SperlingViews - Burlington, Vermont

great area to live and play, but a bit expensive[read more...]

I made the dumb mistake of moving my family to Los Angeles eight years ago and have regretted every day of it. I've had it with L.A.'s crowded roads, crime, high cost of living, poor quality of life and, at the risk of sounding politically-incorrect, the in-your-face, uber-diverse population. Soon as the kids are out of school we're planning on going back to Burlington. I am counting the days.[read more...]

I absolutely LOVE Burlington and would love to meet others who share the same belief. I honestly don't think you can go wrong with Burlington. The only cautionary I would advise you of, is you MUST be okay with long and COLD winters... they're brutal! Over all, Burlington is artsy, progressive, liberal, full of musicians (though not as many as Asheville, NC), writers, and artists. It is organic and health-conscious. I heard Ithaca, NY is, too :) It's political and full of activism (similar to Northampton, MA), hip, vibrant, a good arts scene w/poetry and open Mic on Monday's at Radio Bean. Burlington is beautiful... in the state of VT, billboards are prohibited to preserve the natural beauty :) Burlington is truly "home" to me and my first "home" away from home. I love it. I am wondering if it's similar to Eugene, OR? ...or even Portland, OR though obviously much smaller! I have never been to OR, but would love to meet someone who has and maybe road trip together ;) At any rate, you cannot go wrong in Burlington if you can tolerate the winters! Feel free to contact me if you want to chat or connect: Not2bforgot10@yahoo.com -Emily. [read more...]

I moved to Burlington, Vermont in 1974 when I was 15 years old. I am now 51. If you are considering a move here let me tell you about the climate. There is no sun in the winter. I hear out West they have sun in the winter, we do not. Starting in November, that's when the "gloom" starts. I hate November. It's like setting you up for what's to come. Unless you ski or snowboard, or do something outside, the winters are very long. Normally Spring arrives in May. We can still have snow in April. In my opinion, I would live here in the summer and get out starting in November. It can get very depressing not seeing the sun for all those months. [read more...]

For a city of its (small) size, Burlington offers many opportunities for culture and recreation. In the area, there are several first-run theaters and one that often runs more "arty" films, too. There is a theater in town that often features major national and international acts, plus lots of events at the University of Vermont. Lake Champlain provides beaches, boating, and fishing in the warmer months, and the many mountains and cross-country ski area in a 1-hour radius provide virtually endless opportunities for skiing and exploring.[read more...]

Burlington, Vt. is a haven for outdoor recreation. In summer: bicycling, running, hiking, in-line skating, kayaking, sailing, etc. etc. in the mountains, back roads, on the 12-mile paved rail-to-trail along Lake Champlain. In winter: all the skiing, snowshoeing, skimobiling, ice fishing, anyone could want. Plus, with the University of Vermont and Champlain College, plenty of culture. Drawback: expensive. Rents, food, taxes, utilities (especially heating in winter.[read more...]

Burlington has enough culture, parks and stores to have what you need. Housing is more expensive than the average, but it's worth it. The crime is low, it's clean, it lack extreme weather like hurricanes, lacks poisonious insects, the views are beautiful and the people are realatively educated. Burlington is a medical community and a college town with great outdoor recreation spots in the summer. On the downside, winters are long enough and the closest metro area is Montreal, Canada.[read more...]

I grew up in nearby Essex Junction and now am a senior at the University of Vermont here in Burlington, and have lived here for the past four years (and been to burlington many times throughout life.) Housing prices are very high for a city of this size -- mostly because the demand is so high, and for renters, landlords know they can charge wealthy out-of-state trust fund college kids high prices that their parents will always pay (I am not one of these kids, so this trend is extremely frustrating.) The houses are primarily older victorian homes from the early 1900's that are truly showing their wear, although many of them are very ornate and beautiful. The scenery is gorgeous from may through october, with the lake and aidorondack & green mountains to the east and west -- words can't express how stunningly brautiful the fall foliage is as well. Recreation, culture, and activities are plentiful, and winter opens up all kinds of winter recreation like skiing, snowshoeing, for those that want it. The city is very safe and most people are friendly. The atmosphere is overwhelmingly liberal and socialist, you'll see a lot of aging hippies and activists, as well as a high gay and lesbian population. I consider myself more liberal, but extremism seen from many flat out lunatics can be very annoying. The city is also very white, but whether or not that is a good thing or a bad thing is up to you. Winter is brutal, and from november throughearly april the days are cold and overcast, but this place transforms during the summer months. Not many job opportunities. Traffic is only bad at rush hour, otherwise is nonexistant and very satisfying to commute. However, pedestrians don't wait for red lights to cross the street, and there's always some moron skateboarder or biker in the way of drivers. Pros: beautiful beyond belief from may-october, friendly, safe, diverse social groups, great restaurants, grocery stores (both conventional and organic) nightlife, great schools and colleges, perfect size, light traffic Cons: Winter, overcast days during late fall and winter, job opportunities, rent/housing costs, annoying nutcase political extremism, chronic unsafe jaywalking. [read more...]

beautiful summers, healthy, safe - but long winters and col is high[read more...]

Burlington is a great little college town; beautful lake surrounded by mountains. Winters are long in Vermont if you don't enjoy winter sports. Great state for those who like outdoor sports. Fall is my favorite season - absolutely gorgeous.[read more...]

It's a lovely place to live, but too expensive for the average family. If you're single or living on public housing, you'll do fine. If you want to live on your own as a single income family-not so doable. Downtown Burlington is cozy and sweet. Lake access and marketplace access is wonderful as well as access to malls and chain stores. Lots of nice playgrounds. We will miss it when we move, but there's no way for us to afford living here without assistance.[read more...]

One more comment about this city. It is very cold and there are long winters and cold springs and summers. Burlington has some nice sections that look good, but there are many sections that look run down and not as nice. ALL of the roads are bad both from winter snowplowing and lack of upkeep. The waterfront is nice and the Lake beautiful. It is expensive to live here, though and income is not sufficient to cover it.[read more...]

I have lived in the burlington area 26 years/Belvidere 11yrs.Vermont is a very beautifull state.The crime rate isn't high and you don't have to afraid of having someone pull a knife on you in broad day light. You can drive a hour from the city to the country and moutains.Great place to rise kids but plan on both parents working fulltime.The average rent for a two bedroom apartment ,car port,pool,trash 925.00 per month and pay your own utilites.McDonalds,stores pay $8 hour,entry level hospital workers 8.87hr.KInd peole with rednecks in the country area.VERY Clean state.[read more...]

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.[read more...]

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.[read more...]

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.[read more...]

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.[read more...]

Vermont, especially Burlington is rapidly becoming a ugly suburb of Mass and New Jersey with all the problems. Runaway taxes, armed robberies, traffic jams, litter everywhere, and no quality of life coupled with high taxes and inflated housing have degraded the quality of life over the past 15 years. People are pretentious, snooty, and downright nasty. I have lived here for 15 years and I am ready to move to a warmer climate in Hot Springs Village Arkansas where the taxes are VERY low, the people are friendly and you have room to breathe witout bumping into drug addicts on every corner. Link: http://media.www.vermontcynic.com/media/storage/paper308/news/2007/02/27/News/Robberies.Leave.Vermont.On.Edge-2745963.shtml[read more...]

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.[read more...]

..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....[read more...]