Expert: David Beckett - 11/14/2007

Question
Hi David
I currently live in Nashville, TN and am attending Vanderbilt University for a Nurse Practitioner program.  Upon graduation, in addition to practicing medicine, I have always had the plan to teach.  I had been looking into places that help pay off student loans in exchange for teaching at the college level and Vermont popped up on the radar.  Having spent my whole life (except for the past 13 years) in Nashville, I've always had it in the back of my mind to someday move back "home" to the Northeast.  In considering a future move, it also dawned on me that Vermont may be a perfect place for other reasons since I am also in a same-sex long term relationship.  Although that is not the main reason for considering a move, I was wondering how open and liberal the Burlington area truly is, or have the same-sex issues just been kind of "forced" on everyone up there...I have an 8 year old daughter and I'd like her to grow up in a community that is open and accepting.  Being in the midst of the "Bible Belt" has had some challenges.. :)  Any insight you can provide would be great!

Answer
Tracie -

Nashville - wow. I'd love to visit. I'm completely obsessed with music (do a radio program, sit on the Jazz festival board etc etc etc). Some of my favorite musicians work a lot in Nashville.

I believe the more you find out about the greater Burlington area, the more intrigued you'll likely become. It does seem to me to be very open and liberal. Burlington has for many years been something of a mecca for gay women - although gay men don't seem as numerous here. I'm not sure why.
Here are some links to the State of VT website which you may find interesting...
http://www.dhca.state.vt.us/Housing/fairhousing.htm

http://www.sec.state.vt.us/otherprg/civilunions/civilunions.html

Are there hateful backward people here? Yes there are. But they seem in a small minority.

When Civil Unions were being debated here, it was a very controversial, and there were strong opinions expressed. But it seems to me civil unions have simply become the status quo. I understand there’s a state mandated panel which was recently assembled for the purpose of touring the state, soliciting public testimony on the question of whether to introduce Gay marriage legislation, stay with civil unions or recommend something else. I’m sure they’ll hear from all sides including some very strenuous opposition. But I believe it will all happen in a pretty neighborly fashion.

Here are some other considerations: We do, of course, have a gigantic medical center here - Fletcher Allen Health Care. And while I believe jobs typically don't pay well in VT as a whole, compared to other parts of the country - this may not be as pronounced for a Nurse Practitioner.

Then - there's the fact that in VT we have honest to goodness seasons - at least 6. Which I couldn't live without, but which drives some people away. Not me. I love the climate and the variety and the sheer variety of outdoor activities. That, combined with the amazing performing arts scene, and proximity to Montreal, Boston and NYC, make Burlington very attractive to a lot of us.

Please let me know what other questions you have!

Regards,

David Beckett
david@askdavidbeckett.com