 5 states so far). The problem is the cost. The incomes here are low (im a professor at the university and I make less than $55K) with salaries so low youd expect housing to be reasonable but money from Boston and NJ comes here and drives the market up. You cant get a decent 3 bedroom house for less that $280K. So do the math and youll find you cant live here and raise a family on one income unless youre a surgeon. The weather is also lame. When it's nice there is no place Id rather be however the number of sunny days is sooo low. look it up, we get the same amount of rain as seattle. It feels like it rains EVERY DAY. It does get depressing. I've loved my time here but finances and weather (and 2 kids) are forcing me to look to the midwest.

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Too expensive, too cold - 1/16/2006

I've lived in VT my entire life. I lived in Burlington for 20 yrs. I am now 24 and the only 'home' that I can afford on my own is a mobile home. The cost of living here is outrageous if you don't have a job that pays 50k per year. For the average person it's very difficult to make a living. Most people here are either wealthy or living off welfare. If you don't like to be cold don't come here! The weather is always different, so you can never plan what to wear. It was 50 two days ago and now it's 10. Very drastic! I'm looking to get out to a warmer climate! Good luck to all!

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Burlington is Nice - 6/9/2005

Great little city. Nice lake, downtown area and near UVM. Costs are moderate, people are well educated.

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