AboutDavid Beckett Expertise I`ve lived in the Burlington area since 1961.
I can answer questions about the Greater Burlington area, The Burlington music and performing arts scene, Vermont, Chittenden County, Burlington Discover Jazz Festival
(I sit on the board), Real Estate (I`ve been a Realtor since 1988 and a Certified Buyer Representative since 1995), Skiing (I grew up skiing and have taught skiing professionally since 1986).
Experience I can email comprehensive custom MLS listing data sheets with multiple photographs and information. These can be followed up with automatic email notification of New listings within specified criteria.
Numerous written references from Real Estate Clients and Relocation packages provided upon request.
My sister, brother-in-law and niece relocated to Burlington at the beginning of January. They love it, and I recently went to visit them and can totally see why. It's beautiful, the food is delicious, it just seems like the perfect place to raise a family.
I have a much different lifestyle than they do, as I'm single, 28 years old and have been living for the last 10 years in New York City. I love it here very much, and have a very active social life, taking full advantage of all the nightlife the city has to offer. Unfortunately, the current recession is taking its toll on me (I work in the editorial department of a real estate publication, which is pretty much the worst place to be right now), and if things don't improve soon my sister has graciously offered me a room in her new house, where I can stay until I get back on my feet.
Do you think that someone with my lifestyle (who is not college-age) would fare well in Burlington? It seemed like a very family-oriented place when I visited, but then again, I was visiting a family, so it's natural that we would do things like go to parks as opposed to hanging out in bars. I really didn't have a chance to check out Church St. or explore the town on my own, and I'm nervous to move there without some understanding of what I'm in for.
Any insight or advice would be much appreciated!
-Katy
Answer Hi Katy -
I myself used to want to live in NYC. I still love to visit. But if I couldn't live in Burlington, it's now Montreal I'd want to live in. Montreal's less than 2 hours up the road from Burlington....driving the scenic back road route.
My answer to you question is a resounding Yes! I think a single 28 year old would love it here - in fact, I loved it here when I was single and 28, and it's just gotten better and better.
Whatever you like to do, there's so much of it you won't be able to keep up with it all. Between the world-class performing arts scene, all the outdoorsy activities, and the artisinal food - I don't think it's possible to be bored here. There's an archive of my answers to similar questions at the site....but one of the ways to get the flavour of Burlington is to look at Seven Days, our news and arts weekly. www.7dvt.com You might also look at the site for The Flynn Center, and for Higher Ground. Or look at the seaba site...it's the South End Arts And Business association - that whole section of town is full of artists studios, workshops and little businesses. Check out The First Friday Art Walk... And I haven't mentioned the lake, the world class bike paths, the mountains, the museums (check out The Shelburne Museum's site - thier collection is said to be the largest collection of American Objects outside the Smithsonian...the place is acres and acres of buildings and takes 2 days to even begin to explore...) or any of the rest of what makes Burlington (and VT) unique.
Finally - as I started to mention above, Burlington's so well located that you can be in Boston or Quebec City or Portland Maine, or Saratoga Springs, or Lake George - by car - really easily. NYC is a very short plane ride as you know....
If you have more specific questions or interests - please let me know. I'm going to be in Montreal until July 12, attending the Festival International De Jazz De Montreal) but will be trying to keep up with email, and I'd be very happy to help further...
Cheers,
David Beckett
david (at) askdavidbeckett.com
