Expert: David Beckett - 10/6/2006

Question
Hi David,
I've lived primarily in the Rockies & Pacific NW, right now in SE Alaska. I'm considering an eventual move to your area. How does VT culture compare to the laidback, casual NW? Or to the quirky, fleece-as-formalwear Alaskan sensibility? ~=o) How do folks up your way feel about those of us from the other side of the continent? Are Westerners welcome? Also, in terms of real estate, which neighborhoods are most suited to a child-free, dog-loving lifestyle?

Answer
Based on your observations, I'm guessing you'd like it here, ...a lot. Like many Pacific Northwest states, we too are a fashion-free state. People here tend to be outdoorsy too.

I live in Burlington, VT which is in Chittenden County. This part of the state is more cosmopolitan, and more diverse. There are a lot of people here who have come from elsewhere, and you wouldn't feel the sort of insularity  you might expect in rural VT. People here are friendly. Drive out into the country a bit and people feel more like Yankees: less likely to holler HELLO NEIGHBOR from across the street, but perhaps even more likely to help you pull your car out of the ditch with the family tractor.

I adore Burlington, because I have everything I need here: bikepaths, and a world class downtown. 5 major international destination ski resorts, and a vibrant performing arts scene. From my home just South of Downtown Burlington, I can walk to Lake Champlain, several museums, the municipal library, a 4 screen movie theatre, and The Flynn Center For The Perfoming Arts. I can see free Bluegrass music in the parks - or I can go see Opera in the old Art Deco theatre. Plus, VT is a short drive from here (a little joke about urban Burlington). I can walk to the farmers market and the Lakefrom Childrens Science Museum, or I can drive to Montreal in well under 2 hours if I want. Heck - my neighbor has season tickets to the Boston Red Sox. He drives to Boston and back in one day, many times a year.

Burlington has The Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, but there's world class outdoor recreation here during all 6 seasons.

Please let me know if you'd like specific Real Estate information. There are dozens of neighborhoods you'd like. Would you be happier in town, in a village, or in the country? Heck - we even have suburbs here ;-)

Regards,
David Beckett
david@askdavidbeckett.com