I recently moved from Colorado to Vermont, and I quickly realized there isn’t a ton of blogs or honest opinions out there about what it’s actually like. So I figured I’d share mine, in case someone out there is considering making the same move.
A quick disclaimer: I’ve only been here three months, so I’m not trying to paint this as black and white. There’s still a lot for me to learn. I moved in June, and it’s now September, so here’s my take so far.
The Vibe: Similar, But Not the Same
The big takeaway is that Vermont actually has some similarities to Colorado, at least where I’m at. It’s not exact, but there’s a similar laid-back feel. Where I live is very quiet, I’m not in Burlington (the “big city” here), but I’m about 30 minutes away from it.
It is more humid here than Colorado, for sure — though nothing like Florida, where I used to live. And right now, we’re just starting to head into fall. The leaves are changing a little bit, but nothing dramatic yet. I haven’t experienced full foliage season, so I can’t speak to what it’s like with tourists and all that.
Vermonters Are Quiet, Not Cold
One thing that stands out is how quiet and chill people are here. I think this is more of a northeastern trait; everyone’s kind and polite, but not overly friendly. That’s not a bad thing at all. You don’t get a lot of unnecessary chitchat or surface-level small talk, which honestly I don’t mind.
A lot of the locals I’ve talked to have also told me that Vermont “isn’t really how it used to be.” Things change and evolve, but there’s an old guard here; people who’ve lived here for a very long time, generationally, with family roots, who aren’t thrilled about that.
Part of that shift, from what I’ve picked up, comes down to Vermont becoming more of a hot spot for vacation homes. There are a lot of people who own property here but don’t live here full-time. That’s created some real tension, especially around affordable housing.
Taxes and Local Politics
Property taxes in Vermont are high, I just got my property tax notification, and it was eye-opening. I haven’t gotten into local politics yet, so I honestly don’t know how that tax revenue gets distributed, but it’s something I’m curious to learn more about as I settle in.
Healthcare and Vet Care: Plan Ahead
This is probably the biggest practical thing I’d tell anyone thinking about moving here; healthcare and vet care accessibility is not what I was used to, unless you’re near Burlington.
I have nine animals, so getting a few of them established with a vet was a priority. The closest clinic to me was booked out until October or November because they were short-staffed and hiring. To me, that signaled they were probably overextended and stressed. I ended up taking one of my pets to an urgent care/bigger clinic instead — one with seven vets on staff doing wellness checks, so I wasn’t stuck paying urgent-care prices for a routine visit. It’s not right down the road, but I’d rather drive a little further for better care.
It was the same story for myself. Finding a primary care doctor took a while, nobody was taking new patients. Dermatology was even worse; I had to try four different dermatologists before finding one who’d take me. If you’re thinking about moving here, just know that healthcare accessibility may not be as easy as it was wherever you’re coming from.
Shopping Is… Different
Vermont is a small state, and it shows in the shopping. There aren’t a ton of big-box stores in every town. Usually you’ll find a Walmart and a Tractor Supply, and that’s about it. Burlington has more options, but even that doesn’t compare to a big city.
Vermont really pushes local, so you’ll see a lot more co-ops, locally owned grocers, and employee-owned stores depending on where you live. There’s only one Costco in the entire state, up in Colchester, and it honestly feels more like a small warehouse. I also see a lot of Canadians crossing the border just to shop there (could be totally wrong about that, but that’s what it looks like from where I’m standing).
Diversity Is Limited
This has probably been the biggest adjustment. There isn’t a lot of diversity out here, not a lot of Latino or Latina representation, and the population skews heavily Caucasian from what I’ve seen. That also shows up in the food scene, you’re not going to find a huge variety of cuisines, at least not where I live. Maybe Burlington is a bit different, but overall, diversity is something to keep in mind if you’re considering a move or buying property here.
Good Contractors Are Hard to Find
I’ve mentioned this before, but finding reliable blue-collar labor here has been tough. When you do find a good electrician, plumber, or general contractor, hold onto them — good ones stay booked solid.
I’ve had a lot of work done on my house, and it’s been hit or miss. My electrician and plumber have been great. The painting company I hired, on the other hand, was rough. There just aren’t a lot of great painting companies out here that I’ve come across so far.
Older Homes Mean More Upkeep
The Northeast is the oldest part of the country, and it shows. There’s a lot of older infrastructure and older homes with real character, but that character often comes with more work than people expect. My house isn’t even that old, and there’s still plenty that needs attention.
So if you’re dreaming about buying that charming old farmhouse, just know it can come with a pretty significant cost to fix up and make livable to your standards.
Final Thoughts
These are just some of the things I’ve come across so far — take them for what they’re worth. I’m planning to give Vermont a full year before I really form an opinion, and I’m hoping to look back on this post (and the video it’s based on) a year from now and think, “yeah, this was the right call.”
If you’re considering a move to Vermont, I hope this gave you a more honest, on-the-ground look at what to expect beyond the fall foliage photos.
