Expert: David Beckett - 12/12/2010

Question
Hello! My partner and I have been researching areas to relocate and we fell in love with Burlington VT! We are originally from WI and we would love a place that is gay friendly. We hope to start a family and we would love a place where we feel comfortable and safe raising our children! Also because we live in WI we're wondering about finding apartments and jobs. We were looking online and we haven't found much! I guess any help would be much appreciated!! Thank you!  

Answer
Hi Stacie -

Thanks for your questions, and please forgive me for not replying more quickly; I wanted to attempt a thorough reply.

I've fallen in love with Burlington myself on a regular basis ever since my family brought me here in the Summer of 1960. Part of the reason is the fact that people here - both transplanted vermonters-by-choice as well as Yankees who've been here for generations - tend to be welcoming. In my experience Burlington itself tends to be a prime example of that.

As you know, Vermont was the first state in the nation to grant same-sex couples the right to Marry through legislation rather than litigation, even though our legislature had to over-ride the governor's veto to do it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_marriage_in_the_United_States
This was somewhat controversial, and remains so I suppose, but in my opinion not in any way that seems to matter to most folks in greater Burlington - or to the State Of Vermont. http://www.sec.state.vt.us/municipal/Marriage_equality.htm

I'd describe Burlington as "Gay Friendly".
I know a number of same sex couples, and while I'm sure thier experiences vary a lot, I think you won't find many people who find the Burlington area a poor choice. Indeed, Burlington's won many dozens of awards for it's liveability, and this openness is just one of many many factors. Burlington's also considered a mecca for the arts, a great place to raise a family, to be an older person and retire, to enjoy the outdoors, to participate in community and government and so on. It's also located in such a way that visiting Montreal, Boston and New York are relatively easy. And we get a great deal of performing arts and culture in general from our proximity to those cities. Heck, I can drive to Montreal in an hour and forty-five minutes, via the scenic back route, through The Champlain Islands...and frequently do.

Now for the other side of the coin: In my experience, finding a job here is no easier than it is anywhere else right now. And frankly, doing it online is difficult. While getting a job at one of the larger employers (The University Of Vermont, Fletcher Allen Health Care, IBM, etc etc) might be possible through the internet, most Vermont businesses are small businesses, and it seems word of mouth -and simply being in the right place at the right time, can be  essential, at least after an initial contact. The only jobs I've ever gotten (including my present one) I got in person, through persistance. Having said that, I've helped introduce people personally to possible employers here (I help run a business networking group which meets in person every week. Include a Tuesday in your visit, and be my guest) and I always suggest people visit www.jobsinvt.com for starters. Our local weekly paper, Seven Days has classified ads on it's website (www.7dvt.com)  as does the Burlington Free Press.

Housing is tricky, too. Due partly to the students at all the local colleges, rents are high. And there's no common database for available rentals, like the one I use (I'm a Realtor by profession) to find homes for people to consider buying. I do keep a list of rental phone numbers and websites which I'd be very happy to pass on by email. Just drop me a line at david(at)askdavidbeckett.com and I'll send it on - and try to answer any other questions you have.

We have (seemingly) a half a dozen seasons, rather than the usual 4, and this one is one of my favorites. The downtown is all lit up and festive, and I'd be very happy to give you the nickle tour when you visit. Just email me! If a visit isn't possible now, perhaps June, ...or late July.

A final thought: All Experts archives my answers to all the questions people have sent. You may want to look at that archive, as it's full of answers to questions from folks I've helped during various stages of moving here!

How else may I help?

David Beckett
david(at) askdavidbeckett.com