4 Great Places to Move To in Vermont
If you’re tired of highly populated big cities where you’re surrounded by asphalt and skyscrapers, and where it’s nearly impossible to see any stars at night, then you need to consider living in Vermont. The population is low, only about 625,000 in the entire state, and it’s filled with lake towns. It’s also the home of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream.
The weather isn’t always ideal here. Winters are harsh and summers are warm and humid. Fall, though, is amazing, with comfortable weather and incredible colors in the trees everywhere. Winters might be frigid and snowy, but they’re also perfect for skiing, and you’ll find places to indulge in this sport in Vermont.
Around the state the cost of living is low, but it is higher in the areas we picked. Oh yes, and if you decide to rent self storage while living here, get a unit with climate control. That cold, dry weather and warm, humid weather can damage your stored belongings, and a climate controlled unit will protect them.
Jericho
Everywhere you go in Vermont you’ll find trees and natural splendor everywhere. The trick is to find out what sites are in your local area. In Jericho, you’ll want to visit Mills Riverside, a 216-acre park including open meadows and woods. There’s an amazing view of Mt. Mansfield to enjoy, too, as you picnic or walk the six-miles of trail. Jericho is also a great place to enjoy summer concerts and a great farmers market.
The schools in Jericho all have four or five-star ratings on GreatSchools, so this is a good place to raise kids. The population is low, as with most of these Vermont communities, at 5,000 people. People make a good living here, too, with the median income at $96,000. The average rent is $1,200, and the median price for a home is $375,000.
Montpelier
Montpelier is the state capital of Vermont, even with its low population of just 7,500 residents. One great thing about this small city is that it has good public transportation, and most shops are within walking distance in the main residential neighborhood.
There are lots of fun things to do in Montpelier, too. Go hiking at Camel’s Hump, catch a play at Lost Nation Theater, or visit the Vermont State House. The schools here aren’t rated as highly as Jericho. The elementary school has four stars on GreatSchools, and the middle schools and high schools have received three stars each. Note, however, that 60% of residents have a college education, and about 30% have a master’s degree or higher.
The median household income here is a decent $61,000 while the median cost of a home is low, at just $247,000. The average rent is about $1,500, so if you can buy a place, that makes more sense than renting.
Norwich
Norwich is an upscale town with a population of just 3,400. It’s full of greenery and natural areas to enjoy. You’ll want to visit Norwich Green, Foley Park, Mink Brook Nature Reserve, and the Norwich Recreation Department, among others. Of course, as Vermont is famous for covered bridges, you’ll want to check out the Union Village Covered Bridge.
Though this is a small town, there are some nice museums to visit. They include the Montshire Museum of Science, the Norwich Historical Society, and the Hood Museum of Art.
The median home price, at $475,000, may seem steep, but keep in mind that many of these houses are quite large and surrounded by green acreage. The median household income is $111,000, and the average rent is $1,300.
South Burlington
South Burlington is a somewhat expensive city, but the cost of living here costs less than some of the surrounding towns. The median household income is about $66,000, the median price for a home around $320,000, and the average rent is about $1,500. It’s a small city of 19,500 people, but there are some fun things to do.
If you enjoy concerts, you’ll want to look into catching one at Higher Ground, the large local music venue. There’s also a local brewing company here, Magic Hat Brewery, selling it’s Easy Miles Hazy Pale Ale.
Enjoy scenic overlooks, swimming, picnic areas, and 2.5 miles of walking trails at Red Rocks Park. From here, you also get a great view of the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain.
Most of the schools in this suburb are rated at four or five stars on GreatSchools, with just one elementary school coming in at three stars.
While these were the places that impressed us the most, there are a lot of other beautiful places to live in Vermont. Keep in mind that much of the work in the state is seasonal, but if you telework, this could be a great place to live with a lot of natural beauty around you while saving money.
