Expert: David Beckett - 4/22/2006

Question
Hi David...I've read a lot of the questions and answers on
Burlington and have found them to be quite helpful. Was
wondering if you could answer a few questions...

We live in NYC and own a condo in Stowe, which we use
primarily for renting (though we come up a few times a year). We
have tossed around the idea of moving to Stowe for years, but
feel like it will be way too drastic of a change from NYC. So now
Burlington has come in to play...how do the property taxes in
Burlington differ from Stowe? Stowe has taken a hard hit with Act
68 - is it the same in Burlington? These taxes are a huge factor
in our decision...

Regarding neighborhoods...currently we live about 20 minutes
from Manhattan in a great neighborhood with shopping, parks,
good schools, etc...would probably want to duplicate this
scenario in Burlington (if possible). In case we wanted to be
about 15-20 minutes or so away from downtown, with good
schools and nice homes, where would you recommend?

Lastly, with the way the world is going now, we are very
interested not only in energy efficiency, but alternate means of
fuel/electricty, etc. Is there a good network to find out about
these options? Is suplemental solar power for a home a good
choice in VT? Do you have any companies you would recommend
contacting?

Thank you so much for your time...we appreciate any help you
can give us!

Lucy and Tony

Answer
Sunday 1:30


Hi Lucy and Tony -

Thanks for your questions.

I'm sending a few links to internet resources that will help answer your questions. But I'm not sure they'll come through properly. Please let me know if they work when you get them (see below).

The link will show you the exact taxes for each of the properties presently offered for sale in both Stowe and Burlington (as well as the communities I mention below) - then you can not only compare taxes, but look at photos and data.

I think you're right - coming from NYC to Stowe would be a bit drastic perhaps.
I think you'd find Burlington and the surrounding towns very congenial, based on your wish to be within 20 minutes of Downtown. I myself live just 3 blocks South of Downtown Burlington, so I'm fortunate enough to be able to walk to the Church Street Marketplace, City Market, the movie theatre, The Flynn Center, Waterfront Park, The ECHO Center, and all of the shopping, performing arts and cultural activities in town. If I wanted to be within 20 minutes by car, I'd want to consider South Burlington, Colchester, and Winooski.

Stowe's a wonderful community, but it's a small town compared to Burlington. Even though Burlington's population is a mere 40 Thousand, there are in excess of 100 thousand additional residents in the rest of the County. Add to that the performing arts, the 4 Colleges, the Medical Center, the outdoor recreation opportunities, and Lake Champlain - and Burlington seems vastly bigger than it is.

Now - First - I don't know what price ranges would be most interesting to you.

Second - These links would certainly work in your email inbox if I sent them directly to your email address ...but I have no email address for you. For now, try these:

This one will link to 55 properties, complete with taxes, photos and data - allowing you to see various taxes in 5 different towns:
http://www.vreinmls.com/ver/maildoc/m0037Z1906.html

Here's a UVM site on Solar Power
http://www.uvm.edu/~solar/?Page=about.html


Here are a few other sites you may find worth a visit!
www.enjoyburlington.com
www.flynncenter.org
www.discoverjazz.com

Would you kindly let me know if these links work for you?
You may need to cut and past these links into a new browser window...

Please let me know how I can help further!

Thanks,

David Beckett
1 802 264 1888
david@askdavidbeckett.com