SperlingViews - Bennington, Vermont

I hae lived here for 30 plus years and it seems I am no better off now than before. Emplyment opportunities are scarce and the jobs available are minimum wage. I have owned a duplex and my rental income has steadily decreased over the years as peolple cannot afford to pay ther bills . property taxes are extremely high, Most of the people are friendly and helpful,and the area is beautiful, but does not make up for the high cost of living....The town is run very well by a select board and will help anyone in need , unfortunately the lack funds make it hard to do much even though they are willing to help. the police dept. keeps most of the area quite safe.and the local hospital is one of the best you can find for compassion and results.My biggest beef property taxes way too high![read more...]

This opinion will more than likely startle more than a few people. Bennington, Vt is NO place to live. We have no employment opportunities, our taxes are outrageous, the weather is HORRIBLE, the people lack any intellectual curiosity, they are unfriendly, mean, and totally closed off from the real world. If you are single-forget it-nothing to do. The local schools are at the very best third rate. Do not move here. You will not stay and it will suck you dry financially and emotionally. Bennington is the worst place I have ever lived. We can not wait to get out of here. Vt averages a total of 58 sunny days a year. This place is pure evil. [read more...]

For a small town the drugs and drug related crime seem to be high. A lot of domestic type issues also. That being said it isn't a bad place to live and is fairly safe. Clean and pretty. Mountains and forest. The schools are "okay". There are many options for the youth as far as sports go although the town doesn't help much, it is done mostly by the hard working folks in the community and business contributions. Winters can be brutal[read more...]

Grew up in the Bennington Area and left in the mid-90s when Vermont started to become really radicalized. Bennington used to have quite a number of manufacturing jobs, but all but few have left. Mostly service and in the small private industry now. A lot of second home and college types here and there is even a recent anti-business climate where the feel is this should be a bedroom/retirement community. Area population is closer to 15,000 (the 8,000 listed is just the village which is but the core of Bennington). Crime rate is low and there is lots to do in the surrounding rural areas if you like the outdoors. I agree with the comment regarding Burlington, Vermont. Visit Vermont but live somewhere else.[read more...]